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    The Best Travel Routers

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    The Best Travel Routers

    The best travel routers are super portable, user-friendly, and offer reliable wireless and wired connectivity when you’re on the road.

    Whether you’re a frequent or regular traveler, our research and testing led us to these picks from GL.iNet and TP-Link.

    Note: Prices are subject to change.

    GL.iNetSlate AX travel router with Lifewire Editor's Choice badge

    Credit: Amazon

    TL;DR: This pocket-sized router is feature-packed and fairly priced for everything you get.

    Why We Recommend It

    If you’re looking for an ultra-compact travel router with an extensive feature list, the GL.iNet AXT1800 is worth considering.

    This dual-band router offers Wi-Fi support, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a WAN port—handy when connecting to hotel internet.

    Pros

    • Supports Wi-Fi 6

    • Two Gigabit Ethernet ports

    • Supports streaming and file transfers

    • Built-in ad-blocking and VPN support

    Cons

    • No internal battery

    • Lacks cellular data

    The AXT1800 is small and has fold-flat antennas for conveniently tucking into any bag. And it delivers excellent coverage and congestion-free performance for up to 120 connected devices.

    On the security front, the AXT1800 comes with built-in ad-blocking via AdGuard software and supports OpenVPN and Tor for more secure browsing.

    Other bonuses include TF card and USB storage drive connectivity, allowing you to use this router as a media streaming hub, and NAS support for file sharing.

    While the AXT1800 lacks cellular data, you can connect your phone through the USB port. This device also requires plugging in for power, but should work with most chargers.

    • Who else recommends it? The Gadgeteer, PC Guide, and Popular Mechanics love this router, too, noting its portability, value, and impressive features.
    • What do buyers say? The AXT1800 has over 3,300 Amazon reviews averaging an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers praise its advanced features and user-friendly setup.

    Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro

    Credit: Netgear

    TL;DR: If you’re interested in a portable router with the works, this Netgear option includes a rechargeable battery and Wi-Fi 6E.

    Why We Recommend It

    The high-end Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro provides a lot of power and premium extras, including fast Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, 5G cellular without a local network, and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for ultra-fast wired networking.

    Pros

    • Wi-Fi 6E and 5G compatible

    • 2.5Gbps Ethernet port

    • Battery lasts up to 13 hours

    • Supports expansive 2,000 square foot coverage

    Cons

    • Very expensive

    • Lacks Wi-Fi 7 support

    Netgear says that you can connect up to 32 simultaneous devices across the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to avoid congestion, and its 5G mmWave technology helps you stay connected even when there’s a lot of other devices online.

    If you travel internationally, the M6 Pro also supports operation in over 125 international locations. And the device touchscreen is user-friendly for quick setup and adjustments.

    Another standout feature is the built-in battery—rare for this device category—which allows you to use it for up to 13 hours.

    While this model is costly, it bundles just about everything you could want in a travel router.

    • Who else recommends it? The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro is well reviewed by numerous other publications, including TechRadar, PCMag, and Popular Mechanics.
    • What do buyers say? Customers on B&H and Walmart give this router a near-unanimous perfect 5-star rating. Happy shoppers like the international and wired/wireless flexibility.

    TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 Travel Router

    Credit: Amazon

    TL;DR: An ideal option if you’re looking for a simple, user-friendly router for basic streaming or browsing.

    Why We Recommend It

    If you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles and prefer simple operation and a low price point, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is an excellent bet.

    We reviewed this travel router in 2020 and loved its portability, speed, and easy setup—and it still holds up.

    It costs well below the average cost of most travel routers and still offers a decent feature set, including dual bands to reduce network congestion and Wi-Fi 5, which is fast enough for HD video streaming, online games, and file downloads.

    Lifewire / Andy Zahn


    The TL-WR902AC offers a guest mode as well as router and hotspot modes, which offers flexibility for using this gadget as a Wi-Fi extender.

    Overall, this lightweight and portable router is easy to travel with or set up and use at home, and won’t break the bank either.

    • Who else recommends it? Other sites, including How-To Geek and Popular Mechanics, also recognize this model as a top budget contender.
    • What do buyers say? This product has over 9,700 Amazon reviews and receives 5 out of 5 stars from 59 percent of shoppers. Buyers are big fans of the easy setup and portability.

    How We Chose

    When researching the best travel routers, we looked at the latest releases from top brands and pored over the specifications.

    We looked for routers that provide a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection, Ethernet connectivity, and strong security.

    When making our selections, we only chose models we had direct time with or those with an average 4-star rating or higher.

    What to Look For

    The main factors to keep in mind when choosing a travel router, include:

    • Connection support: Connection type and speed should be at the top of your shopping list. If you want Wi-Fi 6, 5G support, or Ethernet connectivity, make sure the model offers the performance you’re seeking.
    • Portability: Ultimately, a relatively lightweight build is important because you’ll be traveling with this device. Foldable or antenna-less designs can be the most flexible.
    • Power supply: Be mindful of the power requirements and power bank compatibility. Some models have built-in batteries, but most require an external power source.

    Travel Router Brands We Considered

    When doing our research and making recommendations, we considered models from the biggest names in the space, including:

    • TP-Link
    • Netgear
    • GL.iNet
    • Asus
    • Cudy

    FAQ

    • If your hotel already has Wi-Fi, why do you need your own travel router?

      A travel router can provide better performance, especially if you can plug it into a wired connection in your room. Plus, most public Wi-Fi hotspots aren’t secure, which can leave your personal information and browsing activity vulnerable.

    • Are travel routers more secure?

      The best travel routers offer industry-standard WPA2 encryption—the same type of security used by your home router to keep your wireless traffic safe from prying eyes. But if you use a travel router as a wireless extender for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, your traffic will still be unencrypted between your travel router and the hotspot. For the best security, use a wired connection or a VPN wherever possible.

    • Can hotels see what websites you visit on Wi-Fi?

      Yes, hotels can see where you’re going on the web even if you use your travel router in the hotel room—since internet traffic still travels over the hotel’s network. If you want to ensure your connection is as private and secure as possible, we recommend using a travel router with built-in VPN support.


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