GL.iNet Beryl AX Review 2026: The Best Travel Router for Digital Nomads

The GL.iNet Beryl AX is a $90 box the size of a deck of cards that has become the most consistently useful piece of tech in our travel kit. After 10 months of daily use across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America, it has solved more connectivity problems than any other single device — including our laptops.

This is not a flashy gadget. It is a pocket-sized WiFi 6 travel router that does three things exceptionally well: it turns any internet source into a private WiFi network for all your devices, it runs a VPN at the router level so every connected device is automatically protected, and it is small enough to forget it is in your bag until you need it.

Quick verdict: The Beryl AX earns a 4.5/5 and is our top pick for travel routers in 2026. At $90, it is a fraction of the cost of premium options like the Peplink, yet handles the needs of most digital nomads perfectly. The only reason it does not score higher is the lack of a built-in cellular modem — you need a phone or hotspot to provide the internet source.

Quick Facts: GL.iNet Beryl AX at a Glance

Feature	Details
Model	GL-MT3000
WiFi Standard	WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Bands	Dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Max Speed	2.4GHz: 574 Mbps / 5GHz: 2402 Mbps
Processor	MediaTek MT7981B (dual-core, 1.3 GHz)
RAM	512 MB DDR4
Storage	256 MB NAND flash
Ports	1x WAN, 1x LAN (2.5G), 1x USB 3.0
Power	USB-C (5V/3A)
Dimensions	118 x 82 x 30 mm
Weight	215g
VPN Protocols	WireGuard, OpenVPN
Firmware	OpenWrt-based (GL.iNet UI)
Price	~$90

What Is the GL.iNet Beryl AX?

The Beryl AX is a travel router — a small device that creates a private WiFi network from an existing internet source. It is not a mobile hotspot (it does not have its own cellular modem). Instead, it takes internet from one of three sources and rebroadcasts it as your own secure WiFi network:

1. WiFi repeater mode. Connects to hotel/cafe WiFi and creates your own private network. All your devices connect to the Beryl, not directly to the public WiFi.
2. USB tethering. Connects to your phone via USB cable and shares your phone’s cellular data (from an eSIM or SIM card) as WiFi for your laptop, tablet, and other devices.
3. Ethernet. Plug in an ethernet cable (available in some hotels, Airbnbs, and coworking spaces) and the Beryl creates a WiFi network from the wired connection.

The key differentiator from cheap travel routers is the built-in VPN client. You configure NordVPN , Surfshark, or any other VPN directly on the router. Every device connected to the Beryl is then automatically protected by the VPN — no need to install VPN apps on every device or remember to connect each time.

Who Is This For?

Ideal for:

• Digital nomads who work from hotels, cafes, and coworking spaces
• Travelers who want to connect multiple devices to hotel WiFi (most hotel networks only allow 2-3 devices per room)
• Security-conscious remote workers who want VPN protection on all devices automatically
• eSIM users who want to share phone data with their laptop without draining the phone battery
• Couples or teams who need a shared WiFi network in accommodations

Not ideal for:

• People who want a standalone cellular hotspot (no SIM slot — see our best mobile hotspots guide)
• Users who need maximum WiFi range (the small form factor limits antenna power)
• Non-technical users who want zero configuration (initial VPN setup requires a few steps)

Design and Build Quality

The Beryl AX is compact — 118 x 82 x 30 mm, about the size of a smartphone turned sideways. It weighs 215 grams and fits easily in a laptop bag pocket, toiletry kit, or even a jacket pocket. The matte finish resists fingerprints and feels solid despite the plastic construction.

Ports:

• 1x USB-C for power (5V/3A). Shares cables with most phones and laptops.
• 1x WAN port (RJ45, 2.5 Gbps). For ethernet connections.
• 1x LAN port (RJ45, 2.5 Gbps). For wired devices.
• 1x USB 3.0 port. For phone tethering or USB storage.
• 1x toggle switch. Programmable (default: VPN on/off).

The USB-C power is a significant advantage. It powers from any USB-C charger, power bank, or laptop port. We have run ours from a 20,000 mAh power bank for 8+ hours during a long bus ride in Vietnam, tethered to a phone with an eSIM.

Setup Walkthrough

Initial Setup (5 Minutes)

1. Plug the Beryl AX into USB-C power. The LED indicator turns on.
2. Connect to the default WiFi network (GL-MT3000-xxx) with the password printed on the bottom of the device.
3. Open a browser and go to 192.168.8.1. The GL.iNet admin panel loads.
4. Set a new admin password and WiFi network name/password.
5. Choose your internet source: WiFi repeater, ethernet, or USB tethering.

That is it for basic setup. The Beryl is now creating your private WiFi network.

VPN Setup with NordVPN (10 Minutes)

This is the setup that makes the Beryl AX essential for remote workers. Here is how to configure NordVPN using WireGuard (fastest protocol):

1. Log into the Beryl admin panel (192.168.8.1).
2. Navigate to VPN > WireGuard Client.
3. Click Add a New WireGuard Configuration.
4. Select NordVPN from the provider list (GL.iNet has built-in templates for major VPNs).
5. Enter your NordVPN service credentials (available in your NordVPN account dashboard under “Manual Setup”).
6. Select a server location (choose the country you want your traffic to appear from).
7. Click Apply and toggle the VPN On.

The LED indicator on the Beryl changes color to confirm the VPN is active. Every device connected to the Beryl is now routed through NordVPN. No apps needed on individual devices.

Pro tip: Use the physical toggle switch on the Beryl to quickly enable/disable the VPN. This is useful when VPN causes issues with local services (some banking apps, local streaming, etc.).

Supported VPN providers with built-in templates: NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, Mullvad, PIA, CyberGhost, and many more. You can also import custom WireGuard or OpenVPN configuration files from any provider.

Speed Tests: Real-World Performance

We tested the Beryl AX across multiple scenarios over 10 months. All tests used the same 100-200 Mbps source connections where possible.

WiFi Repeater Mode (Hotel/Cafe WiFi)

Location	Source Speed	Through Beryl AX	With VPN (WireGuard)
Bangkok hotel	85 Mbps	72 Mbps	58 Mbps
Lisbon cafe	120 Mbps	95 Mbps	78 Mbps
Bali coworking	45 Mbps	38 Mbps	31 Mbps
Mexico City Airbnb	150 Mbps	118 Mbps	92 Mbps
Tokyo hotel	200 Mbps	162 Mbps	128 Mbps

Analysis: In repeater mode, the Beryl AX delivers approximately 75-85% of the source connection speed. With VPN enabled (WireGuard via NordVPN), speeds drop to 60-70% of the source. This is typical for any VPN-enabled router and more than sufficient for video calls (5-10 Mbps needed), streaming (15-25 Mbps), and general remote work.

USB Tethering Mode (Phone + eSIM)

Phone	eSIM Provider	Direct Tethering	Through Beryl AX	With VPN
iPhone 15 Pro	Holafly	65 Mbps	58 Mbps	45 Mbps
Samsung S24	Saily	78 Mbps	62 Mbps	49 Mbps
Pixel 8	Holafly	55 Mbps	48 Mbps	38 Mbps

Analysis: USB tethering adds minimal overhead. The Beryl AX preserves 80-90% of the phone’s tethering speed, and VPN drops it to 65-75%. The key advantage: your phone stays charged (the Beryl provides power through the USB connection) and your laptop gets a stable WiFi connection rather than relying on Bluetooth tethering (which is slow and unreliable).

Ethernet Mode

When wired ethernet is available (some Airbnbs, coworking spaces, and hotels), the Beryl AX shines brightest. The 2.5G WAN port handles whatever the ethernet provides, and local WiFi 6 speeds to your devices are excellent:

• 300 Mbps ethernet source → 265 Mbps WiFi (290 Mbps with VPN on WireGuard)
• 500 Mbps ethernet source → 385 Mbps WiFi (310 Mbps with VPN)

The 2.5G port future-proofs the router for faster connections. Most travel ethernet connections are 100-500 Mbps, which the Beryl AX handles effortlessly.

Real-World Use Cases

Hotel WiFi Repeater

This is the most common use case and where the Beryl AX earns its keep. Hotel WiFi often limits you to 2-3 device connections per room. The Beryl connects as one “device” to the hotel network and then creates your own private network for unlimited devices. We regularly connect a laptop, phone, tablet, and e-reader simultaneously.

The privacy benefit is significant: on the hotel network, every guest can potentially see every other device. Behind the Beryl, your devices are on a separate subnet, invisible to other guests.

Cafe Security Shield

Connect to the cafe WiFi through the Beryl with VPN enabled. Your traffic is encrypted at the router level, protecting every device. This is faster than toggling VPN apps on individual devices and ensures you never accidentally browse unprotected.

eSIM Data Sharing

Pair the Beryl AX with a phone running a Holafly or Saily eSIM. Connect the phone via USB. The Beryl shares the phone’s cellular data as WiFi for your laptop and other devices. The phone charges simultaneously from the USB connection, so battery drain is not an issue.

This is our favorite setup for working from Airbnbs with poor WiFi: an eSIM provides the data, the Beryl creates the network, and NordVPN on the Beryl encrypts everything.

Travel Day Connectivity

During long bus rides, train journeys, or airport layovers, the Beryl AX powered from a portable battery pack creates a personal WiFi network from your phone’s data. It is faster and more reliable than native phone hotspot mode because the router manages connections better and the phone charges simultaneously.

Alternatives Comparison

Why the Beryl AX wins for most travelers: At $90, it delivers 90% of what $400-900 devices offer for the use case most nomads actually have — securing and sharing existing internet connections. The Peplink is superior for van life (built-in cellular modem, external antenna ports), and the Nighthawk is better if you want a standalone hotspot. But for hotel/cafe/Airbnb use, the Beryl AX at a fraction of the price is the right call.

For the full breakdown, see our best mobile hotspots guide.

Final Verdict: 4.5/5

The GL.iNet Beryl AX is the best travel router for digital nomads in 2026. It is compact, affordable, fast enough for any remote work scenario, and the built-in VPN support transforms it from a convenience into a genuine security tool. Pair it with NordVPN and an eSIM, and you have a complete connectivity and security stack that fits in your pocket.

Our recommendation: Buy the Beryl AX, set up NordVPN on it once, and carry it everywhere. The $90 investment pays for itself in convenience and security within a few weeks of travel.

Buy GL.iNet Beryl AX Get NordVPN for Your Travel Router

Related Reading

• Best Mobile Hotspots for Travel 2026 — Full comparison of travel routers and hotspots
• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — VPN comparison for travelers
• NordVPN Review — Detailed review of our top VPN pick
• Best Internet for Digital Nomads — Complete connectivity guide
• Best eSIM Providers 2026 — Pair with your travel router for cellular data