The Best Travel Routers, SIM/LTE Routers and Gateway Devices I Have Ever Used

I think it would be fair to say that in 2025, unless you are travelling within your own country, chances are that you are definitely going to need some kind of internet connection in order to get around when travelling around the world. Unfortunately, the age when you could get by with an A to Z book and a handful of local phrases has long gone, and alongside the complexity of most cities growing exponentially, a lot of shops, restaurants and services are moving towards 3D barcode menus and digital-only point of sale resources. Add to that the enormous benefits of translation tools and Babel Fish-level communication services that are internet-assisted, and it’s almost impossible to imagine travelling around the world now without any kind of internet connection at all times. However, whether it is barriers from requiring a local phone number for authentication, or simply that you are going places without a reliable public Wi-Fi access point at your fingertips, many users have started hopefully relying on the use of portable routers, mobile access point devices and SIM card routers. In the last few years, I’ve travelled to numerous trade shows and public events around the world, and in that time required different kinds of mobile router device in order to get things done professionally. Sometimes I’ve needed a simple router that allows me to safely and securely use public Wi-Fi services in coffee shops and train stations. Other times I’ve needed a dedicated internet connection from a cell phone provider via SIM card to be available 24/7. Over the years, I’ve used numerous devices, good and bad, and to save you a lot of trouble, I’m going to go through the ones that I (and professional colleagues that I’ve met) have come to rely upon in their day-to-day professional travel. I will also include a router that has consistently let me and a number of my professional colleagues down on a regular basis, in order to help you avoid making the same mistake we did. Let’s go.

IMPORTANT – You Might Not Need a SIM Router!

Before I go any further, it’s worth highlighting that none of the physical travel routers that I recommend below have paid for this article, and all of the opinions provided are my own, those of my professional colleagues, and are based on years of genuine use together. I have included links to purchase these items, and doing so will result in a small commission that helps me keep doing what I do, but the brands themselves have no influence over the content of this article.

Using Airport Routers – Are They Safe?

It’s also worth mentioning that it has become increasingly common, especially in the East, for users to be able to rent travel routers with a dedicated cellular internet connection from a local airport. These can be incredibly affordable and very convenient, as they often eliminate the need for purchasing a whole router device for your travel. I have used these a couple of times when travelling to Hong Kong and Taipei, Taiwan, when I’ve needed to travel especially light and with only hand luggage. However, be aware that these do arrive with some caveats. Firstly, you will need to supply the vendor with a passport, documentation, as well as provide a deposit for security purposes. Secondly, be aware that the level of control that you have over your network will be extremely limited, and you will have zero admin control of the router. That means that not only can you not adapt the router in terms of quality and priority of service for different devices, but you cannot utilise an in-router VPN or be 100% certain that the data and passwords that pass through the router are not being collected in some way. I am not suggesting that all mobile router providers are inherently untrustworthy, I am simply saying that these options are limited, and I would only recommend them as short-term, ad hoc options at best.

You Might Not Need a Travel Router in Europe!

Last point, and this is mainly for Europeans but does also apply to some other regions of the world, in some cases, if you already have an existing cellular contract for your phone data, it may still be supported in the region you intend to visit. For example, even though the UK chose to leave the EU, there is still shared coverage of cellular providers across the majority of Europe, and your O2/EE/Vodafone data plan may well work in the majority of other European countries, still within your own data allowances. It is by no means a solid rule, but it is worth checking before you travel, as it may save you the need for a travel router at all.

GL.iNet Slate 7

Pros – Wi-Fi 7, dual-band, physical VPN switch, fully functional software, mobile app, physical RJ45 2.5GbE connections, touchscreen LCD, USB NAS storage sharing support, app centre, multiple VPN support, USB tethering, USB phone tethering.

Cons  Requires USB power, no SIM card slot, no eSIM support.

Currently, this is the newest addition to my travel kit when going anywhere in the world. Although it has only been physically present in my travel bag for a little over 6 weeks, I have known about this device for almost half a year, and GL.iNet made a lot of noise in their early development of the device and received a lot of early praise. Touted as one of, if not the first, Wi-Fi 7 travel routers, this device allows you to take advantage of bandwidth enhancements like Multi-Link Operation and faster data supported in Wi-Fi 7. Although it lacks support for the 6GHz band, it has still been an ever-reliable source of connectivity to me when I need to use public Wi-Fi services and I need to ensure that they are as secure as possible. GL.iNet has been in the business of making travel routers for a while, and indeed there is a second router mentioned later in this article, but even in the short time I’ve utilised this travel router, it has been something of a game changer when I need to travel light.

It features a touchscreen LCD that allows me to configure and connect on the go without the app, the open-source software allows me to use third-party applications, create storage shares with a USB, and it also supports multiple simultaneous internet connections for both failover and load balancing. That means that you can utilise a local USB-connected phone or dongle, connect to a third-party Wi-Fi connection, and even repeat an existing connection, giving you a 2-tier failover for when you need it. Additionally, it features two physical RJ45 ports that support both WAN and LAN utilisation, and both are 2.5Gb bandwidth.

All that said, keep in mind that this is a gateway device and not a SIM/LTE router. The device does not support eSIM usage and does not have any physical SIM card slot. This is a device for securely and conveniently connecting multiple devices at once to a single existing internet connection via a connected cable or via a third-party available Wi-Fi point. You are still going to need an existing internet connection going in, in order to really take advantage of the features and facilities of this router on your travels.

Solis 5G SIM Router

Pros – Free worldwide 1GB of data every month without a paid subscription requirement, Wi-Fi 6 support, eSIM and physical SIM card slot, USB power bank support, LCD touchscreen, dual-band, guest Wi-Fi SSID option, multiple data plan subscriptions on pay-as-you-go, coverage of the majority of the world, regular deals during seasonal events, USB tethering.

Cons – No physical RJ45 connections, some users will be put off by the optional subscription services.

The Solis 5G is a very different kind of travel router than the GL.iNet Slate 7 I just mentioned. Not only does this travel router feature a physical SIM/LTE slot for adding a cellular data plan in your local country of choice, but it also supports the use of the pay-as-you-go daily data plans available from Solis. Now, I will get onto the advantages and disadvantages of that shortly, but what I really think is cool about this product is that when you buy it and create an account (no bank details or subscription sign-up at all—just an email address, etc.), it entitles you to 1GB of free global data every single month.

That means that if you only plan on travelling internationally once a month on average, you will have a gigabyte of data available to you for absolutely no additional cost. And unless you plan on doing large data uploads or streaming high-definition movies on your travels, 1GB of data can go an exceptionally long way with regards to transportation and maps from the airport to the hotel, utilising translation applications every single day, making international internet phone calls on WhatsApp or WeChat, etc.

Otherwise, you can purchase individual unlimited days of data in packs of single days or multiple days in bundles that you can use ad hoc when you need to. Add to that that there are regular sales and offers on the Solis website during Black Friday, New Year, summer sales, and more, and it’s really easy to just purchase and keep a handful of individual data day passes on your account that you can choose to activate when needed for fast 5G and 4G internet services.

Moving slightly away from the internet connection, however, the device itself is no slouch either. Featuring a touchscreen LCD panel for controls and a mobile application for managing the device and its clients on the go, you can have multiple different SSIDs that vary in security and priority. The system features a large battery to maintain its operation for a great deal of time, as well as supporting USB tethering and USB power bank support.

That’ll allow you to also use it to charge up your USB devices when needed. Support for Wi-Fi 6 ensures up to 1.2Gbps connections to your client devices that feature support for 802.11ax over the two bands of 5GHz and 2.4GHz, and overall, this is easily the most convenient travel router you’re ever going to find. The only main downsides are the lack of physical RJ45 network connection ports and that the software is nowhere near as configurable as that of the GL.iNet routers.

Asus RT-AX57 Go Travel Router

Pros – Wi-Fi 6, small and light at just 12 cm square and 2 cm thick,full open-source software and controls, Wi-Fi repeating, physical VPN switch, multiple VPN services supported, supports mesh with local home/office Asus router for long-term use even when not traveling.

Cons – Lacks physical SIM card slot, pricing is a little all over the place between $99 and $139, I have not personally used it for an extended period of time and it arrives via recommendation from my professional colleagues (not a “con” exactly, but I thought it was worth mentioning).

Now, full disclaimer as mentioned earlier, this is a router that I’ve only utilised personally a very light amount when I’ve been working alongside professional colleagues who have brought this with them and we’ve all connected to it. However, I have heard nothing but good things about this device from my professional colleagues both on YouTube and generally in content creation. Whether it was because of its incredible portability at just 12 cm square and 2 cm thick, the incredibly low power consumption it has, or the fact that it can be used as a mesh point with an existing Asus router at home or in the office and therefore has deployment even outside of its use as a travel-only router, there is a reason I keep seeing this travel router being used at trade shows. Much like the GL.iNet Slate 7, this router does not feature its own SIM/LTE card slot. This is a gateway device that allows you to safely and securely connect all of your devices via a single Wi-Fi connection to an existing USB-connected internet service, wired WAN service, or existing Wi-Fi service in the area.

The hardware is pretty decent for its scale, and although you can find its price to be a little bit erratic depending on the store you shop at, it is possible to find this device at just $99 at some e-retailers. The software is pretty comparable to that of GL.iNet’s software and is built on open-source with support for third-party optional plugins, USB storage sharing, VPN services via physical button, and load balancing/failover. Probably the main appeal for this travel router—something that several of my colleagues informed me was part of their decision to purchase it—is that the device can be utilised for mesh with existing Asus routers. That means that if you have an Asus router already in your home or office environment that supports mesh, you can use this travel router as a mesh node to extend your existing home Wi-Fi coverage greatly when you are not travelling. And then, when you’re ready to travel, disconnect the device and take it with you. Once again, keep in mind that it does not feature a SIM card slot and also requires USB power for operation. But it is one of the smallest travel routers on this list, and although it’s the second oldest router on this list, it is still very capable in 2025.

GL.iNet Puli AX

Pros – Does everything that you want from both a travel router and a local home/office router, has two SIM card slots, features an SD card slot, supports USB storage and NAS-like sharing, and has six antennas shared between local Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity. Features physical RJ45 ports and 2.5G WAN/LAN, includes a battery that can be easily removed if needed, clear LED display and controls, comprehensive router management software and mobile app, VPN physical button and multiple VPN protocols supported. Can be used as a prosumer router locally and easily disconnected and made portable as a travel router at any time (i.e., a 24×7 router, anywhere).

Cons – Expensive at $399-499, large size even without the battery attached.

Without a shadow of a doubt—and if you have the budget for it—the GL.iNet Puli AX SIM/LTE router is not only the best travel router I have ever used, but it might even be one of the best day-to-day routers I have ever used. That’s a pretty big statement, right? Let me explain. First and foremost, with the exception of Wi-Fi 7 support, the GL.iNet Puli AX provides everything that the Slate 7 at the start of this article does, as it utilises the same software platform and services but arrives with more memory, more CPU power/cores, and more storage by default to get started with and make the most of that software. However, it doubles down on everything that other routers from this brand provide. Need a SIM card slot? This device has two LTE/SIM card slots that support 5G and 4G SIM cards. Need physical network ports? This has two and supports 2.5G. Need portability? The system arrives with a large battery that is completely removable. Need good wireless coverage? This device has six individual antennas that cover a huge amount of local network coverage with Wi-Fi 6, and two antennas for cellular coverage. Don’t want to use a physical SIM and would rather use an eSIM? Yep, you can use an eSIM on this device too.

Much like other GL.iNet travel routers, the device supports failover across all of these SIM/eSIM/wired WAN options, and it supports load balancing, while also including Wi-Fi repeating and the ability to utilise the device as an encrypted gateway when connecting to third-party public/free Wi-Fi services. Add to all of that the fact that this router—and its comprehensive and detailed software—means that you can deploy this device in your office as your everyday router for managing countless devices and client hardware, and when you’re ready to go on your travels, the battery enables it to become a comprehensive travel router. That means that unlike other travel routers, which are only used when you travel (meaning the return on investment happens gradually over time), the Puli AX can be used 24×7 as your office router and then as your travel router—without needing to reconfigure security credentials or change anything about your setup unnecessarily between in-house and off-site use.

The Puli AX is by no means a perfect router. Of course, it is way more expensive than any other travel router on this list, and it’s also bigger—even without the battery attached. However, there is also no avoiding the fact that this is by far the most capable and powerful travel router that does absolutely everything you’re going to need, all in one device. With the exception of when I need to travel light or travel locally, I always use this router on my travels, and it has already replaced the router in my studio for day-to-day use too.

(What I said in conclusion on my dedicated Puli.AX Router review HERE) The GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router is arguably one of the most capable and powerful mobile routers available today. With an extensive feature set, including 5G support, Wi-Fi 6, robust failover options, and comprehensive storage capabilities, it stands out in the market. Despite its hefty price tag of $499, the value it offers in terms of functionality and reliability justifies the cost. Whether used in a static environment or on the go, this router provides a robust and versatile solution for internet connectivity. Overall, the GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router is an exceptional device that combines advanced features with practical usability. It is well-suited for a wide range of users, from business professionals requiring reliable internet on the go to home users seeking robust and versatile connectivity solutions. Its high price tag is justified by the extensive functionality and reliability it offers, making it a worthy investment for those who need a top-tier mobile router. Whether you’re looking for a reliable internet solution for your home, office, or travels, the Puli AX is a formidable contender that delivers on all fronts.

Avoid Netgear M6 (and most other Netgear Travel Routers for now)

I really hate to be negative, but the following is more of a warning for those of you who have seen the Netgear M6 mobile travel router—either on offer, offered by your local phone shop via contract, or even second-hand on eBay. Please do not buy this travel router, as both myself and many of my colleagues have experienced problems using the Netgear M6 travel router. On the face of it, it’s a great little thing. It’s small, offers great Wi-Fi, has a physical network port, supports SIM/LTE, includes an internal battery, and even features an LCD touchscreen that provides real-time information about the device when in operation. So, what’s the problem? Easy. For a start, it’s one of the most expensive routers for what you’re actually getting—and this applies, by the way, to the newer generation Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 versions too.

The router being expensive wouldn’t be a problem if the device were good enough to do the job. The Puli AX is an expensive travel router, but it has an incredible feature set and performs its role really well—so up to a point, it justifies its price tag. However, in the case of the Netgear M6, this is especially painful when you remember that this isn’t a brand coming out of left field or one you’ve never heard of. Netgear is an international brand associated with both home and professional-class hardware. Even a cursory look at the reviews online about the Netgear M6 indicates that my colleagues and I were not the only ones experiencing these issues with this router—yet these issues have persisted for many years. This isn’t written out of hate or with any intent of negativity, but simply to help stop users who might trust that this product’s name-brand label is enough to assume it’s a good router. I think it’s definitely worth spending the extra time looking around for better options first.

Examples of user other issues with the Netgear Travel Router series (couple of other examples here on the official Netgear Support Forum and on Reddit), but on the whole user feedback across Netgear’s official forums and platforms reveals a consistent pattern of serious reliability issues with the Nighthawk M6 and M6 Pro routers. Multiple users report that while the device appears promising—offering features like 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, a touchscreen, and long battery life—the reality often falls short. A common issue involves internet connectivity degrading after 6 to 24 hours of uptime, with the router still technically online (able to ping or resolve DNS) but unable to load any web pages. This effectively renders the device unusable until it is rebooted. Even replacing units, SIM cards, or applying firmware updates often failed to resolve the issue. Many users, including those who rely on the M6 for home or business use, were forced to bypass its router functions entirely—using it as a basic modem while relying on a separate standalone router (like the Linksys EA8500) for Wi-Fi and LAN tasks. This workaround significantly improved performance but defeated the all-in-one purpose of the M6.

Another frequent complaint centers on overheating and throttling, especially when the device is plugged in for extended periods or placed in warmer environments. Users have reported the M6 reaching temperatures well above the recommended 35°C limit, leading to dropped connections, performance slowdowns, and in some cases, device shutdowns. Attempts to address these thermal issues—like using fans, disabling Wi-Fi, removing the battery while powered—provided only partial relief. Firmware updates are inconsistently delivered (especially via AT&T), with some users stuck on outdated builds that don’t resolve known bugs. Ultimately, for many users, the combination of high cost, unstable firmware, poor thermal management, and lackluster support has made the M6 series an unreliable choice—especially when more stable and affordable travel routers are readily available.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...The Best Travel Router For YouWeek 13 Tech Roundup – SlateCWWK N355 10x2 NAS/Router Box Do You NEED a WiFi 7 Travel RoGl.iNet Slate 7 WiFi 7 Travel UniFi Dream Router 7 Review -UniFi Dream Router 7 Review (UGL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) PoGL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) PoGL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber Review – Overkill?

UniFi has absolutely been slamming hardware releases in the first quarter of 2025. Last year, they launched a new NAS solution, and in the last few months, we’ve seen them hammer out a wide range of new surveillance accessories. However, February 2025 has seen a huge rejuvenation of a number of wired and Wi-Fi devices in their router and cloud gateway lineup. Although we’ve seen several impressive solutions added to their new Wi-Fi 7-equipped portfolio, probably the most hench one of all is the UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber model, the UCG-Fiber. The popular UniFi Cloud Gateway series has always served as a much more compact and network-focused alternative to the bulkier UniFi Dream Machine and traditional router devices from the brand, but this new model really does scale the connectivity up to 11! Featuring multiple 10G connections spanning both copper and fiber, the system features PoE and multiple 2.5G LAN ports. Add to that arguably the most powerful internal hardware that the brand has yet rolled out (though realistically, UniFi doesn’t really choose powerhouse internal components normally anyway) and expandable M.2 NVMe storage, and what you have here is a system that manages to do everything that a bulky rack-mount-scale Dream Machine seemingly promises but in a physical scale that you can genuinely fit in your coat pocket—though I wouldn’t recommend doing that.

So let’s discuss the UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber and whether it deserves your data!

UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) Review – Quick Conclusion

The UniFi Cloud Gateway 7 Fiber is a prosumer/business device that does not overpromise and is quintessentially UniFi in its architecture—for good and for bad! There is a lot of good to talk about: almost unparalleled external network connectivity for its scale, the unbeatable utilization of the UniFi Network Controller software, ease of setup combined with a complexity of features and control—the UCG-Fiber does it all and does it phenomenally well. Small inconsistencies in the presentation, such as the M.2 slot adapter not being included with the initial retail kit, I find puzzling, however, and perhaps a little bit more wiggle room on the flexibility of the WAN/LAN on those 2.5G ports is open to debate (CORRECTION, You CAN adjust the 2.5G Ports to WANs, but you need to disable WAN services on the other 10G ports manually first). But those aside, it really is hard to fault. Plucky little box, and at $249 for a huge amount of scalability and expandability, you would be hard-pushed to find anything better at this price tag that can do what this can do—while still remaining largely license-free!

BUILD QUALITY - 9/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.6

PROS

Multi-Gigabit Connectivity – Supports dual 10G SFP+ ports, a 10GbE RJ45 port, and four 2.5GbE ports, allowing for high-speed networking.
PoE+ Support – One 2.5GbE port includes PoE+, enabling direct connection of UniFi APs, cameras, or other PoE-powered devices.
Integrated NVMe Storage Support – Allows installation of an NVMe SSD (up to 2TB) for UniFi Protect NVR functionality and other applications.
Compact & Fanless Design – Small form factor with silent operation, making it suitable for desktop or rack environments without additional noise.
License-Free SD-WAN & VPN Features – Includes WireGuard, OpenVPN, Teleport VPN, and Site-to-Site VPN without additional licensing costs.
Centralized UniFi Management – Seamlessly integrates with UniFi Network, Protect, and Talk, allowing for easy cloud-based management.
Stateful Layer 7 Firewall & IDS/IPS Security – Advanced traffic filtering, intrusion detection, and ad/content blocking for enhanced network security.
Lower Power Consumption – ARM-based quad-core CPU ensures efficient performance with lower heat output and energy usage compared to x86 alternatives.

CONS

Additional Cost for NVMe Tray – The M.2 SSD adapter tray is not included, requiring a separate purchase to enable internal storage.
Non-Upgradable RAM – Comes with 3GB of DDR4 RAM, which cannot be expanded, potentially limiting future scalability for advanced applications.
Lack of WiFi Support might be a pain for some on day 1

UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) Review – Design

If you have ever been around or owned a UniFi device, you will be unsurprised to hear that the UCG-Fiber is easy on the eye, and a great deal of attention has gone into the design. Like the majority of UniFi devices, the system arrives with a dynamic and animated LCD panel that gives you real-time information about the traffic, utility of the device, and real-time information on IPS and network status.

Unfortunately, it is not a touchscreen, which isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a shame as a few other LCD-equipped UniFi devices have this feature, and some might assume that all of their devices follow suit. Needless to say, this LCD panel can have its brightness adjusted easily, be set to a schedule, or have the details it displays modified within the system settings somewhat.

The physical scale of this device, when future-set alongside a larger rack-mount-designed UniFi Dream Machine, is pretty bloody impressive. Arriving at 221mm by 127mm by 30mm, this thing is smaller than most ISP-free routers, yet crams in physical network ports and internal storage that I’ll touch on later. Additionally, the system is fanless and is completely silent when in operation.

Separated into multiple LAN and multiple WAN ports, the main traffic ports are all 2.5GbE Ethernet, and the system software supports numerous services for connecting VLANs, failover services, jumbo frame adjustments, and a plethora of network security settings that I will touch on later in the article. Given the wide-ranging bandwidth of all other connections on this device, I’m not sure anyone would have judged the brand if they tried to get away with one or two standard gigabit ports here. They really have scaled things up, and it’s pretty clear that this system is designed with tremendous future-proofing in mind. One of the individual 2.5G ports has something extra special, too.

One of the physical 2.5G ports also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), which means that you will be able to take advantage of connecting smart network office peripherals for communication, or more likely, PoE-equipped cameras that you can connect and power via this port while using the UniFi Protect surveillance software installed on this device.

But I can understand how this single PoE port is intended more as an additional service for a locally deployed camera by the Cloud Gateway, rather than as a means to convince users to factor this in as a central point for their surveillance setup. Given the combination of copper and SFP connections on this device, it wouldn’t surprise me if one of the main factors preventing more PoE ports is simply heat generation at this scale.

However, one of the other arguably more general-purpose utilizations for this PoE port is to take advantage of one of the many multi-port PoE-powered network switches provided by UniFi in both small and medium form factors. Delivering up to 30 watts of power, which is enough to power either of the 2.5G fully equipped portable switches in the brand’s portfolio. Alternatively, thanks to the rather adaptable UniFi software that this system runs on, you can also take advantage of one of the many newly launched Wi-Fi 7-equipped PoE-powered AP devices that the brand recently rolled out. This single 2.5G PoE port provides both high power and high bandwidth performance to the U7, U7 Pro, U6 IP devices in the recent 2025 portfolio, and simply connecting one of these many AP devices to this single port allows you to immediately add an SSID tier to your network configuration in less than one minute—turning this hugely capable wired network management device into an all-purpose, business-class network router setup!

If you do choose to use this PoE port for a camera device, UniFi has a wide range of PoE-capable cameras spanning all the way to 4K, Edge AI services, and enterprise-grade surveillance equipment that, just like the wireless IP devices, can be added and deployed in less than a minute, with the UniFi Protect surveillance software already available on the UCG device with no license restrictions.

Using UniFi’s own cameras, you can utilize up to 12 HD cameras, 8 2K cameras, or four 4K cameras on this device. Alternatively, thanks to a changing stance by UniFi on their Protect platform, you can now also take advantage of third-party cameras that support ONVIF and better leverage existing surveillance equipment you may have in your home or office if you’re migrating your network setup over to the UniFi platform via the upgrade of a UCG-Fiber.

Moving away from those multiple 2.5G ports, we now need to talk about the other really impressive thing about the UCG-Fiber—and that is that this tiny box manages to arrive with three individual 10GbE connections. The UCG-Fiber features two SFP+ fiber 10GbE connections, but also, interestingly, an additional 10G Base-T copper connection as well. Given that these kinds of connections on a basic unmanaged switch would already push the price point of this device comfortably into the $200 mark, the fact that this system arrives with all of these connections, SSD scalability, UniFi capabilities, and PoE support all add up to this being phenomenal.

The UCG-Fiber has an internal switching support of 9.3Gbps performance, which, although may sound like less than the potential 40Gbps output that this system features, realistically, both the internal hardware profile this system has and the general use of this device were never going to max things out. And as long as the internal switching capacity of this system can match that of the largest possible single connection, I’m totally cool with this.

3x 10GbE connections mean that not only are you able to introduce an exceedingly high-performance WAN connection into your network that will be future-proof for at least a decade, but if you wanted to deploy a multi-site setup with fiber cabling between locations, there is a lot of compact yet powerful network packet handling on the table here! Plus, why not use another 10G port for a high-performance network switch and increase your broad network capabilities substantially, while still allowing great network traffic from the connected multi-port switch into your UCG-Fiber with ease? Finally, don’t overlook the benefits of introducing a 10GbE NAS into your UCG-Fiber, and either allow one user up to 1,000MBps transmission to the NAS or potentially 20 users to all enjoy gigabit network connection to that NAS. The potential for scalability on your network is phenomenal for such a small device.

However, it is worth highlighting that, as good as this is, I do have a little bit of a gripe with the way the brand has approached the 10G WAN/LAN connections on the UCG-Fiber. Although greater-than-gigabit internet speeds are becoming more common around the world, the availability of 10Gb internet is still pretty rare. While I can see the benefits of future-proofing by allowing multiple 10GbE connections, the fact that you cannot change one of the 2.5G ports on this device to a WAN if needed means that you are potentially losing out on quite a lot of network bandwidth. To elaborate, most users—even with high-performance internet services in their home or office—are unlikely to have greater-than-2.5GbE internet speeds for a good few years yet. Because the UCG-Fiber only allows two ports on this device to support WAN failover, that means that even if you were running basic sub-gigabit internet speeds like most users do, you are still restricted and potentially wasting the full capabilities of a 10G port on an ISP service that is never going to hit those heights. MASSIVE CORRECTION! You CAN chose to use the 2.5G ports as WAN/WAN2 and free up ALL the 10G ports if you like, however you need to ensure that WAN services are disabled on the existing 10G ports (setting them to LAN or DISABLED) first, and then the option to select ‘WAN’ or ‘WAN2’ on the 2.5G ports will appear. Really, REALLY pleased with this!

Another element that I have mostly positive, but not exclusively positive comments on is the M.2 NVMe SSD storage that this system supports. As mentioned, the UCG-Fiber allows you to install an M.2 NVMe SSD into the base of the system, and from there, you can use this storage to install multiple UniFi applications and services that will all run seamlessly from the UCG-Fiber network dashboard. These include automation, communication, and surveillance applications—all of which are license-free and included with the price of this system. Additionally, M.2 NVMe storage on this Gen 3×2 SSD line is going to provide fantastic performance and will ensure that particularly high-frequency services or high-demand services like AI-assisted surveillance setups run fantastically well here.

So, what is my problem with the way they have approached M.2 NVMe storage on the UCG-Fiber? It would be easy for me to criticize and say that the system should arrive with an SSD, but I’m not that naïve—at the $249 price this system comes in at, I think it would be unrealistic to assume that it would arrive with an SSD included. No, my problem isn’t that it doesn’t come with an SSD out of the box—my problem is twofold. Number one, in order to install an SSD inside the UCG-Fiber, you have to purchase a separate M.2 adapter tray that slides into the available base of the system. Who designed this??? And why do users have to purchase the SSD tray separately instead of it being included with the system?

I understand that users should be expected to buy their own scalable storage based on their capacity needs, but not including the tray that you need to insert the SSD into—and then charging an additional £15 for it—is just insane. My other issue is that although SSDs are less prone to physical or mechanical issues compared to traditional hard drives, they are not flawless.

SSDs—whether SATA or M.2—are still prone to occasional failures, and if an SSD fails, all the data on that drive is most likely lost. In the case of the UCG-Fiber, as the system only has a single M.2 slot, it does not support RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), which would allow for a safety net by having another drive keep the data safe. Equally, the UCG-Fiber does not have any USB connectivity to allow for connecting a storage drive for periodic backups of your surveillance data that you may be creating regularly on this system. It’s a small detail, but I’m kind of surprised that this was not factored in during the design stage, given the huge importance of the storage drive on this system. In the grand scheme of things, I’m still grateful that this high-performance cloud gateway device has storage capabilities as comprehensive as it does—but it is by no means flawless.

The UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 processor clocked at 2.2GHz. The Cortex-A73 is a relatively efficient CPU architecture that balances performance and power consumption, making it a suitable choice for a network gateway device. While not designed for high-performance computing tasks, this processor is more than capable of handling network routing, firewall management, VPN services, and deep packet inspection (DPI) without significant bottlenecks. The inclusion of Layer 7 firewall capabilities, IDS/IPS security measures, and traffic identification suggests that the CPU is optimized for handling packet filtering and security functions efficiently. However, its overall processing power is still limited compared to x86-based solutions found in enterprise-grade routers and gateways. Given its ARM-based architecture, the UCG-Fiber benefits from reduced power consumption and lower heat output, allowing for a compact, fanless design that operates silently while maintaining stable performance.

The UCG-Fiber is equipped with 3GB of DDR4 memory, which is a reasonable allocation for a device of this type. This amount of RAM ensures that the system can handle multiple concurrent processes, including traffic management, VPN sessions, intrusion detection, and SD-WAN operations without excessive slowdowns. While 3GB may seem modest compared to more powerful network appliances, it is sufficient for the expected workload of small to medium-sized networks.

The RAM configuration is non-expandable, meaning that users cannot upgrade memory for increased performance, which could become a limitation in scenarios where more demanding security and networking tasks are required. However, for general usage, including running UniFi applications, managing multiple VLANs, and handling routing tasks, the provided memory should be adequate. The combination of ARM-based processing and DDR4 memory allows the UCG-Fiber to deliver a balanced mix of efficiency and functionality, positioning it as a suitable choice for businesses and advanced home networks that require multi-gigabit connectivity with software-defined networking features.

UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) Review – Software and Services

IMPORTANT !!!- Currently the Software review of the UCG-Fiber is in progress, but I have already reviewed the UCG-Fiber and UX7 devices which are very similar indeed. So, whilst I complete the UCG-Fiber review, I have included the software review of the other 2 devices below, as they are running near identical services and features (but with differences with regard to port/wifi features. I will be amending the below text very soon, but include it here to give a better understanding of what this UniFi controller software can do. Apologies for this in the meantime.

Realistically, no one should be spending inordinate amounts of time using the software that your router arrives with – that’s just a simple fact. Indeed, you want you router (or any network appliance) to just do it’s job! Therefore talking about just how good the UniFi network software is, and how the UniFi Dream Router 7 capitalized on it, is going get a mixed reaction depending on your own level of network knowledge and custom requirements. I will say straight away though that you will really, REALLY struggle to find a more capable and flexible router software at this price point. You will struggle to find ANY setting, config, adjustable parameter of control measure not included with the UCG-Fiber. First off, there is the mobile application. As the UCG-Fiber hosts the UniFi network software, ALOT of the iOS and Android official UniFi applications are supported by the UCG-Fiber.

Firs time setup of the router using the mobile application (you can use a desktop machine with your web browser if you prefer of course) is incredibly straight forward. The Router can be found via the local area network or Bluetooth within 2 minutes of it’s first power-on. One big misconception (I was guilt of this too a while back) was that you have to register a UI.com account online in order to use UniFi appliances. This is NOT true. You can set the device up without a UI account (and even WITHOUT an internet connection) and doing so just needs to you create a local administrator account. It is recommended to use a UI account of course, as it allowed for easier comms and access for your larger Unifi network, but it is by no means compulsory. You can also create a system backup (with your config data of users, settings, SSIDs, etc) and backup online if you choose – and then easier pull this backup if you wish during initialization easily.

Upon creating local credentials or resisting an online account, the router performs an initial internet performance test and then goes about setting up your router. Much like other recent UniFi releases, the system has a ‘gamer’ style installation screen that shows tips and guides on how to get the most out of your router – very rare in a router I will say.

The setup process takes around 2-3 minutes and after that, you have pretty much FULL control and access to the Router’s configuration from your mobile phone. You can definitely tell that UNiFi have put the hours in with regard to the UX of the mobile application. Routers (and switches for that matter) are NOT easy systems to try and simplify – let along ocndence in a compact mobile UI. However they really have excelled in the latest version of their software.

Management of individual devices on the network are all presented intuitively in the app, and alongside their position/priority/bandwidth/consumption being presented, you can also use the app to institute controls and rules for 1, some or all devices on the fly – with instant implementation. Again, it’s no the fact that you can ‘do’ this that I am impressed by, it is the ease and intuitive way it is presented in a mobile app.

The same applies to the physical connections and wireless connections on the UCG-Fiber itself, with full remote control with the app to bridge, negotiate, failover, vLAN, disable, etc any port easily – as well as create new SSIDs, assign channels and push client devices around on the router side in 3-4 clicks. All of this is performed responsively and easily in the app.

On the subject of client devices, let’s discuss that WiFi 7 support. WiFi 7 opens up ALOT of performance and general bandwidth advantages. WiFi routers and client devices have been around now for around 10-12 months, as well as the increase in availability globally of greater than Gigabit internet services. Most internet service providers have already a router with their services – but not many provide WiFi 7 routers with their services, even at greater than gigabit speeds. So, what is the advantage? For the quicker (ish) version, watch my video below.

Now, you might well not have any devices right now that are WiFi 7, but plan on upgrading to WiFi 7 at some point in the further over a PCIe upgrade card. Even if you are using a system that lacks a PCIe upgrade clot, you can get small m.2 upgrade cards for a WiFi 7 / 802.11be upgrade for as little as $15-20 here. Hell, you do not even need to open up your system, as you can now get WiFi 7 to USB adapter upgrades for as little as $25-30, which is exactly what used when testing the router with my Windows 11 laptop for the earlier testing of the UCG-Fiber.

The USB-to-WiFi 7 Adapter I used in my testing of the UCG-Fiber was this one HERE on Aliexpress.

This USB to WiFi 7 adapter allowed for immediate 802.11be connectivity between my laptop and the UniFi Dream Router 7, over the now available 6Ghz band. Although there is more to WiFi 7 and this router than just that additional frequency. The UCG-Fiber SUPPORTS 2.4Ghz and 5ghz (just like all WiFi 6 and 6E routers), but crucially alongside the 6Ghz band allowing for more active concurrent connections, you are also able to take advantage of 320Mhz bandwidth (till now WiFi 6/6E only allowed for up to the 160Mhz connections). This means that you have a greater bandwidth per connection – though you can only have a finite amount of connections at 320Mhz at once. This is COMBINED with WiFi allowing for overlapping connections too and 1 device enjoying multiple connections at once.

This means that not only can you match the speed of a normal wired gigabit connection, but you can ABSOLUTELY SMASH IT! As you can see below, using this USB adapter on my regular windows laptop, connecting to the UniFi Dream Router 7 over the 6Hz band – I was able to hit 2.8Gb/s wireless connectivity!!! That is even faster than using one of the physical 2.5GbE connections on the UCG-Fiber.

It’s worth remembering though that WiFi 7 is NOT perfect and although it presents a lot of benefits for bandwidth improvements, reduced latency and increased encryption options, support of the wider frequencies and abilities of a larger WiFi 7 populated network are still a little ‘early days’.

By that, I mean that although you can hit high performance with 320Mhz connections, the actual radio frequency opened up right now (depending on your region) is pretty slim. The UCG-Fiber router DOES show you the full radio spectrum, separated dynamically with each 20/40/80/160/320Mhz block that is spread across 2.4/5/6Ghz – but ALOT of it is still unavailable to use in many regions.

These limitations are likely going to reduce over time and, therefore you have to look at a decent % of the WiFi capabilities of the UniFi Dream Router 7 as ‘future proofing’ – but just keep in mind that although you can deploy ALOT of wireless (and wired) devices in a UCG-Fiber managed environment, those peak 802.11be/WiFi 7 bandwidth improvements are going to be shared only by a few client devices – in reality the real benefits are going to be felt with the opening up of the 6Ghz frequency allowing for more devices to be spread over all three frequencies and bands at 80/160Mhz.

Anotehr note to keep in mind is that the 6Ghz band has a shorter area of effect than 5Ghz (which likewise has a shorter area than WiFi 5). So WiFi7 is at it’s best in closer proximity without walls – more as a cable alternative if you are in the same areas as your UniFi router. But when I connected to a 10GbE NAS (connected to the 10GbE port of my UCG-Fiber), I was able to hit 187MB/s write easily (though read performance was oddly inconsistent – possibly related to the NAS, still investigating – TBC) in CrystalDiskMark.

Likewise, similar testing with the WiFi 7 USB Adapter, through the UCG-Fiber and at the 10GbE connected NAS hit 260MB/s+ easily. Once again, I would have easily respected this if I had been connecting with the NAS using the 2.5GbE ports – but I am hugely impressed that I was able to hit this benchmark over a WiFi connection (thanks to that 2.8Gbps 6Ghz setup). Respect!

Additionally it is very easy to monitor the position, WiFi coverage, Channel and performance of any device connected to the UCG-Fiber controller software. Also allowing you to create rules o the fly to automatically manage them later as/when devices arrive.

These same controls also extend all the way down to the ISP input of the UCG-Fiber AND IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE uNIfI AP/Nodses in your setup, can control how/where bandwidth is allocated and the priority of devices/nodes that are unique to your own deployment.

The dashboard features a grouped UI and analytics overview that allows you to see the price traffic that is going into a physical LAN, grouped VLAN or just a single devices on the network – allowing you to see the sites/services/geo data in real time too!

And likewise as before, you can extent these analytics all the way to the root UCG-Fiber router to see EVERYTHING happening in realtime in your network and internet connectivity.

Blacklisting (and whitelisting occasionally) or certain websites is also easy to action manually when needed too – or you can import an existing database of ‘bad’ site lists directly into the UCG-Fiber to simplify the process.

Once rules, priorities, orders of services and limits have been created, you can then apply them to individual devices, networks, groups, vLANS, etc – even to a physical LAN port if needed. These rules are completely customizable and if 1 parameter is changed on the fly, it immediately actions across all selected devices.

It’s also worth highlighting that UniFi has its own enterprise user identity service (‘Identity Endpoint’) that you can apply to devices if you want to ensure that connected devices on the LAN or WAN are truly secure (client auth tools on each device) and this extends to the VPN and UniFi network client device access too.

I also should stress that although the UCG-Fiber seems like a very, VERY proprietary router – UniFi do NOT lock you into having to create an account with them or use only their services. You can set the system up for LOCAL ONLY management and control if you choose. Or even hybrid the two and create 1 secure ‘Identity Endpoint sys admin’, but others are ‘local’ only – nice balance tbh.

And new users (super user or billy basic!) can be created, modified and deleted at any time!

Control and configuration of the UCG-Fiber are very straight forward and there are pretty high end configuration options in the backend of the system to control both the local network setup, as well as WiFi connectivity out the box (or added later in the case of systems like the UCG Fiber via the U7/U7 Pro/U6).

And professional SI’s/Technicians can set the system to ‘truly open’ if they wish, and this can be securely controlled as needed. This allows for opening up frequencies in the case of a WiFi setup down the road and advanced settings related to antenna gain/adaption.

The system configuration and control are surprisingly extensive for a $279 router and puts it well, well into the realms of an enterprise-grade solution, despite its Prosumer/SMB price point.

Unsurprisingly, the UCG-Fiber has internet speed test tools (either using the native web browser GUI or the WiFiman application for Android/iOS).

But its goes further, with the ability to monitor the packet management in your network (covered earlier) to such as extent that you can even block the server calls to specific sites/vendors that are going through the UniFi manager and block them SPECIFICALLY. Eg, want to keep google services, but NOT YouTube (either for work/professional reasons, or because of your kids homework deadline?) – you can do that REALLY easily.

And you can apply these rules easily and analytics with ease via the topographical network monitoring window. So you can visually see the devices in the network, then apply the rules, in case a new device gets sneakily added to circumnavigate any limits/restricts in palce.

And if you see a sudden spike in internet use, you can (in seconds) isolate the device that is causing it AND see what it is – allowing yo to block/monitor as needed.

Equally, you can set some pretty extensive security provisions to pre-emptively kick in when an unknown device arrives on the scene, or if an existing device in the network begins to be suspicious.

The same goes for creating day 1/100 rules for port forwarding, traffic management and Firewall rules. All of this is HUGELY customizable and most pages in the UniFi GUI feature both ‘simple/easy’ views, as well as much more complex advanced views as needed at the top of each page.

The multiple LAN ports can also be scaled up/down as needed if your existing network is not quite ready for the full network connectivity of the UCG-Fiber too.

And thanks to the UCG-Fiber featuring multiple WAN ports, you can decide how you want to handle multiple ISP services into your home/business, to separate/combine/balance between them with ease across your connected devices.

Additionally, each WAN port can be adjusted to a ‘WAN’ or ‘LAN’ roles as needed – even disabled. So, whether it is as a failover internet connection, or that you want to free up that 10GbE port for use as a LAN – The choice is yours!

Also, as mentioned earlier, as the system supported internal storage via the slot, you can go ahead and run UniFi Protect surveillance software too – as well as as an additional switch to the available LAN ports, for cameras or add a camera to the POE port.

There are actually several different surveillance, communications, display or smart appliances in the UniFi portfolio that can be installed on the internet storage drive + also means you have more scope for that POE ready port.

It gets to a point (perhaps) that there are TOO many security and configuration options, and people looking for just a router to ‘just do it’s job’ will be somewhat overwhelmed. Most of the important settings are already set pretty well, but I never the less recommend first time buyers take the time to explore the configuration options present in order to better understand what they are buying here in terms of it’s abilities to protect your network and internet services.

This extends right the way down to the more advanced prevention and intrusion protection measures (Dark Web blocking too). Again, pretty advanced for many, but take the time to look through them if you purchase the UCG-Fiber.

And if in doubt, you can use the UniFi Teleport VPN service to anonymize your site-to-site exchanges (again, very ‘first party’ and more about SD-WAN level stuff, but does form part of the purchase here).

Also, keep in mind that the UCG-Fiber has the option to create Airgaps in it’s wired network AND WiFi connectivity (if you want to add that) that allows you to create automated access times – especially useful for businesses who want to lock down access outside of the usual 9-5 operational hours.

If you want to use WiFi services, yo can create multiple SSIDs of varying degrees of access – and yes, all the controls on security, speed, antenna, frequency, vLAN, etc are all present here too.

When creating those VLANS, you can add specific physical ports, IDs, WiFi APs etc to that vLAN to segregate your network as securely as possible.

And from there you can adjust the vLAN configuration in terms of it’s smooth operation and security directly from the network management panel (as well as view all active vLANS on one page if needed to see how they interact/clash + show each device you have moved in/out of them easily.

And again, all packet management/monitoring are available within the vLAN if you need.

If this all sounds tremendously intimidating, there is a much, MUCH easier 1 panel view in the ‘Insights’ tab that just shows each current network branch and it’s connections/clients in a list format.

Not good enough? How about a global view that shows the data packet exchange in real time with regard to each region (i.e worried that your data is being harvested to an overseas location, this will show you which countries are currently connected with on your UCG-Fiber for upload/download (websites? server? It’s easy to check and find out here!).

Bottom line – the bulk of the UniFi Control Software here is available on the majority of UniFi Router, Express, Cloud Gateway and Dream Machine devices – but the EXTENT to which you can use it is heavily dependent on the device you buy. In the case of the UCG-Fiber, you have a fantastic balance of Day 1 control sure, but you have an even better management and scalability on the system for when your ISP services double/triple, as well as the number of devices in your network expand.

UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) Review – Conclusion and Verdict

The UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) presents itself as a compact and capable network gateway solution that brings high-speed connectivity, PoE support, and integrated storage options to UniFi’s growing lineup of cloud-managed devices. Its dual 10G SFP+ ports, a 10GbE RJ45 port, and multiple 2.5GbE ports make it a strong option for users who require multi-gigabit networking in a small form factor. The inclusion of PoE support on one of the 2.5GbE ports adds a level of flexibility, allowing for directly connected UniFi APs or cameras without requiring an external PoE switch. Additionally, the support for NVMe SSD storage enables on-device UniFi Protect NVR functionality, which may be useful for businesses and users looking to consolidate their networking and surveillance infrastructure. From a software perspective, the UniFi Network, Protect, and Talk applications provide a familiar and well-integrated ecosystem that benefits from centralized management and cloud access. The license-free SD-WAN and VPN services also add value for users requiring secure remote access and site-to-site networking.

However, the UCG-Fiber is not without its drawbacks. The lack of flexibility in WAN port assignment may be a limiting factor for some users, especially those who do not have 10GbE WAN connectivity and would prefer to configure one of the 2.5GbE ports as a WAN interface (Correction, changing 2.5G ports to WAN/WAN2 is supported, just requires small assignment changes). The requirement to purchase a separate M.2 SSD adapter tray is another downside, as it adds an additional cost for users who intend to use the NVMe storage option. Additionally, with only 3GB of non-upgradable RAM, there could be concerns about long-term scalability if future UniFi software updates demand more system resources. While the ARM-based CPU is efficient, it does not match the performance of higher-end x86-based networking solutions, which may affect performance in environments with high packet processing demands. The absence of USB connectivity for external backups is another small but notable omission. Overall, the UCG-Fiber is a well-rounded networking device with a strong focus on multi-gigabit connectivity, PoE integration, and UniFi software compatibility, but it may not be the ideal solution for users with more complex WAN requirements or those needing expandable memory and storage flexibility.

Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Ubiquiti Launches Three New UnUniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

UniFi Express 7 Review – The Affordable UniFi Gateway?

UniFi has seriously hammered the subject of Wi-Fi 7 into their existing portfolio at an alarming speed, but it’s easy to forget that just half a year ago, there wasn’t a single Wi-Fi 7 solution in their lineup. Fast forward to February 2025, and they’ve now established every single kind of Wi-Fi 7 home/business appliance you could ever need. The latest entry into this product range is the compact and expandable UniFi Express 7. Serving as a compact and affordable entry point into establishing your own UniFi network, this device removes many of the physical Ethernet connections found on a typical router and instead prioritizes a small but easily expandable wireless networking solution to grow your network ecosystem. Arriving at $199, the UX7 was launched alongside the UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7) and UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber)—three very similar devices designed to serve different kinds of Wi-Fi/wired network deployments, all offering a similar level of network control that, until now, was only really available in the UniFi Dream Machine series. However, the UniFi Express 7 is the most compact of the three new releases, and with that, it also scales back some of the feature sets found in those more powerful devices. So, is the UniFi Express 7 the best gateway device for your needs? And does its focus on gradual network expansion over out-of-the-box hardware features make it the right fit for your growing home or business network? Let’s find out in this UX7 review.

UniFi Express 7 Review – Quick Conclusion

Honestly, I kind of wish UniFi had launched the UX7 about six months ago. The UniFi Express 7 gateway is an impressive little device, and when you factor in the license-free architecture, alongside its $199 price tag for a fully Wi-Fi 7, 6 GHz-ready box, it’s hard to call this bad value. However, launching this device between the UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7) and the UniFi Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) makes it look like the weaker option of the three. And while the UX7 certainly has network expandability and appeal, I strongly recommend anyone considering it to first check out the UDR7 or UCG-Fiber. That said, for its niche, highly scalable, and modular network appeal, the UX7 delivers exactly what UniFi promises. It’s certainly worth the $199 price tag, but keep in mind that it is designed first and foremost as a network gateway. You will struggle to fully unlock its potential without integrating a UniFi switch or expanding into an existing UniFi network.

BUILD QUALITY - 8/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

Affordable Entry Point – At $199, it’s one of the most budget-friendly ways to start a UniFi network with Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.
Compact & Energy Efficient – Small footprint (11cm²), lightweight (422g), and low power consumption (22W max) make it ideal for home and office environments.
Wi-Fi 7 & Tri-Band Support – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands with Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for better speed, lower latency, and improved reliability.
10GBASE-T WAN Port – Supports high-speed internet connections, making it future-proof for faster broadband rollouts.
Scalable with UniFi Ecosystem – Easily integrates into an existing UniFi setup with mesh Wi-Fi, UniFi switches, and other devices.
Powerful UniFi Software – Full UniFi Controller suite with advanced network management, security, VLANs, and traffic analytics.
USB-C Power Input – Simple and universal power delivery, allowing for flexible placement and easy powering via third-party adapters.

CONS

Limited Wired Connectivity – Only one 2.5G LAN port (no PoE), making wired expansion less convenient compared to UDR7 or UCG-Fiber.
No Built-in Storage – Cannot run UniFi Protect or other UniFi applications natively, requiring external UniFi hardware for advanced services.

UniFi Express 7 Review – Design and Connections

Considering that this tiny device features tri-band Wi-Fi, 10G networking, and 2.5G networking, it’s kind of bonkers how small it is. Equipped with an internal quad-core ARM processor and 3GB of DDR4 memory, these modest yet highly capable internal components are more than enough to keep your data moving smoothly. The $199 launch price of the UX7 puts it slightly closer to the price of most Pro-sumer routers. While it’s not overpriced, some users may question whether there are better, more hardware-capable devices available at a similar price point in early 2025.

However, the main appeal of that price point is not exclusively about the hardware, and you have to factor in that this device is bundled with the UniFi software, offering full integration and utility of said hardware. This tiny box is able to host full control of a UniFi network, managing—via a single pane of glass interface—over 30 individual UniFi-connected/adopted devices and well over 300 clients at any given time. A big part of the appeal of UniFi products is that single ecosystem, and once you factor in that platform alongside the hardware, the $199 price tag starts to make a lot more sense.

Although the system features two copper connections on the rear, the priority of the device will always be Wi-Fi connectivity. This small box is able to cover up to 1,500 square feet of wireless connectivity, but do factor in walls and rooms—of course! A lot of this coverage depends on the antenna and frequencies your client devices choose to use, and in that regard, the UX7 continues to push the boundaries.

Scaling things up from the previous generation UniFi Express device, the UX7 supports Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, and traditional legacy Wi-Fi. Although the device has no external antenna, there are strategically placed antennas throughout the inside of this device. Thanks to the increased 6 GHz frequency access via the 2×2 6 GHz antennas inside and Wi-Fi 7’s utilization of 320 MHz channels, this opens the door to substantial performance increases in the UX7 over its predecessor.

Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 integrates Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which means Wi-Fi 7-supported client devices can create multiple simultaneous connections over different frequencies, drastically enhancing wireless performance—to the point where it dwarfs traditional wired connections.

The 6 GHz band has a shorter coverage distance than 5 GHz, and likewise 5 GHz has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz. Although Wi-Fi 7 certainly solves many issues related to maximizing available radio frequencies, keep in mind that distance will still be a factor. Because of the small scale of this device, there are questions about true distance coverage compared to a router with more antennas and external antennas. Depending on the number of simultaneous frequencies via MLO that your client device can utilize, the maximum performance potential of this device will differ. However, across all of the available bands, you can achieve:

• 688 Mbps maximum bandwidth on the 2.4 GHz frequency,
• 4.3 Gbps performance on the 5 GHz frequency,
• A whopping 5.7 Gbps potential on the 6 GHz frequency.

Consider these more of a guideline to the larger shared bandwidth across multiple client devices, but nevertheless, they still indicate the performance potential of this tiny box once it’s integrated into your network. Although we will delve into more detail about security and encryption later in the review, it’s also worth highlighting that this system supports encrypted protocols all the way up to WPA3 for wireless transmissions. The UniFi Controller software provides an almost unrivaled level of network security management and troubleshooting, with controls extending down to individual devices, groups, VLANs, and MAC addresses.

This means that even if you begin integrating third-party hardware into your network environment or stick to UniFi client devices as you expand upon this gateway device, the lock-and-door approach to your ISP services will always be significantly tighter thanks to having the UX7 as your gateway. Moving over to the wired connections, the system features a 2.5G Ethernet port that is utilized as a LAN connection. This means you can integrate an existing switch and expand your UniFi network toward more wired devices, as well as creating multiple virtual LAN arms in your network environment.

Unfortunately, this 2.5G port does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE), which means any connected devices will need their own power source. This is a shame, because both the simultaneously released UDR7 and UCG-Fiber devices each include a PoE port, making wired expansion with UniFi switches much cleaner and more convenient.

Nevertheless, it’s good that standard Gigabit Ethernet is absent in favor of 2.5G Ethernet, allowing for 2.5 times the performance of traditional and legacy networks.

Interestingly, the UX7’s WAN port is a 10GBASE-T copper connection! Most users would have assumed that this compact device would arrive with 10G SFP+, as is common with most UniFi devices. However, opting for traditional copper 10G means that as ISP services globally begin to exceed Gigabit speeds, the UniFi Express 7 gateway will not create a bottleneck, allowing your network to fully enjoy those higher speeds as they become available. This also means that this tiny box is future-proofing your internet service gateway for a considerable length of time as better connectivity options arrive. Nevertheless, I’m a little disappointed that you cannot set the 2.5G port as your WAN, thereby allowing you to dedicate the 10G connection as a wider LAN connection. This would have been beneficial when using it alongside a traditional 10G NAS system or a larger switch that would take greater advantage of 10G network speeds. Very few users in the next few years will have internet speeds exceeding 2.5G (regardless of whether you are a home or business user), so fixing the 10G connection as the only WAN port feels like overkill for many. CORRECTION! You CAN set the 2.5G as a WAN port, but you need to manually change the initial 10G WAN port to LAN or Disabled FIRST, then the option to select 2.5G as a WAN will appear!

Impressively, the device is powered by a standard USB-C PSU, which is included in the kit. It’s probably no surprise that this device is quite power-efficient, factoring in the ARM CPU alongside the system’s prioritization of Wi-Fi connectivity out of the box rather than LAN/physical WAN connections. At peak Wi-Fi bandwidth utilization, with an active 10G connection, UniFi reports that the device draws just 22 watts at peak usage. Realistically, the device will spend 90% of its time operating at a fraction of this power consumption. Another major difference between the UX7 and other UniFi network management devices released in the last 12 months is that this system does not feature any internal storage or expandable storage via an SD card or USB port.

This means that the system is unable to host popular UniFi add-on applications for surveillance, in-house communication hardware, or dedicated UniFi hardware appliances. These features can still be added via an expanded UniFi network client installation over time, which is why this device is so affordable compared to other solutions. It is designed around gradually expanding your hardware network. That said, it’s a real shame that this device does not include any baseline storage out of the box, as many users would have wanted to utilize it as the base for a convenient and easy-to-deploy UniFi Protect surveillance device. As mentioned earlier, the UX7 is quite a niche device, making it difficult to compare against an already well-provisioned router or business gateway device. The hardware design and connectivity of the UX7 are optimized for a small, compact UniFi gateway deployment, but it also includes provisions for future scalability with wireless access points (for mesh networking) and UniFi switches for expanded connectivity later.

In that vein, let’s now discuss the UniFi Controller software and how the Express 7 takes advantage of it today—while also promising greater expansion capabilities in the future.

UniFi Express 7 Review – Software and Services

IMPORTANT !!!- Currently the Software review of the Ux7 is in progress, but I have already reviewed the UDR7 device which is very similar indeed. So, whilst I complete the UCG-Fiber and UX7 review, I have included the software review of the other 2 devices below, as they are running near identical services and features (but with differences with regard to port/wifi features. I will be amending the below text very soon, but include it here to give a better understanding of what this UniFi controller software can do. Apologies for this in the meantime.

Realistically, no one should be spending inordinate amounts of time using the software that your router arrives with – that’s just a simple fact. Indeed, you want you router (or any network appliance) to just do it’s job! Therefore talking about just how good the UniFi network software is, and how the UniFi Dream Router 7 capitalized on it, is going get a mixed reaction depending on your own level of network knowledge and custom requirements. I will say straight away though that you will really, REALLY struggle to find a more capable and flexible router software at this price point. You will struggle to find ANY setting, config, adjustable parameter of control measure not included with the UX7. First off, there is the mobile application. As the UX7 hosts the UniFi network software, ALOT of the iOS and Android official UniFi applications are supported by the UX7.

Firs time setup of the router using the mobile application (you can use a desktop machine with your web browser if you prefer of course) is incredibly straight forward. The Router can be found via the local area network or Bluetooth within 2 minutes of it’s first power-on. One big misconception (I was guilt of this too a while back) was that you have to register a UI.com account online in order to use UniFi appliances. This is NOT true. You can set the device up without a UI account (and even WITHOUT an internet connection) and doing so just needs to you create a local administrator account. It is recommended to use a UI account of course, as it allowed for easier comms and access for your larger Unifi network, but it is by no means compulsory. You can also create a system backup (with your config data of users, settings, SSIDs, etc) and backup online if you choose – and then easier pull this backup if you wish during initialization easily.

Upon creating local credentials or resisting an online account, the router performs an initial internet performance test and then goes about setting up your router. Much like other recent UniFi releases, the system has a ‘gamer’ style installation screen that shows tips and guides on how to get the most out of your router – very rare in a router I will say.

The setup process takes around 2-3 minutes and after that, you have pretty much FULL control and access to the Router’s configuration from your mobile phone. You can definitely tell that UNiFi have put the hours in with regard to the UX of the mobile application. Routers (and switches for that matter) are NOT easy systems to try and simplify – let along ocndence in a compact mobile UI. However they really have excelled in the latest version of their software.

Management of individual devices on the network are all presented intuitively in the app, and alongside their position/priority/bandwidth/consumption being presented, you can also use the app to institute controls and rules for 1, some or all devices on the fly – with instant implementation. Again, it’s no the fact that you can ‘do’ this that I am impressed by, it is the ease and intuitive way it is presented in a mobile app.

The same applies to the physical connections and wireless connections on the UX7 itself, with full remote control with the app to bridge, negotiate, failover, vLAN, disable, etc any port easily – as well as create new SSIDs, assign channels and push client devices around on the router side in 3-4 clicks. All of this is performed responsively and easily in the app.

On the subject of client devices, let’s discuss that WiFi 7 support. WiFi 7 opens up ALOT of performance and general bandwidth advantages. WiFi routers and client devices have been around now for around 10-12 months, as well as the increase in availability globally of greater than Gigabit internet services. Most internet service providers have already a router with their services – but not many provide WiFi 7 routers with their services, even at greater than gigabit speeds. So, what is the advantage? For the quicker (ish) version, watch my video below.

Now, you might well not have any devices right now that are WiFi 7, but plan on upgrading to WiFi 7 at some point in the further over a PCIe upgrade card. Even if you are using a system that lacks a PCIe upgrade clot, you can get small m.2 upgrade cards for a WiFi 7 / 802.11be upgrade for as little as $15-20 here. Hell, you do not even need to open up your system, as you can now get WiFi 7 to USB adapter upgrades for as little as $25-30, which is exactly what used when testing the router with my Windows 11 laptop for the earlier testing of the UDR7.

The USB-to-WiFi 7 Adapter I used in my testing of the UDR7 was this one HERE on Aliexpress.

This USB to WiFi 7 adapter allowed for immediate 802.11be connectivity between my laptop and the UniFi Dream Router 7, over the now available 6Ghz band. Although there is more to WiFi 7 and this router than just that additional frequency. The UX7 SUPPORTS 2.4Ghz and 5ghz (just like all WiFi 6 and 6E routers), but crucially alongside the 6Ghz band allowing for more active concurrent connections, you are also able to take advantage of 320Mhz bandwidth (till now WiFi 6/6E only allowed for up to the 160Mhz connections). This means that you have a greater bandwidth per connection – though you can only have a finite amount of connections at 320Mhz at once. This is COMBINED with WiFi allowing for overlapping connections too and 1 device enjoying multiple connections at once.

This means that not only can you match the speed of a normal wired gigabit connection, but you can ABSOLUTELY SMASH IT! As you can see below, using this USB adapter on my regular windows laptop, connecting to the UniFi Dream Router 7 over the 6Hz band – I was able to hit 2.8Gb/s wireless connectivity!!! That is even faster than using one of the physical 2.5GbE connections on the UX7.

It’s worth remembering though that WiFi 7 is NOT perfect and although it presents a lot of benefits for bandwidth improvements, reduced latency and increased encryption options, support of the wider frequencies and abilities of a larger WiFi 7 populated network are still a little ‘early days’.

By that, I mean that although you can hit high performance with 320Mhz connections, the actual radio frequency opened up right now (depending on your region) is pretty slim. The UX7 DOES show you the full radio spectrum, separated dynamically with each 20/40/80/160/320Mhz block that is spread across 2.4/5/6Ghz – but ALOT of it is still unavailable to use in many regions.

These limitations are likely going to reduce over time and, therefore you have to look at a decent % of the WiFi capabilities of the UniFi Dream Router 7 as ‘future proofing’ – but just keep in mind that although you can deploy ALOT of wireless (and wired) devices in a UX7 managed environment, those peak 802.11be/WiFi 7 bandwidth improvements are going to be shared only by a few client devices – in reality the real benefits are going to be felt with the opening up of the 6Ghz frequency allowing for more devices to be spread over all three frequencies and bands at 80/160Mhz.

Anotehr note to keep in mind is that the 6Ghz band has a shorter area of effect than 5Ghz (which likewise has a shorter area than WiFi 5). So WiFi7 is at it’s best in closer proximity without walls – more as a cable alternative if you are in the same areas as your UniFi router. But when I connected to a 10GbE NAS (connected to the 10GbE port of my UCG-Fiber), I was able to hit 187MB/s write easily (though read performance was oddly inconsistent – possibly related to the NAS, still investigating – TBC) in CrystalDiskMark.

Likewise, similar testing with the WiFi 7 USB Adapter, through the UX7 and at the 10GbE connected NAS hit 260MB/s+ easily. Once again, I would have easily respected this if I had been connecting with the NAS using the 2.5GbE ports – but I am hugely impressed that I was able to hit this benchmark over a WiFi connection (thanks to that 2.8Gbps 6Ghz setup). Respect!

Additionally, it is very easy to monitor the position, WiFi coverage, Channel and performance of any device connected to the UX7 controller software. Also allowing you to create rules on the fly to automatically manage them later as/when devices arrive.

These same controls also extend all the way down to the ISP input of the UX7 AND IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE uNIfI AP/Nodes in your setup, can control how/where bandwidth is allocated and the priority of devices/nodes that are unique to your own deployment.

The dashboard features a grouped UI and analytics overview that allows you to see the price traffic that is going into a physical LAN, grouped VLAN or just a single devices on the network – allowing you to see the sites/services/geo data in real time too!

And likewise as before, you can extent these analytics all the way to the root UX7 router to see EVERYTHING happening in realtime in your network and internet connectivity.

Blacklisting (and whitelisting occasionally) or certain websites is also easy to action manually when needed too – or you can import an existing database of ‘bad’ site lists directly into the UX7 to simplify the process.

Once rules, priorities, orders of services and limits have been created, you can then apply them to individual devices, networks, groups, vLANS, etc – even to a physical LAN port if needed. These rules are completely customizable and if 1 parameter is changed on the fly, it immediately actions across all selected devices.

It’s also worth highlighting that UniFi has its own enterprise user identity service (‘Identity Endpoint’) that you can apply to devices if you want to ensure that connected devices on the LAN or WAN are truly secure (client auth tools on each device) and this extends to the VPN and UniFi network client device access too.

I also should stress that although the UX7 seems like a very, VERY proprietary router – UniFi do NOT lock you into having to create an account with them or use only their services. You can set the system up for LOCAL ONLY management and control if you choose. Or even hybrid the two and create 1 secure ‘Identity Endpoint sys admin’, but others are ‘local’ only – nice balance tbh.

And new users (super user or billy basic!) can be created, modified and deleted at any time!

Control and configuration of the UX7 are very straight forward and there are pretty high end configuration options in the backend of the system to control both the local network setup, as well as WiFi connectivity out the box (or added later in the case of systems like the UCG Fiber via the U7/U7 Pro/U6).

And professional SI’s/Technicians can set the system to ‘truly open’ if they wish, and this can be securely controlled as needed. This allows for opening up frequencies in the case of a WiFi setup down the road and advanced settings related to antenna gain/adaption.

The system configuration and control are surprisingly extensive for a $279 router and puts it well, well into the realms of an enterprise-grade solution, despite its Prosumer/SMB price point.

Unsurprisingly, the UX7 has internet speed test tools (either using the native web browser GUI or the WiFiman application for Android/iOS).

But its goes further, with the ability to monitor the packet management in your network (covered earlier) to such as extent that you can even block the server calls to specific sites/vendors that are going through the UniFi manager and block them SPECIFICALLY. Eg, want to keep google services, but NOT YouTube (either for work/professional reasons, or because of your kids homework deadline?) – you can do that REALLY easily.

And you can apply these rules easily and analytics with ease via the topographical network monitoring window. So you can visually see the devices in the network, then apply the rules, in case a new device gets sneakily added to circumnavigate any limits/restricts in palce.

And if you see a sudden spike in internet use, you can (in seconds) isolate the device that is causing it AND see what it is – allowing yo to block/monitor as needed.

Equally, you can set some pretty extensive security provisions to pre-emptively kick in when an unknown device arrives on the scene, or if an existing device in the network begins to be suspicious.

The same goes for creating day 1/100 rules for port forwarding, traffic management and Firewall rules. All of this is HUGELY customizable and most pages in the UniFi GUI feature both ‘simple/easy’ views, as well as much more complex advanced views as needed at the top of each page.

The multiple LAN ports can also be scaled up/down as needed if your existing network is not quite ready for the full network connectivity of the UCG-Fiber too.

And thanks to the UX7 featuring multiple WAN ports, you can decide how you want to handle multiple ISP services into your home/business, to separate/combine/balance between them with ease across your connected devices.

Additionally, each WAN port can be adjusted to a ‘WAN’ or ‘LAN’ roles as needed – even disabled. So, whether it is as a failover internet connection, or that you want to free up that 10GbE port for use as a LAN – The choice is yours!

Also, as mentioned earlier, as the system supported internal storage via the slot, you can go ahead and run UniFi Protect surveillance software too – as well as as an additional switch to the available LAN ports, for cameras or add a camera to the POE port.

There are actually several different surveillance, communications, display or smart appliances in the UniFi portfolio that can be installed on the internet storage drive + also means you have more scope for that POE ready port.

It gets to a point (perhaps) that there are TOO many security and configuration options, and people looking for just a router to ‘just do it’s job’ will be somewhat overwhelmed. Most of the important settings are already set pretty well, but I never the less recommend first time buyers take the time to explore the configuration options present in order to better understand what they are buying here in terms of it’s abilities to protect your network and internet services.

This extends right the way down to the more advanced prevention and intrusion protection measures (Dark Web blocking too). Again, pretty advanced for many, but take the time to look through them if you purchase the UX7.

And if in doubt, you can use the UniFi Teleport VPN service to anonymize your site-to-site exchanges (again, very ‘first party’ and more about SD-WAN level stuff, but does form part of the purchase here).

Also, keep in mind that the UX7 has the option to create Airgaps in it’s wired network AND WiFi connectivity (if you want to add that) that allows you to create automated access times – especially useful for businesses who want to lock down access outside of the usual 9-5 operational hours.

If you want to use WiFi services, yo can create multiple SSIDs of varying degrees of access – and yes, all the controls on security, speed, antenna, frequency, vLAN, etc are all present here too.

When creating those VLANS, you can add specific physical ports, IDs, WiFi APs etc to that vLAN to segregate your network as securely as possible.

And from there you can adjust the vLAN configuration in terms of it’s smooth operation and security directly from the network management panel (as well as view all active vLANS on one page if needed to see how they interact/clash + show each device you have moved in/out of them easily.

And again, all packet management/monitoring are available within the vLAN if you need.

If this all sounds tremendously intimidating, there is a much, MUCH easier 1 panel view in the ‘Insights’ tab that just shows each current network branch and it’s connections/clients in a list format.

Not good enough? How about a global view that shows the data packet exchange in real time with regard to each region (i.e worried that your data is being harvested to an overseas location, this will show you which countries are currently connected with on your UCG-Fiber for upload/download (websites? server? It’s easy to check and find out here!).

Bottom line – the bulk of the UniFi Control Software here is available on the majority of UniFi Router, Express, Cloud Gateway and Dream Machine devices – but the EXTENT to which you can use it is heavily dependent on the device you buy. In the case of the UX7, you have a fantastic balance of Day 1 control sure, but you have an even better management and scalability on the system for when your ISP services double/triple, as well as the number of devices in your network expand.

UniFi Express 7 Review – Verdict and Conclusion

If the UniFi Express 7 had been released about six months ago, I think it would stand out considerably more than it does right now. However, sandwiching its launch between the Wi-Fi 7 UDR7 and the highly LAN-capable UCG-Fiber device somewhat muddles the launch of the UX7. The UX7 is a highly capable and highly expandable appliance that serves as an affordable, low-footprint way for home and business users to begin integrating UniFi into their network. Had this cloud gateway device arrived before the Router 7 or Fiber device, I think its integration would have been hugely appealing. However, given the small $49–$79 price difference between the Router/Fiber devices that UniFi launched at the same time, the UX7 does feel a bit underwhelming by comparison. That isn’t to say that the UX7 is a bad device! It really isn’t. UniFi has crammed a huge amount of capability and expandability into an exceedingly small frame, at just 11 cm²!

This is by far the smallest tri-band Wi-Fi 7 fully capable router-style device that I’ve ever seen, and it arrives at a lower price point than Wi-Fi 7 alternatives from Amazon or Google right now. It is also substantially easier to expand into mesh networks, thanks to the U7, U7 Pro, U6, and U6 Wall devices. Equally, the ease of adoption and integration of UniFi switches into the UX7 down the road means that you can granularly and much more affordably expand your network of UniFi devices over the years. This is a great deal easier than having to spend more money upfront on hardware that you may not even fully utilize in your network for a few years to come. Future-proofing and expandability are once again the key selling points here, but just keep in mind that there are alternatives to this product (including from UniFi themselves) available right now. It would be wise to spend a little more time considering whether those slightly more hardware-rich devices—at less than $100 more from UniFi—might be better suited to your needs.

Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Ubiquiti Launches Three New UnUniFi Express 7 Review - SmallHow to Check If Your Hard DrivDirty Pipe Linux VulnerabilityWhich Kernel linux version doeDirty Pipe Linux VulnerabilityHow to play Music from SynologSelf maid Linux NAS vs SynologBuild My Own Open Source LinuxAS-T10G Asustor 10-Gigabit PCI Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review

The GL.iNet Slate 7 is the latest entry in the company’s expanding lineup of travel routers, bringing Wi-Fi 7 support, dual 2.5GbE ports, and a compact, portable design aimed at users who need reliable internet access on the go. Designed with remote workers, frequent travelers, and security-conscious users in mind, it includes built-in VPN support, an interactive touchscreen interface, and multiple failover options, making it a versatile networking solution for those moving between different public and private networks. However, while it is marketed as a Wi-Fi 7 device, it notably lacks support for the 6GHz band and 320MHz channel width, meaning it cannot take full advantage of some key Wi-Fi 7 improvements. This raises questions about whether its performance truly surpasses high-end Wi-Fi 6E routers or if it is more of an incremental upgrade over its predecessors. In this review, we will break down the Slate 7’s design, connectivity options, and real-world performance, ultimately determining if it is a standout travel networking device or simply a modest refinement of previous GL.iNet offerings.

UPDATE – the $96 super early bird price is now over, but the early bird price is still available at the time of writing (link here or via banner below)

Note, several times in the review I reference the Gl.iNet Puli AX SIM Tracvel Router. Find out more about that router in the full review HERE on YouTube and HERE on the blog.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Quick Conclusion

The GL.iNet Slate 7 is a versatile and security-focused travel router, offering Wi-Fi 7 support, dual 2.5GbE ports, built-in VPN capabilities, and a touchscreen interface in a compact, low-power design. While it excels at secure networking, multi-device connectivity, and WAN failover options, its lack of 6GHz and 320MHz channel width means it does not fully utilize Wi-Fi 7’s potential. Wireless performance is solid on 5GHz, reaching 2-2.1Gbps, but latency improvements and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) help stability rather than raw speed gains. Wired performance is strong, but USB storage speeds are capped at 130-140 MB/s, limiting its use as a high-speed file-sharing device. The touchscreen adds convenience for quick settings adjustments, and power consumption remains low (~7-8W), but the lack of a built-in battery reduces portability compared to SIM-enabled or battery-powered alternatives like the Puli AX. With pricing between $96-$149, it is a strong value for users needing a secure and flexible travel router, but those prioritizing top-tier Wi-Fi performance may prefer a Wi-Fi 6E router with 6GHz support. The Slate 7 is an iterative upgrade rather than a groundbreaking innovation, making it a reliable but not revolutionary choice for portable networking.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Design

The GL.iNet Slate 7 follows a familiar compact and lightweight form factor, measuring 130 x 91 x 34 mm and weighing 295 grams. This makes it highly portable, fitting easily into a backpack or even a pocket, which is essential for a travel-focused device. The matte black chassis gives it a more industrial and professional look compared to some of its predecessors, with foldable external antennas that can be adjusted to optimize signal reception.

Unlike the Puli AX, which includes a built-in battery, the Slate 7 requires USB-C power input, keeping it lightweight but also limiting its standalone functionality when an external power source isn’t available.

A major upgrade in this model is the touchscreen interface, a rare feature for travel routers.

The small LCD display allows users to scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi access, toggle VPN connections, monitor real-time network speed, and check network status through color-coded indicators for different modes such as Ethernet, Repeater, and Tethering.

While not a full replacement for web-based or app-based management, it provides a quick and convenient way to adjust settings without needing to log into a separate interface.

The physical button on the device is another useful addition, allowing users to assign it to toggle VPN services or other networking functions. This means users can activate or deactivate a secure tunnel instantly, ensuring encrypted traffic without needing to open a mobile app or browser. The button’s customization adds another layer of convenience, particularly for those frequently switching between standard and VPN-protected connections.

Build quality is solid, with a sturdy plastic shell that feels durable enough for travel but lacks the ruggedized features found in some other portable routers. There are no IP-rated dust or water resistance claims, so users should be cautious when using it in more demanding outdoor environments.

The absence of a built-in battery and no SIM card slot means it relies entirely on external power and tethered internet sources, making it less versatile than some cellular-enabled competitors. However, for users who mainly rely on wired and wireless networks, the design choices make sense, keeping the device compact while offering practical features for on-the-go connectivity.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Connections

The GL.iNet Slate 7 offers a versatile range of wired and wireless connectivity options, making it one of the most adaptable travel routers in its class. Its standout feature is the inclusion of two 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, which can be configured as either WAN or LAN. This flexibility allows users to connect to high-speed wired networks while also providing a multi-gigabit local network for devices that support it. Unlike previous models that typically included only one multi-gig port, the Slate 7 allows for higher-speed networking between wired devices without needing an additional switch.

On the wireless side, the router supports Wi-Fi 7 with dual-band functionality, offering speeds of 688 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 2.8 Gbps on 5GHz. However, despite its Wi-Fi 7 branding, it does not support the 6GHz band or 320MHz channel width, meaning it lacks two of the most significant advantages of the latest wireless standard.

This means performance improvements will be limited compared to full-featured Wi-Fi 7 routers, though Multi-Link Operation (MLO) support helps improve stability and throughput when using simultaneous band connections.

For users needing additional network redundancy, the Slate 7 supports multiple failover options. In addition to its WAN/LAN ports, it can also connect to the internet via Wi-Fi repeater mode or USB tethering.

The USB 3.0 port allows users to connect a smartphone for cellular tethering, effectively turning the router into a backup mobile hotspot. This is a valuable feature for travelers who may find themselves in locations without reliable wired or Wi-Fi access, ensuring they remain connected through a tethered mobile device.

The router’s software-based networking features further expand its connectivity potential. Users can configure WAN failover, ensuring a seamless switch between different internet sources when one becomes unavailable.

Additionally, it supports multiple SSIDs and VLAN segmentation, allowing for separate networks for guests or different device types. These features are particularly useful for users who frequently switch between public and private networks, ensuring that personal devices remain isolated from potentially unsecured connections.

Another key connectivity feature is the USB storage functionality, which allows the Slate 7 to act as a mini NAS. When a USB drive or external SSD is connected, it can be accessed over the network using Samba, DLNA, WebDAV, and FTP protocols.

However, performance testing showed that USB file transfer speeds over Samba maxed out at around 130-140 MB/s, meaning that while the feature is useful for basic file sharing or backups, it is not optimized for high-speed storage applications.

While the inclusion of USB-based storage sharing is a welcome addition, the performance bottleneck limits its full potential.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Software

The GL.iNet Slate 7 runs a customized version of OpenWrt 23.05, providing a flexible and feature-rich networking environment. The web-based management interface is similar to previous GL.iNet routers, offering a mix of beginner-friendly controls and advanced networking settings.

Users can configure WAN failover, VLANs, multiple SSIDs, and port forwarding, making it adaptable for various networking scenarios. The addition of a touchscreen interface allows for quick network monitoring, Wi-Fi access via QR codes, and VPN toggling, reducing the need to log into the full web interface for basic tasks. However, while the core interface is functional, it lacks detailed guidance for advanced settings, which could be a challenge for less experienced users.

One of the key features of the Slate 7 is its VPN support, allowing users to configure over 30 VPN services, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. With WireGuard speeds reaching up to 540Mbps, it provides a fast and secure connection for users needing encrypted traffic on public networks. The physical VPN button is a welcome addition, enabling users to instantly toggle VPN protection without accessing the interface.

VPN failover support is also included, allowing users to switch between multiple VPN providers seamlessly. However, while basic VPN setup is straightforward, more advanced configurations—such as split tunneling and custom DNS settings—require manual setup with limited on-screen guidance.

The Slate 7 also features a built-in app store, allowing users to install additional networking tools such as AdGuard Home, ZeroTier, and Tailscale. This extends the router’s functionality beyond basic networking, enabling ad-blocking, remote access solutions, and encrypted tunneling services.

While the app store adds valuable features, its interface feels somewhat outdated, and the selection of available apps remains limited compared to broader OpenWrt repositories. Users comfortable with command-line customization can access root-level OpenWrt settings, unlocking more advanced network configurations for those with the expertise to fine-tune their setup.

In file-sharing and storage management, the Slate 7 supports Samba, DLNA, FTP, and WebDAV, allowing connected USB storage to function as a basic NAS for network file sharing. The setup process is fairly straightforward, with a step-by-step wizard to create shared folders and manage user permissions.

Framing things in terms of a mobile router vs a more aggressive desktop model with 6Ghz,  the Slate 7 remains a capable software-driven router, offering a solid combination of security, customization, and network flexibility, albeit with some interface and performance limitations that may require firmware optimizations in future updates.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Testing

Performance testing on the GL.iNet Slate 7 revealed a mix of strengths and limitations, particularly in Wi-Fi speeds, wired throughput, and storage performance. In wireless performance tests, the 5GHz band consistently delivered 2-2.1Gbps throughput, aligning closely with its 2.8Gbps theoretical maximum when using a Wi-Fi 7 USB adapter. However, the absence of 6GHz and 320MHz channel width meant that it could not take full advantage of Wi-Fi 7’s higher bandwidth capabilities. In practical use, latency remained low, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) improved overall network stability, but competing Wi-Fi 6E routers with 6GHz support may still offer better overall performance in less congested environments.

Wired performance testing was strong, with 2.5GbE Ethernet connections delivering 230-240 MB/s transfer speeds, which is within expected limits for a multi-gigabit network. However, in USB storage performance tests, speeds were notably lower than expected. Using Samba over a 2.5GbE connection, file transfers to a connected USB SSD capped at 130-140MB/s, well below the full bandwidth potential of USB 3.0 or 2.5GbE Ethernet. This suggests either a software bottleneck or an underutilized hardware controller, limiting its effectiveness as a high-speed portable NAS.

In power consumption tests, the Slate 7 remained highly efficient, idling at 6-7W and peaking at 8.1-8.2W under full load with multiple active connections. This makes it one of the lowest-power travel routers in its class, making it ideal for users who need to power it via a laptop, power bank, or low-power USB source.

However, the lack of an internal battery means it requires a power source at all times, reducing portability compared to battery-equipped alternatives like the Puli AX. Here is the power draw of the Slate 7 when I was running my iPerf3 Tests:

VPN performance was in line with expectations, with OpenVPN reaching speeds of ~100Mbps and WireGuard peaking at ~540Mbps. This makes it suitable for secure remote access and encrypted browsing, but users requiring gigabit-level VPN throughput will need a more powerful router or a dedicated VPN server.

The physical VPN toggle button proved highly useful, allowing for instant encryption activation without navigating the web or mobile interface. However, GL.iNet’s software interface lacks clear guidance on advanced VPN configurations, which could be a barrier for less experienced users.

Gl.iNet Slate 7 Router Review – Conclusion & Verdict

The GL.iNet Slate 7 stands out as a compact, feature-rich travel router that brings together Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, dual 2.5GbE ports, and a touchscreen interface in a low-power, highly portable design. It is clearly aimed at travelers, remote workers, and security-conscious users who require flexible connectivity options and encrypted internet access while moving between different networks. With built-in VPN support, USB tethering, and multiple WAN failover options, it effectively serves as a secure gateway for multiple devices when using public Wi-Fi or mobile data connections. The inclusion of Multi-Link Operation (MLO) further enhances stability by allowing simultaneous band connections, while the physical VPN toggle button adds a convenient layer of security. However, the absence of 6GHz support and 320MHz channel width raises concerns about whether it truly takes full advantage of Wi-Fi 7 technology or simply refines the capabilities of existing Wi-Fi 6E travel routers.

In real-world performance, the Slate 7 delivers respectable wireless and wired speeds, but its Wi-Fi 7 implementation feels incomplete. While the 2.5GbE ports allow for high-speed wired networking, the lack of 6GHz means users won’t experience the full benefits of the latest wireless standard, particularly in low-interference, high-bandwidth environments. USB storage performance is another notable limitation, with Samba transfers capping at 130-140 MB/s, suggesting either a software bottleneck or underpowered hardware handling file transfers. The touchscreen interface, while useful for quick access to network settings and VPN controls, does not replace the depth of web or mobile-based configuration tools, which still require some technical knowledge to fully optimize the router’s capabilities. Additionally, while power consumption remains impressively low at around 7-8W under load, the lack of an internal battery means it must always be tethered to an external power source, reducing its portability compared to battery-powered alternatives like the Puli AX.

At a price range of $96 (early bird) to $149 (retail), the Slate 7 offers strong value for users prioritizing security, network flexibility, and multiple connection options over cutting-edge Wi-Fi performance. It is not the fastest travel router available, but it excels in delivering encrypted and stable internet access in a variety of challenging connectivity scenarios. For users who primarily require a portable router for VPN security, network redundancy, and secure multi-device management, the Slate 7 is one of the most capable options on the market. However, those seeking the absolute best wireless performance may find Wi-Fi 6E routers with 6GHz support to be a better choice for future-proofing. While GL.iNet has positioned the Slate 7 as a next-generation travel router, it ultimately feels more like an evolution rather than a revolution, making it a solid but not groundbreaking addition to the travel networking space.

Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...The Best Travel Router For YouWeek 13 Tech Roundup – SlateThe Best Travel Routers, SIM-LGl.iNet Slate 7 WiFi 7 Travel GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) PoGL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) PoGL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

Ubiquiti annonce l’arrivée de 3 nouveaux produits UniFi. Ces derniers ont été pensés pour apporter des connexions filaire ultra-rapides en 10 Gb/s et le WiFi 7 pour le sans fil. Que vous soyez un professionnel cherchant à optimiser votre infrastructure ou un particulier souhaitant aller au-delà des limitations de votre box internet, ces nouveaux modèles pourraient bien vous intéresser. Regardons de plus près ces nouveautés…

UniFi : toujours plus rapide

Ubiquiti ne fait pas dans la demi-mesure avec ces 3 nouveautés qui viennent enrichir l’écosystème UniFi. Chacun des appareils répond à un besoin spécifique et veut proposer des connexions rapides, stable et sécurisée.

Dream Router 7 (UDR7) : Le tout-en-un ultime

Le Dream Router 7 est le compromis parfait entre puissance, connectivité avancée et simplicité. Conçu pour les utilisateurs exigeants, il intègre :

• 1 port WAN 10 Gb/s SFP+ pour exploiter pleinement les connexions fibre les plus rapides (idéal pour Free et autres FAI compatibles)
• 4 ports RJ45 2.5G, dont un WAN et un PoE pour alimenter un appareil (caméra de surveillance, borne Wi-Fi…)
• Wi-Fi 7 intégrée, capable d’atteindre 5,7 Gb/s sur la bande des 6 GHz
• Solution de stockage intégrée avec une carte microSD de 64 Go fournie pour UniFi Protect (vidéosurveillance)

Ce nouveau routeur tout en un sera parfait pour les appartements et petites maison, pour exploiter pleinement les connexions fibre optique et offrir une couverture Wi-Fi optimale sans nécessiter d’équipements supplémentaires.

Ce nouveau produit est d’ores et déjà disponible sur le site du fabricant. Son prix : 318€ TTC

UniFi Express 7 (UX7) : La solution compacte et abordable

Si vous cherchez à booster votre connexion sans avoir besoin de toutes les fonctionnalités avancées de l’écosystème UniFi, ou si vous avez déjà d’autres appareils du fabricant, l’UniFi Express 7 est le choix idéal.

• Wi-Fi 7 ultra-rapide pour des performances optimales
• 2 ports réseau Multi-Gig, dont un WAN 10 Gb/s et un LAN 2.5 Gb/s
• Pare-feu avancé capable de gérer jusqu’à 2,3 Gbps de trafic

Moins cher que le Dream Router 7, il se concentre sur la connectivité et conviendra parfaitement aux utilisateurs souhaitant une solution simple, performante et accessible.

Lui aussi est déjà disponible sur le site du fabricant. Son prix : 228€ TTC

Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber) : La puissance au service des professionnels

Si votre priorité est une connectivité ultra-rapide et évolutive, le Cloud Gateway Fiber est fait pour vous. Il s’adresse aux entreprises et aux utilisateurs les plus exigeants :

• 2 ports WAN 10 Gb/s (RJ45 et SFP+) pour gérer 2 connexions internet simultanées avec basculement automatique en cas de panne
• 1 port SFP 10 Gb/s supplémentaire pour relier un switch et créer un réseau ultra-performant
• 4 ports RJ45 2,5 Gb/s, dont un en PoE pour alimenter des équipements réseau
• Pare-feu puissant capable d’absorber jusqu’à 5 Gbps de trafic
• 1 emplacement M.2 NVMe pour du stockage haute performance dédié aux caméras UniFi Protect.

C’est une alternative plus compacte et abordable aux Dream Machine Pro, idéale pour les infrastructures réseau.

Il est disponible en suivant ce lien. Son prix : 323€ TTC

En synthèse

Ubiquiti poursuit son expansion dans le Multi-Gig, en proposant des solutions performantes aussi bien pour les particuliers que les professionnels. Avec ces 3 nouveaux produits, le fabricant renforce son écosystème UniFi, misant sur la vitesse, la sécurité et une gestion centralisée. Il confirme aussi la démocratisation du 10 Gb/s et du WiFi 7… Il y en a pour tous.

On ne peut qu’apprécier l’effort, même si le prix sera un frein… l’investissement permet d’accéder à une infrastructure réseau haut de gamme, évolutive et sécurisée.

Pour plus d’informations, rendez-vous sur le site officiel…

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review

When it comes to the hardware in your network environment, UniFi has always been one of those companies where you are either fully invested in practically every network appliance in its ecosystem or have nothing to do with it. A UniFi ecosystem is designed to allow you to easily and efficiently manage your entire network environment. In recent years, the brand has expanded beyond simple network appliances into a lot more IoT and client-edge tech found in homes and offices, further expanding this ecosystem. In the last year alone, we’ve seen them double down on surveillance, introduce network-attached storage, open up third-party hardware integration, and more. Today, I want to discuss their latest router, the UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR 7), a new scaled-up 10G and WiFi 7 refresh of their existing WiFi 6 desktop-style router. Arriving at the mid-range price of around $279, it sits comfortably between affordable entry-level WiFi 7 routers from the likes of TP-Link while significantly undercutting pricing of bigger network routers from Amazon, Netgear, and Asus. Arriving with the UniFi Network and Router operating systems, as well as support for numerous UniFi software appliances, the UDR 7 marks a significant step up for comparatively domestic routers as we enter the seventh generation of wireless connectivity. Can this router be used in your network alongside non-UniFi equipment? And will this router serve you long-term as your client hardware scales up in line with modern tech innovation? Let’s find out.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Quick Conclusion

As appealing as the UniFi router and network software that this system is bundled with are, the main praise I have to give the UDR 7 is that everyone is going to feel the benefits of this router in their network at this price point. The small compromises it has compared to the previous UDR system (such as fewer PoE ports) are immediately outweighed by its versatility, which would be hard to find at a better price elsewhere. The fact that all LAN ports are 2.5G and that the two WAN/LAN ports are 2.5G and 10G SFP+ respectively puts this router massively ahead of most competitors in the sub-$300 market. Equally, support for the UniFi Protect surveillance software and the included WD Purple SD card storage are nice extras that you don’t commonly find elsewhere—let alone the inclusion of a PoE 2.5G port. The router and network management software is, of course, quintessentially UniFi in its presentation. Striking a balance between usability and information is a tough challenge, and the UniFi software almost succeeds. It excels in its presentation and management via the mobile app, though the desktop UI could be a touch more intuitive. How could you make wireless and wired network management truly user-friendly? That said, the UDR 7 is a genuinely WiFi 7-ready router, offering 2×2 6GHz coverage and taking advantage of all the frequency and bandwidth benefits afforded to true WiFi 7 6GHz clients. Add a simple $20 USB WiFi 7 adapter to your system, and you can immediately enjoy base-level 2.8Gbps wireless connectivity, scaling this up substantially with the right WiFi 7 wireless NICs. Even if you’re not in love with the UniFi software platform or handing management of your services over to Ubiquiti’s remote services, you can still set up the device without a UI.com account. You do not need to deploy it with UniFi Network equipment, and VPN and encrypted protocol services can still be managed via popular third-party options if preferred.

Buying a router for your home or business instead of relying on the one supplied by your ISP can often feel like an unnecessary expense. However, considering the price point and the network advantages the UDR 7 provides, I believe this system is worth it. Some of its services might require additional polish over time, and greater network capabilities on this router will be realized as technology progresses, but I wholeheartedly recommend the UDR 7 for the majority of setups.

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 9/10

9.0

PROS

WiFi 7 Support – Offers Genuine 6GHz connectivity with 320MHz channels, enabling faster speeds and lower latency.
Multi-Gig Networking – Includes three 2.5GbE LAN ports and a 10GbE SFP+ WAN/LAN port, making it highly future-proof.
Comprehensive UniFi Software – Provides robust network management features, including VLANs, QoS, IDS/IPS security, and VPN support.
Integrated UniFi Protect Support – Comes with a pre-installed 64GB WD Purple SD card, allowing local video storage for security cameras.
Flexible WAN/LAN Configurations – Supports dual WAN for failover or load balancing, or repurposing the 10GbE SFP+ port as LAN.
High Customization & Security – Offers advanced firewall controls, application-aware filtering, and in-depth traffic analytics.
User-Friendly Mobile App – Easy setup and management via the UniFi mobile app, with intuitive controls and real-time monitoring.
No UI.com Account Required – Can be set up locally without requiring an online UniFi account, providing more control over network privacy.

CONS

Limited PoE Support – Only includes one PoE-enabled 2.5GbE port, which may be a drawback for users looking to power multiple UniFi cameras or access points.
6GHz Band Availability Varies by Region – While WiFi 7 delivers significant improvements, the 6GHz spectrum and 320MHz channels may not be fully available in all areas, limiting real-world performance.
Not the Most Budget-Friendly Option – Although competitively priced for a WiFi 7 router, there are still more cost-effective alternatives on the market, especially for users who don’t need UniFi’s ecosystem.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Design

The UniFi Dream Router 7 arrives in the same pretty and aesthetically eye-catching packaging as most UniFi products do. The fold-out cardboard packaging does a great job of protecting the device in transit while still looking absolutely great.

The unit is held tightly in custom multi-part card plus foam, and the power cable and small accessory kit are located in their own compartment at the bottom. I say accessory kit, but what there is is simply a two-pin power connector, a small manufacturer’s warranty booklet, and a pin. That’s really it. The router is designed with the software already preloaded in the system and is pretty much good to go as soon as you plug it into the power and connect your existing internet connection into an SFP RJ45 WAN port.

It is very different in design to pretty much every other router in the market, although a touch similar to that of the Apple or Amazon routers. UniFi has bolstered the existing design of the previous router/capsule style of devices and has simply scaled things up a little bit here with improved cooling and venting. It’s actually surprisingly compact for the amount of connectivity it has to offer.

The front of the system is also remarkably understated, though it does feature a small LCD panel that gives real-time information about active traffic utilization on the system. This is not exactly groundbreaking, but it does add to the aesthetic style and is arguably more than a lot of routers give you in the market anyway.

Flipping the device around shows us a bevy of network connections, and I’ll be honest—what there is to see is (brackets mostly closed brackets) absolutely fantastic for a router at this price, but more on that in a bit. The base of the system features a WPS button for easy connections just like you would find on the majority of other routers, as well as additional ventilation to keep things cool when the system’s in operation. I’m not really in love with the idea of the router not featuring much in the way of LEDs, and I do wonder about the temperatures of this system when you’re utilizing all four 2.5G connections and the 10G at once (not to mention all of those antennas running 6GHz connections). Certainly, I might have my reservations about deploying a router like this in a closed cupboard or non-ventilated location.

Instead of individual LEDs that denote connection, health, and internet health, the system instead uses a rather attractive ring color system at the top of the router that denotes the health and connectivity of an internet connection. Again, I think I would much rather have a little bit more front-mounted visualization of what’s going on with the individual connections rather than the streamlined LCD and internet LED indicator at the top, but I also know that, as more of a network systems addict, I do not represent most users. All in all, the design is exactly what you would expect from a UniFi product and does manage to cram a lot in while still maintaining a very unique and appealing aesthetic. However, there is quite a lot of hardware packed under the bonnet here; let’s discuss the ports and connectivity on this system.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Ports and Connections

The previous UniFi Dream Machine Router stood out from a number of other WiFi 6 routers in the market thanks to its affordable price point and support for 2.5G WAN and PoE network connections. Now, the new UDR 7 scales things up in almost every way—but the one area it doesn’t improve upon may annoy some. For now, though, let’s discuss the default network connectivity.

There are five physical ports on the rear of the UniFi Dream Router 7. There are four copper 2.5G connections and a 10G SFP connection. Three of the 2.5G connections are dedicated LAN ports, each of which supports up to 279MB per second active connectivity.

There is then a further 2.5G optional WAN or LAN port, also in copper, that can have its utilization configured in the UniFi router software as needed. With an increase in greater-than-gigabit speeds around the world, alongside traditional ISP routers arriving with 2.5G ports for these higher-speed services, the fact that the default is 2.5G is going to be hugely appealing.

However, the UDR 7 also benefits from the inclusion of a 10G SFP connection, much like a number of premium-priced WiFi 7 routers, but at more than half the price. This is particularly useful as it too can be set as needed as a WAN port or a LAN port. That means the user can decide whether they want to directly pipe a high-speed fiber connection straight into the router to be shared across the other four 2.5G connections (covering the bulk of that 10G input), or leave this port as a LAN port for 10G NAS connectivity. That’s pretty useful and definitely advantageous in terms of scalability and long-term future-proofing as internet services in your home or business increase over time and the network capability of the appliances you buy likewise improves. This is a fantastic base-level network connection setup on the UDR 7. Once again, at $279, it makes it particularly appealing.

However, a little bit of good news/bad news is that, although the UDR 7 features a PoE port, it only features a single PoE copper output compared to the two PoE connections of the previous generation router. As the UDR 7 supports the installation of the UniFi Protect surveillance software (something we’ll touch on later), there are definitely going to be users a little disappointed that the ease of deploying PoE cameras directly into the router has been effectively halved here. This is especially disappointing now that UniFi Protect supports third-party PoE cameras too. Likewise, with an increase in PoE-ready accessories and devices from UniFi being released, some may find it a bitter pill to swallow that this new router has diminished this rather unique selling point of the previous generation UniFi router.

One interesting extra feature of the UniFi Dream Router 7 is that it features a microSD slot that arrives pre-populated with a 64GB card. This card is used in conjunction with the previously mentioned surveillance services and means that this router serves adequately as an alternative to a UniFi Dream Machine Pro or UNVR (albeit on a much smaller storage scale) for recording domestic surveillance cameras and keeping your footage. Another small note here: no one would have blamed UniFi if they’d included domestic SD cards that just happened to have the UniFi logo on them. Indeed, I don’t think anyone would have judged UniFi harshly if they hadn’t included an SD card at all! Nevertheless, this WiFi 7 router not only includes an SD card at no additional cost, but it is a WD Purple surveillance-designed SD card. Fair play.

In terms of WiFi connectivity, the router arrives with support for the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and WiFi 7-specific 6GHz bands at 2×2. Equally, thanks to the opening of the 320MHz frequency blocks and multi-stream capabilities of WiFi 7, individually connected WiFi 7-ready appliances have the potential to not only exceed legacy physical gigabit LAN connections but achieve multiple times that speed.

For example, utilizing a simple budget $20 USB 6GHz WiFi 7 adapter from AliExpress, I was immediately able to create a direct 2.8Gbps WiFi connection between my Windows 11 laptop and the UniFi Dream Router 7. That is even greater than the physical 2.5Gbps connections on the router.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the wireless capabilities of this router and what it can and cannot do.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Internal Hardware

The UniFi Dream Router 7 is built with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, paired with 3GB of DDR4 memory. This hardware configuration supports advanced networking functions such as multi-gigabit data throughput, VLAN segmentation, and application-aware security features. The DDR4 memory ensures improved performance and energy efficiency compared to older memory standards, which is crucial for delivering consistent and reliable network performance under load. The router’s CPU architecture is well-suited for multitasking, enabling it to handle multiple operations simultaneously without significant performance bottlenecks. In terms of real-world performance, the quad-core processor and 3GB of memory enable the Dream Router 7 to meet the demands of modern home and small-business networks.

The processor handles resource-intensive tasks like VPN connections, quality-of-service (QoS) adjustments, and advanced intrusion detection systems (IDS) efficiently. The ample memory capacity supports features such as traffic segmentation, advanced firewall configurations, and a high number of concurrent devices, especially over WiFi 7, which allows for faster speeds and improved device management compared to previous wireless standards. When compared to the UniFi Dream Router with WiFi 6, the newer model provides notable hardware enhancements. The older version includes a dual-core processor and 2GB of DDR4 memory, which are sufficient for many home networks but may struggle with more complex setups or environments with multiple high-bandwidth devices. The Dream Router 7’s additional CPU cores and larger memory capacity ensure better scalability and smoother performance when running advanced networking tasks or handling a larger number of connected devices. This makes the newer model more suitable for users with high-performance requirements or future-proofing in mind.

The improvements in the UniFi Dream Router 7 align with the growing needs of users who demand robust network performance, advanced features, and support for emerging technologies like WiFi 7. Its enhanced CPU and memory configuration allows for better multitasking, improved throughput, and reliable operation in demanding environments. These hardware upgrades ensure the router is capable of handling both current and future network demands efficiently.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Software and Controls

Realistically, no one should be spending inordinate amounts of time using the software that your router arrives with – that’s just a simple fact. Indeed, you want you router (or any network appliance) to just do it’s job! Therefore talking about just how good the UniFi network software is, and how the UniFi Dream Router 7 capitalized on it, is going get a mixed reaction depending on your own level of network knowledge and custom requirements. I will say straight away though that you will really, REALLY struggle to find a more capable and flexible router software at this price point. You will struggle to find ANY setting, config, adjustable parameter of control measure not included with the UDR7. First off, there is the mobile application. As the UDR7 hosts the UniFi network software, ALOT of the iOS and Android official UniFi applications are supported by the UDR7.

Firs time setup of the router using the mobile application (you can use a desktop machine with your web browser if you prefer of course) is incredibly straight forward. The Router can be found via the local area network or Bluetooth within 2 minutes of it’s first power-on. One big misconception (I was guilt of this too a while back) was that you have to register a UI.com account online in order to use UniFi appliances. This is NOT true. You can set the device up without a UI account (and even WITHOUT an internet connection) and doing so just needs to you create a local administrator account. It is recommended to use a UI account of course, as it allowed for easier comms and access for your larger Unifi network, but it is by no means compulsory. You can also create a system backup (with your config data of users, settings, SSIDs, etc) and backup online if you choose – and then easier pull this backup if you wish during initialization easily.

Upon creating local credentials or resisting an online account, the router performs an initial internet performance test and then goes about setting up your router. Much like other recent UniFi releases, the system has a ‘gamer’ style installation screen that shows tips and guides on how to get the most out of your router – very rare in a router I will say.

The setup process takes around 2-3 minutes and after that, you have pretty much FULL control and access to the Router’s configuration from your mobile phone. You can definitely tell that UNiFi have put the hours in with regard to the UX of the mobile application. Routers (and switches for that matter) are NOT easy systems to try and simplify – let along ocndence in a compact mobile UI. However they really have excelled in the latest version of their software.

Management of individual devices on the network are all presented intuitively in the app, and alongside their position/priority/bandwidth/consumption being presented, you can also use the app to institute controls and rules for 1, some or all devices on the fly – with instant implementation. Again, it’s no the fact that you can ‘do’ this that I am impressed by, it is the ease and intuitive way it is presented in a mobile app.

The same applies to the physical connections and wireless connections on the UDR7 itself, with full remote control with the app to bridge, negotiate, failover, vLAN, disable, etc any port easily – as well as create new SSIDs, assign channels and push client devices around on the router side in 3-4 clicks. All of this is performed responsively and easily in the app.

On the subject of client devices, let’s discuss that WiFi 7 support. WiFi 7 opens up ALOT of performance and general bandwidth advantages. WiFi routers and client devices have been around now for around 10-12 months, as well as the increase in availability globally of greater than Gigabit internet services. Most internet service providers have already a router with their services – but not many provide WiFi 7 routers with their services, even at greater than gigabit speeds. So, what is the advantage? For the quicker (ish) version, watch my video below.

Now, you might well not have any devices right now that are WiFi 7, but plan on upgrading to WiFi 7 at some point in the further over a PCIe upgrade card. Even if you are using a system that lacks a PCIe upgrade clot, you can get small m.2 upgrade cards for a WiFi 7 / 802.11be upgrade for as little as $15-20 here. Hell, you do not even need to open up your system, as you can now get WiFi 7 to USB adapter upgrades for as little as $25-30, which is exactly what used when testing the router with my Windows 11 laptop for the earlier testing of the UDR7.

The USB-to-WiFi 7 Adapter I used in my testing of the UDR7 was this one HERE on Aliexpress.

This USB to WiFi 7 adapter allowed for immediate 802.11be connectivity between my laptop and the UniFi Dream Router 7, over the now available 6Ghz band. Although there is more to WiFi 7 and this router than just that additional frequency. tHE udr7 SUPPORTS 2.4Ghz and 5ghz (just like all WiFi 6 and 6E routers), but crucially alongside the 6Ghz band allowing for more active concurrent connections, you are also able to take advantage of 320Mhz bandwidth (till now WiFi 6/6E only allowed for up to the 160Mhz connections). This means that you have a greater bandwidth per connection – though you can only have a finite amount of connections at 320Mhz at once. This is COMBINED with WiFi allowing for overlapping connections too and 1 device enjoying multiple connections at once.

This means that not only can you match the speed of a normal wired gigabit connection, but you can ABSOLUTELY SMASH IT! As you can see below, using this USB adapter on my regular windows laptop, connecting to the UniFi Dream Router 7 over the 6Hz band – I was able to hit 2.8Gb/s wireless connectivity!!! That is even faster than using one of the physical 2.5GbE connections on the UDR7.

It’s worth remembering though that WiFi 7 is NOT perfect and although it presents a lot of benefits for bandwidth improvements, reduced latency and increased encryption options, support of the wider frequencies and abilities of a larger WiFi 7 populated network are still a little ‘early days’.

By that, I mean that although you can hit high performance with 320Mhz connections, the actual radio frequency opened up right now (depending on your region) is pretty slim. The UDR7 router DOES show you the full radio spectrum, separated dynamically with each 20/40/80/160/320Mhz block that is spread across 2.4/5/6Ghz – but ALOT of it is still unavailable to use in many regions.

These limitations are likely going to reduce over time and, therefore you have to look at a decent % of the WiFi capabilities of the UniFi Dream Router 7 as ‘future proofing’ – but just keep in mind that although you can deploy ALOT of wireless (and wired) devices in a UDR7 managed environment, those peak 802.11be/WiFi 7 bandwidth improvements are going to be shared only by a few client devices – in reality the real benefits are going to be felt with the opening up of the 6Ghz frequency allowing for more devices to be spread over all three frequencies and bands at 80/160Mhz.

Anotehr note to keep in mind is that the 6Ghz band has a shorter area of effect than 5Ghz (which likewise has a shorter area than WiFi 5). So WiFi7 is at it’s best in closer proximity without walls – more as a cable alternative if you are in the same areas as your UniFi router. But when I connected to a 10GbE NAS (connected to the 10GbE port of my UDR7), I was able to hit 187MB/s write easily (though read performance was oddly inconsistent – possibly related to the NAS, still investigating – TBC) in CrystalDiskMark.

Likewise, similar testing with the WiFi 7 USB Adapter, through the UDR7 and at the 10GbE connected NAS hit 260MB/s+ easily. Once again, I would have easily respected this if I had been connecting with the NAS using the 2.5GbE ports – but I am hugely impressed that I was able to hit this benchmark over a WiFi connection (thanks to that 2.8Gbps 6Ghz setup). Respect!

Additionally it is very easy to monitor the position, WiFi coverage, Channel and performance of any device connected to the UDR7 controller software. Also allowing you to create rules o the fly to automatically manage them later as/when devices arrive.

These same controls also extend all the way down to the ISP input of the UDR7 AND IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE uNIfI AP/Nodses in your setup, can control how/where bandwidth is allocated and the priority of devices/nodes that are unique to your own deployment.

The dashboard features a grouped UI and analytics overview that allows you to see the price traffic that is going into a physical LAN, grouped VLAN or just a single devices on the network – allowing you to see the sites/services/geo data in real time too!

And likewise as before, you can extent these analytics all the way to the root UDR7 router to see EVERYTHING happening in realtime in your network and internet connectivity.

Blacklisting (and whitelisting occasionally) or certain websites is also easy to action manually when needed too – or you can import an existing database of ‘bad’ site lists directly into the UDR7 to simplify the process.

Once rules, priorities, orders of services and limits have been created, you can then apply them to individual devices, networks, groups, vLANS, etc – even to a physical LAN port if needed. These rules are completely customizable and if 1 parameter is changed on the fly, it immediately actions across all selected devices.

It’s also worth highlighting that UniFi has its own enterprise user identity service (‘Identity Endpoint’) that you can apply to devices if you want to ensure that connected devices on the LAN or WAN are truly secure (client auth tools on each device) and this extends to the VPN and UniFi network client device access too.

I also should stress that although the UDR7 seems like a very, VERY proprietary router – UniFi do NOT lock you into having to create an account with them or use only their services. You can set the system up for LOCAL ONLY management and control if you choose. Or even hybrid the two and create 1 secure ‘Identity Endpoint sys admin’, but others are ‘local’ only – nice balance tbh.

And new users (super user or billy basic!) can be created, modified and deleted at any time!

Control and configuration of the UDR7 are very straight forward and there are pretty high end configuration options in the backend of the system to control both the local network setup, as well as WiFi connectivity out the box (or added later in the case of systems like the UCG Fiber via the U7/U7 Pro/U6).

And professional SI’s/Technicians can set the system to ‘truly open’ if they wish, and this can be securely controlled as needed. This allows for opening up frequencies in the case of a WiFi setup down the road and advanced settings related to antenna gain/adaption.

The system configuration and control are surprisingly extensive for a $279 router and puts it well, well into the realms of an enterprise-grade solution, despite its Prosumer/SMB price point.

Unsurprisingly, the UDR7 has internet speed test tools (either using the native web browser GUI or the WiFiman application for Android/iOS).

But its goes further, with the ability to monitor the packet management in your network (covered earlier) to such as extent that you can even block the server calls to specific sites/vendors that are going through the UniFi manager and block them SPECIFICALLY. Eg, want to keep google services, but NOT YouTube (either for work/professional reasons, or because of your kids homework deadline?) – you can do that REALLY easily.

And you can apply these rules easily and analytics with ease via the topographical network monitoring window. So you can visually see the devices in the network, then apply the rules, in case a new device gets sneakily added to circumnavigate any limits/restricts in palce.

And if you see a sudden spike in internet use, you can (in seconds) isolate the device that is causing it AND see what it is – allowing yo to block/monitor as needed.

Equally, you can set some pretty extensive security provisions to pre-emptively kick in when an unknown device arrives on the scene, or if an existing device in the network begins to be suspicious.

The same goes for creating day 1/100 rules for port forwarding, traffic management and Firewall rules. All of this is HUGELY customizable and most pages in the UniFi GUI feature both ‘simple/easy’ views, as well as much more complex advanced views as needed at the top of each page.

The multiple LAN ports can also be scaled up/down as needed if your existing network is not quite ready for the full network connectivity of the UDR7 too.

And thanks to the UDR7 featuring multiple WAN ports, you can decide how you want to handle multiple ISP services into your home/business, to separate/combine/balance between them with ease across your connected devices.

Additionally, each WAN port can be adjusted to a ‘WAN’ or ‘LAN’ roles as needed – even disabled. So, whether it is as a failover internet connection, or that you want to free up that 10GbE port for use as a LAN – The choice is yours!

Also, as mentioned earlier, as the system supported internal storage via the slot, you can go ahead and run UniFi Protect surveillance software too – as well as as an additional switch to the available LAN ports, for cameras or add a camera to the POE port.

There are actually several different surveillance, communications, display or smart appliances in the UniFi portfolio that can be installed on the internet storage drive + also means you have more scope for that POE ready port.

It gets to a point (perhaps) that there are TOO many security and configuration options, and people looking for just a router to ‘just do it’s job’ will be somewhat overwhelmed. Most of the important settings are already set pretty well, but I never the less recommend first time buyers take the time to explore the configuration options present in order to better understand what they are buying here in terms of it’s abilities to protect your network and internet services.

This extends right the way down to the more advanced prevention and intrusion protection measures (Dark Web blocking too). Again, pretty advanced for many, but take the time to look through them if you purchase the UDR7.

And if in doubt, you can use the UniFi Teleport VPN service to anonymize your site-to-site exchanges (again, very ‘first party’ and more about SD-WAN level stuff, but does form part of the purchase here).

Also, keep in mind that the UDR7 has the option to create Airgaps in it’s wired network AND WiFi connectivity (if you want to add that) that allows you to create automated access times – especially useful for businesses who want to lock down access outside of the usual 9-5 operational hours.

If you want to use WiFi services, yo can create multiple SSIDs of varying degrees of access – and yes, all the controls on security, speed, antenna, frequency, vLAN, etc are all present here too.

When creating those VLANS, you can add specific physical ports, IDs, WiFi APs etc to that vLAN to segregate your network as securely as possible.

And from there you can adjust the vLAN configuration in terms of it’s smooth operation and security directly from the network management panel (as well as view all active vLANS on one page if needed to see how they interact/clash + show each device you have moved in/out of them easily.

And again, all packet management/monitoring are available within the vLAN if you need.

If this all sounds tremendously intimidating, there is a much, MUCH easier 1 panel view in the ‘Insights’ tab that just shows each current network branch and it’s connections/clients in a list format.

Not good enough? How about a global view that shows the data packet exchange in real time with regard to each region (i.e worried that your data is being harvested to an overseas location, this will show you which countries are currently connected with on your UDR7 for upload/download (websites? server? It’s easy to check and find out here!).

Bottom line – the bulk of the UniFi Control Software here is available on the majority of UniFi Router, Express, Cloud Gateway and Dream Machine devices – but the EXTENT to which you can use it is heavily dependent on the device you buy. In the case of the UDR7, you have a fantastic balance of Day 1 control sure, but you have an even better management and scalability on the system for when your ISP services double/triple, as well as the number of devices in your network expand.

UniFi Dream Router 7 Review – Conclusion and Verdict

The UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR 7) is a well-rounded offering that brings WiFi 7 connectivity, multi-gig networking, and UniFi’s robust software ecosystem into a single package. Its combination of 2.5GbE LAN ports, a 10GbE SFP+ WAN/LAN port, and built-in UniFi network management tools make it a compelling option for users looking to future-proof their network without stepping into enterprise pricing. Features such as VLAN segmentation, VPN support, and content filtering provide a high level of customization for both home and small business users. However, the router’s design choices—such as the removal of an additional PoE port from its predecessor—may limit its appeal for those heavily invested in UniFi’s surveillance ecosystem.

While the UDR 7 shines in many areas, it is not without drawbacks. The router’s software, while feature-rich and highly configurable, may be overwhelming for users who simply want a plug-and-play experience. The reliance on UniFi’s ecosystem means that those who prefer third-party integrations may not fully benefit from its capabilities. Additionally, despite its strong WiFi 7 performance, the real-world benefits of the 6GHz band will depend on device compatibility and regulatory limitations, which are still evolving. The absence of more detailed LED indicators and the reliance on a single PoE port may also be seen as minor inconveniences for users who expected more from this mid-range offering.

Overall, the UniFi Dream Router 7 offers an excellent balance of performance, features, and pricing, making it a solid choice for users looking to upgrade to WiFi 7 and multi-gig networking. Its strong hardware, extensive software options, and future-proofing potential make it a standout option in the sub-$300 price range. However, its best value is realized within a UniFi-centric network, and those seeking broader third-party compatibility or simpler setups may need to weigh their options carefully.

Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...UniFi Dream Router 7 Review (U Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

GL.iNet Slate 7 Travel Router @ CES 2025

As someone who travels a lot professionally and personally, having a decent mobile router is absolutely essential for me. At any given time, I carry a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, and a network-enabled camera. The minute you start traveling with my partner or colleagues professionally, the devices can comfortably hit 10 to 12 network-ready client tools easily. That’s why I’ve always been a tremendous fan of both mobile routers and mobile internet management systems, as these allow you to create an easy pop-up network for a family of devices quickly and securely when done right. For the last two years, a lot of my travel has included the use of GL.iNet Beryl mobile travel routers and the Puli AX router. These two systems have not let me down, and when I heard that the brand was working on a Wi-Fi 7-enabled travel router, you better believe I was interested! Which brings me to the new GL.iNet Slate 7 router, which I had the opportunity to get my hands on at CES 2025.

Let’s discuss what this system can do, what it can’t do, what hardware it runs on, and whether this needs to be your next travel hardware upgrade!

What Can This Travel Router Do? Who Needs the GL.iNet Slate 7 Router?

It’s an important question. Travel routers are not built equally and tend to arrive with a variety of hardware support under the bonnet. A travel router is more than just about having access to the internet. If all you want is a basic connection to the internet, most devices that you take with you on the go will have the simple wireless capability to connect to public Wi-Fi and hotspots. However, how secure are these public hotspots? Is data necessarily encrypted securely enough? And are there any limitations to per-device connections? This is often where a travel router absolutely excels in its functionality.

The benefit of travel routers like the GL.iNet Slate 7 and the Beryl that came before it is that you can connect all of your wireless and wired network devices to it as needed, and then set the wireless router to connect with the public Wi-Fi connection. For example, let’s say you are connecting your phone and your laptop to the internet while you are in a coffee shop. If you already have the travel router SSID saved to your phone and laptop, all you need to do is connect the travel router to the public Wi-Fi, and then both of your handheld network devices will be able to take advantage of that public internet connection. But with the added benefit that you can control the network traffic that is exchanged between those devices and the travel router, their priority of bandwidth, and even apply VPN and encrypted tunnel software to the travel router to ensure that data exchanged between the router and the public Wi-Fi service is completely encrypted and anonymized as needed.

GL.iNet travel routers all arrive with the ability to apply your own user credentials from popular internet security services such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, AdGuard, and Tor. Once signed into on the Slate 7, you can enable or disable these via the on-screen LCD of the device or even a physical mode switch in some cases. The ability to choose when to apply security services, depending on the trustworthiness of the Wi-Fi you are using on the go, is phenomenally useful. But the benefits of a travel router do not stop there.

Another example of a travel router’s benefits being perhaps overlooked is the ability to attach storage to a travel router via native internal storage or a USB drive. This storage then becomes accessible over the network via popular services such as Samba or FTP, allowing connected individual devices to the travel router to share that media, target that storage media for backups, or be used for communal data sharing when on the go. Imagine you are a small company traveling together, or a group of students working on a project on the go. The utilization of a travel router will allow all of those users and their devices to only have to use a single SSID that they sign into once, with secure authentication. Then the public Wi-Fi or trusted Wi-Fi service just needs to be connected to the travel router physically via a WAN connection or wirelessly via the mobile app synced with the travel router.

Ultimately, this all adds up to saving significant amounts of time when connecting lots of devices to new public Wi-Fi services. It increases the security of all those connected devices via a single pathway, prevents device restrictions when users try to sign into public Wi-Fi with limited client connections allowed, and allows for shared storage to be provided conveniently yet securely to users in the chosen network.

GL.iNet Slate 7 Router Hardware Specifications

The GL.iNet Slate 7 mobile router is very similar in general specifications to the Beryl AX predecessor travel router. However, it has scaled up practically every hardware specification in this new revision—from more modern network connectivity to simple but essential base-level hardware specifications in storage, RAM, and processor ability. Here is a brief overview of the hardware specifications that are confirmed so far:

The physical design is only fractionally larger than the predecessor Beryl device. The Slate 7 opts for a slightly more industrial design, favoring a black, sharp-edged aesthetic. It is still pocket-sized, measuring 130 mm by 91 mm by 34 mm and weighing just 295 grams.

The router includes two solid, foldable antennas that can be adjusted 180° from flat to vertical against a wall if needed. Each antenna is Wi-Fi 7 ready, which improves the overall bandwidth and frequency afforded to each band. The Slate 7 supports dual bands at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, offering speeds of 688 Mbps and 2882 Mbps, respectively. Needless to say, this bandwidth is shared across multiple devices and their individual Wi-Fi 5/6/7 network adapters.

Currently, there is no confirmation on support for the 6 GHz frequency or 320 MHz band frequency packets. It appears the Slate 7 does not support 6 GHz, but until the official release, full confirmation on this detail is pending.

The physical network interfaces are impressive for a travel router. The previous generation had one 1 Gbps Ethernet port and one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port. The new device upgrades both ports to 2.5 Gbps, with one as a dedicated LAN port and the other configurable as a WAN or LAN port. There is no confirmation if this device supports multi-channel or port trunking, but at this scale and hardware spec, it would not be surprising if it doesn’t.

The system does not feature an internal battery, as found in the Puli AX mobile router. Instead, it features a USB-C power input for a 5V connection and is reported to consume less than 8W at full utilization (note – the brand informal me that this is s till subject to change, as testing and evaluation is still in progress). This is based on the official specifications, pending confirmation through testing.

The Slate 7 also includes a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A port, which can be used for tethering or connecting a storage drive. FTP and other services available in other GL.iNet travel routers are supported here as well. This USB port can also be utilized by installed applications via the GL.iNet router software.

Information is still limited on the precise CPU model that is featured inside the Slate 7 router, but documentation available during CES indicates that it is a quad-core Qualcomm 1.1 GHz ARM CPU. This would be twice the cores available than that of the MediaTek CPU inside the Beryl AX travel router, though the clock speed is a pinch lower.

The system also arrives with an impressive 1 GB of DDR4 memory internally for handling network operations alongside that quad-core ARM CPU. Once again, they have doubled the available memory that you would find on the Beryl AX travel router, scaling up from the original 512 MB. This memory is fixed to the internal PCB and cannot be upgraded. This is not a huge surprise, as that’s fairly standard for both router devices and for ARM-powered devices too.

Alongside the ability to add additional storage via the USB port, the system already arrives with its own internal storage, doubling the 256 MB featured in the Beryl AX. The Slate 7 features 512 MB of base storage. This isn’t huge in terms of storing your domestic data, but for storing and deploying applications installed via the GL.iNet router software, it is a decent amount of base storage to get the job done, alongside storage for logs and for creating multiple profiles with the system.

Interestingly, this is one of the first GL.iNet travel routers to feature a touchscreen LCD panel. What that means in reality is that although this router can still be managed and configured via the partner client app available via iOS and Android (as well as over the local area network and IP via GUI in the browser), it also features the ability to be managed directly on the physical device itself. This panel, although it looks a little dated in its black-and-white display, means that next to no power is being utilized when displaying it.

In my brief time with the LCD panel controls, it was very reactive, provided all the network information that I seemingly needed to see which devices were connected, allowed me to activate or deactivate active encryption/VPN services, and also allowed me to monitor system resource utilization in real time. I was pretty impressed with them squeezing that onto this travel router to allow me to very quickly identify what the system is doing as well as action things I want it to do on the fly without the mobile app authentication needed.

Final Thoughts – Should You Wait for the GL.iNet Slate 7 Router?

All in all, I’m really happy with what we’re seeing in the scale-up on this device from the Beryl AX. As mentioned earlier, it is effectively doubling the specifications and feature set of its predecessor, and the Slate 7 is gearing up to be a superior travel router in terms of usability and capabilities. That said, I still can’t really call this the ultimate travel router as, frankly, that is still the GL.iNet Puli AX. I understand that this device serves as a successor to the Beryl AX router, and therefore it makes sense that it would be similarly scaled in hardware and design. However, the Puli AX is simply still superior thanks to more antennas, a higher hardware level, SIM/LTE support, and a removable battery pack for portability.

Nevertheless, the GL.iNet Slate 7 looks exceedingly promising and definitely is a device worth keeping an eye on for your travel needs. With full confirmation still yet to be provided until their full review, it seems rather promising. And now that we’re seeing more client mobile devices from the likes of Google and Apple rock out with Wi-Fi 7 included, travel routers that support this protocol are going to be growing in appeal quite rapidly for those on the go. I will hold off my full review on this device until I’ve got one in the studio for testing, but until then, I like what I see!

Why Not Just Use a Mobile Hotspot instead of a Travel Router?

A lot of people will ask why you would bother using a travel router when you could just use a mobile hotspot on a phone and then connect all of your devices—and those of your friends and family—to it. A mobile hotspot works and, in practice, is great for when you want to use your SIM. Additionally, mobile hotspots require additional power to work, which can seem inconvenient when compared to utilizing your mobile phone, which already has a battery! However, SIM/LTE/cellular data mobile hotspots are not designed for large-scale client network sharing and typically handle packets of data across multiple connected devices poorly compared to a dedicated router.

Equally, you cannot physically attach multiple devices to a phone conveniently, other than a single device utilizing USB tethering. A decent travel router, however, will provide physical connectivity for multiple devices, as well as USB tethering. Finally, if you connect a mobile phone to a public Wi-Fi hotspot and then enable a hotspot on your phone to allow other devices to connect, it leads to significant drag and reduced packet management—all resulting in terrible speeds. Travel routers differ in their hardware specifications, and some are better than others, but in most cases, a travel router will always provide a better experience.

Join Inner Circle

Want to follow specific category? Also Read...GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) PoGL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router GL.iNet Puli AX Mobile Router Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

Where to Buy a Product
			VISIT RETAILER ➤
			VISIT RETAILER ➤

If you like this service, please consider supporting us.
We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you. Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which is used to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H. You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks! To find out more about how to support this advice service check HERE   If you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver   Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

WE LOVE COFFEE

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US