By Robin Owens 16 days ago, Routers
Ensure the privacy of every device in your home or office with these VPN routers
I create content and want to be sure my VPN router fully protects me from data disclosure and keeps my digital assets unavailable to third parties.
With a good VPN router at hand, I cloak my real IP address, keeping my identity under wraps. It is helpful for different types of tasks, be it blog post writing, video editing, or handling social media.
Plus, I can hurdle over any barriers and reach region-locked platforms from every corner of the globe, broadening my scope and followers. On the list, you can find pocket-friendly models for $29.90 as well as splurge-worthy routers for $395. I have tried to cater to diverse budgets.
TP-Link ER605
From my own experience, the TP-Link ER605 is the best router for VPN thanks to its cutting-edge security elements, rapid connectivity, extensive reach, effortless setup, and different connection options. With its integrated VPN support, it pleases with unwavering performance, seamless links, and formidable protection for both domestic and professional purposes.
When I tried out the top VPN routers mentioned on Reddit, I checked how easy they were to set up, and what kinds of ports they had. Then, I tested their speed, range, and coverage. I also looked into any extra stuff they offered, like parental controls, guest networks, and support for third-party software. Lastly, I envisaged possible users and paid attention to the price.
Here are my recommended models by use case:
For Home Use: TP-Link ER605, ASUS RT-AX58U, GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2
For Small Offices: ASUS RT-AX1800S, ExpressVPN Aircove
For High Performance: Synology RT6600ax, TP-Link Archer GX90, Cisco RV340
To set up a VPN for router, you need to take several simple steps:
Speed: 100 Mbps | Connectivity: 1 Gigabit WAN Port + 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports +2 Gigabit LAN Port, 1 USB WAN Port | Frequency: 5 GHz | Features: DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering
Recommended uses for: home
Price: $59.99
Getting the TP-Link ER605 up and running was rather easy. The instructions were straightforward, and I had the router ready to go in just a few minutes. Thanks to the TP-Link Omada app, I managed to configure the device without any problems.
The router provided a solid and blazing-fast connection throughout my house. Even with several devices hooked up at the same time, I hardly noticed any lag or connection drops. This is specifically important for me because I enjoy streaming HD videos and diving into online gaming sessions.
The VPN capabilities of the ER605 are amazing. I put both the PPTP and OpenVPN options to the test, and they ran without a hitch. Now I can be sure my internet connection is safe and sound when I'm working remotely. Thus, I can connect to my office network from home and savor smooth operation.
The dual-WAN feature of this home VPN router was a real bonus. Thanks to it, I managed to balance the load and switch over if one connection failed. Therefore, my Internet was running non-stop. I tested it by plugging in both my cable and DSL lines, and the transition was smooth whenever one connection went down.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.7/5) |
Speed: up to 5700 Mbps | Connectivity: 2 Gbps WAN connections, wired 2.5 Gbps port and WiFi 6 | Frequency: 5 GHz | Features: MU-MIMO, guest mode, adaptive QoS, parental control
Recommended uses for: home, gaming, business
Price: $199.49
Setting up the RT-AX86U was a breeze. I used the guidelines in the Asus Router app. It covers everything from connecting the cables to tweaking the network settings. I was particularly impressed by Wi-Fi 6 support. This meant quicker Internet, more room for all our gadgets, and less crowded network traffic. I believe this is crucial for users with many connected devices in a single house.
This is one of the top-notch routers for 4K streaming. It gave me fast Internet and strong connections all over my house. When I binge-played games, there was no delay. Besides, I could watch 4K videos on many devices at the same time without any problems.
The provided VPN features were really good. It can handle different VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IPSec. I tried it out by connecting to my office network and accessing files from afar without any issues. I believe this is the best VPN router for gamers. For instance, when I plugged my gaming console into the designated gaming port, I didn't experience any delays, even when lots of people were online.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.4/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.7/5) |
Speed: up to 4804 Mbps | Connectivity: 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0 | Frequency: 5 GHz | Features: 4.8 Gbps Game Band, Game Accelerator, MU-MIMO, parental controls
Recommended uses for: home, gaming
Price: $199.99
Similar to other devices on this list, the setup of this one was very straightforward. The TP-Link Tether app covered every stage of the process, so I had the router working in a jiffy. Plus, with the app, it is very simple to control the network, adjust settings, and keep an eye on connected devices.
I always got super-fast Internet everywhere in my house, even when there were many gadgets linked up. I could watch a clear 4K movie and play online games on my computer at the same time without any issues. This router can handle different VPN protocols, like OpenVPN and PPTP. I tried out the connection to my work network from far away using the VPN, and it was totally safe and steady, with hardly any drop in speed.
You can hardly find a better router for playing games. The best results are possible if you pair it with a VPN for gaming like Surfshark. The Game Accelerator function improved my gaming streams, boosting performance notably during heated gaming marathons. The Archer GX90 includes TP-Link HomeCare. I've implemented time restrictions and barred specific websites to guarantee a secure online space for my family.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.6/5) |
Speed: Up to 1Gbps speed | Connectivity: 1 Gigabit WAN port, 4 Gigabit LAN ports | Frequency: 2.4 GHz | Features: MU-MIMO, OFDMA, AiProtection, Parental Controls, AiMesh compatible
Recommended uses for: home
Price: $65.77
I used the ASUSWRT app to complete every stage of setting up this VPN for Asus router. It only took me less than 15 minutes to complete the task. The ASUS RT-AX1800S has the newest Wi-Fi 6 standard and OFDMA technology, which means it can send Wi-Fi signals further and cover more space in a house. Even in areas that are far away from the router, the Wi-Fi signal stayed strong.
While watching HD videos and playing games on my console at the same time, I didn’t experience any interruptions. It was easy to set up a VPN connection. It worked great. I used the VPN to connect to my office network, and the connection didn’t slow down.
You may not worry about internet security as this device is equipped with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. It stops common online attacks very promptly. Besides, there are parental controls for extra piece of mind.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.2/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
Speed: Up to 1,200 Mbps | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Frequency: 5 GHz | Features: parental control, threat manager, ad blocker, network lock
Recommended uses for: home, business
Price: $189.90
Setting up the ExpressVPN Aircove was really easy. I only needed to follow clear instructions and I had it working in just 10 minutes. The process boiled down to logging into my ExpressVPN account and the rest was done automatically.
It is one of the best routers with VPN considering how extensive its coverage is. It brags about dual-band Wi-Fi, so I can take advantage of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This is really helpful when several people are on the network. For instance, I was participating in a business meeting, while my family watched a Netflix series and neither of us experienced connection or speed issues.
The internet speed stayed the same even when many devices were connected. Therefore, everyone in the household had a fast and reliable connection. The router automatically updated itself to apply the latest security fixes. Therefore, the network is always safe. It also has a built-in firewall and tools to defend against typical online attacks.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.4/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.2/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
Speed: up to 6600 Mbps | Connectivity: 2.5Gb WAN/LAN, 3x Gigabit Ethernet LAN/WAN | Frequency: 5.9 GHz | Features: parental controls, web filtering, traffic control
Recommended uses for: home, business
Price: $287
I really like the step-by-step setup guide. By following it, I managed to set up my Wi-Fi network, add security features, and even add a VPN. While I was watching a 4K movie on Netflix video streaming service, my husband was on a video call, and our kids were playing online games. Despite all this, we didn't see any plummet in speed or performance.
Thanks to Wi-Fi 6 support, I could enjoy incredibly fast speeds and better efficiency. For instance, I downloaded a 20GB game update in just a few minutes. Besides, when streaming ultra-high-definition content, I didn't experience any buffering issues.
The VPN server solution is thorough, offering flexible and secure remote connectivity with features like remote desktop and site-to-site tunneling. The Safe Access feature was especially handy for controlling my children's internet use. I could define time limits, block particular websites, and keep an eye on their online activities. I believe this is paramount for ensuring they are safe when on the web.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.2/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
Speed: 300Mbps | Connectivity: dual Ethernet ports | Frequency: 2.4 GHz | Features: tethering, repeater mode
Recommended uses for: travel
Price: $29.90
This cheap VPN router has an easy-to-use interface, so setting it up was a no-brainer task. It only took me 10 minutes to configure it properly. Despite being small, the GL-MT300N-V2 performed really well.
Such a 2.4GHz router perfectly met my needs. For example, I could watch YouTube videos in 1080p without any buffering problems, even when my relatives used the net at the same time. The best part is that I don’t need to use third-party YouTube streaming software.
Thanks to the support of OpenVPN and WireGuard, I could upload my VPN configuration file, and have my network ready for work in an instant. Users particularly like how portable GL-MT300N-V2 is. I took it on a trip and set up a secure WiFi hotspot in my hotel room. I was able to connect my laptop, smartphone, and tablet all at once without any problems.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.3/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.7/5) |
Speed: up to 950Mbps | Connectivity: Dual WAN Ethernet | Frequency: 5 GHz | Features: Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, FindIT Network Manager
Recommended uses for: small business, home office
Price: $395
I managed to configure and connect this Cisco VPN router very promptly. During my testing, the RV340 showed remarkable performance. Thanks to its built-in 4-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, it was a breeze to connect my wired devices, like computers, printers, and storage devices.
The Cisco RV340 boasts strong VPN support. It is compatible with various VPN protocols, like IPsec/L2TP. Therefore, you can enjoy flexibility and security when setting up VPN connections.
Another advantage of the Cisco RV340 is its support for Dual WAN Ethernet. This means I can utilize one connection for my everyday Internet needs and have a backup ready in case the primary connection fails.
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User Interface |
★★★★☆ (4.1/5) |
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Tech Support |
★★★★☆ (4/5) |
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Wi-Fi Signal |
★★★★☆ (4.2/5) |
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Easy To Install |
★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
Not every router can work with VPNs because VPNs rely on specific protocols that need certain ports. Some routers lack these ports.
If you purchase a VPN router from a company that offers preprogrammed options, it will arrive ready to use like any regular router. But if you're configuring your own router, you'll need some networking skills. Certain VPN services offer instructions for setting up their products with specific router models.
Yes, the majority of VPN routers do require a subscription. These routers are designed to set up the necessary networking configurations for your traffic to travel through encrypted VPN tunnels. VPN services, on the other hand, supply the infrastructure for the virtual private network.
Yes, you can connect different devices to a VPN router. In fact, a VPN router is designed to provide encryption across your entire home network, securing every device.
It is hard to name a single protocol, as the answer varies based on what you need and prefer. OpenVPN is often considered very secure and flexible, providing robust encryption and compatibility across different platforms. However, other protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec may please with quicker speeds or improved performance.
DD-WRT is open-source firmware that can be added to compatible routers to access advanced features and customization options, like VPN server and client capabilities. It upgrades your router, improving VPN performance, boosting security, and adding extra networking features. Many VPN providers offer strong support for DD-WRT VPN routers. The popular choices are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish.
It depends on what you're looking for. It's advisable to choose a VPN provider with user-friendly apps, robust encryption, high speeds, and a broad server network. Some popular VPNs compatible with Orbi routers are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
Surely. A VPN router can help you overcome geo-restrictions and watch streaming content from other countries. It works by encrypting your internet connection and directing it through a VPN for streaming service located in the country you want to access. This makes it seem like you're browsing the internet from that location.
VPN routers may cause a slight decrease in internet speed because of the encryption process. However, the effect on speed is usually insignificant since modern routers are equipped with fast processors and support advanced VPN protocols. Besides, selecting a VPN provider with optimized servers and low latency can help minimize any speed drops.
