The spec comparison
All figures are as listed on each vendor's page on 30 October 2026, except Beryl AX, which comes from GL.iNet's datasheet (version dated 20 March 2025). We have not tested any of these routers. Throughput figures are vendor maximums, and blank cells mean the vendor page did not state the figure. [1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Model | Wi-Fi | WAN / LAN | VPN client protocols | Listed VPN maximum | USB tethering | Power input | Size / weight | Price on vendor page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) | Wi-Fi 6; 574 + 2402 Mbps [1] | 2.5G / 1 x 1G [1] | OpenVPN, WireGuard [1] | WireGuard 300, OpenVPN 150 Mbps [1] | Yes, via USB 3.0 port [1][8] | USB-C 5V/3A; under 8W [1] | 120 x 83 x 34 mm / 196 g [1] | Not on datasheet |
| GL.iNet Opal (GL-SFT1200) | Wi-Fi 5; 300 + 867 Mbps [2] | 1G / 2 x 1G [2] | OpenVPN, WireGuard [2] | WireGuard 65, OpenVPN 12 Mbps [2] | Yes, via USB 2.0 port [2][8] | USB-C 5V/3A; under 6W [2] | 118 x 85 x 30 mm / 145 g [2] | $39.99 [2] |
| TP-Link TL-WR1502X | Wi-Fi 6 AX1500; 300 + 1201 Mbps [3] | 1G / 1 x 1G [3] | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, WireGuard [3] | Not stated [3] | Yes, USB 2.0 port [3] | 12V/1.5A adapter; USB-C needs 9V/12V PD or QC [3] | 104 x 90 x 28 mm [3] | Not shown [3] |
| TP-Link TL-WR902AC | Wi-Fi 5 AC750; 300 + 433 Mbps [4] | One 10/100 port, WAN or LAN [4] | None listed [4] | None listed [4] | Not listed [4] | 5V/2A [4] | 74 x 67 x 22 mm / 56.7 g [4] | Not shown [4] |
| ASUS RT-AX57 Go | Wi-Fi 6; 574 + 2402 Mbps [5] | 1G / 1 x 1G [5] | L2TP, OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard [5] | WireGuard 300, OpenVPN 150 Mbps over Ethernet [6] | Yes, phone hotspot via USB WAN [6] | USB-C 9V/2A [5] | 120 x 120 x 21.5 mm / 210 g [5] | Not shown [6] |
What actually separates them
Wi-Fi standard: Beryl AX, TL-WR1502X and RT-AX57 Go are Wi-Fi 6. Opal and TL-WR902AC are Wi-Fi 5, and the TL-WR902AC's 433 Mbps 5 GHz rate is the lowest here. [1][2][3][4][5]
Wired speed: only Beryl AX lists a WAN port faster than gigabit. The TL-WR902AC's single port is 10/100 Mbps, which caps any wired connection at 100 Mbps. Opal is the only one with two LAN ports. [1][2][4]
VPN: GL.iNet and ASUS publish throughput maximums; TP-Link lists protocols for the TL-WR1502X but no throughput, so you cannot compare its VPN ceiling from the spec page alone. [1][3][6]
Power is a real difference in a travel bag
Both GL.iNet models take a 5V/3A USB-C input, which is a common USB-C power level. ASUS lists a 9V/2A USB-C input for the RT-AX57 Go. TP-Link ships the TL-WR1502X with a 12V/1.5A adapter and says its USB-C port works with a power bank only if the bank supports PD or QC at 9V or 12V, recommending the supplied adapter. The TL-WR902AC lists 5V/2A and can be powered from a USB port. [1][2][3][4][5]
If you want to run the router from the same charger or power bank as your phone, check that the supply can deliver the voltage each router asks for. A 5V-only charger will not meet a 9V or 12V requirement.
Hotel login handling, by vendor
TP-Link says the TL-WR1502X completes hotel portal authentication once during setup in its Tether app, so connected devices do not need to log in individually. [3] GL.iNet documents a Login Mode for public hotspots on firmware v4.6 and later, a Camouflage option that emulates the MAC address of your admin device, and manual MAC cloning. [7] ASUS describes a Public Wi-Fi (WISP) mode that creates a private hotspot over public Wi-Fi but does not describe captive-portal handling on the page we read. [6]
None of these vendors can guarantee a specific hotel's portal will work. If one property's login flow fails, the fallback for every router here except the TL-WR902AC, which lists no tethering, is USB tethering from your phone. [3][6][7]
Decision rules by trip type
Apply these rules to the vendor figures above. They are fit judgments, not performance rankings.
- Hotel weekends, no VPN, two to four devices: Opal is the lowest listed price; TL-WR1502X if you prefer Wi-Fi 6 and TP-Link's app.
- Frequent work travel with a router-level WireGuard VPN: Beryl AX or RT-AX57 Go, which both list a 300 Mbps WireGuard maximum.
- Long stays with a fast wired line above 1 Gbps: Beryl AX is the only one here with a 2.5G WAN port.
- Two wired devices without a switch: Opal, with two gigabit LAN ports.
- Lightest possible kit for basic sharing only: TL-WR902AC at 56.7 g, accepting Wi-Fi 5, a 10/100 port and no listed VPN.
- Router powered from a 5V USB-C bank: the GL.iNet models list 5V/3A; check 9V or 12V support before choosing ASUS or TL-WR1502X.
Who should skip all of them
If you travel with one phone and one laptop and the venue Wi-Fi accepts both, a travel router adds a device, a charger and another firmware to maintain without solving a problem. If the venue line itself is slow, none of these routers adds bandwidth: they share whatever the venue or your phone provides.
If your main problem is a weak signal in one room, moving closer or using a wired jack may help more than any router choice. Rehearse your chosen router's login and tethering flow at home before a trip that depends on it.
Questions before you decide
Is the ASUS RT-AX57 Go the same as Beryl AX?
Not quite. On their spec pages both list 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz, WireGuard up to 300 Mbps and OpenVPN up to 150 Mbps. ASUS lists a 1GbE WAN port, a USB-C 9V/2A power input and 210 g. GL.iNet lists a 2.5G WAN port, 5V/3A USB-C input and 196 g for Beryl AX.
Which alternative is cheapest?
Of the pages we checked on 30 October 2026, only GL.iNet showed a price: $39.99 for Opal. TP-Link's and ASUS's product pages showed buy buttons but no price, so compare current retailer prices yourself.
Can the TP-Link TL-WR902AC run a VPN?
TP-Link's product page lists no VPN client or server. It mentions PPTP and L2TP only as WAN connection types. If you need a router-level VPN, look at the TL-WR1502X, which lists OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP and WireGuard as client and server.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) datasheet, version 20250320 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Opal (GL-SFT1200) product page and specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- TP-Link TL-WR1502X AX1500 travel router specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 travel router specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS RT-AX57 Go technical specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS RT-AX57 Go product overview Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Connect to a hotspot with captive portal Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Internet tethering Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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