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A novel solution for connecting to the internet on the go, the TP-Link Roam 7 travel router is down to $98.99 (originally $139.99), which is its lowest price ever, according to price trackers . This is not a full-size home router but, as the name suggests, a compact travel companion that measures roughly the size of a paperback book, with foldable antennas so it slips easily into a bag.
The idea of the Roam 7 is simple: You use it to take one internet connection and turn it into your own controlled network, whether you’re in a hotel, at an airport, or anywhere else. It is more about convenience than chasing top speeds—you can run it as a standard router, connect it to public Wi-Fi and create your own private network, or use USB tethering to share your phone’s internet. It supports Ethernet input, USB modems, and even using it as a range extender or wireless client. That flexibility comes in handy when you’re juggling a laptop, phone, and maybe a tablet on unreliable networks.
Setup is straightforward through the TP-Link Tether app: Scan a QR code, choose your connection type, and you’re online in a few minutes. On the hardware side, you get a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, a 1 Gbps LAN port, and a USB 3.0 port for storage or tethering. It runs on 5V/3A power over USB-C, so a basic power bank can keep it going. That makes it practical for travel or outdoor use.
As convenient as it is for travel, this isn’t a good choice for your permanent home network. Even with Wi-Fi 7, it doesn’t deliver the same coverage or sustained speeds as a larger router. The 5 GHz band can hit high theoretical numbers, but real-world performance depends heavily on your connection and setup. USB tethering, for example, can feel slower than using your phone directly. It also leaves out features like automatic band steering, so you may end up managing networks yourself. Still, if you travel often or need a portable network hub for multiple devices, it holds up pretty well.
