The Beryl 7 from Gl.iNet Finally Revealed

On January 6, 2026, day 1 of CES 2026, Gl.iNet is highlighting the Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) as an upcoming travel router positioned below the company’s more premium Slate 7 in the same Wi-Fi 7 travel category. The device is being presented as a successor direction to the earlier Beryl AX generation, with Gl.iNet focusing its messaging on VPN throughput, portable use, and the practical ports and power features that matter when the router is used on the road. Pricing and a firm release date have not been included in the information shared so far.

In its CES materials, Gl.iNet describes Beryl 7 as a compact, dual-band Wi-Fi 7 model aimed at users who want higher encrypted throughput without stepping up to a larger, more feature-heavy travel router. Key claims include up to 1100Mbps on OpenVPN-DCO and WireGuard, dual 2.5G Ethernet capability, and support for 120+ connected devices, alongside USB Power Delivery compatibility and a 5V/2A power output intended to integrate cleanly with uFi and MiFi devices for primary or backup WAN use.

Gl.iNet Beryl 7 Travel Router – Design & Portability

The Beryl 7 measures at 120 x 83 x 34mm and 205 grams, placing it in the small-router class rather than the pocket-hotspot style. Compared with battery-powered travel routers, the added thickness is consistent with a design that prioritizes full-size ports and airflow while still staying compact enough for a backpack or a small tech pouch. Gl.iNet also lists an operating temperature range of 0C to 40C, which sets basic expectations for typical indoor and travel use, even though performance under sustained load will still depend on ventilation and ambient conditions.

Unlike cellular travel routers, the Beryl 7 is designed to be powered externally rather than running from an internal battery, so it is closer in use to a small plug-in router than a self-contained hotspot. It takes USB-C power via USB Power Delivery and is specified for 5V/3A, 9V/3A, or 12V/2.5A input, which keeps powering simple with common phone and laptop adapters and most power banks that support PD. Gl.iNet also lists a 5V/2A power output, intended to pair with uFi and MiFi devices when you want the router to sit in front of a separate upstream connection and keep that upstream device powered from the same setup.

Gl.iNet Beryl 7 Travel Router – Connectivity

The Beryl 7 is a dual-band Wi-Fi travel router rather than a cellular router. It does not include a SIM slot or eSIM support, which means it is not designed to connect directly to a carrier network on its own. In practice, internet access is expected to come from an upstream source such as a wired connection, USB tethering, or an external hotspot or modem that provides the WAN link. This approach matches travel setups where the router’s job is to manage your local network and security policies, while a separate device handles mobile connectivity when needed.

On the wireless side, the Beryl 7 supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be and operates on 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The published maximum rates are 688Mbps on 2.4GHz and 2882Mbps on 5GHz, which sets its theoretical peak figures for those bands. Because there is no 6GHz band listed, it will not have access to the cleaner spectrum that some tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers use to reduce congestion in dense environments. Real-world performance will still depend heavily on client device capability, channel conditions, and how crowded the local RF environment is, especially in hotels, apartments, or event venues.

For wired networking, the Beryl 7 includes 1x WAN and 1x LAN, with both ports rated at 100/1000/2500Mbps. Having 2.5Gbps capability on both sides can matter if you are connecting to faster-than-gigabit service, or if you want to avoid bottlenecking a wired client such as a laptop dock, mini PC, or NAS while the router is also handling wireless clients. The dedicated WAN and LAN labeling also suggests a straightforward topology for travel use, where the router can sit between a wired uplink and your personal devices without requiring additional switches. Specific options like port re-assignment or multi-WAN behavior are still dependent on the final firmware feature set.

For tethering and peripherals, the router includes 1 USB 3.0 port. Gl.iNet’s positioning also references pairing it with uFi and MiFi devices for primary or backup WAN use, which aligns with common travel workflows where a hotspot provides the upstream connection and the router distributes it to multiple devices. Depending on software support, USB can also be relevant for other functions such as attaching storage for basic file sharing, but those capabilities are not confirmed solely by the presence of the port. The practical takeaway is that the Beryl 7’s connectivity design focuses on managing and distributing an external internet source rather than replacing that source with built-in cellular hardware.

Gl.iNet Beryl 7 Travel Router – Internal Hardware

The Beryl 7 is specified with a MediaTek quad-core CPU clocked at 2.0GHz. Gl.iNet has not stated the exact chipset model in the material provided, so it is difficult to compare directly against specific MediaTek families used in other routers, but the listed clock speed and core count indicate it is intended to handle routing and VPN workloads beyond basic hotspot sharing. How that translates in practice will depend on the final firmware feature mix and how much processing overhead is added by enabled services. Memory is listed as 512MB of DDR4. That capacity is typically sufficient for a travel router doing standard routing, firewalling, and VPN duties, but it can become a limiting factor if heavy logging, multiple concurrent services, or more advanced packages are enabled. In practical use, headroom will depend on how Gl.iNet tunes the stock firmware and whether the router is expected to run additional features beyond its default configuration. Storage is specified as 512MB of NAND flash. This is a smaller onboard footprint than some higher-end travel routers that use multi-gigabyte eMMC, and it generally implies a tighter space budget for the base firmware image, installed packages, and retained logs. It also means features that rely on persistent local storage may be more constrained unless Gl.iNet provides options to offload data to external storage via USB.

Gl.iNet Beryl 7 Travel Router – Software & Services

Gl.iNet is presenting the Beryl 7 as part of its travel router lineup, which typically uses the company’s GL.iNet firmware with a web-based management interface. That software approach tends to balance simplified setup for common tasks with access to more detailed configuration when needed, which is relevant for travel scenarios where you may want quick changes without digging through advanced menus.

For this model in particular, VPN is the main emphasis in Gl.iNet’s CES messaging. The company is making a specific performance claim of up to 1100Mbps on OpenVPN-DCO and WireGuard, positioning encrypted throughput as a headline reason to choose the Beryl 7 over older Beryl models or lower-end travel routers. Actual results will still depend on factors such as upstream bandwidth, server performance, encryption settings, and network conditions.

Gl.iNet also highlights Amnezia VPN support as part of the Beryl 7’s privacy and censorship-bypass positioning. That places the router within the company’s broader direction of expanding VPN tooling and privacy-related options across its travel lineup, though the exact implementation details for the Beryl 7 will come down to the shipping firmware and how features are exposed in the final interface.

Beyond VPN-related claims, Gl.iNet has not published a complete, model-specific list of software functions for the Beryl 7. Features that appear across other Gl.iNet travel routers, such as traffic controls, DNS and filtering options, remote access services, and package-style add-ons, may be present, but they are not confirmed by the hardware spec sheet alone. For ownership considerations, the missing pieces remain the update cadence, support window, and any limitations imposed by the device’s relatively small flash storage.

Gl.iNet Beryl 7 Travel Router – Conclusion

As presented on day 1 of CES 2026, the Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) is positioned as a more affordable Wi-Fi 7 travel router option that sits below the Slate 7 in capability and likely in price, while serving as the next step after the Beryl AX generation. Its core proposition is a compact, USB-C powered router that focuses on high VPN throughput, dual-band Wi-Fi, and practical wired networking for travel setups. The specification sheet outlines a MediaTek quad-core 2.0GHz platform with 512MB DDR4 and 512MB NAND, paired with 2.5Gbps-capable WAN and LAN ports, plus a USB 3.0 port. It does not include an internal battery and it has no SIM or eSIM support, which means it is designed to sit behind an external internet source such as hotel Ethernet, phone tethering, or a dedicated hotspot. Power is handled through USB Power Delivery, and Gl.iNet also lists a 5V/2A output intended to keep an upstream mobile device powered in a single-cable travel arrangement.

The remaining unknowns are mostly around launch details and how the final firmware is packaged for a device with limited flash storage. Gl.iNet has not published pricing or a release date, and it has not provided a full, model-specific breakdown of software features beyond its VPN and privacy positioning. Those details will likely matter most to buyers deciding between the Beryl 7 and higher-end travel routers, especially if they plan to rely on add-on services, extensive logging, or other features that place more demand on storage and memory.

 

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UniFi’s New Travel Router – Pocket-Sized Perfection?

The UniFi Travel Router (UTR) is a compact router intended to extend an existing UniFi network to temporary locations such as hotels, offices, or public WiFi environments, with setup and changes handled through the UniFi Mobile App rather than on device controls. It is designed to bind to a UniFi site so that WiFi settings and Teleport can be applied automatically, allowing a familiar SSID and consistent LAN behavior to follow the user between locations without re adopting devices each time. In practical use, this positions it as a way to place multiple client devices behind a single controlled access point when working from shared networks, while still routing traffic through a VPN path back to a UniFi gateway if desired. The UTR also supports multiple uplink types, including Ethernet, WiFi, and USB tethering through a smartphone, with the ability to set uplink priority once an upstream connection has been established and any captive portal login has been completed via the phone.

UniFi Travel Router – Design

The UTR uses a slim, pocket oriented chassis that matches its intended role as a portable router rather than a fixed installation device. At 95.95 x 65 x 12.5 mm and 89 g, it is sized to carry alongside a phone, power bank, or small toolkit, and the enclosure is polycarbonate rather than metal. The design is built around external power, with no internal battery listed, so it is meant to be powered from common USB sources such as a charger, a power bank, or an available USB port in transit environments. UniFi specifies a USB-C 5V 2A input and up to 5W consumption, which places it within the output range of typical phone chargers and many shared USB outlets, but also means functionality depends on having a reliable external power source.

Physical I O is minimal and focused on travel use, with emphasis on flexibility rather than high port count. The unit provides 2 x GbE RJ45 ports for wired connectivity, typically used as WAN and LAN in practice, enabling either a wired upstream connection or a direct wired link to a local device when needed. It also includes a factory reset button but no other on device controls for configuration changes. In your usage notes, you highlighted that power and USB tethering are separated, allowing the device to stay powered from one source while using a different connection for phone tethering, which avoids the single port limitation found on some compact travel routers. You also noted that this layout suits scenarios where the most convenient power source might be a multi port power bank or a vehicle and public USB outlet, while the tether source remains the phone.

Status feedback is provided through a 1.14 inch display, but it is not a touchscreen, and configuration changes are handled in the UniFi Mobile App. This means the display functions as a quick reference for connection state and operational mode, such as whether it is using a particular uplink or whether Teleport is active, rather than a control surface for changing settings. Internally, WiFi is delivered via 2 embedded antennas with 2 x 2 MIMO and listed maximum transmit power of 13 dBm on both 2.4G and 5G, reflecting a design focused on compactness rather than external antenna placement. Operating limits are specified at -10 to 40 C and 5 to 95% noncondensing humidity, and the unit is listed as NDAA compliant with CE, FCC, and IC certifications, which may matter for users deploying it in regulated or corporate environments.

UniFi Travel Router – Connectivity

The UTR is built around 3 uplink paths: wired Ethernet, wireless WAN, and USB tethering through a smartphone, with the router acting as the single aggregation point for connected client devices. On the wired side, it provides 2 x GbE RJ45 ports, typically used as 1 WAN and 1 LAN, which allows a direct connection to an upstream network where a desk port or wall jack is available, while still offering a wired LAN handoff to a laptop, switch, or other local device. In your review, you also noted the practical advantage of using a wired uplink in temporary deployments, since it avoids relying entirely on building WiFi when you are on site for multiple days and want more predictable upstream stability.

For wireless connectivity, the UTR uses WiFi 5 (802.11ac) across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with 2 x 2 MIMO and support for typical channel widths of 20, 40, and 80 MHz. UniFi lists a maximum 802.11ac data rate of up to 866.7 Mbps at VHT 80 and corresponding 802.11n rates up to 300 Mbps, with legacy 802.11a b g rates also supported for compatibility. In your video, you set expectations around real world throughput, noting that this class of WiFi 5 travel router can feel limited compared with newer WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 options, and you referenced typical observed uplink figures around 150 Mbps in the context of public WiFi and travel scenarios rather than sustained near gigabit speeds.

When connecting through hotel or venue WiFi, captive portal handling is part of the connectivity workflow rather than a separate feature layer. The documented process is to select the upstream network in the UniFi Mobile App, then complete any captive portal login on the phone when prompted, after which the router maintains that authenticated upstream session for the devices behind it. This approach can simplify group use, since multiple devices can share the same authenticated uplink without each device individually interacting with the portal. Connectivity limitations are also defined in the documentation, including lack of support for WPA Enterprise and Passpoint networks, which can affect compatibility in some corporate or managed public environments where those authentication methods are enforced.

UniFi Travel Router – Software & Services

The UTR is designed to integrate into an existing UniFi deployment rather than operate as a standalone router with its own separate management model. Once it is bound to a UniFi site, it can automatically apply WiFi configuration and bring up the same network identity used elsewhere, including expected SSIDs and routing behavior. UniFi positions this as a continuity feature, where location aware policies and routing rules can activate when the router connects at a new site, reducing the amount of manual setup typically needed when moving between venues.

Teleport is the primary UniFi service feature tied to remote access on the UTR. The documented workflow is to complete initial setup, open the UniFi Mobile App, select an available UniFi gateway or console, and then connect using Teleport, creating a private path back to the user’s UniFi network. Alongside Teleport, the UTR lists VPN client support for OpenVPN and WireGuard, allowing VPN enforcement at the router level so connected devices use the same tunnel without requiring separate VPN configuration per device. In your review use case, this was framed around keeping work traffic routed through a known UniFi environment while operating on public or untrusted networks during multi day on site work.

Beyond remote access, the feature set includes core router functions such as firewall and port forwarding, with UniFi management intended to keep LAN behavior consistent across locations. UniFi also describes plug and play pairing with existing UniFi devices, aiming to reduce friction when traveling with preconfigured hardware that is expected to reappear on a familiar network. The documentation also references Auto Link in the context of keeping wireless cameras and devices online automatically, positioning it as a continuity mechanism rather than a separate setup workflow. Operationally, configuration and connection selection are handled through the UniFi Mobile App, including joining upstream WiFi and completing captive portal authentication when present, while enterprise style WiFi authentication methods like WPA Enterprise and Passpoint are listed as unsupported.

UniFi Travel Router – Conclusion

The UniFi Travel Router makes the most sense as a “UniFi extender you can pocket” rather than a generic travel router trying to win on raw specs. The real value is how quickly it drops you back into a familiar environment: bind it to your UniFi setup, carry over the SSID you already use, and your devices can reconnect without you rebuilding a network from scratch each time you land somewhere new. For people who work on site, bounce between coffee shops, or travel with a small team, that convenience adds up fast: one upstream connection, one captive portal login handled through the app, and everything behind the UTR can ride through a secure Teleport tunnel back to your home or office UniFi gateway. Add the practical hardware touches, like two gigabit ports for wired WAN or LAN use, separate USB C power and USB tethering for pulling in a phone connection, and a status display that helps you confirm what is actually happening at a glance, and it is easy to see why this little box is appealing if you already live in the UniFi ecosystem.

The drawbacks are largely about what it is not trying to be. If you want a bleeding edge travel router, the UTR’s WiFi 5 radio and 1 GbE ports will feel conservative next to WiFi 6E or WiFi 7 options, and your top end wireless throughput is simply going to be capped by the platform. The screen is useful, but it is not touch, so you are still leaning on the mobile app for most changes, and there is no internal battery to make it a truly self contained travel companion. Just as importantly, there is no integrated SIM or eSIM, so anyone hoping for an all in one cellular travel router will be looking elsewhere or relying on phone tethering. Taken together, the UniFi Travel Router is a strong niche product: it is not the fastest, but for existing UniFi users who care most about consistency, security, and getting online quickly in messy real world networks, it is a smart and affordable addition to the kit bag.

PROS of the UniFI Travel Router

CONS of the UniFI Travel Router

Deep UniFi ecosystem fit, can bind to an existing UniFi site for a familiar setup on the go Teleport support enables secure remote access back to your UniFi network on public WiFi Can clone an existing SSID so your devices connect without reconfiguring Multi uplink flexibility: WiFi uplink, wired WAN via Ethernet, and USB tethering via smartphone Captive portal logins are handled through the mobile app, simplifying hotel and guest WiFi access Two gigabit ports (WAN and LAN) allow simple wired integration when available Separate USB C power and separate USB tethering is practical for travel scenarios Pocket sized, lightweight design with a helpful status display for quick connection checks

WiFi 5 only, so performance and feature set trail newer WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 travel routers Ethernet is 1 GbE, not 2.5 GbE No internal battery and no built in SIM or eSIM option for standalone cellular use

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Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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