Spec sheets side by side
Both are small GL.iNet routers aimed at sharing one connection. The Opal is the larger, dual-band option; the Mango is the tiny single-band one. Everything below comes from GL.iNet's own specification and user guide pages. [1][2][3][4]
| Item | Opal (GL-SFT1200) | Mango (GL-MT300N-V2) |
|---|---|---|
| Price on GL.iNet product page | $39.99 (USD), no sale price shown, checked 30 Oct 2026 [7] | Not confirmed: GL.iNet's Mango page would not load for us on 30 Oct 2026; check the store |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz 300 Mbps + 5 GHz 867 Mbps; 802.11a/b/g/n/ac [1] | 2.4 GHz only, 300 Mbps; 802.11b/g/n [2] |
| Ethernet | 3 x 10/100/1000 Mbps: 1 WAN, 2 LAN [1] | 1 WAN, 1 LAN; speed not stated on spec page [2] |
| USB | 1 x USB 2.0 [1] | 1 x USB 2.0 [2] |
| Power | USB-C, 5V/3A; adapter in box [1][3] | Micro USB, 5V/2A; adapter not included [2][4] |
| CPU / RAM / storage | SF19A28 dual-core 1 GHz; 128MB DDR3; 128MB NAND [1] | MT7628NN 580 MHz; 128MB DDR2; 16MB NOR [2] |
| VPN | OpenVPN and WireGuard [3] | OpenVPN and WireGuard, client and server [4] |
| Published VPN figures | WireGuard up to 65 Mbps; OpenVPN up to 12 Mbps (client mode, local network) [7] | Not confirmed: Mango product page would not load for us; the user guide lists OpenVPN and WireGuard client and server support [4] |
| Size / weight | 118 x 85 x 30 mm; 145 g [1] | 58 x 58 x 25 mm; 39 g [2] |
Dual-band versus single-band in practice
The Mango only talks on 2.4 GHz. That band reaches further through walls but every nearby 2.4 GHz network and device shares the same band. Its 300 Mbps rating is the shared radio rate, not what each device gets. [2]
The Opal adds a 5 GHz radio rated at 867 Mbps. Laptops and phones can sit on 5 GHz while older or smart-home devices use 2.4 GHz, so one busy device does not crowd out the rest. [1]
Ports matter more than they look. The Opal's three gigabit ports let you plug in a hotel Ethernet line and still wire a laptop and a streaming stick. The Mango has one WAN and one LAN port. [1][2]
VPN throughput and firmware
GL.iNet's Opal product page lists up to 65 Mbps WireGuard and 12 Mbps OpenVPN, and says the tests were run on a local network in client mode, that real-world speeds may differ, and that speeds are slower when the router runs as a VPN server. The Mango's published figures are not quoted here, so treat the Mango as no faster than the Opal and check its page before relying on it for a VPN-heavy trip. [7]
In plain terms, Opal's 65 Mbps WireGuard figure leaves room for several Full HD streams at Netflix's 5 Mbps guidance, while 12 Mbps OpenVPN is tight for more than two. If your VPN provider offers WireGuard, use it on these routers. A VPN app on your laptop or phone is not limited by the router's processor. [5][7]
Both models were still listed in GL.iNet's store navigation when we checked, both appear in its firmware 4 documentation, and both received security fixes in GL.iNet's April 2025 advisory: Opal firmware 4.3.24 and earlier was resolved in 4.3.25, and Mango firmware 4.3.18 and earlier was resolved in 4.3.25. Both were on a 4.3.x line in that advisory, while Beryl AX and Flint 2 were resolved in 4.7.4. [8][3][4]
GL.iNet's security page says it supports products for up to two years after their last manufacturing date, after which they receive no firmware updates, including security patches. GL.iNet's store also now lists a Mango 2 (GL-MG1300), titled a dual-band mini travel router; we have not compared it here. [9][10]
Worked example 1: one laptop on hotel Wi-Fi
You travel alone with a work laptop and a phone, connect to hotel Wi-Fi, and want both devices behind one login and one WireGuard tunnel. Video calls and email need a few megabits; the hotel connection is usually the bottleneck. The Mango's 2.4 GHz radio and its OpenVPN and WireGuard client support cover this job, and at 39 g it is the lightest option. [2][4]
Two catches: you need your own 5V/2A Micro USB power adapter because one is not included, and you lose 5 GHz, which matters if the hotel's 2.4 GHz band is crowded. If either bothers you, the Opal fixes both. [4][1]
Worked example 2: a family of four streaming
Four people each watch a Full HD stream in the evening. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps or higher per Full HD stream and 15 Mbps or higher for 4K, so four Full HD streams need about 20 Mbps and two 4K streams plus two Full HD need about 40 Mbps from the hotel or rental connection. [5]
Either router's Wi-Fi rating exceeds that on paper, but the Mango does it on a single 2.4 GHz band. The Opal can carry phones and tablets on 5 GHz and take a wired TV stick on a spare LAN port. For a family, the Opal is the minimum sensible choice. [1][2]
Who should skip both
If you need a router-level VPN at high speed, Wi-Fi 6, or a multi-gigabit WAN, step up to Beryl AX; GL.iNet lists up to 300 Mbps WireGuard for it. Our Opal versus Beryl AX comparison covers that jump. [6]
If you only ever connect one laptop and can run the VPN app on it, you may not need a travel router at all.
Watch demos / Official walkthroughs
See the hardware in action.
Videos load from YouTube only when you press play. These are provider videos, not our own product tests.
GL.iNet / Official video
Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) - Unboxing and Setup Guide
What to look for: Identify the hardware connections and setup steps for Beryl AX; other models can differ.
Watch on YouTubeQuestions before you decide
Does the Mango have 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No. GL.iNet's specification page lists IEEE 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz only, at a 300 Mbps transmission rate. The Opal adds 5 GHz at 867 Mbps alongside 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
Can both run a VPN?
Yes. GL.iNet's firmware 4 user guide says the Mango supports OpenVPN and WireGuard as client and server, and says Opal supports OpenVPN and WireGuard. GL.iNet's Opal page lists up to 65 Mbps WireGuard and 12 Mbps OpenVPN in client mode; check the Mango product page for its own figures before relying on it for a VPN-heavy trip.
Does the Mango come with a power adapter?
GL.iNet's Mango user guide says it is powered over Micro USB with a 5V/2A adapter that is not included. The Opal uses USB-C at 5V/3A, and GL.iNet's Opal guide lists a power adapter in the package.
How much bandwidth does a family need for streaming?
Netflix recommends 5 Mbps or higher for Full HD and 15 Mbps or higher for 4K per stream. Four Full HD streams need roughly 20 Mbps from the hotel connection, which is usually the real limit rather than either router.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet Router Docs 3: GL-SFT1200 (Opal) specification Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 3: GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) specification Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: GL-SFT1200 (Opal) user guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) user guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Netflix Help Center: Internet connection speed recommendations Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) datasheet, ver. 20250320 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Opal (GL-SFT1200) product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Security Advisories (Vulnerabilities and CVEs) April 24, 2025 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Security Updates and product lifecycle Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Mango 2 (GL-MG1300) product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.