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Public Wi-Fi is a necessity, but I don’t recommend relying on it. according to StatistaSome of the most common places where personal information is compromised are cafes, restaurants and hotels. Plus, public Wi-Fi isn’t always the best performer. It’s unlikely you’ll get the same fast, steady speeds you get at home. but here it is tp-link rom 7 Comes in.
Also: TP-Link Deco 7 Pro review: This Wi-Fi 7 router eradicated my dead zones
This mobile router is designed to bring secure Wi-Fi 7 wherever you go. It’s a compact device that will instantly improve your public Wi-Fi experience once it starts working.
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compact design
TP-Link’s Roam 7 is built for life on the road. It’s a tiny gadget, measuring 4.9 x 3.7 x 1.5 inches and weighing just under nine ounces. There are two adjustable antennas on the sides to boost the wireless signal, while the bottom has a pair of rubber feet to keep the unit stable. Heat vents wrap around the body, allowing hot air to escape where much needed. The Roam 7 can support up to 90 other connected devices simultaneously, and the router heats up as you add connections.
Across from ROM 7, you’ll find ports of gadgets. Starting on the right side there is a USB-C port for the power adapter. The brick is a bit difficult to move around due to its size. Luckily, you can use a power bank like this one Anker Nano 10,000 mAh instead. It works the same way.
Also: Best Power Banks of 2026: Expert Tests and Reviews
Then there’s a 1Gbps LAN port and a faster 2.5Gbps WAN port for high-speed wired connections. It also has a USB 3.0 port, which can be used for file sharing or connecting to a USB 4G/5G modem. There’s a reset button on the side and an action button that can be configured to one of three functions: turning on the rear LED light, disabling Wi-Fi, or toggling the VPN.
setup process
Installing Roam 7 is simple in theory. You plug the router into power, download TP-Link’s Tether app, scan the QR code on the bottom of the router, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Tether teaches you how to create wireless networks, name them, and connect the device to a local Internet source.
However, in practice the process was not very smooth. There were several times when the app refused to connect to the router, forcing me to retry several times before the setup worked. Even after the initial setup, I was still running into trouble.
Also: Adjusting my router’s antenna fixed my Wi-Fi problems – here’s the best way to position it
Rome 7 worked perfectly at home; However, when I took the device to my local Starbucks, neither my phone nor my Galaxy Book6 Pro could connect to it. After several failed attempts, I started the entire setup process again. Then, on top of all this, the Wi-Fi signal would drop out randomly a few times, forcing me to reboot.
These incidents were quite disappointing. However, once you get past the finicky setup and signal drops (assuming they occur), you’ll enjoy a great wireless experience.
performance testing
For testing, I took the TP-Link Rome 7 to some public places like the local Starbucks above to see if using a router had any negative impact on connection quality. Will the device cause any slowdown?
I’m happy to report that using the Roam 7 had no negative impact on local Wi-Fi. My experience browsing the Internet on the router felt very similar to browsing on local Wi-Fi: just as responsive and just as smooth.
Back home, I ran the Ookla Speed Test several times to compare wireless speeds on and off the router. When connected to Ookla via Roam 7, I recorded download speeds of 151.95 Mbps and upload speeds of 37.13 Mbps. When connected directly to my home network, I saw download speeds of 173.98 Mbps and upload speeds of 35.76 Mbps.
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As you can see, there is a slight difference in speed. On paper, the router appears to be slowing down the connection, but if you’re actually on the network, you won’t notice anything is off.
The Roam 7 comes with a few management features, all of which are accessible through the Tether app. One of my favorites is the security scanner, which checks the network for potential vulnerabilities and highlights any settings that need to be changed. Like the Deco Pro 7, the router includes a network optimization tool to reduce channel congestion.
Plus, the Roam 7 supports VPNs with built-in compatibility for services like NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, and PureVPN, along with the option to manually add your favorite service.
Also: You’re being tracked online – 9 easy ways to stop being monitored
ZDNET’s shopping advice
tp-link rom 7 Normally retails for $140, but at the time of this writing, it’s on sale for $99. At that price, it’s an easy recommendation for those who want a faster, more secure connection on public Wi-Fi. This is a great accessory if you often work in the office and away from home.
One thing to remember is that the Roam 7 cannot create its own Internet connection. This is not a hotspot. If you’re looking for a device that can generate its own connection, be sure to check out the TravelFi JourneyGo 4G, which uses cellular signals to provide Internet access in your coverage area.
