GL.iNet GL-BE3600 Review: Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router

Why This is one of the Best Travel Routers?

The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a compact, lightweight Wi-Fi 7 travel router that offers dual-band connectivity, delivering blazing-fast speeds of up to 2882 Mbps (5GHz) and 688 Mbps (2.4GHz), with a combined maximum Wi-Fi speed of 3600 Mbps. Equipped with OpenVPN and WireGuard support, it ensures secure, high-performance networking, ideal for bandwidth-heavy households or small offices. Its durable yet portable design makes it the perfect travel companion, providing reliable, long-lasting connectivity wherever you go.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, frequent traveler, or privacy-conscious user, this router solves your biggest internet problems:
✔ Encrypts your traffic with built-in VPN (OpenVPN/WireGuard)
✔ Works anywhere (hotels, Airbnbs, RVs, airports)
✔ Blocks ads & malware with pre-installed plugins

Highlights

BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Technologies

The Slate 7 leverages Wi-Fi 7 technology, incorporating advanced OFDMA to reduce latency and optimize network efficiency for multi-device environments. With 4K QAM, it boosts data transmission speeds while further lowering latency. Thanks to Multi-Link Operation (MLO), it combines dual-band signals for a theoretical peak speed of 3.57Gbps, enhancing both performance and anti-interference capabilities through dual-link connectivity.

Sleek Design & Touchscreen Interface

The Slate 7 boasts a sleek dark gray design with clean lines, rounded corners, and a textured matte finish—offering both a secure grip and a premium look. Its durable matte surface not only elevates its aesthetic but also ensures long-lasting resilience. The innovative touchscreen simplifies navigation, letting you effortlessly scan QR codes for Wi-Fi setup, toggle the VPN, and access key features—all with just a tap for a hassle-free, intuitive experience.

High-Performance Hardware

The Slate 7 delivers powerful wired connectivity with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports, each supporting blazing-fast speeds of up to 2500 Mbps. Its robust hardware configuration includes 512MB flash storage and 1GB high-speed RAM for smooth operation. The USB-C power port offers versatile charging options, supporting 5V/3A, 9V/3A, and 12V/2.5A input via Power Delivery standards. For expanded functionality, it features a USB 3.0 port for external storage, while its included compact power adapter maintains the perfect balance between portability and peak performance.

VPN Security Encryption

The Slate 7 comes pre-loaded with OpenVPN and WireGuard, offering compatibility with 30+ leading VPN services. It automatically encrypts all network traffic from connected devices, creating an impenetrable shield for your data. Whether you’re:

  • Working remotely across international borders
  • Accessing public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, or airports
  • Browsing in shared environments

Gallery

Specifications

Hardware Specifications

  • CPU: Qualcomm Quad-core @1.1GHz
  • Memory: 1GB DDR4
  • Storage: 512MB NAND Flash
  • Wi-Fi Standards:
    • 2.4GHz: 802.11b/g/n/ax/be, up to 688Mbps
    • 5GHz: 802.11a/n/ac/ax/be, up to 2882Mbps
    • Combined Speed: Theoretical peak rate of 3.57Gbps (with MLO dual-band aggregation)
  • Antennas: 2 external antennas
  • Ethernet Ports:
    • 1 x 2.5G WAN Port (10/100/1000/2500Mbps)
    • 1 x 2.5G LAN Port (10/100/1000/2500Mbps)
  • USB Port: 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A
  • Power Port: Type-C (5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A)
  • Power Consumption: <18W (without USB)
  • Dimensions: 130 x 91 x 34mm (L x W x H)
  • Weight: 295g

Software Features

  • Operating System: OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213)
  • Network Modes: Routing, AP, Wireless Bridge, Wired Bridge
  • VPN Support:
    • OpenVPN (max speed: 385Mbps with DCO support)
    • WireGuard (max speed: 490Mbps)
  • Security: Pre-installed OpenVPN/WireGuard, policy routing, encrypted DNS, firewall
  • Management:
    • Remote Web/SSH/Cloud management
    • DDNS, QoS, MAC address cloning
    • Guest SSID, client isolation

Six Ways to Power Your GL-BE3600’s Internet Connection

This ultra-flexible travel router accepts internet from virtually any source:

  • Hotel Ethernet – Plug into a wired port for instant private Wi-Fi 7 with VPN protection
  • Public Wi-Fi – Log in once via captive portal, then share the secured connection to all your devices
  • Smartphone Tethering – Connect via USB (Android/iOS) or Bluetooth for cellular backup
  • 4G/5G Dongle – Insert a USB modem for mobile broadband anywhere
  • Wi-Fi Extender – Grab weak wireless signals and rebroadcast them with boosted speed
  • WISP Mode – Connect to distant networks (e.g., campground Wi-Fi) while maintaining local device access

Speed Test: OpenVPN vs. WireGuard

*(Using 500Mbps connection, Wi-Fi 7 device)*

VPN ProtocolDownload SpeedLatency (Ping)
No VPN500 Mbps5 ms
WireGuard450 Mbps10 ms
OpenVPN150 Mbps40 ms

Web Interface

Pro Tips for Buyers:

  • Enable MLO in settings
  • Use WireGuard for speed
  • Install plugins via OpenWrt for extra functionality.
  • Give ProtonVPN a try as I highly recommend it as your VPN provider.

Who Should Buy This?

✔ Frequent Travelers – Ditch sketchy hotel Wi-Fi forever
✔ Remote Workers – Secure, fast internet anywhere
✔ Privacy Conserned – VPN + Tor + AdBlock in one device

Where to buy?

Get the GL-BE3600 on Amazon (Affiliate)

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For detailed guides you can visit the official page:
https://www.gl-inet.com/support/gl-be3600/
https://docs.gl-inet.com/router/en/4/interface_guide/

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