Quick Answer
The best travel router in 2025 is the GL.iNet Beryl AX because it balances speed, security, VPN support, and hotel-friendly setup better than anything else near $120. If you want the cheapest useful option, get the GL.iNet Opal; if you need cellular internet instead of hotel Wi-Fi, the Netgear Nighthawk M6 is the premium pick.
In This Guide
- Why do you need a travel router in the first place?
- Which travel router is best overall in 2025?
- How do GL.iNet Beryl AX, Opal, TP-Link TL-WR902AC, and Netgear M6 compare?
- What should remote workers look for before buying?
- Which travel router should you actually buy?
Why do you need a travel router in the first place?
A travel router solves three common problems: sketchy public Wi-Fi, too many devices, and inconsistent privacy. In a hotel or Airbnb, you can connect the router once, then let your laptop, phone, tablet, Chromecast, and game handheld join your own private network. That means fewer captive-portal headaches and a much smaller chance of accidentally leaving a device connected to an insecure network.
Good travel routers also add features you do not get from normal hotel Wi-Fi: VPN support, repeater mode, USB tethering, wired WAN fallback, and sometimes even 5G mobile broadband. That is why they are useful for both casual travellers and full-time remote workers.
The key is buying the right tier. A $35 pocket router can be enough for email and streaming. A $120 Wi-Fi 6 model is much better if you work on Zoom, move large files, or need fast VPN throughput. A $700 mobile hotspot-router combo like the Netgear Nighthawk M6 is only worth it if cellular connectivity is central to your workflow.
| Router | Street Price | Wi-Fi Class | Standout Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL.iNet Beryl AX | ~$120 | Wi-Fi 6 / AX3000 | Fast VPN + 2.5Gb port | Best overall travel router |
| GL.iNet Opal | ~$40 | AC1200 | Low price, easy repeater mode | Best budget choice |
| TP-Link TL-WR902AC | ~$35 | AC750 | Tiny size | Ultra-light occasional travel |
| Netgear Nighthawk M6 | ~$700 | Wi-Fi 6 + 5G | Cellular broadband | Road warriors and mobile offices |
Which travel router is best overall in 2025?
The GL.iNet Beryl AX is the one to buy for most people. It gives you Wi-Fi 6, strong repeater mode for hotels, wired WAN/LAN options, straightforward VPN setup, and enough performance to feel modern rather than merely functional. Crucially, it also includes a 2.5Gb WAN port and far better throughput than older pocket routers, so you are not instantly bottlenecked when an Airbnb actually has decent fiber.
The software is another reason it wins. GL.iNet’s interface makes OpenVPN and WireGuard much easier than on traditional routers, which matters if you want all your devices protected through one tunnel. For remote workers using hotel Wi-Fi, that is exactly the feature that justifies carrying one extra box.
How do the cheaper options compare?
The GL.iNet Opal is the travel-router bargain pick. At around $40, it still gives you dual-band AC1200 Wi-Fi, repeater mode, and a friendlier interface than many old-school pocket routers. It is not as fast as the Beryl AX, especially with VPN traffic, but it is more than enough for browsing, messaging, and light streaming.
The TP-Link TL-WR902AC is even cheaper at about $35 and impressively compact. It is a fine emergency gadget for occasional trips, but it feels dated beside the GL.iNet models. Setup is less elegant, features are more basic, and performance under heavier use is harder to recommend in 2025.
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 plays in a different league entirely. It is effectively a premium 5G hotspot with router features, and at roughly $700 it is wildly overkill for normal hotel stays. But if you drive between job sites, work from rural Airbnbs, or depend on mobile broadband rather than public Wi-Fi, it becomes a serious productivity tool rather than a luxury toy.
What should remote workers look for before buying?
First, prioritise repeater or WISP mode so the router can join a hotel network and rebroadcast it privately. Second, look for strong WireGuard or OpenVPN support if company privacy matters. Third, think about ports. One Ethernet jack may be enough for a laptop; two or three are better if you carry a mini switch, VoIP adapter, or travel NAS.
Power matters too. USB-C-powered routers are easier to live with because you can use the same charger as your phone or laptop battery bank. The Beryl AX is especially attractive here because it feels like a serious router that still belongs in a backpack.
GL.iNet Beryl AX
Best overall for secure hotel Wi-Fi, fast VPN use, and regular remote work. Around $120.
Check price on AmazonGL.iNet Opal
Best budget travel router for lighter use and occasional trips. Around $40.
Check price on AmazonTP-Link TL-WR902AC
Best only if you need the smallest and cheapest backup option. Around $35.
Check price on AmazonNetgear Nighthawk M6
Best premium option when 5G connectivity matters more than price. Around $700.
Check price on AmazonWhich travel router should you actually buy?
Buy the GL.iNet Beryl AX unless you have a very specific reason not to. It is the best blend of speed, features, size, and price, and it avoids the two classic travel-router mistakes: buying something too weak to be useful or spending wildly more than you need.
Choose the Opal if budget matters most. Choose the TP-Link only for very occasional use. Choose the Nighthawk M6 only if you need built-in 5G and treat connectivity as mission-critical. For everybody else — hotel hoppers, digital nomads, conference travellers, and remote workers who hate public Wi-Fi — the Beryl AX is the travel router to beat in 2025.
Our Verdict
The GL.iNet Beryl AX is the best travel router in 2025 because it does the core job better than its rivals: it turns unreliable public Wi-Fi into a safer, faster, more manageable private network without being bulky or expensive. The Opal is the best cheap pick, while the Netgear Nighthawk M6 is only worth it for people who truly need 5G connectivity on the move.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel router overall?
The GL.iNet Beryl AX is the best overall choice thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 performance, easy VPN setup, and solid hotel-network compatibility.
Is a travel router worth carrying?
Yes if you travel with multiple devices, use hotel Wi-Fi often, or want a simple way to keep all your gear behind one secure network.
Can travel routers handle hotel captive portals?
Many can, especially GL.iNet models, though some hotel systems still require an extra browser login step on first connection.
Is GL.iNet Opal enough for remote work?
For light remote work, yes. For heavy VPN use, constant calls, or faster broadband, the Beryl AX is the better long-term buy.
Why is the Netgear Nighthawk M6 so expensive?
Because it combines premium router functions with 5G mobile broadband, making it more of a mobile internet hub than a simple travel router.
Can I use a VPN on all devices through one router?
Yes. That is one of the biggest benefits of travel routers like the Beryl AX, which can run a VPN tunnel for everything connected to them.