The specs that change the decision
Both are pocket travel routers from GL.iNet running the same firmware family, both take USB-C 5V/3A power, and both support WireGuard and OpenVPN. The differences that matter are VPN speed, port layout and Wi-Fi generation. All figures are from GL.iNet's product pages on 29 October 2026. This is a research comparison; we have not benchmarked either router. [1][2]
| Spec | Opal (GL-SFT1200) | Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed price (USD) | $39.99 | $98.99 | Tax, shipping and accessories extra |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 300 + 867 Mbps | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 574 + 2402 Mbps | Link rates, not internet speed |
| WireGuard VPN, client mode, max | 65 Mbps | 300 Mbps | The biggest practical gap if you VPN on the router |
| OpenVPN, client mode, max | 12 Mbps | 150 Mbps | Opal's figure is slow for video calls over OpenVPN |
| WAN port | 1 x gigabit | 1 x 2.5G | 2.5G only helps with a faster-than-gigabit uplink |
| LAN ports | 2 x gigabit | 1 x gigabit | Opal takes two wired devices without a switch |
| USB | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 | Phone tethering or storage |
| Power | USB-C 5V/3A, under 6 W | USB-C 5V/3A, under 8 W | Both can run from a 5V/3A power bank |
| Size / weight | 118 x 85 x 30 mm, 145 g | 120 x 83 x 34 mm, 196 g | 51 g difference in the bag |
| Memory / storage | 128 MB RAM / 128 MB flash | 512 MB RAM / 256 MB flash | More headroom for add-ons such as AdGuard Home |
VPN speed is the real gap
If you plan to run the VPN on the router so every device behind it is covered, Opal's listed ceiling of 65 Mbps on WireGuard (12 Mbps on OpenVPN) is the number to plan around. Beryl AX lists 300 Mbps and 150 Mbps. GL.iNet notes these are client-mode results and that speeds are slower when the router runs as a VPN server. [1][2]
Worked example: a hotel line that delivers 100 Mbps. Through Opal with WireGuard, you would expect at most about 65 Mbps; with OpenVPN, 12 Mbps or less, which is tight for a video call plus anything else. Through Beryl AX, the router stops being the limit and the hotel line is. If you run the VPN app on your laptop instead of the router, the router's VPN limit does not apply to that laptop at all.
Where Opal wins
Opal has two gigabit LAN ports to Beryl AX's one. If you plug in two wired devices, for example a laptop and a streaming box, Opal handles it without a switch. It is also 51 g lighter and $59 cheaper. If the job is sharing one hotel login across a phone, tablet and laptop, with the VPN (if any) running in each device's app, Opal's slow router-side VPN figures do not apply. Run a speed test on the hotel Wi-Fi from your phone first: if the line is slow, the extra Wi-Fi 6 capacity of Beryl AX has little to carry. [1]
Who should buy which
| You are | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Running a VPN on the router for all devices | Beryl AX | 300 vs 65 Mbps WireGuard limit |
| Sharing one hotel login, no router VPN, budget first | Opal | $39.99, lighter, two LAN ports |
| Plugging in two wired devices | Opal | Two LAN ports without a switch |
| Using a fast wired uplink (above 1 Gbps) at a rental or office | Beryl AX | 2.5G WAN |
| Attaching USB storage or running add-ons | Beryl AX | USB 3.0, 512 MB RAM |
| Carrying one laptop, hotel login works | Neither | A router adds a device to manage |
What neither router will do
Neither adds bandwidth the hotel does not have. Neither replaces the hotel's sign-in page; both need it completed, and GL.iNet documents a login mode for that on firmware 4.6 and later. And neither VPN figure is a promise of your speed to a real VPN server across the internet. Both add a device you have to power, update and troubleshoot. [3]
Check before you order
- Count the wired devices you will actually plug in: two or more favours Opal.
- Decide where the VPN runs: on the router favours Beryl AX; on each device makes either fine.
- Confirm you carry a 5V/3A USB-C charger or power bank.
- Check current price, regional plug and shipping at checkout.
- Plan a home trial within the return window: join a network, restart, reconnect every device.
Questions before you decide
Is Beryl AX worth $59 more than Opal?
It is if you will run a VPN on the router. GL.iNet's listed client-mode limits are 300 Mbps WireGuard and 150 Mbps OpenVPN for Beryl AX, against 65 Mbps and 12 Mbps for Opal. If you only share a hotel login and rarely see connections above a few tens of megabits, Opal's lower price and second LAN port may suit you better.
Can both routers run from a USB-C power bank?
Both list a USB-C power input rated 5V/3A. GL.iNet lists power consumption under 6 W for Opal and under 8 W for Beryl AX. Use a charger or power bank that can supply 5V/3A; a weaker phone charger may not meet the stated input.
Do the VPN speed figures predict hotel speed?
No. GL.iNet says its figures are maximums in client mode on a local network test, and that speeds are slower when the router acts as a VPN server. Your hotel connection, VPN server distance and load set the real ceiling, usually lower.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet: Opal (GL-SFT1200) price and specifications Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) price and specifications Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Connect to a public hotspot with a captive portal Accessed 29 Oct 2026
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