OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
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GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£35Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:?

GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 5 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200
7.7/10

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models
Score components

40%

7.1

Technical score

25%

8.4

Reviews score

25%

8.2

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▲Better than 66% of routers
8.4

Value for money

Value for money
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▲Better than 74%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components

26%

6.3

Wireless

20%

4.7

Ports

18%

9.3

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

6.5

Hardware

10%

7.3

Management

▲Better than 51%
8.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 68% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (5)
1 review, with a printed score. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 68%
8.2

List score

List score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (2)
List score: in 2 of 84 lists (2%)
▲Better than 82%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200

Based on 3 · 4

Reviewers like the VPN, decent Wi-Fi and compact size for hotels, but warn it runs hot and is picky about power.
Praised
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of router GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components:

26%

6.3

Wireless

20%

4.7

Ports

18%

9.3

Networking

14%

9.8

Security

12%

6.5

Hardware

10%

7.3

Management

7.1
Reviews score
8.4
List score
8.2
Value for money
Value for money
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 74% of models
Score components:

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.4
Brand name
GL.iNet
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is more advanced than 35.2% of routers and equal to 23.1% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
1,200 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 55.6% of routers and equal to 6.6% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz channel width options, which is more than 36.5% of routers and the same as 29.9% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
WPA3, WPA2
This router supports WPA3, WPA2 Wi-Fi security protocols, which are more advanced than 70.5% of routers and equal to 3.9% of routers.
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
What reviewers say
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
?
VLAN tagging
?
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 LAN ports, which is fewer than 84.5% of routers and the same as 5% of routers.
LAN port speeds
1 Gbps
This router offers 1 Gbps on its LAN ports, which is faster than 25.7% of routers and on par with 56.1% of routers.
N. of WAN ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 WAN ports, which is more than 0.8% of routers and the same as 89.4% of routers.
N. of USB ports
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 1 USB ports, which is more than 40.1% of routers and the same as 41.5% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
Management interface
App
This router uses App for management, which is less advanced than 73% of routers and equal to 5.3% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App
This router supports Web UI, App firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 62.3% of routers and equal to 8.4% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
no
This router does not offer captive portal features. 22.4% of routers offer captive portal features.
Show more
CPU clock speed
2x 1 GHz
This router runs at 2x1 GHz, which is faster than 49.1% of routers and on par with 7.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
128 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 128 MB of RAM, which is less than 54% of routers and the same as 16.3% of routers.
Internal storage
0.125 GB
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.125 GB of internal storage, which is more than 47.9% of routers and the same as 23.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
?
N. of external antennas
2
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 2 external antennas, which is more than 41.2% of routers and the same as 16.5% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say

GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 2.1 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (6 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    6 W vs 8.1 W
  • 9.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    1 review, with a printed score. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.7
  • 108 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (85 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    85 mm vs 193 mm
  • 3 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2022 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2022 vs 2019
  • 2.71x cheaper
    GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • 67.8% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (145 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    145 g vs 450 g
  • 9.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 68% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (5)
    1 review, with a printed score. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.7
  • 2.71x cheaper
    GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is cheaper than the average router (£35 vs £95).
    £35 vs £95
  • Stronger Wi-Fi security
    This router supports the Wi-Fi security protocols WPA3, WPA2, while the average router supports WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP.
    WPA3, WPA2 vs WPA2, WPA/WPA2, WEP
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • 2.1 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (6 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    6 W vs 8.1 W
  • 108 mm narrower width
    This router is narrower than the average router (85 mm vs 193 mm). The average router is 193 mm wide.
    85 mm vs 193 mm
  • 67.8% lighter weight
    This router is lighter than the average router (145 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    145 g vs 450 g
  • 3 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2022 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2022 vs 2019
  • 24 mm thinner design
    This router is thinner than the average router (30 mm vs 54 mm). The average router is 54 mm thick.
    30 mm vs 54 mm
  • 2 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (2 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    2 vs 4
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface App, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    App vs Web UI, App
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, App, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, App vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 50% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (128 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    128 MB vs 256 MB
  • Fewer power options
    This router uses USB-C power input, while the average router uses DC barrel.
    USB-C vs DC barrel
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 66.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (118 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    118 mm vs 51.4 mm
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 2 fewer LAN ports
    This router has fewer LAN ports than the average router (2 vs 4). The average router has 4 LAN ports.
    2 vs 4
  • Weaker management tools
    This router uses the management interface App, while the average router uses Web UI, App.
    App vs Web UI, App
  • Limited firmware updates
    This router supports the firmware update methods Web UI, App, while the average router supports Web UI, App, Automatic.
    Web UI, App vs Web UI, App, Automatic
  • 50% less RAM
    This router has less RAM than the average router (128 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    128 MB vs 256 MB
  • Fewer power options
    This router uses USB-C power input, while the average router uses DC barrel.
    USB-C vs DC barrel
  • 66.6 mm higher height
    This router is taller than the average router (118 mm vs 51.4 mm). The average router is 51.4 mm tall.
    118 mm vs 51.4 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
mtandiz
≈ estimated
24/05/2025
Hands-on review · repeater, tethering and ISP backup tests
Verdict
GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is a keeper for travel and ISP backup, though repeater and tethering speeds are modest.
9.0
Ultimate Tech Hub
≈ estimated
18/05/2025
Hands-on review · hotel repeater setup and speed test
Verdict
GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is a compact travel router worth buying for frequent travelers, with easy hotel Wi-Fi setup.
9.0
Lazy Man Joe
≈ estimated
04/05/2025
Hands-on review · home VPN server and client setup
Verdict
GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is a worthwhile travel router for hotel Wi-Fi and home VPN use, and it isn't expensive for what it does.
9.0
Deano's Tech World (formerly Dino's Tech World)
≈ estimated
16/01/2025
Review and overview · features, setup and model comparison
Verdict
GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200 is a compact, good-value travel router with solid performance; its slow USB 2 port is the main drawback.
Overview video
Not graded
Brand video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
addis-techblog.de
✓ explicit
14/10/2026
Hands-on test · Travel router
Verdict
The GL.iNet Opal routes all your trip traffic home over WireGuard, suiting people who need their home network, but VPN speed tops out at 65 Mbit/s.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200

  • One Gigabit WAN and two Gigabit LAN ports at a budget price
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with 867 Mbps on 5 GHz
  • OpenVPN and WireGuard clients pre-installed
  • Physical toggle switch for quick VPN control
  • Repeater mode converts public Wi-Fi into a private network
  • Compact 145 g body with USB-C power

What customers don't like about GL.iNet Opal GL-SFT1200

  • Wi-Fi 5 only, with no Wi-Fi 6 or 6 GHz
  • Single USB port and no multi-gig ports
  • Limited 128 MB of RAM for heavy plugins
  • Coverage suits a hotel room, not a whole home

Verdict

Opal is GL.iNet's small dual-band travel router for people who want Gigabit wiring on a budget. Wi-Fi 5 delivers up to 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz, which is where the AC1200 label comes from. One Gigabit WAN port and two Gigabit LAN ports are fitted, plus a USB port. OpenVPN and WireGuard clients come pre-installed, and a physical toggle switch can be assigned to turn the VPN on or off. Two retractable antennas help with signal, and a repeater mode turns hotel or café Wi-Fi into a private network. Inside sit a dual-core 1 GHz processor and 128 MB of RAM, the power input is USB-C, and the whole unit weighs 145 grams. There is no Wi-Fi 6 and no 6 GHz band, so peak speeds stay modest.

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