Good-quality networking has never been more important than today. People have a constant demand for a stable and efficient connection that will allow them to stay in touch with their friends and family, upload photos, get emails, and be present on social media, wherever they are, even while traveling.
For that reason, it is very important that you do everything that is in your power to provide quality coverage while you are in a hotel or some other accommodation, and a perfect way to manage that is by acquiring the best travel router that will make everything possible.
Of course, such purchase demands certain knowledge of the matter, which may present a problem for many people. However, this is not rocket science. Therefore, it can be easily managed with a few instructions presented in this guide.
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How to choose the best travel router
As mentioned, finding the best travel router shouldn’t be a hard task. Nevertheless, it requires involvement and paying attention to certain details, such as:
Size
One of the most important characteristics of any travel router is without a doubt its size. Since this type of device is dedicated to constant allocation, it is very important that they have the smallest possible dimensions and as a result provide easy portability.
For that reason, try to find the best possible ratio of size and performance in order to get the most functionality possible, without losing its practicality.
Versatility
Since travel router is a device that should be a constant part of your luggage, it is highly important not only to be as small as possible, but also very versatile, with as many functions as possible, and that way you can save you space and money.
In other words, choose the router with as many different functions possible, including Wi-Fi extender functionality, charging function, bridge and access point functionality, etc.
Connectivity
Although connectivity isn’t an essential part of router functionality, it still plays a major role considering its overall usability. You can live without USB connection or SD card reader, for example; however, the existence of such features adds to the overall functionality of your router and allows you to use it for storage purposes and 3G/4G modem connectivity as well.
Therefore, choose a router with as many connection options possible and get yourself the highest level of functionality you can.
Best Travel Routers
TP-Link TL-WR902AC
Simplicity and Practicality in One
TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a simple, solid-performing router that is a perfect companion for travels and general portable usage because of its compact size.
It can be used in numerous roles: as a range extender, an access point, a router, as a hotspot or in client mode. In other words, great versatility is guaranteed with this little dude.
TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a dual-band AC750 router that supports the speed of up to 433Mbps in 5GHz range and up to 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range. Also, it provides one 10/100Mbps Ethernet port that can be used as LAN or WAN port, as well as one USB2.0 port that allows you to connect a USB 4G or 3G modem, or an external HDD that you can use as a NAS.
This router is made out of shiny white plastic and comes with a two-year warranty. More importantly, it is very practical and easy to use and overall it presents a decent performing, well-balanced offering, as you would expect from one of the best wireless travel routers.
- Compact
- Decent performance
- Limited range
RAVPower RP-WD009
A Great All-in-One Device
If you are looking for a decent-performing router, with an excellent multi-functionality and superb portability, RAVPower RP-WD009 is the device for you.
No, you won’t experience the top-class performance as with premium quality routers. However, you will get plenty of value for the price and an overall helpful comrade on your travels that you can use as a router, a charging device, a media server and even as a backup device.
RAVPower RP-WD009 comes with a single Ethernet port, one USB Type-C connector and an SD card reader, a combination of ports that allows you to store your SD card files to an external HDD with decent 12-18MBps speeds without your computer.
RAVPower RP-WD009 allows for Wi-Fi speeds of up to 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range and 433Mbps in 5GHz range and in general, delivers everything you would expect from the best travel router; however, it has a few drawbacks, such as the lack of VPN support and not the best quality App.
All in all, this is a good quality router, with great versatility and altogether solid performance that would make you more than satisfied.
- Rechargeable 6700mAh battery
- Easy to use
- Excellent multi-functionality
- Not the best App
- Inconsistent performance
- No VPN support
GL.iNet GL-AR750S Router
A Feature-Rich Router Perfect for Any Occasion
When talking about the best travel routers, a compact size and a ton of features are usually a winning combination, and GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router is a proof of that.
This wireless router comes with OpenVPN and provides compatibility with more than 25 VPN providers. Also, it has a pre-installed OpenWrt/LEDE that allows for its easy programming and is equipped with three Ethernet ports, a third of which can be used as either a LAN or WAN port.
GL.iNet GL-AR750S is lightweight, it has a one-year warranty and more importantly, it is super-easy to use. It supports for data transfer speeds of up to 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range and 433Mbps in 5GHz range and is fitted with an SD card reader and a USB 2.0 port suitable for 3G and 4G modem sticks.
This device can be used as an access point, router, Wi-Fi extender or WDS, and in general presents a great mixture of performance, features and small size, which makes it perfect for travels and users that are constantly on the go and are looking for more than just a basic router.
- Great versatility
- OpenVPN and OpenWrt pre-installed
- Decent connectivity
- Not the best quality control
HooToo HT-TM05 N Wireless Router
More than Just a Router
HooToo Filehub HT-TM05 N Wireless Travel Router is a device that will satisfy your every Wi-Fi need, whether you are on the move or located in a hotel.
This is a device that can be successfully used in AP mode, as a bridge or a standard router. It is equipped with a 10400mAh battery that allows you to charge your mobile devices with up to 2A of power and both SD card reader and USB2.0 port that can be used for backup purposes, as well as 3G and 4G connectivity (USB port).
HooToo Filehub HT-TM05 is a single band N300 router, with a maximum data transfer speed of around 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range, which isn’t much, but is more than enough for most users. Its range is pretty decent and allows for solid coverage of a small flat, while its compact size makes it extremely portable.
This device is easy to use and comes in black/red color combination that makes it very appealing, and overall delivers solid value for the money. However, it could be a little bit cheaper, especially considering its problematic software and lack of charging consistency.
All in all, if you want a small size, good quality router, HooToo Filehub HT-TM05 is definitely among the best travel router options out there, regardless of its imperfection and a few downsides here and there.
- Simple to use
- 10400mAh battery
- Compact size
- Not the best software
- Charging lacks consistency
- Only a single band
GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 Router
A Lot of Value for a Small Price
Finding a super-cheap router that will serve you well and provide enough resources for you to enjoy every benefit of modern-day Wi-Fi networking, is no easy task. However, such devices do exist, and GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router is the prime example of that.
GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 is compact, lightweight and easy to use. It comes with pre-installed OpenVPN and decent connectivity that includes two Ethernet ports (one LAN and one WAN port) and one USB2.0 connection that allows for 3G/4G modem usage.
This is a single-band router that supports data transfer speed of up to 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range and provides a modest, but good enough overall performance.
GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 comes in an attractive yellow color and provides a fairly limited one-year warranty. It is highly practical, portable and offers a great value for the money. In other words, if you want the best travel router for hotels at a cheap price, GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 is the device to look for.
- Affordable
- Attractive looks
- Lightweight
- Not the best quality control
- It doesn’t support VPN
NETGEAR Nighthawk M1
Best LTE Modem For Streaming
The NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 is a very popular mobile hotspot travel router that comes with impressive specs and a hefty price tag. Retailing for north of $200, the Nighthawk M1 Mobile is aimed at people on the go looking for reliable connectivity, and it comes from a company that’s been in the computer networking business for almost 25 years.
Starting with the design, the Nighthawk M1 Mobile looks slick and will feel at home in any gamer’s setup, though it’s a bit bulkier compared to its competitors. However, you’ll get a lot of cool features and an impressive 5,040mAh battery for up to 24 hours of autonomous usage.
Speaking of features, the Nighthawk M1 allows for up to 20 devices to connect simultaneously, has up to 1 GB speed and accepts all SIM cards, which makes it ideal for media streaming and data sharing. Connectivity is also impressive, as the router comes with USB A port, USB C port, and an ethernet port.
Setup is a walk in the park, and if you live in a rural area where high-speed internet is not an option, this baby will definitely save your life. Bottom line, if you’re searching for the best travel router to use with a cellular connection, the Nighthawk M1 is worth every penny.
- Super-fast
- 4G LTE mobile
- Supports up to 20 devices
- Extra ports
- Solid autonomy
- Color display
- Slick design
- Kind of expensive
Conclusion
Are you ready for your next traveling adventure? After reading this guide and getting yourself that travel router, you definitely will be. We hope you’ll enjoy it and, more importantly, we hope you’ll be able to access everything you need through the router of your choice. Have a safe trip!
The Edimax BR-6258n is another super-small portable router. It can power an 802.11b/g/n network without issue, and it’s only as large as it is because it packs a wired Ethernet port right next to another LAN port you can use to share your connection with any wired devices near you. It can be used as a router or a repeater. Setup is easy, and the BR-6258n’s software supports some more advanced router features, such as setting up a DMZ and IP sharing.