GL.iNetGL-XE300(Puli) 4GLTEMobileSmartVPNRouter|PortableWiFiWirelessTravel Hotspot,SupportATT,T-Mobile,Router/AccessPoint/Extender/WDSMode,OpenWrt, 5000mAhBattery,OpenVPNClient (EC25-AF)

Meet the GL.iNet GL-XE300, a nifty mobile hotspot that's been a game-changer in my car. It runs on OpenWRT, a big advantage if you're into tweaking and customizing your devices. This device not only allows me to connect multiple devices on the go, but it can be used with common VPNs. That's a great news for keeping my traffic safe and secure, and I've found it handy for leveraging a cheaper wireless plan to share with my passengers. It's also a real asset when it comes to avoiding those pesky geo-blocks that some streaming services put up. The VPN, however, does slow things down a bit. It's a trade-off between speed and security. I've noticed that my internet is not quite as snappy when running everything through the VPN, but it's a compromise I'm willing to make for the added security and especially the cost-saving. Overall, the GL.iNet GL-XE300 is a fantastic mobile hotspot that comes with the powerful OpenWRT software. Thanks for reading - I hope this review helps with your decision!

This is a great little device. First of all, I’m using it with T-mobile, and I have not yet tested it with any other carrier. It worked right out of the box with my T-Mobile prepaid hotspot data Sim. Speeds are good, the battery isn’t as good as the one in my old Netgear hotspot but it does work in a pinch. If you’re not a tech nerd, you can pretty much just use this out of the box as is, or you can go into the portal and customize away. The range is really good. I’m using it to connect a TV in my art studio shed which is about 40 feet from the hotspot. And it’s working just fine. The signal is better than with my Netgear nighthawk M1 which has my AT&T Sim in it. I keep meaning to pull that Sim out and try it in this router and I just haven’t gotten around to it. I will update the review when I do.

I have a data only sim card from my carrier, and I popped it in and followed the instructions on their site for Google Fi, and it connected just fine! Allowed me to work during a cabin trip (can't afford to take time off!). Out in the middle of the woods but close enough to civilization to still get 4G LTE, so I was able to work using my own data plan, which means no need to worry about what WiFi I'm connected to. Was enough to stream at medium quality (720 30fps) with only the occasional hiccup, was enough to do video conferencing and screen sharing with work. And it has ALL KINDS of capabilities, like WireGuard to connect to a VPN, bridge mode or AP mode to act like a repeater (which I've used a few times), USB tethering capability (so even if I didn't have a sim card, my iPhone was able to share data over USB). It's not super fast like 5G or native on your phone with a good connection, but it's adequate for road warriors, and has enough features for networking geeks to do more in-depth stuff (it runs Open WRT so you can get under-the-hood to do things like Dynamic DNS and remote VPN connections TO the router, not just out, can even connect to services like Nord or PIA or SurfShark or whatever VPN you like to protect all connections downstream from the router, even the WAN port can be reconfigured to be another LAN port if needs be). First saw this company on Linus Tech Tips, glad I checked it out!

Very nice product I chose this over the more expensive MUDI model since they have the same modem and identical Qualcomm 9531 chipset so speeds should be very similar despite not including 5GHz. GL-iNet firmware and goldenorb/rooter firmware are too heavy for this chipset and load avg hovered above 1.00 when OpenWrt was always under 1 under light use due to less bloat added. TTL setting also works well in OpenWrt to bypass T-Mobile throttle due to tethering. Among the best features as well is that there are premade antenna holes you can punch out to add sma connectors for external antennas as seen in the picture. The modem itself had 2 ipx connectors which went to the sma connectors for antennas. Works very well and signal over cellular is improved. Battery life seems very good and lasted me 6 ore more hours easily and with OpenWrt not taxing the cpu as much battery life improves as well.

I travel a lot for my job (and for fun) which requires me to attend several virtual meetings a week. I use Visible phone service for my internet (much more affordable than Starlink). I've had a different brand of 4g modem in the past, but it was 120 AC and a bit bulky for travel. I've also used an old cell phone as a hot spot, which was small and portable, but not super reliable. This thing has covered all the bases for me. I can take it anywhere, whether I'm traveling by car or by plane, and it works great. I use regular USB c cable to keep it charged in my vehicle, but I've also used it a few times just on its own battery power in a couple situations. As long as I have cell service, I have internet access. I haven't messed with trying to add an antenna yet (looks a little complicated and I'm not that manually dexterous), but hope to do that eventually to help increase the availability/usability of cell service.

These are great routers. I've deployed hundreds of these in the last 3 years and they mostly just work. We do put external antenna afapters on them to improve signal.

A hotspot that runs openWRT! Such versatility! Wired into the car, runs on battery for at least 12 hours. Easy to configure for anyone, and it can be customized for those who want to get under the hood.

Does the job, but I wish the battery would last at least 2 hrs.