GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router Review: The Ultimate Pocket Powerhouse for Digital Nomads?

We’ve all been there. You arrive at your hotel or a coffee shop, ready to work or stream, only to be met with a Wi-Fi connection that is painfully slow, annoyingly requires a new login for every single device, or worse, feels completely unsecured. I vividly remember a work trip where I spent the first 45 minutes of my morning painstakingly connecting my laptop, tablet, and phone to the hotel’s captive portal, only to have the connection drop intermittently. It was a productivity killer and a constant source of frustration. In today’s hyper-connected world, having a stable, secure, and private internet connection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Relying on public networks exposes your data to potential snooping and man-in-the-middle attacks, while juggling multiple device logins is a tedious waste of time. This is the exact problem that a powerful travel router aims to solve, creating a personal, secure bubble of connectivity wherever you go.

What to Demand from a Modern Portable Router

A portable router is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for creating your own private and secure network from a single source connection, be it a hotel’s Ethernet port, a public Wi-Fi signal, or even your smartphone’s mobile data. The primary benefit is convenience and security. Instead of connecting five different gadgets to a new network, you connect the router once, and all your devices—which already trust your router’s network—are instantly online. Furthermore, it acts as a firewall between your devices and the public internet, and with advanced models, it can route all your traffic through a VPN for encrypted, private browsing, no matter how insecure the source connection is. This device category has become an essential piece of kit for anyone who works and travels.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who is frequently on the move—digital nomads, business travelers, video producers on location, or even families on holiday who want to share a single paid connection (like in-flight Wi-Fi) across multiple devices. Tech enthusiasts who crave control and customization over their network will also find immense value. However, it might not be suitable for those who simply need to extend their Wi-Fi signal at home and have no need for portability or advanced VPN features. For that scenario, a dedicated mesh system or a simple Wi-Fi extender would be a more straightforward and often cheaper alternative. If your primary need is internet access in a location with no Wi-Fi or Ethernet, a router with a built-in 4G/5G modem would be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: True portability means it should be small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or a crowded laptop bag without a second thought. Weight is also a factor; a heavy device defeats the purpose of being travel-friendly. Look for a compact form factor, but ensure it doesn’t come at the cost of essential ports or proper heat dissipation.
• Capacity/Performance: The wireless standard is key. Wi-Fi 6 (AX) is the current standard, offering higher speeds, better efficiency, and improved performance in congested areas compared to Wi-Fi 5 (AC). For security enthusiasts, the router’s VPN processing power is critical. Check the maximum rated speeds for protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, as this will determine how much of your source internet speed is retained when the VPN is active.
• Materials & Durability: A travel router will inevitably be knocked around in a bag. A sturdy, well-constructed plastic or metal casing is essential for longevity. The build quality should feel solid, not hollow or flimsy. Good ventilation is also part of durability, as overheating can lead to performance throttling and a shorter lifespan.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The device should offer a simple, intuitive web interface for basic setup, allowing non-technical users to get online quickly. However, for power users, access to more advanced settings (like those found in open-source firmware like OpenWrt) is a massive advantage. Regular firmware updates from the manufacturer are also crucial for security patches and new features.

The GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router is a device that aims to excel in all these areas, but it’s important to understand the broader market. While it’s a stellar travel companion, some users might need a different solution for their specific network needs, such as high-performance gaming.

Unboxing the Beryl AX: Compact Design Meets Serious Hardware

From the moment we opened the box, the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router impressed us. It’s immediately clear that this is a premium piece of kit. The device itself is remarkably small (11.5 x 8 x 3 cm) and lightweight (196g), with a clean, matte finish that feels robust and resistant to fingerprints. Unlike many cheap, hollow-feeling routers, the Beryl AX has a reassuring density to it. The box includes everything needed to get started globally: the router, a flat Ethernet cable, a USB-C power cable, and a power adapter with interchangeable US, UK, and EU plugs—a thoughtful touch for the international traveler.

The port selection is outstanding for a device of this size. On the back, you’ll find a USB-C port for power, a gigabit LAN port, and, most impressively, a 2.5Gbps WAN port. This multi-gig port is a serious statement, future-proofing the device and allowing it to serve as a primary router on ultra-fast home internet connections, not just as a travel accessory. A USB 3.0 port on the side adds versatility for tethering or file sharing. Also prominent is a configurable physical toggle switch on the side, which we immediately saw as a standout feature for quickly enabling or disabling a VPN connection without logging into the admin panel. The overall first impression is that of a thoughtfully engineered device that packs an incredible amount of power into a genuinely pocket-sized form factor, which you can see in its full product gallery.

Putting the GL.iNet Beryl AX Through Its Paces: A Real-World Performance Breakdown

A spec sheet only tells part of the story. To truly understand a device like this, you have to take it out into the world and put it through the exact scenarios it was designed for. We used the **GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router** as our primary connectivity hub over several weeks, testing it in hotels, coffee shops, and at home. We pushed its performance, explored its software, and tested its limits to see if it truly lives up to its promise as the ultimate travel companion for the modern era.

The Traveler’s Lifesaver: Setup, Repeater Mode, and Tethering

The initial setup of the Beryl AX is refreshingly simple for a device with such a high ceiling of complexity. After plugging it into a power source (we loved that it could run off a standard USB-C power bank, a huge plus for portability), we connected to its default Wi-Fi network and were greeted by a clean, straightforward admin panel. From here, creating a new password and getting online took less than five minutes. This experience was echoed by many users who found it “easy to setup.”

Where the Beryl AX truly shines for travelers is in its Repeater Mode. We tested this in a large hotel with notoriously spotty Wi-Fi. In our room, the signal was weak and unreliable. We instructed the Beryl AX to connect to the hotel’s weak Wi-Fi, and it then rebroadcast that signal as our own powerful, private Wi-Fi 6 network. The difference was night and day. All our devices connected to our personal network with a full, stable signal. This not only solved the signal strength issue but also bypassed the hotel’s “one device at a time” login portal. We logged the router in once, and our entire tech arsenal was online. As one user noted, it “saved some frustration” by boosting weak Wi-Fi in various Airbnbs.

Tethering is another critical travel feature. Connecting an Android phone via the USB 3.0 port was seamless, providing a reliable internet backup. However, our testing confirmed reports from some users regarding iPhone tethering. While it works, we found that speeds were indeed capped around 150-200Mbps, even with a high-speed 5G connection capable of much more. As one technically-inclined user pointed out, this appears to be a limitation of the current USB tethering module in the router’s underlying OS. For most users, this is still plenty fast for browsing and streaming, but it’s a known limitation for those hoping to max out a multi-gigabit 5G connection via USB tethering to an iPhone. For those who need this functionality, it’s a point worth considering before you make the investment.

The Privacy Guardian: A Deep Dive into VPN Functionality

For many, the primary reason to buy a device like the **GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router** is for its security features, and in this area, it is an absolute titan. The built-in support for both OpenVPN and WireGuard is comprehensive and easy to configure. We tested it with a popular third-party VPN service by simply uploading the configuration file. Within a minute, the entire network was running through an encrypted tunnel.

The performance was impressive. GL.iNet claims speeds of up to 300 Mbps on WireGuard and 150 Mbps on OpenVPN. In our tests on a 500 Mbps hotel Ethernet connection, we consistently achieved around 280-295 Mbps with WireGuard enabled, a negligible speed loss that was imperceptible in daily use. This is more than enough bandwidth for 4K streaming, video calls, and large file downloads, all while being fully encrypted. The physical toggle switch is a game-changer for usability. We configured it to control our WireGuard client, allowing us to enable or disable the VPN with a simple flick, providing instant confirmation via the device’s LED light. This tactile control is infinitely faster than logging into an admin panel.

Digging deeper, we explored the “Block Non-VPN Traffic” setting, which acts as a kill switch. When enabled, it ensures that if the VPN connection drops for any reason, no device on the network can access the internet until the VPN is restored. This prevents any potential data leaks and provides total peace of mind, a feature that really sets it apart. For power users, the ability to set custom VPN policies—routing only specific websites or devices through the VPN while others use the standard internet—offers a level of granular control typically reserved for enterprise-grade hardware. It’s this depth of functionality that makes the Beryl AX a security powerhouse.

More Than a Travel Router: Power User Features and Home Use

While its travel credentials are unimpeachable, the Beryl AX is so capable that it can easily serve as a primary home router for many, especially those who value customization. This is thanks to its open-source OpenWrt firmware. The GL.iNet interface is a user-friendly layer on top of OpenWrt, but for those who want to dive in, the full suite of advanced options (LuCI) is just a click away. We explored the plug-ins repository and, in under five minutes, installed AdGuard Home. This turned the router into a network-wide ad and tracker blocker, cleaning up the browsing experience on every connected device without needing any client-side software. It’s an incredibly powerful feature.

The 2.5Gbps WAN port means this router won’t be a bottleneck, even for customers with the fastest fiber internet plans available today. We also made extensive use of the USB 3.0 port. By connecting a portable SSD, we created a simple Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, allowing us to easily share files across all our devices on the local network. This functionality was highlighted by another user who brilliantly connected an old USB laser printer, instantly converting it into a network printer accessible by everyone in their home. These use cases demonstrate the incredible versatility you get when you explore its full potential.

It’s important to address the limits, however. A few users reported issues with very specific, high-bandwidth local network tasks. One user experienced stuttering when using it for a wireless PCVR setup. Our testing suggests that while the Wi-Fi 6 radio is exceptionally fast for internet traffic, the device’s CPU may be a bottleneck for the kind of sustained, ultra-low-latency local streaming that virtual reality demands. Therefore, while it’s a phenomenal router for 99% of tasks, those with highly specialized needs like dedicated wireless VR streaming might still be better served by a larger, more powerful home router designed specifically for that purpose.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the **GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router** is overwhelmingly positive. Users consistently praise its compact size, robust build quality, and powerful feature set. One IT professional described it as ticking “all of the boxes I didn’t think I needed to tick!” Another user shared a fantastic story of using the Beryl AX on a flight to share a single paid Wi-Fi connection with their entire family, perfectly illustrating its value proposition. The power and flexibility of OpenWrt is a recurring theme among more technical users, who love the ability to add features like AdGuard, Tailscale, or a network printer.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which helps paint a complete picture. The most common complaint we found, and one we verified, is the suboptimal USB tethering speed with modern iPhones, a limitation for a specific subset of users. Additionally, the reports of stuttering in PCVR highlight that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for every high-performance local network task. Some non-technical users also noted that while basic setup is easy, venturing into the more advanced settings can feel intimidating. These criticisms are fair and important for potential buyers to understand the device’s specific strengths and limitations.

How Does the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router Compare to the Alternatives?

The Beryl AX occupies a unique space in the market, but it’s important to see how it stacks up against other networking solutions that potential buyers might be considering. Each alternative serves a different primary purpose, highlighting the specialized nature of the Beryl AX.

1. eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi Router 3-Pack

The eero 6+ is designed for one thing: providing simple, reliable, whole-home Wi-Fi coverage. It’s a mesh system, meaning multiple units work together to blanket a large area in a seamless network. Its primary strengths are its incredibly simple setup process via a smartphone app and its “set it and forget it” nature. A user would choose the eero 6+ over the Beryl AX if their main problem is Wi-Fi dead zones in their house and they have no need for portability, advanced VPN configuration, or the deep customization of OpenWrt. The eero is about simplicity and coverage at home; the Beryl AX is about power, security, and flexibility on the go.

2. TP-Link TL-MR105 N300 4G LTE Router

The TP-Link TL-MR105 serves a completely different need: creating a Wi-Fi network using a 4G mobile data connection. Its key feature is the built-in SIM card slot. This makes it the ideal choice for locations without any existing internet infrastructure, such as a campervan, a construction site, or a rural home with poor broadband. However, it makes significant trade-offs. It uses the much older Wi-Fi 4 (N300) standard, has no 5GHz band, and lacks any of the advanced software features of the Beryl AX. A user chooses the TL-MR105 when the only internet source is a SIM card and raw portability isn’t the main concern. The Beryl AX, while it can tether to a phone, relies on an existing internet source to work its magic.

3. Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra

The Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra is a product for a completely different audience: prosumers and small businesses building a comprehensive, managed network ecosystem. It is a powerful gateway and network controller, but it is not a wireless router. It has no built-in Wi-Fi and must be paired with other UniFi hardware, such as access points and switches. Its strength lies in the deep network management, security features, and scalability offered by the UniFi platform. Someone would choose the Cloud Gateway Ultra as the brain for a new, sophisticated home or office network installation. It is not portable and is the antithesis of the Beryl AX’s all-in-one, grab-and-go design.

Our Final Verdict: Is the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Worth It?

After extensive hands-on testing, we can confidently say that the **GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Portable WiFi 6 Router** is not just a good product; it’s a category-defining one. It delivers an incredible combination of raw performance, deep functionality, and true portability that is simply unmatched by its competitors. For the digital nomad, the frequent traveler, or any security-conscious individual, this device is less of a gadget and more of an essential tool for modern life. It solves the most common frustrations of being on the road—unreliable connections, insecure networks, and tedious logins—with an elegant and powerful solution.

While it may not be the perfect choice for the niche user requiring maximum iPhone tethering speeds or a dedicated wireless VR setup, its strengths are overwhelming for its intended audience. The power of OpenWrt, the seamless VPN integration, the robust hardware, and the travel-friendly design create a package that is worth every penny. If you want to take control of your internet connection wherever you go, ensuring it’s fast, secure, and private, then this is the device you’ve been waiting for. We wholeheartedly recommend it. You can check the latest price and secure your own private network on the go here.