OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
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.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300 review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£60Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1300 MbpsLAN port speeds:1 GbpsMesh Wi-Fi:?

GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300 Review: Compare 77 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components

40%

7.1

Technical score

25%

8.1

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

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

â–²Better than 53% of routers
8.2

Value for money

Value for money
8.2/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 57%
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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse 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%

7.0

Management

â–¼Worse than 51%
8.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.1/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

7.0

Popularity

Grades by review (3)
3 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.
â–¼Worse than 53%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 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 (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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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.
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Routers model ranking

Ranked #186 of 524 models in Routers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of router GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300

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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse 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%

7.0

Management

7.1
Reviews score
8.1
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.2
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
1,300 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 1,300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is lower than 53.9% of routers and equal to 1% 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
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
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
4x 0.717 GHz
This router runs at 4x0.717 GHz, which is faster than 61.7% of routers and on par with 0.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
256 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 256 MB of RAM, which is more than 46.3% of routers and the same as 14.9% 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

GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300 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.
  • 1.6 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (6.5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    6.5 W vs 8.1 W
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x0.7 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x0.717 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 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
  • 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
  • 5.2% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 53% of models

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    7.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    3 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.
    8.1 vs 7.7
  • 5.2% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 53% of models

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    7.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (3)
    3 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.
    8.1 vs 7.7
  • 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.
  • 1.6 W lower power consumption
    This router uses less power than the average router (6.5 W vs 8.1 W). The average router uses 8.1 W power.
    6.5 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
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x0.7 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x0.717 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 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
  • Fewer power options
    This router uses USB-C power input, while the average router uses DC barrel.
    USB-C vs DC barrel
  • 25.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,300 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
  • 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
  • 25.7% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a lower Wi-Fi speed than the average router (1,300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    1,300 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
  • 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

8.0
Instant Tech Insights
≈ estimated
10/02/2025
Comparison · Slate Plus vs. Slate AX
Verdict
GL.iNet Slate Plus suits travellers who want portability and low power use, but not heavy VPN or device loads.
9.0
Bazzar Repairs
≈ estimated
12/12/2023
Unboxing · setup walkthrough · admin panel tour
Verdict
GL.iNet Slate Plus works like a regular router, packs in many features, and is a strong choice for travel and connecting printers.
9.0
Geekanoids
≈ estimated
26/02/2023
First look · unboxing and feature overview
Verdict
GL.iNet Slate Plus is compact, stable and very useful for frequent travellers, and it earns a strong recommendation.
Overview video
Overview video
Brand video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300

  • Two Gigabit LAN ports plus a Gigabit WAN port
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with 867 Mbps on 5 GHz
  • VPN client and server with kill switch and policies
  • OpenWrt with 256 MB of RAM and a quad-core CPU
  • USB storage sharing over Samba and WebDAV
  • Budget price for a feature-rich travel router

What customers don't like about GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300

  • OpenVPN speed rated at only 28 Mbps
  • Wi-Fi 5 only, with no Wi-Fi 6 or 6 GHz
  • Heavy at 429 g for a travel router
  • No multi-gig ports, all links at 1 Gbps

Verdict

Slate Plus is a compact Wi-Fi 5 travel router that prioritises features over raw speed. Its dual-band radios deliver 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz. Two Gigabit LAN ports, one Gigabit WAN port and a USB port are fitted, and a quad-core 717 MHz chip works alongside 256 MB of RAM. OpenWrt, an OpenVPN and WireGuard client, a VPN server, a kill switch and per-site VPN policies are all included. Plugged-in USB drives can be shared over Samba and WebDAV. The catch is VPN throughput, which the listing rates at only 28 Mbps for OpenVPN and 190 Mbps for WireGuard. At 429 grams it is also on the heavy side for a travel router. It fits users who want flexible privacy tools at a budget price.

Compare GL.iNet Slate Plus GL-A1300 with other routers

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