Beryl AX vs Beryl 7: what actually changed (and which one to buy for on-set work)

By Tomas HeinFebruary 10, 2026

GL.iNet’s Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) is positioned as a full upgrade to the Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) — same compact footprint, but a noticeable jump in performance and power options.

If you’re using these routers for on-set workflows (local Wi-Fi for client previews, iPad monitoring, file sharing, or just getting stable internet in weird locations), here’s the practical difference.

Quick spec snapshot

Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) at a glance

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with rated speeds 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 2402 Mbps (5 GHz)
CPU: MediaTek MT7981B dual-core @ 1.3 GHz
Storage: 512MB DDR4 / 256MB NAND
VPN performance (claimed): WireGuard max 300 Mbps, OpenVPN max 150 Mbps
Ports: WAN + LAN with up to 2.5GbE listed, plus USB 3.0
Power: USB-C 5V/3A
Device count (claimed): 70+ devices
Size/weight: 120 × 83 × 34 mm / 196 g

Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) at a glance

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 support (802.11be listed) with rated speeds 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 2882 Mbps (5 GHz)
CPU: MediaTek quad-core @ 2.0 GHz
Storage: 512MB DDR4 / 512MB NAND
VPN performance (claimed): WireGuard max 1100 Mbps and OpenVPN-DCO max 1000 Mbps
Ports: WAN + LAN with 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps listed, plus USB 3.0
Power: USB-C PD input 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A
Device count (claimed): 120+ devices
Size/weight: 120 × 83 × 34 mm / 205 g

The real-world differences that matter

1) VPN speed: Beryl 7 is in a different league

If you rely on a travel router primarily for VPN tunneling (WireGuard/OpenVPN), the claimed numbers are the headline:

Beryl AX: WireGuard 300 Mbps / OpenVPN 150 Mbps
Beryl 7: WireGuard 1100 Mbps / OpenVPN-DCO 1000 Mbps

For on-set use: the faster VPN ceiling helps when you’re pushing a lot of traffic (multiple clients browsing selects, remote uploads, or sharing files over a tunneled link). Just remember these are lab-style claims and your real throughput depends on your uplink and configuration.

2) Power: Beryl 7 is friendlier to “whatever USB-C is around”

Beryl AX wants 5V/3A.
Beryl 7 supports a broader USB-C PD range (5V/9V/12V profiles listed), which makes it easier to power from chargers, PD batteries, and mixed on-set power setups without fuss.

If you’re building a battery-powered cart/stand setup, this is a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade.

3) CPU + storage: Beryl 7 has more headroom for “router-as-a-tool”

Beryl 7 moves from a dual-core 1.3 GHz class CPU to a quad-core 2.0 GHz CPU, and doubles NAND flash to 512MB. This last point, is important if you're planning to use our upcoming Viewfinder app, as it uses the routers internal memory.

It also matters if you:

run heavier router features,
keep more plugins/features enabled,
or use the router as a small “workflow box” (USB storage, network services, etc.).

4) Capacity: more clients on Beryl 7 (on paper)

GL.iNet claims 70+ devices for Beryl AX vs 120+ devices for Beryl 7.
If you’re in environments with lots of phones/tablets connected at once (agency village, video village spillover, big crew), that ceiling is reassuring.

5) Same footprint, slightly heavier Beryl 7

Both list 120 × 83 × 34 mm. Weight goes 196 g → 205 g.
In practice: this is why your AetherMount can fit both (same size), and the weight delta is irrelevant for a cart/stand mount.

The 3 reasons upgrading is worth it

1) You want “serious” VPN performance (biggest upgrade)

GL.iNet’s own published figures show a huge jump:

Beryl AX: WireGuard up to 300 Mbps, OpenVPN up to 150 Mbps.
Beryl 7: WireGuard up to 1,100 Mbps, OpenVPN-DCO up to 1,000 Mbps.

If your router is often doing VPN client/server work (hotel/public Wi-Fi, remote access, moving bigger files, more concurrent users), this alone can justify the upgrade.

2) You’re running larger crews / more devices

GL.iNet markets the Beryl 7 as supporting 120+ client devices versus 70+ on the Beryl AX.
Even if you never hit those numbers, more headroom generally helps when a set turns into “everyone connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi”. Plus, the router is just faster in every aspect, both wireless speed and processing speed, which definitely helps throw your images across set.

3) Your power setup is messy and you want it to “just work”

Beryl 7 is positioned around universal USB-C charging compatibility and supports USB-C PD profiles (5V/9V/12V listed).
Beryl AX is specified at 5V/3A.

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