I use the GL.iNet GL-AXT1800(Slate AX). Compact and easy to connect. Love it.

Unfortunately, most consumer travel routers have really poor thermal management. I have seen throughput drop by 40 percent once the CPU starts throttling under a heavy VPN load. Focus on these specs if you want something that wont die on you:

• CPU architecture: Aim for ARMv8 quad-core. Dual-core chips struggle with WireGuard overhead.
• Radio bands: DFS support is a must-have. Without it, you are gonna be fighting for airtime on congested channels.
• Power supply: These newer ax routers need a solid 15W. Standard phone chargers will just cause random reboots. The Beryl AX is a bit of a letdown because the current firmware is a mess. I had issues with it dropping connections during Zoom calls due to a persistent memory leak. Most people expect better quality control at that price point tho. You might be better off with a MikroTik if you can handle the learning curve, or just something that runs vanilla OpenWrt to avoid the proprietary bloat.

To add to the point above: we have clearly highlighted the two heavy hitters in the travel space! Both the Slate AX and Beryl AX are amazing pieces of hardware. Honestly, when you are looking at the price difference, the Slate AX is the powerhouse designed for heavy VPN loads with its quad-core CPU, though it is bulkier and costs more. The Beryl AX is a fantastic middle ground that i highly recommend. It is more compact and uses a more efficient chipset, making it the better value for most travelers. For a strictly cost-conscious choice, the Opal (SFT1200) is also worth a look... it lacks Wi-Fi 6 but provides the same secure interface and Ethernet options for much less. Personally, i find the Beryl AX is the sweet spot because you get that 2.5G port and modern speeds without the extra bulk of the Slate. Just check your VPN speeds first so you dont overpay for processing power you wont use!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000, if you are looking for a budget travel router under $100.