GL.iNet is a Hong Kong-based tech company that builds open-source routers with off-the-shelf components, including some with modular cellular modems. Although primarily aimed at the IoT market (Internet Of Things), nomads can use them as a robust and inexpensive connectivity option.
GL.iNet's product line changes frequently, and when the available modular modem options are included, the potential number of models and variations is large.
The routers use the OpenWRT open-source firmware with an OEM wrapper for branding purposes.
Some products are simple routers; others come with various cellular modem options.
Be sure you understand what modem you will get before purchasing - the newest devices now offer X62-based 5G modems, but older models may only have low-end Cat-4 and Cat-6 modems.
Product Variations
The full GL.iNet product list is long, but here are some models that are most likely to appeal to nomads.
Cellular Embedded Models
Spitz
Spitz
A more advanced 4G modem that comes with a mini-PCIe cat 4/6 modem. It includes external cellular antennas and 5GHz WiFi support. (Our full review of the Spitz is available for MIA members in the member section below)
Specifications
- Model: GL-X750 & GL-X750V2 Spitz
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHZ
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Yes
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Fast Gigabit 10/100 (1x LAN, 1x WAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Can slot any compatible mini-PCIe modem module. North America typically comes with a Cat 4 or Cat 6 option
- Cat-4 Modem: Quectel EC-25AF
- Module Modem or Chipset: Single 4G
- Supported Networks and Bands: Not Specified
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, and 71
- 3G: WCDMA Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4 (Max Theoretical Speed: 150 Mbps Down / 50 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: No
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Micro
- Cat-6 Modem: Quectel EP06-A
- Cellular Module or Modem: Single 4G
- Supported Networks and Bands: Not Specified
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 66
- 3G: WCDMA Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-6 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mps Down / 50Mps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 2x Download
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Micro
- Cat-4 Modem: Quectel EC-25AF
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.9 x .9 inches
- Other Ports: USB
- Power Source: 12v 1.5A
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Not Specified
- Retail Price: $149.00-169.00
Mudi
Mudi
Portable router with dual-band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi support and a cat 4/6 mini-PCIe 4G cellular modem.
Specifications
- Model: GL-E750 Mudi
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: No
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Not specified
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 1x FE Port (supported with the docking station)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Can slot any compatible mini-PCIe modem module. North America typically comes with a Cat 4 or Cat 6 option
- Cat-4 Modem: Quectel EC-25AF
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Not Specified
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, and 71
- 3G: WCDMA Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4 (Max Theoretical Speed: 150 Mbps Down / 50 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: No
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Nano
- Cat-6 Modem: Quectel EP06-A
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Not Specified
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 66
- 3G: WCDMA Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-6 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mps Down / 50Mps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 2x Download
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Nano
- Cat-4 Modem: Quectel EC-25AF
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 3 x 1 inches
- Other Ports: Not Specified
- Power Source: 1 Type-C, 5v 2A, and Rechargeable 7000mAh Battery
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Not Specified
- Retail Price: $159.00 - 189.00
Puli
Puli
Portable router with dual-band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi support and a cat 4/6 mini-PCIe 4G cellular modem.
Specifications
- Model: GL-XE300 Puli
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) - 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: No
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Not specified
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 2 x 10/100M
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Can slot any compatible mini-PCIe modem module.
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Not Specified
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, and 71
- 3G: WCDMA Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2X2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4 (Max Theoretical Speed: 150 Mbps Down / 50 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: No
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Micro
- Dimensions: 120 x 74 x 28mm
- Other Ports: Not Specified
- Power Source: 5v 2A (with battery), 5v 3A (without battery), power consumption <4.4W
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Not Specified
- Retail Price: $109.00-$129.00
Spitz AX
Spitz AX
The Spitz AX is an updated version of the Spitz router with Wi-Fi 6 support. It comes with either a Cat-16 or a Cat-19/5G modem.
We acquired a unit in May 2023 and have put it into testing.
See our dedicated GC for more details about the Spitz AX.
M2 5G Development Board
M2 5G Development Board
The M2 5G Development Board is a $225 add-on that can turn some basic non-cellular routers into an inexpensive X62 5G router. The unit itself is a USB M.2 sled, an optional modem module, antennas, and a power supply. The device doesn’t come with a case.
It’s marketed as a DIY option but is plug-and-play with four GL.iNet routers. Any other device would be DIY and could require customized settings or drivers.
Here are the routers GL.iNet reports it’s compatible with.
- The Flint (GL-AX1800) - A home-style Wi-Fi 6 router with 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (picture shown above)
- The Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) - A Wi-Fi 6 travel router with 3 Ethernet ports
- Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) - An even smaller Wi-Fi 6 travel router with a 2.5G WAN and one Gigabit LAN ports.
- The Brume 2 (GL-MT2500) - A “VPN Gateway” designed to host a VPN server on a home network.
Note these routers also have to have firmware version 4.2.1 or newer to be compatible.
Non-Cellular Embedded Models
Slate AX / Beryl AX
Slate AX
The Slate AX and Beryl AX are both Wi-Fi 6 routers.
Specifications
- Model:
- Slate AX:GL-AXT1800
- Beryl AX: GL-MT3000
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antenna/Ports: 2x non-removable
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports:
- Slate AX: 3x Gigabit 10/100/1000 (1x WAN, 2x LAN)
- Beryl AX: 2x Gigabit 10/100/1000/2500 WAN, 10/100/1000 LAN
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Not Specified (Non-Cellular Embedded Router)
- Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.2 x 1.4 inches
- Other Ports: USB 3.0, MicroSD
- Power Source: USB-C (5v 4A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated VPN support
- Retail Price:
- Slate AX: $149.00
- Beryl AX: $119.00
Slate Plus / Beryl
Slate Plus / Beryl
GL-A1300 "Slate Plus": Travel router with 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi-as-WAN, USB cellular tethering, and 3x gigabit Ethernet ports. Does NOT include a mini PCIe slot for an internal cellular modem.
GL-MT1300 "Beryl": An advanced version of the "Slate" the Beryl includes Tor-based security, DNS encryption, USB-C power, and slightly faster Wi-Fi.
Specifications
- Model: GL-A1300 Slate Plus / GL-MT1300 Beryl
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 2x non-removable
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 3x Gigabit (2x LAN, 1x WAN/LAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Not Specified (Non-Cellular Embedded Router)
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 2.7 x .095 inches
- Other Ports:
- Slate Plus: USB-A 3.0, USB-C (power only), TF Card Slot (128GB Max)
- Beryl: USB-C (power only), TF Card Slot (128GB Max)
- Power Source: USB, 5v 3A
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features:
- Slate: Integrated VPN support
- Beryl: Integrated Tor, VPN, and DNS encryption
- Retail Price: Slate Plus $79.00 | Beryl $69.00
Flint 2
Specifications
The Flint 2 is a Wi-Fi 6 router with 6 ethernet ports as well as failover and load balancing.
- Model: GL-MT6000
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 4x non-removable
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 6x Gigabit (4x LAN, 1x WAN/LAN, 1x WAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: N/A (Non-Cellular Embedded Router)
- Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.4 x 2.1 inches
- Other Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port
- Power Source: USB, 12V/4A
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated VPN support, Encrypted DNS
- Retail Price: $189
Mini Routers
The two mini routers are the Mango and Shadow. They are somewhat similar - each operates on 2.4GHz WiFi only, has USB tethering support, and neither has a cellular modem. The Shadow series has different options available for external antennas.
Specifications
- Model:
- Mango: GL-MT300N-V2
- Shadow: GL-AR300M
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not specified
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 4 (80.211n) - 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Yes
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Not specified
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: http://192.168.8.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: 1x USB Port, Smartphone tethering supported
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Fast Ethernet (1x LAN, 1x WAN)
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs: Not Specified (Non-Cellular Embedded Router)
- Dimensions: 2.3 x 2.3 x 1 inches
- Other Ports: Not Specified
- Power Source: 5v 1A
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Shadow: External Antenna Support
- Retail Price: $29.90-32.90
News, Video & Status
We purchased the X750 Spitz with the integrated Cat-6 modem for review. Our review is in the member section below.
We also received an evaluation unit for the 5G Spitz AX. See our dedicated GC for more details about the Spitz AX.
We also purchased a mini Travel router but haven't spent much time with it other than to confirm it works. It's a very low-cost and minimal footprint option with basic features.
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
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Spitz | Mudi | Puli | Slate AX | Beryl AX | Slate Plus | Beryl | Flint 2
Mini Travel Routers: Mango | Shadow
Convexa Mesh Routers: Convexa-S | Convexa-B
Mobile hotspot devices are small, self-contained units that receive a cellular data signal and transform it into an internet connection. They are a cellular modem and router combined. Most can create their own personal Wi-Fi network.
They are typically designed with a specific cellular carrier in mind and require a suitable cellular data plan of their own to operate. You might see them called Jetpacks (Verizon's term for them) or MiFi (Inseego's name for them).
Here's a quick video going over the features of a hotspot, and what makes one better than another:
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting mobile hotspots and best utilizing them in your mobile internet setup.
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of