GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 AC1200 Dual-Band Travel Router | 3 Gigabit Ports

The GL.iNet Opal (GL-SFT1200) is a pocket-sized AC1200 dual-band travel router with three Gigabit Ethernet ports, rated at 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz. It runs OpenWrt with WireGuard and OpenVPN preinstalled and weighs 145 g. It is the entry point to GL.iNet's travel router line: enough for hotel Wi-Fi, a rented apartment's Ethernet jack, or a phone hotspot, with a VPN tunnel covering every device behind it. It works behind any cable, fiber, DSL, or Starlink modem/ONT, and it can join an existing Wi-Fi network in repeater mode.

Who the Opal is for

• Occasional travelers who want their laptop, phone, and tablet on one private network behind hotel Wi-Fi
• Students and renters who need a small router with three Gigabit ports for a dorm or apartment Ethernet jack
• Anyone who wants a low-cost VPN router for a vacation rental, so a streaming stick and other devices connect through the tunnel without their own VPN app
• Households that need a second router for a workshop, garage, or RV where Wi-Fi 6 speeds are not needed

Key features

• AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) at 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz
• Three 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports: one WAN and two LAN
• WireGuard up to 65 Mbps and OpenVPN up to 12 Mbps in client mode on a local network; also runs as a VPN server
• Four ways to get online: Ethernet WAN, Wi-Fi repeater, USB tethering from a phone, or a USB 3G/4G modem
• DNS over TLS through Cloudflare so DNS lookups are encrypted at the router
• Dual-core 1 GHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, 128 MB flash running OpenWrt
• USB 2.0 port and USB-C power at 5V/3A, under 6 W
• Two fixed external antennas, 118 x 85 x 30 mm, 145 g

Specifications

What a travel router does on hotel Wi-Fi

A travel router joins the hotel network once and presents its own private Wi-Fi to your devices, so the hotel only sees one client and your devices only see each other. The Opal handles the captive portal login, keeps your devices on the same network name they use at home, and runs the VPN tunnel for all of them. Load a WireGuard or OpenVPN profile from Proton VPN or Mullvad, and a smart TV or streaming stick that cannot run its own VPN app is covered too. The Opal's VPN throughput is 65 Mbps over WireGuard, which covers browsing, video calls, and HD streaming for a few devices; heavier users should look at the Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 models in our travel router comparison.

Why three Gigabit ports matter in a pocket router

Most routers this size have one or two Ethernet ports. The Opal has a Gigabit WAN port plus two Gigabit LAN ports, so a laptop dock and a desktop or console can both be wired without a separate switch. On a gigabit plan the wired ports are the ceiling, not the 867 Mbps 5 GHz radio. Browse our full wireless router collection if you need more ports at home.

Provider compatibility

The Opal is a router, so it works with any cable, fiber, DSL, or Starlink modem or ONT through its Gigabit WAN port. It does not replace a modem. For VPN-focused alternatives at every size, see the VPN router collection.

Common questions

Is the GL.iNet Opal a modem or a router?

It is a router only. It needs an internet source such as a modem, an ONT, hotel Wi-Fi, a tethered phone, or a USB cellular modem, and it shares that connection with your devices.

Does the Opal work with hotel Wi-Fi login pages?

Yes. In repeater mode it connects to the hotel network as a client, you complete the login page once, and all devices behind the Opal are online.

How fast is the VPN on the Opal?

GL.iNet rates it at up to 65 Mbps over WireGuard and up to 12 Mbps over OpenVPN in client mode, tested on a local network. WireGuard is the protocol to use on this router.

How many devices can the Opal handle?

GL.iNet rates it for up to 52 wireless clients, plus two wired devices on the LAN ports.

Does the Opal support Wi-Fi 6?

No. It is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router with a 1200 Mbps combined rating. Wi-Fi 6 phones and laptops connect to it at Wi-Fi 5 rates.

Can I use the Opal as my main home router?

Yes, for a small apartment on a plan of 1 Gbps or less with a handful of devices. For larger homes or many devices, a full-size router or mesh system will cover more ground.