GL.iNet Slate 7 Review – Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router with built-in AdGuard Home, Tailscale & VPN support

Last month, I reviewed the GL.iNet Flint 3 Wi-Fi 7 Router, and it is probably my favourite consumer-focused router I have reviewed in a long time. The extensive VPN support, Tailscale, and AdGuard Home are all ideal inclusions for a modern home router for modern needs. The Slate 7 takes many of these same features and packages them into a compact, travel-friendly form factor that I have been testing over the past few weeks.

The GL.iNet GL-BE3600 Slate 7 is positioned as the company’s flagship travel router, bringing Wi-Fi 7 support, dual 2.5GbE ports, and a host of advanced networking features into a remarkably small package. While the travel router market has become increasingly competitive, with options from ASUS, TP-Link, and others vying for attention, GL.iNet has carved out a niche by focusing on privacy-conscious users and those who need robust VPN functionality on the go.

What makes the Slate 7 particularly interesting is its combination of hardware specifications and software capabilities. Unlike many consumer routers that lock you into proprietary ecosystems, the Slate 7 runs on a customised version of OpenWRT, giving advanced users access to a wealth of configuration options while still providing a user-friendly interface for those who just want things to work.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	GL.iNet GL-BE3600 (Slate 7) Portable Travel Router, Pocket...	No ratings yet	£142.99	Buy on Amazon

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Specification

The Slate 7 is built around a Qualcomm quad-core processor running at 1.1GHz, paired with 1GB of DDR4 RAM and 512MB of NAND flash storage. While these specifications might seem modest compared to full-size routers, they are well-suited to the travel router use case and allow the device to maintain low power consumption whilst still handling multiple simultaneous connections and VPN tunnels.

On the wireless side, the router supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be protocols, covering the full range of Wi-Fi standards up to Wi-Fi 7. The dual-band configuration offers 688Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2882Mbps on the 5GHz band when using 160MHz channel width. It is worth noting that whilst the router is marketed as Wi-Fi 7, it does not include support for the 6GHz band or 320MHz channel width, which are key features of the full Wi-Fi 7 specification. This means you will not get the absolute peak speeds that tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers can achieve, though for most real-world travel scenarios, this is unlikely to be a limiting factor.

The router does support Multi-Link Operation (MLO), one of the more practical Wi-Fi 7 features, which allows devices to connect to multiple bands simultaneously for improved stability and throughput. This can be particularly useful when dealing with congested wireless environments, as is often the case in hotels and conference venues.

Connectivity options include two 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, one designated as WAN and one as LAN, both supporting speeds of 10/100/1000/2500Mbps. Having dual 2.5GbE ports is a notable advantage over competitors like the ASUS RT-BE58 Go and TP-Link TL-WR3602BE, which only offer a single 2.5GbE port. There is also a USB 3.0 Type-A port for storage sharing, cellular modem tethering, or connecting USB devices.

Power is supplied via USB-C with support for 5V/3A, 9V/3A, and 12V/2.5A inputs, making it compatible with most USB-C power banks and chargers. Power consumption sits under 18W without USB devices connected, and in practice I measured around 7-8W during typical operation. The included power adapter comes with interchangeable plugs for different regions, which is a thoughtful touch for a travel router.

Physically, the Slate 7 measures 130 x 91 x 34mm and weighs 295g. While not pocketable, it is compact enough to slip into a laptop bag without taking up much space. The two external Wi-Fi antennas fold flat against the body for transport and can be positioned for optimal signal coverage when in use.

Features

The Slate 7 packs an impressive array of features into its compact chassis. At its core, it functions as a standard wireless router, but it also supports multiple operating modes that make it genuinely useful for travel scenarios. These include standard router mode, access point mode, wireless repeater mode (what GL.iNet calls WISP mode), and USB tethering mode for sharing a mobile phone’s data connection.

What sets the Slate 7 apart from many competitors is its multi-WAN capability. The router can accept internet connections from multiple sources simultaneously and provide failover between them. You 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. The router can be configured to automatically switch between these sources if one becomes unavailable, which is invaluable when travelling through areas with inconsistent connectivity.

The USB port also enables network-attached storage functionality. Connecting an external drive allows you to share files across your local network using Samba, DLNA, WebDAV, or FTP protocols. While this is not a replacement for a dedicated NAS, it is handy for backing up photos or sharing files between devices whilst travelling. In my testing, USB storage speeds topped out around 130-140MB/s over Samba, which is adequate for most use cases but not spectacular.

Security features include WPA3 encryption, built-in firewall capabilities, and support for multiple virtual SSIDs. You can create separate networks for your devices and guest users, keeping your primary network isolated from potentially compromised devices. The router also supports MAC address filtering and DHCP reservation for more granular control over connected devices.

Unboxing

The Slate 7 arrives in GL.iNet’s typical understated packaging. Inside the box you will find the router itself, a USB-C power adapter with interchangeable regional plugs (EU, UK, US, and AU are included), a short Ethernet cable, and a quick start guide. The power adapter is reasonably compact and can also be used to charge other USB-C devices when needed, which reduces the number of chargers you need to pack.

Build quality is solid, with a matte black plastic chassis that feels sturdy without being heavy. The router’s industrial design is understated and professional, unlikely to draw unwanted attention when set up in a hotel room or co-working space. The foldable antennas are well-hinged and stay in position whether deployed or folded flat.

Set Up

Initial setup is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes. When powered on for the first time, the Slate 7 broadcasts an open Wi-Fi network. Connecting to this network and navigating to the default IP address (192.168.8.1) brings up the setup wizard.

The first step is setting an admin password, followed by configuring your wireless network names and passwords for both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. You can opt to use different SSIDs for each band or combine them into a single network name. The setup wizard then asks how you want to connect to the internet, offering options for Ethernet, wireless repeater mode, or USB tethering.

For those familiar with GL.iNet’s interface, the experience will feel immediately familiar. The web UI presents a clean dashboard showing connected devices, current bandwidth usage, and quick access to common settings. The interface is snappier than some router interfaces I have used, with settings applying quickly without the frustrating delays you sometimes encounter.

Advanced users can access the LuCI interface by clicking the Advanced Settings option, which opens up the full OpenWRT configuration options. This is where you will find more granular controls for firewall rules, VLAN configuration, and other advanced networking features. It is worth noting that backing up and restoring settings can only be done through LuCI, not the standard GL.iNet interface, which is a minor annoyance.

Connectivity Options

The Slate 7’s flexibility in terms of internet connectivity is one of its strongest selling points. In a typical home setup, you would connect the WAN port to your modem or ISP’s router. However, travel scenarios often present more varied connectivity options, and the Slate 7 handles them all capably.

When staying in a hotel, the repeater mode (also known as WISP mode) is particularly useful. The router connects to the hotel’s Wi-Fi network as a client and then creates its own private network for your devices. This provides several benefits: you only need to authenticate once with the hotel’s captive portal rather than on each device, your devices communicate over your own encrypted network rather than the hotel’s shared network, and you can share the connection across all your devices without paying for multiple network access fees.

USB tethering transforms your smartphone’s mobile data into a shared Wi-Fi network. When travelling in areas without reliable Wi-Fi, this allows all your devices to share a single mobile data connection. The router can also accept USB cellular modems if you prefer not to drain your phone’s battery or want a dedicated data connection.

The multi-WAN feature ties these options together, allowing you to set up automatic failover between connection types. You might configure the router to prefer a wired Ethernet connection when available, fall back to repeater mode if that fails, and finally resort to USB tethering as a last resort. This kind of resilience is invaluable for remote workers who cannot afford to lose connectivity.

Display & Security Concerns

One criticism the Slate 7 has had is the inclusion of a touchscreen display. This should be a selling point, as it provides basic control of the router without having to log in to the web UI. You can also easily get the Wi-Fi credentials when other consumer routers print them on the back of the router.

However, being able to access the router functions and get the password easily was the reason for the criticism. It was perceived as a security risk, although the individual would need physical access to the router. That may seem unlikely at home, but if you have the router set up in a hotel room, then cleaners could, in theory, access your network.

Thankfully, GL.iNet has resolved this issue by allowing you to enable a screen passcode within the settings. Additionally, you can disable certain functions, which include the display of things like the Wi-Fi settings.

So, if you plan on using this while travelling, I would strongly advise enabling this passcode protection. Once enabled, anyone attempting to access network credentials or toggle VPN settings through the touchscreen will need to enter your PIN first. The screen also has configurable timeout settings, automatically turning off after a period of inactivity to prevent casual observers from seeing your network information.

The touchscreen itself is functional rather than flashy. At just a few centimetres across, it is not intended for complex interactions but rather quick status checks and simple toggles. You can view connected clients, check current bandwidth usage, scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi connection, and toggle VPN status. The display quality is adequate for these purposes, with reasonable viewing angles and sufficient brightness for most indoor environments.

Web UI

The Slate 7’s web interface is one of the better router interfaces I have used. GL.iNet has done an excellent job of presenting complex networking options in an accessible way whilst still providing access to advanced features for those who need them.

The main dashboard provides at-a-glance information about your network status, including connected devices, current upload and download speeds, and the active internet connection type. From here, quick-access tiles let you jump to common functions like VPN settings, wireless configuration, and the applications menu.

The Wireless section allows configuration of both frequency bands, including channel selection, bandwidth settings, and security options. You can create multiple SSIDs on each band, useful for separating guest devices from your main network. The interface clearly shows which devices are connected to each network and allows you to block or rate-limit individual clients.

Network settings cover WAN and LAN configuration, including static IP assignment, DHCP settings, and port forwarding. The multi-WAN interface is well-designed, making it easy to set up and prioritise multiple internet sources. Failover settings include configurable health checks and switchover thresholds.

For advanced users, clicking through to the LuCI interface opens up the full OpenWRT experience. This is where you will find options for custom firewall rules, advanced routing, VLAN configuration, and other features not exposed in the standard interface. While the learning curve is steeper here, the flexibility it provides is substantial.

AdGuard Home

AdGuard Home integration is one of the standout software features of the Slate 7. This network-level ad blocker and privacy protection tool runs directly on the router, providing protection for all connected devices without requiring any client-side software.

Once enabled from the Applications menu, AdGuard Home blocks advertising requests, known tracking domains, and malicious websites before they reach your devices. This not only improves privacy but can also speed up page loading and reduce mobile data usage by preventing ads from downloading in the first place.

The AdGuard Home dashboard provides detailed statistics on blocked queries, allowing you to see exactly how many ads and trackers have been intercepted. You can customise the blocklists used, whitelist specific domains if blocking causes problems, and set up custom filtering rules for more granular control.

For families travelling with children, AdGuard Home’s parental controls allow blocking of adult content categories across all connected devices. This works at the DNS level, making it difficult to circumvent compared to device-level controls.

Performance impact is minimal. The Qualcomm processor handles DNS filtering without noticeable latency increase, and I did not observe any slowdown in normal browsing with AdGuard Home enabled. The feature works across all connected devices, whether they support ad-blocking software natively or not.

Tailscale

Tailscale support is perhaps the feature that excites me most about the Slate 7. For people with home labs or media servers like myself, the inclusion of Tailscale is a massive selling point, allowing 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 your 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 authorising 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 is particularly valuable for remote workers who need to access files on a home NAS, connect to self-hosted services, or use their home Plex server whilst travelling. Rather than configuring Tailscale on each individual device, the router handles the connection for all clients automatically.

In my testing, Tailscale connections were stable and performant, 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.

VPN Options

Beyond Tailscale, the Slate 7 offers extensive VPN support that caters to 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 travelling).

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. You might send all traffic through the VPN for maximum privacy, or only route specific devices or applications while leaving others on the direct connection. This flexibility is useful when you need to balance security with performance or access geo-restricted content on some devices whilst 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.

Wi-Fi Performance

Wireless performance is solid for a device of this size, though expectations should be calibrated appropriately. This is a compact travel router, not a full-size home router with multiple MIMO streams and premium antenna arrays.

On the 5GHz band using 160MHz channel width, I measured peak throughput of around 1200Mbps in close proximity to the router with a Wi-Fi 7 capable client. Real-world performance at typical working distances settled around 800-1000Mbps, which is more than adequate for streaming, video calls, and general productivity work. The 2.4GHz band delivered expected results, with peak speeds around 300Mbps dropping to 150-200Mbps at moderate distances.

Range is acceptable but not exceptional. In a hotel room or small apartment, the Slate 7 provides reliable coverage throughout. Extending beyond about 15-20 metres or through substantial walls will see performance drop noticeably. This is a common limitation of travel routers with their compact antenna systems, and not specific to this model.

The Multi-Link Operation (MLO) feature appeared to help maintain more consistent connections in environments with heavy Wi-Fi congestion. During testing in a busy hotel with dozens of competing networks, the Slate 7 maintained better throughput than I expected, suggesting the Wi-Fi 7 features provide real-world benefits even without access to the 6GHz band. It is worth noting that MLO has not really achieved what it set out to achieve due to poor implementation on devices. So, it is a feature that I would not rely on.

Wired performance through the 2.5GbE ports was excellent. The router handled the full 2.5Gbps line rate without issue, and routing performance was impressive for a device at this price point.

Price and Alternative Options

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	GL.iNet GL-BE3600 (Slate 7) Portable Travel Router, Pocket...	No ratings yet	£142.99	Buy on Amazon

The GL.iNet Slate 7 has an RRP of around GBP138 and is regularly discounted to around GBP110. In the US, retail pricing sits around USD149, with sales bringing it down to the USD110-130 range.

The older GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) has an RRP of GBP118 and has been discounted to as low as GBP81. This Wi-Fi 6 model shares many of the same software features but lacks the Wi-Fi 7 support and has only single gigabit Ethernet ports rather than 2.5GbE.

There is also the GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal), which you can pick up for as little as GBP32. This budget option sacrifices speed and some features but retains the core VPN functionality that makes GL.iNet routers attractive.

Looking at competing products, the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router is available for around GBP160, making it more expensive than the Slate 7 whilst offering fewer features. It lacks the advanced VPN options, Tailscale support, and AdGuard Home integration that set GL.iNet routers apart. The older TP-Link TL-WR1502X Wi-Fi 6 travel router is available for around GBP37, representing good value for basic needs.

The ASUS RT-BE58 Go is another Wi-Fi 7 competitor at a similar price point to the Slate 7. While ASUS offers excellent firmware and reliable hardware, it only includes a single 2.5GbE port compared to the Slate 7’s dual 2.5GbE configuration. The ASUS router benefits from the AsusWRT firmware ecosystem and features like InstantGuard VPN, but lacks the OpenWRT flexibility and some of the advanced networking options GL.iNet provides.

For users who need cellular connectivity, GL.iNet’s upcoming Mudi 7 adds 5G support to a similar feature set, eliminating the need for a separate phone or USB modem. However, pricing for this model is expected to be substantially higher.

Overall

The GL.iNet Slate 7 is an outstanding travel router, arguably the best on the market for users who value privacy and flexibility.

It basically has all the features of the Flint 3 (minus the 6GHz band) in a small, travel-friendly form factor with USB-C power. The dual 2.5GbE ports, comprehensive VPN support, Tailscale integration, and AdGuard Home make it genuinely useful beyond basic connectivity needs.

For people with home labs or media servers like myself, the inclusion of Tailscale is a massive selling point, allowing all my devices I am travelling with to access my home network. Additionally, the extensive VPN support is excellent for encrypting your data on a potentially insecure network.

At GBP110, I think the price is reasonable for what you get, and I think this is a significantly better buy than the TP-Link equivalent, which costs more and has fewer features. The software maturity and regular firmware updates add value that is difficult to quantify but noticeable in daily use.

The full GBP138 RRP is not unreasonable, but at this price point, I would question if you really need it. For individuals who travel all the time, then it may be worth the extra investment, but I suspect most people will be able to do everything they want with the Slate AX, which is available for as little as GBP81.

This is likely the case for me, as much as I am tempted to keep the Slate 7, I just do not use it enough to justify the extra expense over the older model. The Wi-Fi 7 features, while nice to have, do not make a dramatic difference in real-world travel scenarios where the limiting factor is typically the upstream internet connection rather than the local wireless link.

Additionally, many people will likely prefer a 5G travel router, so you are not reliant on finding an Ethernet connection or piggybacking a Wi-Fi connection. GL.iNet has the upcoming Mudi 7, which would potentially be the perfect solution for those who need integrated cellular connectivity.

There are some caveats worth considering. GL.iNet is a Hong Kong-based company, and some users may have concerns about data privacy given the geopolitical situation. While the OpenWRT base provides some transparency, some features like dynamic DNS and AstroWARP tie into GL.iNet’s servers. The touchscreen, whilst addressed through passcode protection, remains a potential attack vector that more security-conscious users may want to disable entirely.

The lack of true Wi-Fi 7 features like 6GHz support and 320MHz channel width means you are not getting the full next-generation wireless experience. For a travel router this is largely academic, but those wanting cutting-edge specifications may feel the marketing is somewhat misleading.

Despite these considerations, the GL.iNet Slate 7 delivers on its core promises. It is compact, capable, and loaded with features that matter for travellers who take their network security seriously. If you frequently work from hotels, co-working spaces, or other environments with questionable network security, the Slate 7 provides peace of mind alongside genuine utility. Recommended for frequent travellers and anyone who values network privacy, with the caveat that budget-conscious buyers should consider whether the older Slate AX meets their needs at a lower price point.

Last update on 2026-01-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.