GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) vs TP-Link Archer AX73

TP-Link Archer AX73 wins — If you travel and want a single device that works both on the road and at home, the Slate AX is genuinely excellent

Scores: GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) 7.5/10 · TP-Link Archer AX73 8/10

If you travel and want a single device that works both on the road and at home, the Slate AX is genuinely excellent. For a dedicated home router with better range and higher throughput, the Archer AX73 is the pick.

Spec-by-spec comparison

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)TP-Link Archer AX73
WiFi StandardWiFi 6 AX1800WiFi 6 AX5400
ProcessorIPQ6000 quad-core 1 GHzMediaTek MT7986 quad-core 1.8 GHz
VPN ClientYes (WireGuard, OpenVPN, Tor)No
FirmwareOpenWrt-basedClosed TP-Link
Travel-readyYes (USB-C power)No
Price~$100~$80

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

What works

  • Travel-sized, USB-C powered
  • Full OpenWrt with VPN client built-in
  • Excellent VPN performance (WireGuard ~430 Mbps)

What doesn't

  • Limited range compared to full-size home routers
  • No USB port for NAS at home
  • Overkill complexity for users who don't need VPN

TP-Link Archer AX73

What works

  • Significantly better range and throughput
  • AX5400 vs AX1800
  • USB 3.0 port for network-attached storage

What doesn't

  • No VPN client or server capability
  • Closed firmware, no OpenWrt
  • TP-Link regulatory scrutiny concerns

Bottom line

Our pick: TP-Link Archer AX73.

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