Let me start by saying this little white box has become my travel essential. The GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 fits in my jeans pocket yet delivers serious networking capabilities that put many bulkier routers to shame.

The setup was shockingly simple - I had it running in under 5 minutes at my hotel in Tokyo. Just plugged it into USB power (yes, it uses USB-C!), connected to its WiFi, and followed the intuitive web interface. Even my tech-challenged colleague managed to set hers up without calling me for help.

Where this router truly shines is security. That sketchy airport WiFi? No problem. The Opal creates a protective bubble around your devices with built-in OpenVPN and WireGuard support. I regularly use it to access my home network securely from abroad - watching my Plex server through the encrypted tunnel feels like digital magic.

The dual-band performance handles my workflow beautifully. I keep emails and messaging on the 2.4GHz band while video calls run smoothly on 5GHz. The gigabit ports came in handy when I needed to wire my laptop for a stable connection during an important Zoom presentation.

Now for some real talk: This isn't a speed demon. While sufficient for 4K streaming on one device, don't expect it to replace your high-end home router. The range is understandably limited by its size - perfect for a hotel room but won't cover your entire house.

The physical VPN toggle switch is genius once configured (pro tip: you need to set this up in admin panel first). Flipping it to activate my WireGuard connection feels satisfyingly tactical, like a spy gadget from a Bond movie.

My only significant complaint? No battery built-in means hunting for outlets at airports. But at this price point with these features, that's a compromise I'll gladly accept.

For digital nomads, business travelers, or anyone valuing privacy on public networks, the Opal delivers incredible value in a package smaller than your smartphone. It's transformed how I work remotely - from secure banking in cafes to bypassing region locks on streaming services abroad.