If your hotel already has Wi-Fi, why do you need your own travel router?

A travel router can provide better performance, especially if you can plug it into a wired connection in your room. Plus, most public Wi-Fi hotspots aren't secure, which can leave your personal information and browsing activity vulnerable.

Are travel routers more secure?

The best travel routers offer industry-standard WPA2 encryption —the same type of security used by your home router to keep your wireless traffic safe from prying eyes. But if you use a travel router as a wireless extender for a public Wi-Fi hotspot , your traffic will still be unencrypted between your travel router and the hotspot. For the best security, use a wired connection or a VPN wherever possible.

Can hotels see what websites you visit on Wi-Fi?

Yes, hotels can see where you're going on the web even if you use your travel router in the hotel room—since internet traffic still travels over the hotel’s network. If you want to ensure your connection is as private and secure as possible, we recommend using a travel router with built-in VPN support.

The Best Travel Routers of 2025

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro travel router — Photo:
Amazon

The best travel routers offer a lot to both frequent and occasional travelers. These portable devices keep your information and offer speedy wired and wireless connectivity.

Here are our top picks for travels near or far.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Our Top Picks

Just Buy This (All Around Best—and on sale for 25% off):

SALE

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) at Amazon ~~$150~~ $113

Jump to Review

Splurge Option (But 25% off right now!):

SALE

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro at Amazon ~~$1,000~~ $750

Jump to Review

Easiest on the Budget:

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Travel Router at Amazon $40

Jump to Review

Just Buy This (All Around Best—and on sale for 25% off)

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

PHOTO: Amazon

$150 $113 at Amazon

TL;DR: This pocket-sized router is feature-packed (Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, USB-C power, etc.) and fairly priced for everything you get.

Why We Recommend It

If you're looking for an ultra-compact travel router with an extensive feature list, the GL.iNet AXT1800 checks those boxes.

This dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) router travels well in any bag with its fold-flat antennas and small 5-inch build.

It also offers fast performance and great coverage for even larger spaces—without congestion even if you have a lot of devices (up to 120) connected.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 6
Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
Supports streaming and file transfers
Built-in ad-blocking and VPN support

Cons

No internal battery
Lacks cellular data connections

Out of the box, you get Wi-Fi support, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a WAN port, which comes in handy when connecting to hotel internet.

The AXT1800 also comes with built-in ad-blocking via AdGuard software and supports OpenVPN and Tor for more secure browsing.

Other bonuses include TF card and USB storage drive connectivity, allowing you to use this router as a media streaming hub, and NAS support for file sharing.

Note that it doesn't have cellular data, but you can connect your phone through the USB port. This device also requires plugging in for power, but should work with most chargers.

Who else recommends it? The Gadgeteer, PC Guide, and Popular Mechanics love this router, too, noting its portability, value, and impressive features.
What do buyers say? Over 2,600 shoppers have reviewed this product on Amazon, giving it an decidedly positive 4.5-star average rating. Shoppers particularly like the easy setup and advanced options for tech-savvy users.

Splurge Option (But 25% off right now!)

Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro

PHOTO: Netgear

$1,000 $750 at Amazon View on B&H Photo Video View on B&H Photo Video

TL;DR: This premium option has a premium price tag and top-notch features, including Wi-Fi 6E, 2,000 square feet of coverage, a built-in battery, and 5G support.

Why We Recommend It

If you travel a lot or want 5G flexibility and top-notch speed, the high-end Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro provides a lot of power and premium extras.

The Nighthawk M6 Pro supports fast Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity or 5G cellular without a local network, and has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for ultra-fast wired networking.

Pros

Wi-Fi 6E and 5G compatible
2.5Gbps Ethernet port
Battery lasts up to 13 hours
Supports expansive 2,000 square foot coverage

Cons

Very expensive
Lacks Wi-Fi 7 support

Netgear says that you can connect up to 32 simultaneous devices across the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to avoid congestion, and its 5G mmWave technology helps you stay connected even when there's a lot of other devices online.

If you travel internationally, the M6 Pro also supports operation in over 125 international locations. And the device touchscreen is user-friendly for quick setup and adjustments.

Another standout feature is the built-in battery—rare for this device category—which allows you to use it for up to 13 hours.

While this device is costly, it bundles just about everything you could want in a travel router.

Who else recommends it? The Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro is well reviewed by numerous other publications, including Tech Radar, PCMag, and Popular Mechanics.
What do buyers say? On Amazon, 46% of reviewers give this router 5 out of 5 stars and rave about the excellent wired and wireless modes and flexibility for international use.

Easiest on the Budget

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Travel Router

PHOTO: Amazon

$40 at Amazon $49 $46 at Walmart $48 at Office Depot

TL;DR: An ideal option if you're looking for a simple, user-friendly router for basic streaming or browsing.

Why We Recommend It

If you don't need a lot of bells and whistles and prefer simple setup and operation and a low price point, the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is an excellent bet.

We reviewed this travel router in 2020 and loved its portability, speed, and simple setup—and it still holds up.

Pros

Dual bands, Wi-Fi 5
Guest mode
Compact and portable design

Cons

Lacks Wi-Fi 6 or cellular
Older design
Somewhat limited range

It costs well below the average cost of most travel routers and still offers a decent feature set, including dual bands to reduce network congestion and Wi-Fi 5, which is fast enough for HD video streaming, online games, and file downloads.

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Travel Router — Lifewire / Andy Zahn

The TL-WR902AC can also work in router and hotspot modes, which means you could also easily use this gadget at home as a Wi-Fi extender.

And the Guest mode allows you to share Wi-Fi access while maintaining security.

Overall, this lightweight and portable router is easy to travel with or set up and use at home or on the road, and won't break the bank either.

Who else recommends it? Other sites, including How-To Geek and Popular Mechanics, also recognize this model as a top budget contender.
What do buyers say? This product has over 9,500 Amazon reviews and receives 5 out of 5 stars from 58% of shoppers. Buyers are big fans of the easy setup and portability.

How We Chose

When researching the best travel routers, we looked at the latest releases from top brands and pored over the specifications.

We looked for routers that provide a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection, Ethernet connectivity, and strong security.

When making our selections, we only chose models we had direct time with or those with an average 4-star rating or higher.

What to Look For

The main factors to keep in mind when choosing a travel router, include:

Connection support: Connection type and speed should be at the top of your shopping list. If you want Wi-Fi 6, 5G support, or Ethernet connectivity, make sure the model offers this support.
Portability: Ultimately, a relatively lightweight build is important because you'll be traveling with this device.
Power supply: Some models have built-in batteries, but most require an external power source. Be mindful of the power requirements and power bank compatibility. Or, if you want the most flexibility, a built-in battery could be the best bet.

Travel Router Brands We Considered

When doing our research and making recommendations, we considered models from the biggest names in the space, including:

TP-Link
Netgear
GL.iNet
Asus
Cudy

FAQ

If your hotel already has Wi-Fi, why do you need your own travel router?

A travel router can provide better performance, especially if you can plug it into a wired connection in your room. Plus, most public Wi-Fi hotspots aren't secure, which can leave your personal information and browsing activity vulnerable.
Are travel routers more secure?

The best travel routers offer industry-standard WPA2 encryption—the same type of security used by your home router to keep your wireless traffic safe from prying eyes. But if you use a travel router as a wireless extender for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, your traffic will still be unencrypted between your travel router and the hotspot. For the best security, use a wired connection or a VPN wherever possible.
Can hotels see what websites you visit on Wi-Fi?

Yes, hotels can see where you're going on the web even if you use your travel router in the hotel room—since internet traffic still travels over the hotel’s network. If you want to ensure your connection is as private and secure as possible, we recommend using a travel router with built-in VPN support.