Traveling with reliable Wi-Fi has always been a challenge—dodgy hotel connections, restrictive network logins, and missing the comfort of home streaming are all too familiar. A few years ago, I discovered the GL.iNet Barrel AX, a revolutionary little travel router that changed how I connect on the go. Pocket-sized and packed with features, it solved my travel internet woes effortlessly. Recently, I was introduced to its successor, the GL.iNet Slate 7, a Wi-Fi 7 travel router promising blazing speeds and advanced functionalities. Here’s why upgrading to the Slate 7 has been a game-changer—and why I wish I had made the switch sooner.
The Evolution: From Barrel AX to Slate 7
The Barrel AX was a compact Wi-Fi 6 router that impressed with strong VPN support, OpenWrt customization, and reliable wireless and wired speeds suitable for power users on the move. It featured 2.5 Gbps WAN, a 1 Gbps LAN port, and USB 3.0, ensuring secure connectivity wherever I went. It was perfect for securing public Wi-Fi, accessing work networks, and streaming without hassle.
Enter the Slate 7—GL.iNet’s first dual-band Wi-Fi 7 travel router. While slightly larger, it remains pocket-friendly but brings many upgrades: dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, 1 GB RAM, a quad-core CPU, 500 MB internal storage, and a unique built-in touchscreen for quick network control. It offers multi-WAN capabilities, multi-VPN support, and innovative bandwidth aggregation technologies like MLO (Multi-Link Operation), skyrocketing speeds to over 2.8 Gbps on 5 GHz bands. For anyone needing the utmost speed and flexibility on the road, the Slate 7 is a powerhouse.
Unmatched Connectivity and Performance
The Slate 7’s Wi-Fi 7 technology delivers faster, more stable connections than ever before. Testing near the device revealed speeds exceeding 1.2 Gbps on 5 GHz with excellent range—still maintaining strong 400-500 Mbps throughput 50 feet away through walls. Its dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports enable saturating wired connections ideal for streaming, gaming, or transferring large files seamlessly.
Crucially, the Slate 7 excels in multi-WAN support, handling connections from wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi repeaters, cellular hotspots, and even phone tethering. This versatility ensures uninterrupted internet access through automatic failover, with near-zero packet loss during network switches—a blessing when streaming or video conferencing—without typical latency spikes or buffer bloat issues.
Security and Convenience at Your Fingertips
Security remains a priority: the Slate 7 supports 30+ major VPN providers out of the box and allows simultaneous connections to multiple VPNs, letting you separate work and personal traffic effortlessly. The touchscreen interface even lets you toggle VPNs on or off without fumbling through apps or browser panels.
Additional features such as AdGuard Home for ad and tracker blocking, OpenWrt compatibility with a plethora of plugins including Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate automation, and customizable network settings make this router not just a travel companion but a portable network powerhouse.
Compact Portability Meets Advanced Tech
Despite its enriched feature set, the Slate 7’s design keeps portability intact. Its clever antenna design, ultra-thin travel-friendly Ethernet cable, and USB-C power with international adapters reflect a device built with travelers in mind. While it doesn’t include 6 GHz Wi-Fi, the dual-band Wi-Fi 7 capabilities are more than sufficient for real-world mobile use and paired effectively with GL.iNet’s Flint 3 home access point for an integrated home-and-away mesh network.
Conclusion: The Travel Router Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed
Looking back, the Barrel AX was an excellent travel router that met my needs for years. But the Slate 7’s leap in speed, stability, security, and ease of use genuinely makes me wish I had upgraded sooner. For travelers, content creators, and professionals on the move, investing in the Slate 7 means embracing the forefront of travel connectivity. It’s not just about staying online—it’s about staying secure, fast, and in control with a device that fits in your pocket.
