What you would be buying
GL.iNet listed Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) at $169.99 on 13 October 2026. Its specifications list a quad-core 2.0 GHz MediaTek CPU, 1GB DDR4 and 8GB eMMC, Wi-Fi 6 at 1148 Mbps (2.4 GHz) and 4804 Mbps (5 GHz), two 2.5G ports (one WAN, one WAN/LAN), four 1G LAN ports, a USB 3.0 port, a 12V/4A DC input and consumption under 20W. [1]
GL.iNet lists WireGuard client throughput up to 900 Mbps and OpenVPN with DCO up to 880 Mbps, from local-network client-mode tests, and advertises Multi-WAN with failover and load balancing. These are vendor figures, not measurements on our network. [1]
Decide which job the new router has
Write down the gap before shopping. A router that solves no specific gap is a cost, not an upgrade.
| Your gap | Likely setup | Keep the ISP gateway if |
|---|---|---|
| VPN for every device at home | New router in router mode with a VPN client | Only one or two devices need a tunnel and run an app |
| Automatic failover to a second connection | Router with Multi-WAN in router mode | You have no second connection to fail over to |
| A wired device needs more than 1 Gbps | 2.5G port on a router or switch, with a plan above 1 Gbps | Your plan or client is gigabit or slower |
| Only weak Wi-Fi in one room | Placement test first; access point or mesh may suffice | Moving the existing gateway fixes the room |
| ISP gateway hides settings you need | New router in router mode, ISP device bridged | The settings you need are available after all |
Check 1: can the ISP device step aside?
Google's double-NAT guidance lists the order of preference: remove an ISP-provided router if the modem is separate, otherwise put the ISP modem-router combination in bridge mode, and only as a last resort put your own router in bridge mode. Running both as routers is what creates double NAT. [3]
Ask the ISP or check its help pages whether your gateway supports bridge mode before buying. Some services such as phone or TV may depend on the ISP gateway; we have not verified any specific ISP, so confirm what changes for yours.
Check 2: router mode or access-point mode
If the ISP gateway cannot be bridged, GL.iNet routers offer an Access Point mode in which the router disables its NAT and DHCP functions. GL.iNet lists the features that are unavailable in that non-router mode, including VPN, AdGuard Home, Tailscale, port forwarding, Multi-WAN, guest network and DNS settings. [2]
That list decides the plan. If your reason for buying is a router-level VPN or Multi-WAN, access-point mode removes it, so you need router mode and a bridged or removed ISP router. If you only want better Wi-Fi from a second unit, access-point mode avoids double NAT without those features.
Checks 3 to 5: address, recovery and space
These checks take minutes and avoid the two common regrets: a router that ends up in a mode without the feature you bought it for, and a network you cannot restore.
- Address: compare the router WAN IP with a "what is my IP" result, as GL.iNet documents; if they differ, inbound services may still be blocked upstream even after the swap. [4]
- Recovery: record the ISP gateway settings, Wi-Fi name and password before changing anything, and keep the old device until the new setup has run for a few days.
- Space and power: GL.iNet lists 233 x 137 x 53 mm, 761 g and a 12V/4A barrel input, so confirm shelf space and an outlet. [1]
Worked example: a fictional two-person home office
Ana and Raj share a gigabit fibre plan. Their ISP gateway covers the flat adequately, but they want Raj's work devices on a tunnel and a second mobile connection as failover during outages. Both needs require router mode. The ISP gateway supports bridge mode, so the plan is: bridge the gateway, run Flint 2 as the router, add the VPN client and Multi-WAN. Their 2.5G ports are not a reason here, because the plan is gigabit.
Their neighbour has the same plan but only wants better Wi-Fi in a back bedroom. A placement test comes first. If moving the gateway does not help, a second unit in access-point mode or a mesh point fits the job without replacing the gateway at all.
Who should skip it
Skip Flint 2 if the ISP gateway already covers your space and you need none of VPN, Multi-WAN, advanced DNS or multi-gig wired ports. Skip it if your ISP gateway cannot be bridged and the feature you want is unavailable in access-point mode. Use the firmware-change plan before updating any router you rely on for work.
This guide is documentation research. We have not installed Flint 2 behind a specific ISP gateway or measured its Wi-Fi coverage or VPN throughput.
Questions before you decide
Can I just plug Flint 2 behind my ISP router?
Yes, but by default both devices then route, which Google describes as double NAT. That is often acceptable for browsing, but it can complicate port forwarding, UPnP and some games. Bridge the ISP device, remove it if it is a separate router, or run the new router in access-point mode, which turns off its NAT and DHCP.
Will Flint 2 make my internet faster?
Not beyond the plan your ISP delivers. A new router can change Wi-Fi coverage and local features, but it cannot add upstream capacity. Diagnose where the slowdown happens before replacing anything.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) product page and specifications Accessed 13 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet docs: Network mode (firmware 4) Accessed 13 Oct 2026
- Google Nest Help: Fix Double NAT when two routers run at the same time Accessed 13 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet docs: How to check if your ISP assigns you a public IP address Accessed 13 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.