These days, my life is full of technology. Depending on the trip, I have my iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad Mini, MacBook Pro, my wife’s iPhone, Kindle, kids’ tablets, and a smart power station or two. That’s a lot of internet-connected gear when on the go. Not only is it annoying to have to put in a new password for whatever location you are at, but it’s also incredibly insecure.
Over the last few years, I have stopped connecting to public Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi, which is not secure altogether. I’ll frequently tether to my iPhone if I am just on one device. But, when I start pulling out multiple devices or if my iPhone cell service isn’t excellent (I’m looking at you, Verizon), I look for a strong and probably ok public Wi-Fi and connect to it, but not with my devices, with my portable router. I do this, plus a VPN to help ensure that my information stays my information, and this little travel router is how I do it.
Can this tiny travel router compare with the best Wi-Fi routers out there? I put the pocket-sized TP-Link TL-WR1502X Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router to the test.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router: Price and Availability
The TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel router is available all over the place. You can find it on the TP-Links website, Amazon, or other retailers. When writing this sentence, the price is $60 for a single unit.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router: Unboxing and First Impressions
When I opened the box for this router, I immediately noticed how simple everything was. This router seemed too small and too basic-looking to be able to do everything that it was doing. It’s lightweight, with a sleek and durable build. The router, a power adapter, a USB-C cable, a quick start guide, and a simple ethernet cable came in the box.
The compact design is easy enough to tuck in any bag, pocket, or jacket. The unit as a whole can fit in the palm of my hand. Right now, I carry it with me daily in my backpack. And I’m particular about what I am willing to put in my backpack, so that’s a big deal for me to tuck it away. I love the matte black finish and the built-in ventilation, as it helps keep the device from overheating.
Lastly, the port offering is impressive for a small unit, and the ports are placed great on the device, making it easy to use and work with.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router: Design and Build Quality
Specs
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
Speeds: Up to 1.5Gbps
Ports: 2x Ethernet, 1ssx USB-C for tethering/power, 1x fUSB-A
Features: VPN support, WPA3 security, USB tethering
As I have mentioned, this device is incredibly portable. Still, it’s also quite sturdy, making it a great travel companion because I don’t have to worry about it breaking on me. I’ve had this in my everyday carry backpack that goes everywhere with me for the last few months, and I have not had any issues with this getting damaged or slowing down. It keeps working and working great every time.
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router: In use
So far, I have gotten a lot of use out of this little travel router. I’ve had it with me for a few months now and am thrilled to have it. The older I get, and as time goes on, the more and more paranoid I get about my physical and digital security. In the digital world, one of the things I have sworn not to do anymore is to connect to networks that I do not know or do not manage myself. However, sometimes that is the only option. That’s where my travel router comes into play for one of the many use cases I have it for. I can quickly flip a switch and connect to that coffee shop, VRBO, airport, or even airplane Wi-Fi with my router, throw a VPN on, and then connect with my devices. My work and sensitive information, like bank cards and sensitive documents, are accessible through my Macbook. It would be wild for me not to protect it.
Another way that I have been using my travel router is to connect non-apple devices to my iPhone hotspot or direct USB tether. Most of what I have with me on any given day is Apple; however, for the times that I am testing a different laptop, if I have the Nintendo Switch with me, a portable projector if the kids have a gadget or something like that, this makes it super easy to have specific travel Wi-Fi saved on their devices that they can connect to that isn’t just always my phone.
I have noticed smooth and fast connections when using the Wi-Fi, even from a decent distance away. For example, we stayed at a VRBO rental a few weeks back. I did not want to connect to the provided Wi-Fi, so I connected the ethernet cables to my TP-Link Travel router and ran that as a main router for a week. It worked great across the entire home, with all my devices connected. It handled (up to) five iPhones, two MacBooks, eight iPads, two Apple Watches, and a sound machine/night light, all without skipping a beat.
The only gripe I have with this router is that it takes a minute to boot up, so if I am in a hurry, it can be frustrating to wait for it to boot up and get working. However, if that’s my only frustration, that makes for a pretty incredible device.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Great minimalist design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Material quality | Quality materials | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Practicality | Great for most | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Mid price | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 Travel Router: Final verdict
The TP-Link AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Travel RoutWi-Filivers top-tier performance in a travel-friendly package. With its fast speeds, modern security, and versatile features like VPN and USB tethering, it’s a must-have for anyone needing reliable internet access wherever they go. While it’s priced slightly higher than some competitors, its advanced functionality justifies the investment for frequent travelers or remote workers.
For more connectivity tools, we reviewed the best mesh Wi-Fi systems
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collin.probst@futurenet.com (Collin Probst)
