The Flint 3e has five 2.5 GbE sockets. That gives a modem, a desktop and a storage server room on the same box, with sockets left over. The trade is in the radios: it uses 2.4 and 5 GHz, so a recent 6 GHz laptop has to join on a lower band.
In depth
GL.iNet Flint 3e review
Published
Best forPeople who want several multi-gigabit wired ports and router-level VPN controls on a home network.
At a glance
- Wi-Fi generation
- Wi-Fi 7
- Wireless bands / radios
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Ethernet ports
- 5 × 2.5 GbE
- Mesh support
- GL.iNet Mesh unsupported on GL-BE6500
Pros
- Five multi-gigabit Ethernet ports.
- WireGuard and OpenVPN can be configured at the router.
Cons
- No 6 GHz radio.
- GL.iNet lists the 3e outside its supported Mesh models.
Wireless
- Wi-Fi 7
- Dual-band
The newer wireless standard still works with older compatible devices. Someone choosing between this and the Flint 3 should decide whether 6 GHz is valuable where the router sits. An extra band is most attractive when the client supports it and the signal can reach the same room.
Wired Connectivity
- 5 × 2.5 GbE
- Multi-WAN options
Two machines connected locally can exchange files without involving the internet connection. Their network adapters and storage have to sustain the speed as well. If you allocate a second port to backup internet, count that port before planning how many wired devices the router can accept.
VPN & Management
- WireGuard
- OpenVPN
- Web administration
A router VPN can cover an appliance that has no VPN app, or separate work traffic from ordinary household traffic. GL.iNet publishes laboratory VPN ceilings, but the remote endpoint and protocol also determine your result. Scargill’s Tech Blog used the 3e to extend an existing network and configured addressing and DHCP accordingly, a useful illustration of the setup choices involved. 1
Alternatives
The tri-band Flint 3 is the more appropriate comparison if you specifically need 6 GHz or a model on GL.iNet’s supported Mesh list. For a home already covered by a reliable router, a 2.5 GbE switch is a simpler way to connect a desktop and NAS.
Verdict
Choose the 3e for wired flexibility and control over VPN routing. Buyers whose first priority is managed whole-home mesh should check GL.iNet’s model support before ordering.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Scargill’s Tech BlogFlint 3e (GL-BE6500) Router from GL-iNet - Scargill's Tech Blog (opens in a new tab)https://tech.scargill.net/flint-3e-gl-be6500-router-from-gl-inet/
Fixed LAN address and DHCP settings used to extend the reviewer’s existing network.