Comparison of the latest Wi-Fi 6 Travel Routers from GL-iNet: Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) vs. Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)
Recently GL-iNet released a new version of the Beryl Wi-Fi Travel router with upgraded performance including DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) and 2,400+ Mbps Wi-Fi speeds. Travel routers have become essential for users on the go, providing reliable Wi-Fi connectivity in various environments. We will compare this new model to the popular Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) routers from GL Technologies. Both these compact devices offer powerful Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, making them ideal for travelers who require fast and secure internet access.
In this article, we will compare the key features and specifications of the Beryl AX and Slate AX routers to help you determine which one suits your needs best. We will explore their internet speeds, VPN capabilities, design, hardware, software features, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each router, enabling you to make an informed decision for your travel networking needs.
Internet Speed and Connectivity
The Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) is an AX3000 pocket-sized travel router that utilizes the Wi-Fi 6 protocol. It offers impressive internet speeds of 574Mbps (2.4GHz) and 2402Mbps (5GHz), resulting in a combined maximum Wi-Fi speed of 3000Mbps. This powerful internet speed makes the Beryl AX suitable for large households or environments with heavy Wi-Fi usage.
On the other hand, the Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) offers a combined Wi-Fi speed of 1800Mbps, with 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1200Mbps on the 5GHz band. While it provides slightly lower speeds compared to the Beryl AX, it still delivers reliable and fast connectivity for most travel scenarios.
Both routers support the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which introduces technologies like Beamforming, OFDMA, and BSS Coloring to enhance coverage, improve data transmission efficiency, and reduce network congestion. These features ensure stable and efficient connections, especially in high-density environments.
VPN Capabilities
VPN (Virtual Private Network) support is crucial for travelers who prioritize security and privacy while connected to public Wi-Fi networks. The Beryl AX and Slate AX routers offer VPN capabilities, allowing you to encrypt network traffic and protect your devices.
The Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware and supports OpenVPN at a maximum speed of 150 Mbps. It also supports WireGuard with a maximum speed of 300 Mbps. These VPN speeds are sufficient for most users’ needs and ensure secure browsing and data transmission.
Similarly, the Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) comes pre-installed with OpenVPN and WireGuard support. It offers a maximum OpenVPN speed of 120 Mbps and a maximum WireGuard speed of 550 Mbps. The higher WireGuard speed of the Slate AX makes it a better choice for users who require faster VPN connections.
Both routers can act as VPN servers and clients simultaneously, providing flexibility in establishing secure connections between devices within the network and remote locations. This feature is beneficial for users who want to access their home or office networks securely while traveling.
Design and Hardware
The Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) and Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) differ in their design and hardware specifications.
The Beryl AX is compactly designed to be pocket-sized, making it convenient for travel use. It measures 118 x 85 x 30mm and features retractable antennas that can be deployed for extended range and neatly stored when not in use. The router’s exterior also includes patterned enclosure holes for improved heat dissipation, ensuring optimal performance.
In contrast, the Slate AX has a slightly larger form factor, measuring 125 x 82 x 36mm. It comes with external antennas for enhanced signal coverage. The Slate AX’s design prioritizes durability and portability, making it suitable for frequent travelers.
Regarding hardware, the Beryl AX is powered by a MediaTek MT7981B 1.3 GHz dual-core processor, which efficiently handles network and VPN packets. It offers a 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port for fast wired connections. Additionally, it features a Type-C power supply and a USB 3.0 port for external storage.
The Slate AX boasts an IPQ6000 quad-core CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz. It provides two LAN ports and one WAN port, all operating at 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds. The router also includes a USB 3.0 Type-A port and an SD card slot for expanded storage options.
Software Features and Customization
Both the Beryl AX and Slate AX routers run on the OpenWrt 21.02 firmware, which offers extensive customization options and a wide range of pre-built packages.
The Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) supports over 5000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. It features a user-friendly interface within the Admin Panel, allowing users to browse, install, and manage packages without any coding knowledge. This makes it easy to tailor the router’s functionality to specific requirements.
Similarly, the Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) supports advanced features such as VPN policy routing, OpenVPN client and server, WireGuard client and server, port forwarding, and more. Its firmware provides a no-code interface for managing and installing packages, ensuring flexibility and adaptability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) and Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) travel routers offer impressive Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and security features for travelers. The Beryl AX provides higher internet speeds and VPN performance, making it suitable for users with demanding connectivity needs. On the other hand, the Slate AX offers a slightly lower Wi-Fi speed but compensates with faster VPN speeds and additional features like DFS, BSS Coloring, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO.
Ultimately, your choice between these routers will depend on your specific requirements, including internet speed, VPN performance, design preferences, and customization needs. Assess your priorities and consider the features highlighted in this comparison to select the router that best aligns with your travel networking needs.
