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A VPN router is a router that has been configured to connect to a VPN server. This allows all the devices on your network to connect to the VPN server, and all your internet traffic will be routed through the VPN. VPN routers are an ideal solution for businesses and individuals that need to secure their data and communicate privately over the internet. They also prevent the need to install a VPN on individual devices.
A VPN router is an important tool for anyone who wants to protect their online privacy and security. It encrypts all the traffic passing through it, making it impossible for your ISP or hackers to snoop on your activities. It also allows you to change your IP address, which can be useful for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing blocked content.
After reviewing dozens of VPN routers, here are our top picks for the five best VPN routers on the market right now.
- Best Overall: Netgear R6400
- Best for Speed: Express VPN Aircove
- Best for Multiple Devices: GL.iNet GL-AX1800
- Best Budget Option: Asus RT-AX58U
- Best for Gamers: Asus ROG Rapture W-Fi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE11000
Best Overall: Netgear R6400
- 802.11ac, Dual Band, Gigabit Ethernet, 4 x RJ-45 LAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0
If you’re searching for a router that will give you the best possible support for using a VPN, then you want to check out the Netgear R6400. This router comes pre-installed with DD-WRT, which is a custom firmware that’s designed specifically for improved VPN support. With this router, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the great features that a VPN has to offer, including improved security and privacy.
The Netgear R6400 is a powerhouse that is perfect for streaming and gaming. It is also one of few routers that come with the DD-WRT firmware installed. This makes it extremely versatile and powerful. The router supports two VPN protocols — OpenVPN and Wireguard, making it compatible with most VPN services on the market.
The R6400 has three external antennas, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and 256MB of RAM. This gives it enough power to handle many devices at the same time. It also has five Ethernet ports, which are perfect for gaming consoles or PCs. The R6400 can also be used as an access point or media server.
One important aspect is the router’s support for MU-MIMO. This provides a better WiFi experience for multiple devices simultaneously. The R6400 also has Beamforming+ technology and Advanced QoS (Quality of Service), which improves range and performance. In terms of security, this router has double firewall protection and WPA2-PSK encryption to protect your network from intruders.
All considered, the Netgear R6400 is excellent due to its great performance and features. If you want a powerful and versatile router, then the R6400 is definitely worth considering.
Check out the Netgear R6400 on Amazon.
Best for Speed: Express VPN Aircove
- World-class, built-in VPN: When used with an active ExpressVPN subscription, sold separately, Aircove brings all the benefits of the #1 trusted VPN service to your whole home network.
- Always-on protection for the entire family: Any device that connects to Aircove enjoys instant ExpressVPN protection 24/7. This includes smart TVs, voice assistants, and other smart home devices that...
- Connect to multiple VPN locations at once: Sort your devices into groups, each with its own VPN location. Watch a match in the U.K., do your banking locally, and even set some devices to use no VPN at...
- Fast Wi-Fi 6 speeds: Aircove provides dual-band Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps (up to 600 Mbps for 2.4GHz and up to 1,200 Mbps for 5GHz), with VPN disconnected.
- Even when the VPN is in use, Aircove offers speeds of up to 180 Mbps for multiple devices simultaneously. (For reference, 4K streaming typically requires download speeds of 25Mbps, while HD requires...
If you’re looking for a VPN router that can offer high speeds, the Express VPN Aircove is a superior choice. This dual-band router uses the latest 802.11ax technology to deliver speeds up to 1.2Gbps, making it one of the fastest VPN routers on the market. It also offers excellent range and coverage, thanks to its four external antennas.
The router includes four antennas and offers speeds up to 1.2 Gbps on 5 GHz and up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. This is not only perfect for gaming, but also for streaming 4K videos. Additionally, it has MU-MIMO support, so it can handle many devices at the same time with no loss in speed. The Aircove supports three VPN protocols — Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.
The router offers a 1.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core processor with 512 MB Ram for a seamless performance. The Express VPN Aircove also includes five Ethernet ports for connecting your devices directly to the router. In terms of security, this router uses AES-256 encryption to ensure that your data is always protected when you’re using a VPN. Additionally, It has a firewall that can be used to block incoming connections from untrusted sources.
Overall, the ExpressVPN Aircove router is a solid choice for anyone who wants to use a VPN. Set up is a breeze, it’s easy to use, and it offers great security features that will keep your data safe.
Check out the Express VPN Aircove on Amazon.
Best for Multiple Devices: GL.iNet GL-AX1800
- 【WiFi 6 Standard with low-latency】Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 1.8 Gbps to let you enjoy smoother 4K streaming, gaming, video calls and more (600Mbps (2.4GHz), 1200Mbps(5GHz))
- 【Faster OpenVPN&Wireguard】Wireguard VPN speed up to 500 Mbps, giving you complete control over your gaming, steaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service...
- 【AdGuard Home & EAP Supported】AdGuard Home is a dedicated Internet filtering software for blocking ads and online trackers. We integrated it with Web UI for optimal control and management.
- 【Easy Setup】Follow the Initial Set-up video tutorial on Amazon or Connect AX1800 to your computer via Ethernet cable to access the web Admin Panel
- 【Connect up to 120 devices】Using revolutionary OFDMA technology to efficiently allocate channels communicate with multiple devices simultaneously help you increase capacity and efficiency
If you need a VPN router that can accommodate multiple devices, the GL.iNet GL-AX1800 is the best option on the market. This powerful router boasts a 1.2GHz quad-core processor that can support up to 120 devices simultaneously, making it perfect for homes and businesses with multiple devices. The GL-AX1800 uses OFDMA technology to ensure that all the connected devices have access to quality Wi-Fi signals.
It’s also one of the fastest VPN routers available, with Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 1.8 Gbps. Its speed allows you to stream 4K movies seamlessly and enjoy online gaming as well. If security is a concern, the GL-AX1800 has you covered there as well, with AES-256 bit encryption, AdGuard Home, and a robust firewall. Set up is also effortless, even for people without prior technical expertise.
Overall, the GL.iNet GL-AX1800 is the best option if you need a VPN router that can support multiple devices.
Check out the GL.iNet GL-AX1800 on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: Asus RT-AX58U
- The Next Gen WiFi Standard - Future proof your home network with the next-gen WiFi 6 technology, providing up to 2. 7x faster speed than the previous WiFi generation featuring OFDMA and MU-MIMO...
- Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi - RT-AX3000 supports 160MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, boasting a total network speed of 3000 Mbps - 575Mbps on the 2. 4GHz band, and 2402GHz on the 5GHz band.
- The Most Powerful Mesh System — AiMesh technology allows you to establish an even stronger mesh WiFi system with other ASUS AiMesh compatible routers, ensuring stable and seamless whole home...
- Commercial-grade network security for family - AiProtection Pro protects all the connected devices on your home network and advanced parental controls allow you to manage the family's internet usage.
- Mobile App Support - Control and customize every feature at your fingertips using the ASUS Router App for both iOS and Android devices.
Asus RT-AX58U is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router with speeds of up to 3 Gbps. A 2.4GHz band offers speeds of up to 574Mbps, while a 5GHz band offers speeds of up to 2,402Mbps. Additionally, it supports MU-MIMO for the simultaneous streaming of data to multiple devices. The router comes with 512MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory, which is more than enough for most users. It also has two USB ports, so you can easily connect external storage devices or printers.
In terms of security, the Asus RT-AX58U features AiProtection Pro with Trend Micro’s Smart Home Network solution for comprehensive protection against internet threats. Other features include beam forming, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), parental controls, guest network support, and built-in 4×4 MIMO antennas for better range and coverage. The Asus RT-AX58U is a great pick for those who are seeking a budget VPN router.
Check out Asus RT-AX58U on Amazon.
Best for Gamers: Asus ROG Rapture W-Fi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE11000
- Next-gen WiFi standard – World's first Wi-Fi 6E tri-band router boosts speeds up to 11000 Mbps.
- 6GHz spectrum available – Wider channels and higher capacity to deliver higher performance, lower latency, and less interference.
- 2.5G LAN/WAN Port – All traffic through 2.5G port is given the top priority, and 2.5G port unlocks the full potential of WiFi 6.
- Performance through engineering – Quad-core CPU processor, cooling system and optimized antenna design that brings its computational capability to the next level.
- Triple-level Game Acceleration – Accelerate game traffic every step of the way — from device to game server.
The Asus ROG Rapture W-Fi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE11000 was designed with gamers in mind. Boasting the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 tri-band router, the ROG Rapture is capable of handling speeds up to 11,000Mbps. It is powered by a 1.8GHz Quad-Core CPU with 1GB RAM to improve processing time regardless of the traffic on the network. Gamers have the choice between 2.5G WAN/LAN ports to provide them with the fastest Wi-Fi possible based on their modem and ISP. The router also supports the new 6GHz band that is dedicated solely to Wi-F 6E devices. This means users enjoy higher performance with no interference from older devices.
With the ROG Rapture, you can run your VPN and your regular ISP simultaneously, so there are no worries about lag if others need to access the VPN. If you’re on the lookout for the best VPN router for gamers, look no further than the Asus ROG Rapture W-Fi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE11000. With powerful features prioritized for gaming, it’s sure to give you the edge you need to win.
Check out Asus ROG Rapture W-Fi 6E Gaming Router GT-AXE11000
How to Pick the Best VPN Router
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) router is a type of router that allows you to create a secure, private network within your existing internet connection. This can be useful if you want to connect to devices on your home or office network from a remote location, or if you want to keep your internet activity private. Picking the best VPN router can be a daunting task, but here are a few things to note as you make your decision:
Ease of Use
When you’re searching for a VPN router, ease of use is one of the most important factors to consider. You don’t want to spend hours trying to set up your router and then not be able to use it because it’s too complicated.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make sure you pick a router that will be easy to use. First, check the reviews. If people are saying that a particular router is difficult to set up and use, then it’s probably not the best choice for you.
Second, look for a router that comes with step-by-step instructions. This will make it much easier to get your router up and running quickly.
Finally, make sure you choose a router that has customer support available in case you have problems. This way, you can get help from someone who knows what they’re doing if you run into any trouble.
Zero-Record Policy
There are a lot of different factors to consider when you’re trying to choose the best VPN router for your needs. One important factor is the “zero-record policy” that some routers offer.
A zero-record policy means that the router doesn’t keep any logs of the traffic that goes through it. This is important for privacy because it means that even if someone were to hack into the router, they wouldn’t be able to see what sites you’ve been visiting or what data you’ve been transmitting.
Not all routers offer a zero-record policy, so it’s something to think about when you’re making your decision. If privacy is a major concern for you, then a zero-record policy should be one of your top priorities.
High Processing Power
A VPN router with a powerful processor can handle more data traffic and is better equipped to encrypt and decrypt data. This means that your data will be more secure when using a VPN router with high processing power.
There are several things to consider when shopping for VPN routers with high processing power. First, make sure to look for a router with a dual-core processor or higher. This will ensure that the router can handle numerous devices and data streams simultaneously. Second, look for a VPN router with at least 256MB of RAM. This will ensure that the router can keep up with the demands of encryption and decryption. Finally, make sure that the router includes gigabit Ethernet ports. This will ensure that your data can be transferred quickly and securely.
Advanced Features
By looking at a router’s advanced features, you can get a sense of its capabilities and how it might fit into your overall network security strategy.
Some of the advanced features you should search for in a VPN router include:
Advanced Encryption
One of the most important things to look for in a VPN router is advanced encryption. This is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. The best encryption algorithms are constantly evolving, so it’s important to make sure your router can keep up. The best VPN routers use the WPA3 protocol, which is an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys. This is the highest level of encryption currently available and is virtually unbreakable. Make sure your router supports this standard before you buy it.
Multiple VPN Protocols
A VPN router is a router that supports virtual private network connections. A VPN router can connect to multiple VPN protocols and can be used to create a secure connection between two or more networks.
Most VPN routers support the OpenVPN protocol, which is an open-source protocol that uses SSL/TLS for security. OpenVPN is a popular choice for businesses because it is highly secure and offers good performance. Other popular protocols include PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. When choosing a VPN router, it is important to check which protocols are supported. Some protocols are more secure than others, so choose a router that supports the protocols you need.
Robust Firewalling
Robust firewalling is one of the most important features to check for when choosing a VPN router. A VPN router with robust firewalling capabilities can help protect your network from a variety of threats, including malware, hackers, and other malicious actors.
By blocking incoming and outgoing traffic that is not authorized, a VPN router can help to keep your network safe and secure. Additionally, a VPN router with robust firewalling capabilities can also help improve your network’s performance by reducing the amount of unwanted traffic that flows through it.
VPN Kill Switch
A kill switch is an important security feature that can help prevent your IP address from being exposed if your VPN connection drops.
When a kill switch is enabled, if your VPN connection drops for any reason, the kill switch will automatically disable your internet connection so that your IP address cannot be exposed. This can be a lifesaver if you’re worried about being tracked or monitored online.
Not all VPN routers have a kill switch, so it’s definitely something to look for when you’re shopping around. If security and privacy are important to you, then a kill switch is an essential feature to look for in a VPN router.
Split Tunneling
When it comes to choosing a VPN router, one of the most important features to check for is split tunneling. This feature routes some of the traffic through the VPN while allowing other traffic directly through your ISP. This is useful if you need to access resources that are only available through your VPN, while still being able to take advantage of your ISP’s high speeds for other tasks.
Not all VPN routers support split tunneling, so it’s important to check for this feature before purchasing. If you’re not sure whether or not a particular router supports split tunneling, contact the manufacturer or ask a knowledgeable salesperson. Split tunneling can be a great way to get the most out of your VPN, so make sure to check for it when shopping for a new VPN router.
In general, though, the more advanced features a VPN router has, the better equipped it will be to handle your specific security needs. So if you’re serious about finding the best possible VPN router for your home or business, make sure to give priority to models that offer a variety of advanced features.
Ethernet Ports
The router’s number of Ethernet ports determines the number of devices that can be connected to it. Most routers come with at least four Ethernet ports.
However, if you have multiple devices that need to connect to your VPN router, you must have a router with more Ethernet ports. Some routers have as many as 16 Ethernet ports. If you have few devices that need to be connected to your VPN router, you can search for a router with fewer Ethernet ports.
Remember that not all devices use Ethernet cables. Many laptops and smartphones now come with WiFi built-in, so they can connect to the internet without an Ethernet cable. If you have devices that only use WiFi, you won’t need as many Ethernet ports on your router.
Speed
Speed is important when choosing a VPN router. After all, a slow VPN connection can be frustrating. One way to ensure that you’re getting a fast VPN router is to select one that uses the latest 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard. This ensures that your router can provide speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps, which is significantly faster than older 802.11 ac (max speed: 866 Mbps) and 802.11n (300 Mbps) routers.
When choosing a VPN router, make sure to check the specifications carefully to ensure that it will be able to deliver the speeds you need. Check the router’s maximum theoretical speed and read online reviews to know what other people think about the router’s speed.
Frequency
Different types of VPN routers support different frequencies. Some support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, while others only support one or the other. When choosing a VPN router, it’s important to consider which frequency will be best for your needs.
The 2.4 GHz frequency is more common and is typically used for things like surfing the web and streaming video. The 5 GHz frequency offers faster speeds and is typically used for things like gaming and downloading large files. However, it has a shorter range than the 2.4 GHz frequency.
So, why does this matter when picking a VPN router? Well, if you’re on the hunt for the fastest possible speeds, then you’ll want a router that supports 5 GHz frequency. However, if you’re more concerned with compatibility or range, then a 2.4 GHz router might be a better option.
To get the most out of your router, you may want to choose a device that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Compatibility
When it comes to choosing a VPN router, compatibility is key. You’ll want to make sure that the router you choose is compatible with your VPN service of choice, as well as any other devices you plan on using it with.
If you’re not sure which router to choose, your VPN service should be able to provide you with guidance. In general, most major VPN providers support a wide range of routers from different manufacturers.
What to Know Before Buying a VPN Router
If you’ve been thinking about getting a VPN router, there are things to consider before making your purchase. For one, not all routers are compatible with all VPNs. So if you have a specific VPN in mind, make sure to check that the router you’re considering is compatible.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the speed and range of the router when choosing one for your home or office. If you have a large home or office, you’ll need a router with a good range so that all of your devices can connect. If you plan on streaming video or using other bandwidth-intensive applications, you’ll need a router with good speed.
Finally, be sure to factor in the price when making your decision – some routers are significantly more expensive than others. If you keep these things in mind, you can find the perfect VPN router for your needs.
Using a VPN Router: What It’s Like
By routing your internet traffic through a VPN server, you can encrypt your data and protect your privacy. Using a VPN router is easy and it’s a great way to keep your data safe. They also allow you to bypass restrictive firewalls and access geo-blocked content.
In terms of performance, using a VPN router can slow down your internet connection due to the extra processing power required to encrypt and route traffic through the VPN. However, this is typically only a minor inconvenience, and the benefits of increased security and privacy usually outweigh any performance issues.
