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Wi-Fi hotspots seem to be everywhere. It’s practically impossible to wander into a coffee shop, restaurant, or hotel without being offered some type of complementary internet access. However, those of us who are constantly on the go know just how easy it is to be trapped in an unknown location with no Wi-Fi. Whether you frequently travel for work, enjoy going on outdoor adventures, or simply live in an area with too few Starbucks, facing the prospect of a day without Wi-Fi is a real possibility. That’s where wireless travel routers come in. Although you probably didn’t do a ton of traveling in 2020, you might’ve started to plan trips again after more and more restrictions get lifted. Having a travel router on hand is becoming a necessity again, and you can find many excellent options on the market. These handy gadgets allow you to connect your mobile device or laptop to the internet via a secure connection. These devices often have a compact design since their portability is essential for travelers. Some are also battery-powered, so you need to ensure that their battery capacity is large enough to last you an entire work day at least. Wireless travel routers are easy to set up, and others even support VPN support. Here’s a list of the top wireless travel routers on the market in 2022.
Ah, TP-Link, how we love you. This AC750 unit is quite impressive. It’s small and light and offers a sleek and stylish design. It also offers dual-band AC750 Wi-Fi, which is undeniably strong, efficient, and fast—perfect for streaming on the go between multiple attached systems. Its 2.4 GHz band offers speeds up to 300 Mbps, while its 5 GHz band can reach 433Mbps. This travel router comes with different modes like Router Mode, Hotspot Mode, Range Extender Mode, Client Mode, and Access Point Mode. Its Router Mode allows you to plug the router into an Ethernet port you may have in a hotel room and establish a private Wi-Fi network. Its Hotspot Mode, on the other hand, allows you to create a WISP Access Point for you to share the network with your other devices or peers. Thanks to its Range Extender Mode, the router can also act as an extender, so you can improve coverage wherever you are. The Client Mode allows devices that need a wired connection to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network. Lastly, its Access Point Mode lets you make a custom wireless network for any Wi-Fi-ready device. The router has a single switch that allows you to toggle between multiple modes. The TP-Link AC750 travel router has a USB 2.0 (Type-A) port you can use for either sharing files or charging other devices. The router is a wireless router, but when you’re low on juice and still want to continue using it, you can use its micro USB port to connect to an external adaptor, power bank, etc. Customers can expect TP-Link to give them award-winning access to some of the best customer service around and an industry-leading 2-year warranty with unlimited 24/7 technical support.
Compact and lightweight design perfect for travelingDual-band Wi-FiWorks as a Wi-Fi extenderMultiple modesUse it for charging other devices or file sharing2-year warranty with unlimited 24/7 technical supportBudget-friendly
No USB-C supportThe cables it comes with could be longer 
If you have no budget limitations and are willing to splurge on a wireless travel router, you might want to look at the Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G LTE Mobile Router. You simply insert a micro sim card into the router, and you’ll be able to turn its mobile data into a Wi-Fi network. Netgear says that it works best with AT&T and T-Mobile sim cards. It features a 4G LTE band, which might be disappointing for some because of the availability of 5G connectivity these days. Nonetheless, you can rest assured that this device would still be sufficient for you to get work done when you can’t find any reliable Wi-Fi network in the hotel or cafe you’re in. The device supports Wi-Fi 5, and you can get download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 150Mbps. Users can use the router to provide internet for all their devices because it can connect to as many as 20 devices. The router has a 5,040 mAh rechargeable battery, giving you all the juice you need to stay connected for about 13 hours. It even has a Jump Boost feature that allows you to use the router as a power bank for your other mobile devices. You will also love how the router comes with a USB port you can use to share files with other connected devices. The device’s port selection is pretty impressive because, aside from a USB Type-A port, it also has a USB Type-C and Ethernet port.
Fantastic 4G LTE performanceExcellent for those who always need internet accessDownload speeds of up to 1 GbpsImpressive battery lifeDecent port selectionConnect up to 20 devices
ExpensiveNeed a sim with a data plan to create a mobile hotspotNot 5G-readyPretty heavy
The GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel Router stands out when you compare it to its rivals because of its various extra features. The router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, so you can access 2.4G or 5G speeds. It comes with foldable antennas, which might make you assume it will help it perform better, but some users have reported that they aren’t that useful. It’s a perfect device to have if you’re fond of connecting to public networks because it can convert such networks into private networks. This guarantees top-notch safety from any potential data breaches. What’s unique about this device is how it has VPN capabilities. It comes with WireGuard and OpenVPN pre-installed, but WireGuard offers faster speeds between the two. You can rest assured that you can hide your IP address from anyone who might be tracking you. The router is open source and programmable since it has OpenWrt/LEDE built-in. The GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext comes with 128MB NAND Flash, 16MB NOR Flash, and 128MB RAM, and it has a microSD slot that supports up to a 128GB card. If you feel like connecting directly to the writer, you can use one of its three Ethernet ports. Upon purchase, customers will receive a 1-year limited warranty, USB cable, Ethernet cable, and power adapter.
Dual-band Wi-FiVPN supportOpenWRT built-inMicroSD card slot3 Ethernet ports
Not the simplest setup processOn the pricier sideExternal antennas don't make much of an impact
The GL.iNet Mudi GL-E750 Portable 4G LTE Router is another option for those who want a travel router that can create a mobile hotspot. It has a sim card slot for you to convert 4G LTE mobile data into a Wi-Fi network. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi, so you can enjoy either 2.4G (300Mbps) or 5G (433 Mbps). It comes with two full-frequency antennas, but you can’t see them since it’s hidden inside the device. The router is unique because it comes with WireGuard and OpenVPN built in. It has a dedicated hardware switch button that allows you to turn the VPN on and off. It’s open source like the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel Router because it also has OpenWRT pre-installed and has the same microSD slot, 128MB NAND Flash, 16MB NOR Flash, and 128MB RAM. The device has a built-in 7,000mAh battery, giving you enough power you need for an entire work day. Learning how to control or configure the router is easy since you can download the companion Mudi mobile app for free. The freebies included with the device are a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, USB Type-C to Type-A cable, a USB Type-C port replicator with an Ethernet port, an Ethernet cable, a power adaptor, and a 1-year limited warranty.
4G LTE mobile hotspot and dual-band Wi-FiOpen sourceVPN supportBuilt-in 7,000mAh batteryMicroSD card slotFree cables
Sim card with data plan needed for mobile hotspotExpensive
The TP-Link’s N300 is among the most affordable options you can get because it only costs $28.49, but you’ll have to be ready for some compromises. TP-LINK is pretty much a household name (in tech-loving households, that is), and this unit lives up to its expectations. This N300 device is well-priced, pocket-sized, and supremely portable. The only catch is that it only supports a single 2.4GHz band, reaching a maximum Wi-Fi speed of 300 Mbps. You can quickly create a powerful Wi-Fi hotspot to share with family and friends and stream videos, games, and music. It’s also seamlessly compatible with Chromecast (for all of you Chrome lovers) and features a micro-USB power port that allows you to power external devices via an external adapter. A pre-encryption function sets initial SSID and password protection, and you also get an industry-leading 2-year warranty and unlimited 24/7 technical support. The TP-Link N300 has different operating modes like Client, Repeater, Access Point, Bridge, and Router. Its extender capabilities ensure you won’t have any dead spots wherever you may be. Customers will get a 2-year warranty and unlimited 24/7 technical support. This router might not be the fastest on the market, but its affordable price tag and compact size make it an excellent deal.
AffordableCompact and portableDecent performanceMultiple operating modeCan be used as an extenderExcellent security features
Single band onlyDoesn't offer the fastest Wi-Fi speeds
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