Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) review: what the specs and docs say about travel use

What GL.iNet lists for Beryl AX

Everything in this table comes from GL.iNet's Beryl AX datasheet (version dated 20 March 2025) and its firmware 4 user guide, both read on 30 October 2026. None of it is our measurement. The datasheet presents the VPN figures as maximums and does not state test conditions. For comparison, GL.iNet's Opal product page says the Opal VPN figures come from local-network tests in client mode and that server mode is slower; the Beryl AX datasheet carries no such note. [1][2][6]

The 2.5G WAN port matters less often than it sounds

Beryl AX pairs a 2.5G WAN port with a 1G LAN port. The WAN side only pays off when the router is plugged into an upstream line faster than one gigabit, such as a fast apartment or office connection. A wired laptop on the LAN port still connects at up to one gigabit, because that is the LAN port's listed speed. [1]

In a typical hotel, the router joins the venue Wi-Fi in repeater mode, and both wired ports sit idle. The 2.5G port is a reason to choose Beryl AX for a long-stay rental or a second home with a fast wired line. For hotel-only travel it is not a strong reason on its own.

Reading the VPN ceiling with a worked example

GL.iNet lists WireGuard at up to 300 Mbps and OpenVPN at up to 150 Mbps, and says the router can host a VPN server and run a VPN client at the same time. The datasheet also lists policy routing, which lets you choose which traffic uses the tunnel. [1]

Worked example with fictional numbers: a traveler's rental connection measures 80 Mbps down. Even if the router reached its listed WireGuard maximum, the rental line, not the router, would set the ceiling. A second traveler working from an office with a 900 Mbps wired line who sends every device through OpenVPN would hit the 150 Mbps listed maximum first. The first traveler gains nothing from a faster router. The second might, or might use WireGuard instead. This is arithmetic on vendor figures, not a speed test.

Hotel logins and phone tethering

For hotel Wi-Fi, the router joins the venue network as a repeater and your devices join the router. When a login page does not appear, GL.iNet documents four approaches. On firmware v4.6 or later you can turn on Auto-Enable Login Mode for Public Hotspots together with Camouflage, which makes the router emulate the MAC address of the device you use to open the admin panel. You can also temporarily disable DNS rebinding protection, VPN connections and AdGuard Home, or clone a phone's MAC address. The last option is to ask staff to whitelist the router's factory MAC address. GL.iNet warns that Login Mode may expose your network activity to the hotspot provider. [3]

The same page notes that a repeating router appears as one device to the hotel, which helps where hotels limit devices per guest. [3] When venue Wi-Fi fails entirely, USB tethering lets the router share a phone's mobile data. GL.iNet's tethering guide covers iPhone (tap Trust, turn on Allow Others to Join) and Android (enable USB tethering), and warns that some carriers limit or charge extra for tethering. [4]

Power, size and the bag test

The datasheet lists a USB Type-C 5V/3A input and power consumption under 8W. The router measures 120 x 83 x 34 mm and weighs 196 g, and its antennas fold down for packing. GL.iNet says raising the antennas uncovers vent holes on the side of the router to help cooling, so run it with the antennas up. [1]

Arithmetic on the listed ceiling: at a full 8W for a five-hour work session, the router would use at most 40 Wh. Actual draw will usually be lower than the maximum, and power-bank capacity is lost in conversion, so treat this as an upper-bound planning figure. Before relying on a power bank, confirm it supplies 5V/3A over USB-C and use a cable rated for that current.

Software extras that separate it from cheaper models

GL.iNet's Beryl AX user guide lists AdGuard Home, Tailscale, ZeroTier and Tor under Applications, along with Multi-WAN, a drop-in gateway mode, SQM and parental controls. [2] Tailscale support starts at firmware v4.2, and GL.iNet lists Beryl AX as supported while the cheaper Opal is listed as unsupported because of insufficient memory. [5]

The datasheet says Beryl AX runs OpenWrt 21.02 and supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins. That is useful if you want to customize. It also means another firmware to keep updated. [1] The Opal comparison point: GL.iNet lists Opal at $39.99, with WireGuard up to 65 Mbps and Wi-Fi 5. [6]

Limits and caveats

These are the caveats we would want to know before buying, each tied to a source or to plain arithmetic.

Who it fits and who should skip it

It fits frequent hotel and rental travelers who carry several devices (laptop, phone, tablet, streaming stick or console) and want them on one private network that logs in to the venue once. It also fits people who want a router-level WireGuard VPN or Tailscale access home without installing apps on every device. [1][3][5]

Skip it if you carry one phone and one laptop and the venue Wi-Fi works, if your phone's hotspot already covers your needs, or if you only want the cheapest possible router for occasional trips. Opal costs less and has two LAN ports but lists lower VPN ceilings and no Tailscale support. [5][6]

• Buy if: three or more devices, regular hotel or rental stays, router-level VPN wanted
• Consider Opal if: budget comes first and VPN use is light
• Skip if: one or two devices on Wi-Fi that already works

Sources & verification

Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.

1. GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) datasheet, version 20250320 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
2. GL.iNet Router Docs 4: GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) user guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
3. GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Connect to a hotspot with captive portal Accessed 30 Oct 2026
4. GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Internet tethering Accessed 30 Oct 2026
5. GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Tailscale supported and unsupported models Accessed 30 Oct 2026
6. GL.iNet Opal (GL-SFT1200) product page and specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026