When it comes to getting connected on the go, turning on your phone’s Personal Hotspot feature is often enough. However, if you have a large group of devices that need lots of bandwidth or advanced features, such as VPN, it’s best to get a mini travel router.
This post includes the current five best travel routers among those I’ve tested. Keep in mind that they are not the final options, considering there are many on the way that feature Wi-Fi 7. Still, for this year and many years to come, any of those mentioned here will be applicable to your roaming bandwidth needs.
2025’s best travel routers: The list
This list is sorted in the rating order with the highest on top.
1. TP-Link TL-WR3002X
The TP-Link TL-WR3002X is the 2025 upgrade version of the TL-WR1502X below, with faster Wi-Fi 6 performance. It’s a little router that packs a bunch. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t have a built-in cellular modem (or a SIM slot), so you’ll need a separate USB modem or tether your smartphone to its USB port.
There’s a Wi-Fi 7-enabled TL-WR36002BE down the road, but in most use cases, it won’t make much of a difference for travellers.
Pros
Compact design with 2.5Gbps WAN port and 160 MHz channel width support, excellent real-world performance
Useful features tailored to travelers, including multiple operation modes, built-in NAS capability, and advanced VPN support
Robust web user interface with a useful optional mobile app; standard USB-C charging
Cons
No built-in cellular modem
2. Asus RT-AX57 Go
Similar to the TP-Link, the Asus RT-AX57 Go also doesn’t have a SIM slot or a built-in cellular modem. But it, too, can host a modem or a phone as the cellular broadband source. On top of that, it has the same function as a standard Asus router.
Asus also has more travel router options down the road, including one that features Wi-Fi 7 and another with a built-in cellular modem.
Pros
Excellent performance for the hardware specs; compact design with versatile broadband support
Identical features and network settings as full-size routers; advanced features available free for life
Full web interface with a useful optional mobile app; standard USB-C charging
Cons
No 6GHz band support; mid-range Wi-Fi 6 specs; no Multi-Gig ports
No built-in cellular modem or SIM slot
3. TP-Link TL-WR1502X
The TP-Link TL-WR1502X is the predecessor of the TP-Link TL-WR3002X above. It shares similar specs except for a slightly slower 5GHz band, due to the fact that it doesn’t support the 160MHz (DFS) channel width. Due to the DFS requirement, it often delivers the same performance in real-world usage, at a lower cost.
Pros
Compact design with good performance.
Useful features tailored to travelers, including multiple operation modes and VPN support
Full web interface with a useful optional mobile app; standard USB-C charging
Cons
Modest Wi-Fi specs, no Multi-Gig ports
No built-in cellular modem or SIM slot; slow USB 2.0-based tethering
4. D-Link G530 Review
The D-Link G650 is a mobile router that’s not so mobile. With a built-in cellular modem (and a Nano SIM slot), it’s ready to host a 5G/4G connection right out of the box. It also comes with a WAN network port to host a regular broadband connection. And it can do both at a time in a failover dual-WAN setup.
Unforatutenly, it’s a bit bulky yet doesn’t have a built-in battery, making it a bit hard to fit in your suitcase and therefore many travel situations. However, it’s an excellent solution for an RV or a boat.
Pros
Built-in 5G modem with a dual-WAN failover option
Reliable mid-tier Wi-Fi 6 performance with good coverage
Standard web user interface with a decent set of network settings and features
Cons
Only two Gigabit ports; bad cellular reception; no support for external cellular antennas
Too large to be a mobile router; no battery option
5. Netgear M6 Pro
The M6 Pro is a mobile hotspot that can work as a stasndard router. This tiny box comes with a built-in 5G cellular modem with a Nano SIM slot. Addtionally, it has a 2.5Gbps port that can work as a WAN to host a superfast broadband connection. So, it’s a really flexible router to have. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap even at today’s discounted price.
Alternatively, you can also consider the M7 Pro, which is similar in specs but much more affordable, as long as you’re willing to be locked to AT&T or Verizon as your cellular provider.
Pros
Fast cellular and Wi-Fi speeds; Wi-Fi 6E and Multi-Gig network port
Flexible and versatile; can work as a standard (travel) router; well-thought-out design
Excellent web user interface; unlocked
Cons
Expensive; not true tri-band (5GHz or 6GHz at a time)
Clunky power and port management; lots of restarts required
Needs to be plugged in with the battery removed to deliver the best performance; bulky design
The takeaway
As mentioned, there will be more options by the end of the year. But as the 2025 summer is here, any of the above is worth considering today.
