5 Best Portable Router For Travel With Sim & Without Sim

It is possible to stay connected while traveling by using a modern smartphone, but for frequent fliers who face poor cell service, shaky security, and outrageously high hotel and airport wifi fees, a perfect travel router could often save the day (and your wallet).

These are the best portable wireless routers for traveling that also support SIM. Rather than dealing with these inconveniences, you can create your own personal Wi-Fi hotspot wherever you happen to be, be it a conference center, a hotel room, or an airport lounge.

When it comes to Wi-Fi range extenders, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is the best option for the majority of people. The Amazon Eero Mesh is a great option if you also need a personal hotspot for your hotel suite or vehicle.

5 Best Portable Router You Can Get For Travel

In this list, you will find the best portable routers that we tested and recommend.

1. TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router – Best Overall

At this size and price, the TL-WR902AC from TP-Link is one of the finest travel routers we have ever tested. Because it’s so small and light, you can tote it around in your pocket, briefcase, or backpack and use it to create your own personal Wi-Fi hotspot almost anywhere.

  • Compact Size perfect to use while Travelling.
  • Supports Dual Band AC750 WiFi.
  • Supports HD Streaming.
  • Flexible Power Support along with the support of micro USB.
  • 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty.

Because of its size, the TL-WR902AC delivers impressive Wi-Fi performance on both bands. Aside from that, it’s extremely versatile because it can be used as a router or access point, but it can also be used to extend the range of an existing wireless network, set up an individual private hotspot, or connect a wired device to the network using its built-in Ethernet port.

Best Portable Router You Can Get For Travel - TP Link

The built-in USB port allows you to share files and media from a removable USB storage device, as well as provide up to 2A of passthrough power to charge your smartphone or tablet.

Since the USB and micro USB power ports are located on the opposite side of the Ethernet port, the port layout can be a little awkward.

The TP-Link TL-small WR902AC’s size and lightweight make it ideal for frequent fliers. It’s small enough to fit in my pants pocket, making it easy to take with you wherever you go and no matter how much space you have to work with.

TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router - Best Overall

With the TL-WR902AC, setting up a wireless network on the road is as simple as plugging it in and going. The first time in router mode, it was up and running in less than ten minutes, and subsequent installations were also of a nondescript length.

Using this router, I never had any problems with speed or reliability. In addition, I was impressed by the router’s ability to operate in dual bands despite its small form factor.

However, the range was not terrible for a small device. For a medium-sized house and beyond, I was able to use it up to about 100 feet away.

Pros
  • Compact Size for better Portability.
  • Affordable Pricing.
  • Supports HD Streaming and Dual Band.
Cons
  • The wires Inside the Box are Short.

2. GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Travel Gigabit Wireless Router

If you’re used to working under pressure and completing tasks while on the go, you’ll want reliable internet access at all times. From the comfort of your own home, you can conduct business without missing a beat.

GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Travel Gigabit Wireless Router
  • Dual-Band Support
  • Maximum Speed Upto 400Mpbs on 2.4GHz and 867Mbps on 5.0GHz.
  • Comes with Inbuilt support For VPN.
  • Pocket Size.
  • Comes with USB 3.0 and SD Card Slot.

It has an SD card reader and a USB port that can be used to connect external hard drives so that you can stream your favorite media. It can be used as an external hard drive and a wireless travel router at the same time. This makes it easy to transfer files and stream media between devices.

GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Travel Gigabit Wireless Router

It also supports OpenVPN and comes pre-installed with WireGuard. This allows you to connect to more than 30 VPN services while maintaining your privacy. It has a dedicated toggle button for switching between VPN and Tor.

Large media files are no problem for this router because of its secure wireless network and super-fast internet connection.

GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Travel Gigabit Wireless Router

With Cloudflare, you can get fast and secure DNS performance while avoiding DNS hijacking and domain theft.

However, if you’re looking for a cost-effective and reliable way to stay connected while on the go, this device is a good option.

Pros
  • Cheap and Affordable.
  • Support VPN and SD Card Slot.
  • Pocket Size.
  • Dual-Band Support.
Cons
  • VPN Policies do not get enforced always.

3. GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel Router

This is the router to choose if you’re a techie traveling with specific requirements. This router’s dual-band channel is capable of delivering speeds of 733MB/s. To sum it up: Gigabit WAN and 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports are available for use.

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel Router
  • Data transfer rate of 750MB per second.
  • USB power supply.
  • The weight is 3.03 ounces.
  • WiFi with dual bands.

It runs OpenWRT, a free and open-source operating system, which gives geeks the ability to make their own configurations. It’s compatible with more than 30 VPN services when it comes to its VPN features. Additionally, OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, allowing you to use the software as either a VPN server or client.

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel Router

Talking about feasibility, you can use it as an extender repeater or bridge device, or even a hotspot for your wi-fi network as long as you have the proper permissions in place.

If you’re looking for a device that’ll be useful while traveling, the router is a good bet. But if you know what you’re buying and how to use its features, this wireless router is a good choice.

Pros
  • Small Size.
  • High-Speed Support.
  • Support Open Source VPN.
  • Comes with Cloudflare DNS.
Cons
  • The connection can be tricky sometimes.
  • Low Download Speed on 5GHz Network.

4. TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR802N)

Although it’s small and portable, the TP-Link TL-WR802N N300 Wireless Portable Nano Router packs a serious powerhouse punch.

It also has a 300Mbps data transfer rate. If you have this much bandwidth, you can download, browse, and even play lag-free games.

TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
  • Pocket-sized wireless n router to travel effortlessly.
  • Single Band support of 2.4GHz.
  • Works as WiFi Extender or WiFi Bridge as well.
  • Supports Top Speed of up to 300Mbps.

Again, don’t be deceived by its small stature. In terms of wireless coverage, it’s a great option. When it comes to its single-band network, it’s anything but shaky. Contrary to popular belief, I believe it is adequate for a single user.

You won’t have any trouble setting up the TP-Link N300 wireless router, even if this is your first time. Also, did I forget to mention that you can use it to extend your wireless network and connect wired peripherals like scanners and printers to your PC?

If you’re looking for a travel router, the N300 is a good option to consider. For both work and play, this is a good one to have on hand. In truth, this router isn’t as fast as some other options, but it does the job of providing the essentials, even without a USB port, and it’s a worthwhile investment.

Pros
  • One band of Wi-Fi has a high speed.
  • Low-cost and Pocket Sized.
  • Simple instructions are provided to guide you through the installation process.
Cons
  • Internet Speed is not consistent on Multiple devices.
  • Supports Single Band Network.

5. GL.iNet GL-E750 (MUDI) 4G LTE OpenWrt VPN Travel Router

As a travel router, this is the one you want. It’s built to last, it’s secure and it’ll keep you connected even if you’re on the move.

The GL.iNet E750 Portable 4G LTE Router is a great option for frequent travelers who travel a lot by plane. To be sure, this is a high-quality item from a well-known company.

You can’t go wrong with this device’s top-notch features. In terms of connectivity, you get Wi-Fi as well as a 4G LTE service. Virtual private networks based on OpenWRT or OpenVPN are both supported. The 128 GB of internal memory ensures that your files are safe and accessible at all times, thanks to DNS encryption.

GL.iNet GL-E750 (MUDI) 4G LTE OpenWrt VPN Travel Router
  • Comes with Sim Card Slot to Support 4G LTE.
  • Support VPN for privacy and encryptions.
  • Compact and Pocket-Friendly Size.
  • Comes with Micro-SD support and USB 2.0 Support.

To make it easy to carry in any camera bag, the device is sleek and compact in design. You won’t have to worry about running out of juice while you’re on the go; this router has a battery life of around 8 hours and fast download speeds, so you can get more done in less time.

GL.iNet GL-E750 (MUDI) 4G LTE OpenWrt VPN Travel Router

If you need to charge your mobile device in an emergency, this router will do the trick. As this router supports mobile charging as well.

It can be difficult to understand routers, even if you aren’t a techie. The GL.iNet GL-E750 is an excellent choice for business travelers who prioritize speed, security, and ease of use above all else.

Pros
  • Capabilities of a 4G LTE sim card as a hotspot.
  • The source code is available for free.
  • High-capacity internet access.
  • Very Durable.
Cons
  • The price for the device is High.

Wrap Up

I hope you were able to select your travel route based on our advice. Our team thoroughly tested all of the devices for a week. Then we came up with the best portable router list you see above.

As travel routers or portable routers have evolved, they are now more than just routers. The majority of them support expandable memory and portable charging. This allows you to store media on your router and charge your device while it is in use.

They are ideal for hotels with only wired internet. Use your travel router at home as well. All that’s left is for you to choose which travel router, based on your specific requirements, you want to buy.

Further Read:

  1. Best Mesh WiFi For Gigabit Internet
  2. 5 Best WiFi Extender For Spectrum
  3. XFi Pods Vs Eero: Best Router For Your Home
  4. Best Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver [Complete Guide]