GL.iNet Slate 7: The Ultimate Travel Router with AdGuard Home, Tailscale, and VPN Support

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The Slate 7 from GL.iNet offers a variety of connectivity options, including standard router mode, access point mode, wireless repeater mode (also known as WISP mode), and USB tethering mode for sharing a mobile phone’s data connection.

What sets the Slate 7 apart is its multi-WAN capability, allowing it to accept internet connections from multiple sources simultaneously and provide failover between them. This is especially useful when traveling through areas with inconsistent connectivity. The router can connect via the WAN Ethernet port, piggyback an existing Wi-Fi network in repeater mode, or tether a smartphone or USB cellular modem through the USB port.

Additionally, the USB port enables network-attached storage functionality, allowing you to share files across your local network using various protocols. While not a replacement for a dedicated NAS, this feature is handy for backing up photos or sharing files between devices while on the go.

In terms of security, the Slate 7 offers WPA3 encryption, built-in firewall capabilities, support for multiple virtual SSIDs, MAC address filtering, and DHCP reservation for more control over connected devices.

The router comes in understated packaging and has a solid build quality with a matte black plastic chassis. The foldable antennas are well-hinged and stay in position whether deployed or folded flat.

Setting up the Slate 7 is straightforward, with an easy-to-follow setup wizard accessible through the default IP address. The web UI is intuitive, providing quick access to common settings, and advanced users can access the LuCI interface for more granular controls.

Overall, the Slate 7’s flexibility in internet connectivity options, multi-WAN capability, network-attached storage functionality, and security features make it a versatile and reliable choice for users looking for a portable and powerful router. The Slate 7 offers invaluable resilience for remote workers who cannot afford to lose connectivity. This feature is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted work, especially for those working remotely. For individuals with home labs or media servers like myself, the inclusion of Tailscale is a significant advantage. It allows all devices connected to the travel router to access my home network as if they were locally connected.

Tailscale creates a mesh VPN network using the WireGuard protocol, connecting devices across different locations through encrypted tunnels. Unlike traditional VPNs that require port forwarding and complex configuration, Tailscale handles NAT traversal automatically, making it work reliably even behind restrictive hotel networks.

Setting up Tailscale on the Slate 7 involves logging into your Tailscale account through the router’s web interface and authorizing the device. Once connected, the router joins your Tailscale network, and any devices connected to the Slate 7 can access resources on your home network through the router’s tunnel.

This feature is especially valuable for remote workers who need to access files on a home NAS, connect to self-hosted services, or use their home Plex server while traveling. Instead of configuring Tailscale on each individual device, the router handles the connection for all clients automatically.

In my testing, Tailscale connections were stable and performed well, with throughput limited primarily by the upstream internet connection rather than the tunnel itself. The ease of use compared to traditional VPN solutions cannot be overstated – there is no certificate management, no port forwarding configuration, and no worrying about dynamic IP addresses.

Beyond Tailscale, the Slate 7 offers extensive VPN support for various use cases. The router can function as both a VPN client (connecting to external VPN services) and a VPN server (allowing you to connect back to the router when traveling).

On the client side, the Slate 7 supports OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, covering the two most common options for commercial VPN services. Pre-configured profiles for over 30 VPN providers are included, making setup as simple as entering your credentials. For services not in the pre-configured list, you can import custom configuration files.

WireGuard performance is excellent, with the router capable of handling around 540Mbps of VPN throughput in my testing. OpenVPN, being more computationally intensive, tops out around 100Mbps, which is still adequate for most use cases but noticeably slower. If your VPN provider supports WireGuard, I would recommend using it for better performance.

VPN policies allow you to route traffic selectively through the VPN tunnel. This flexibility is useful when you need to balance security with performance or access geo-restricted content on some devices while maintaining local network access on others.

The physical toggle switch on the side of the router can be configured to enable or disable VPN with a single press, providing a quick way to switch between encrypted and direct connections without accessing the web interface. Additionally, the router supports AstroWARP, GL.iNet’s proprietary VPN service that connects multiple GL.iNet routers together, though this ties you into the vendor’s ecosystem.

Wireless performance is solid for a device of this size, though expectations should be calibrated appropriately. On the 5GHz band using 160MHz channel width, peak throughput was around 1200Mbps in close proximity to the router with a Wi-Fi 7 capable client. Real-world performance settled around 800-1000Mbps at typical working distances, which is more than adequate for streaming, video calls, and general productivity work. The 2.4GHz band delivered peak speeds around 300Mbps dropping to 150-200Mbps at moderate distances.

Range is acceptable but not exceptional, with noticeable performance drops beyond about 15-20 meters or through substantial walls. The Multi-Link Operation (MLO) feature helped maintain more consistent connections in environments with heavy Wi-Fi congestion. However, MLO has not been very effective due to poor implementation on devices.

Wired performance through the 2.5GbE ports was excellent, with the router handling the full 2.5Gbps line rate without issue.

The GL.iNet Slate 7 is priced around GBP138 with regular discounts to GBP110. The US retail price is around USD149, with sales bringing it down to USD110-130. Alternative options include the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) and the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) at different price points and features. Competing products like the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router are more expensive than the Slate 7 and offer fewer features. The TP-Link TL-WR1502X Wi-Fi 6 travel router is a budget-friendly option at around GBP37, while the ASUS RT-BE58 Go offers similar features to the Slate 7 but with fewer ports. GL.iNet’s upcoming Mudi 7 with 5G support will be pricier but may be worth it for those needing cellular connectivity.

Overall, the GL.iNet Slate 7 is a top choice for travelers who prioritize privacy and flexibility. With dual 2.5GbE ports, comprehensive VPN support, and Tailscale integration, it offers more than just basic connectivity. The price of GBP110 is reasonable for the features it provides, but the older Slate AX may suffice for more budget-conscious users.

While the Slate 7 may not have all the latest Wi-Fi 7 features, it delivers on its promises and is well-suited for those who work from various locations with questionable network security. The upcoming Mudi 7 may be a better option for those needing integrated cellular connectivity.

Despite some potential concerns, such as data privacy and security considerations with the touchscreen, the Slate 7 remains a solid choice for frequent travelers and privacy-conscious individuals. It offers excellent value for its features and performance, making it a recommended option for those in need of a reliable travel router.

The GL.iNet Slate 7 review highlights its strong hardware and software features that set it apart from other travel routers. With excellent VPN support, dual 2.5GbE ports, and AdGuard Home, it caters to the needs of travelers and remote workers who value privacy and security on the go.

While the lack of some Wi-Fi 7 features may be a drawback for some users, the Slate 7’s real-world performance and functionality make it a worthwhile investment, especially at discounted prices. Overall, it offers a compelling package for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich travel router.

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