Dec 5, 2013, 1:09 pm
Last edit by: nkedel
Some of the popular routers in this thread:
Edimax 6258NL (or via Amazon)
Asus wL-330nul
TP-Link WR702N
TP-LINK TL-WR710N (out of production, but superceded by similar models)
Edimax BR-6258n
Hootoo Tripmate Nano (TM-02)
GLi GL-AR300M
GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC Router - a higher-powered dual band option; probably bigger than most people want, but if you need it... (has its own thread here)
Edimax 6258NL (or via Amazon)
Asus wL-330nul
TP-Link WR702N
TP-LINK TL-WR710N (out of production, but superceded by similar models)
Edimax BR-6258n
Hootoo Tripmate Nano (TM-02)
GLi GL-AR300M
GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC Router - a higher-powered dual band option; probably bigger than most people want, but if you need it... (has its own thread here)
World's Smallest Wireless Router for Hotel Rooms
Jan 19, 2018, 1:40 pm
#586
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
I'd recommend against the very limited Hootoo that I picked up based on the much earlier thread; it runs well with OpenWRT but getting that installed is a pain (it doesn't have enough memory or storage [not sure which] to do the regular upload-and-install -- you have to use an external USB memory stick and install from there) and while I'm very happy with the pair of inexpensive TP-LINK routers I used at home (the "Archer C7" -- used to be pretty much the cheapest full-size AC-1700 router out there) which runs beautifully with OpenWRT it is not the easiest router to get working with OpenWRT.
Mar 28, 2018, 11:44 pm
#587
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 460
The GL-MT300N is on sale for $21 delivered on Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GL-MT300N-V...-/222619647189
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GL-MT300N-V...-/222619647189
Mar 29, 2018, 9:37 am
#588
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Doesn't seem like all that great a deal given that Amazon and others have it for $20.
Note that this is the Flash based model, not the NAND model (which is the GL-MT300M)
Note that this is the Flash based model, not the NAND model (which is the GL-MT300M)
Last edited by docbert; Mar 30, 2018 at 5:56 am Reason: typo
Mar 31, 2018, 10:09 am
#591
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
May 11, 2018, 5:09 pm
#592
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
May 14, 2018, 12:11 pm
#593
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
The supervisor code on the ASUS WL-330NUL cannot be changed short of a third party firmware, which isn't easy to install on this device. Note that this is not the WiFi password, but the administration password to manage the device. The SSID and password to join the wireless network can be changed, obviously.
Last edited by penner42; May 14, 2018 at 12:25 pm
May 18, 2018, 1:14 pm
#595
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
May 18, 2018, 2:01 pm
#596
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BUF
Programs: SkyTean, Star Alliance, HHonors
Posts: 155
Since this thread is about 'smallest', I thought it might be worthwhile to share what I do.
I have a tiny USB WiFi device (http://a.co/dX16PkJ). It barley sticks out (maybe 1/4") so it just lives in one of my spare USB ports permanently.
I have Connectify on my laptop (https://www.connectify.me/store/) - I'm using the free version which has a 30 minute time limit, but the unlimited paid version is $11 - 17 depending on which set of features you go with (I keep meaning to just buy it, but I've been procrastinating) Anyway, I use that to make a wireless AP using my little USB adapter. Then, I connect my built in WiFi to the network wherever I am.
It works well, and only takes up a tiny bit of space.
Editing to add: The USB WiFi adapter I linked to above is getting a little flaky now. It will drop connections after about an hour and won't start working again unless I let it sit for a while or stick it in the freezer for a few minutes. So I assume it's overheating. Lots of other people seem happy with it, and it did work well for quite a while. It's cheap enough to replace so I'll probably try another of the same one. Just thought the issue was worth mentioning.
I have a tiny USB WiFi device (http://a.co/dX16PkJ). It barley sticks out (maybe 1/4") so it just lives in one of my spare USB ports permanently.
I have Connectify on my laptop (https://www.connectify.me/store/) - I'm using the free version which has a 30 minute time limit, but the unlimited paid version is $11 - 17 depending on which set of features you go with (I keep meaning to just buy it, but I've been procrastinating) Anyway, I use that to make a wireless AP using my little USB adapter. Then, I connect my built in WiFi to the network wherever I am.
It works well, and only takes up a tiny bit of space.
Editing to add: The USB WiFi adapter I linked to above is getting a little flaky now. It will drop connections after about an hour and won't start working again unless I let it sit for a while or stick it in the freezer for a few minutes. So I assume it's overheating. Lots of other people seem happy with it, and it did work well for quite a while. It's cheap enough to replace so I'll probably try another of the same one. Just thought the issue was worth mentioning.
Last edited by smc333; Jun 4, 2018 at 9:21 am Reason: Adding a note about the device I mentioned in the post.
Jun 16, 2018, 4:24 pm
#597
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 506
The GLi routers without a doubt look super powerful, but man they're Yuge compared to the old 330NUL. Don't get me wrong, I've done a lot of OpenWRT, DD-WRT router tweaking before and I can appreciate features, but sometimes when you're traveling, that mini router is the most convenient thing ever.
Jun 17, 2018, 6:12 pm
#599
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
Jul 26, 2018, 12:58 pm
#600
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
BTW, the WL-330NULs will run for days from one of those travel battery packs- I personally use it in WiFi Repeater Mode along with a 9AHr battery to split WN's WiFi across two phones and my tablet.
