There are times when you need to create a virtual private network. Whether you’re a gamer, someone who works with sensitive information, or you just want to beef up your online security, you’ll need to invest in a VPN router. Depending on your needs, the price of VPN routers can vary, which is why we’ve included five different ones. We’ve searched the internet for the best VPN router, and these are our favorites.
The Best VPN Router
1NETGEAR R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 Dual Band VPN Router
The first VPN router on our list is the popular NetGear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750. It’s well known in the industry as being probably the best VPN router for large homes that don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars. The reason it’s so effective for home use is that it has a 1GHz Dual Core Processor that is designed to handle more than 12 separate devices with Wi-Fi connection. Any modern parent will know how useful this will be when you’ve got kids upstairs playing on tablets and games consoles, and you want to connect to the internet downstairs.
It can handle up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency band and up to 1300 on 5GHz. Whilst this isn’t the best-in-class speed, it’s ample for home use. Other advantages of this VPN wireless router include larger and thicker antennas than its predecessor, which increases the range of the connection and also reduces dead spots around the house.
AC1750 router
1GHz Dual Core Processor
2.4GHz – 450Mbps & 5GHz – 1300Mbps
Prioritized bandwidth for gaming, videos, & music
USB 3.0 port
Smart parental security controls
- BrandNETGEAR
- ModelR6700-100NAS
- Weight1.65 pounds
Has advanced features to prevent lag-free gaming.
Excellent for large families.
Useful security controls for parents.
Customer support isn’t very helpful.
Some reports of connection dropping.
2Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band VPN Router
The Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router is a big step up from the first VPN router we featured. Before we launch into the good things about this router, we’ll cover a few problems first. A lot of people have a problem with the design of the console, complaining that it looks a decade out of date. We’d agree that it isn’t the most modern looking router, but it could turn some people off. The other main complaint is that the 2.4GHz speeds aren’t that impressive, considering the price.
Now, onto the good bits. Firstly, this router is famed for having extremely fast 5GHz speeds. If you already have a fast internet connection and you want to make the most out of it, this VPN router can definitely handle it. The other main benefit is the speed at which it can transfer files.
AC3200 router
2.4GHz – 600Mbps & 5GHz – 2600Mbps
MU-MIMO technology
Third party firmware options
Dual-band Wi-Fi
- BrandLinksys
- ModelWRT3200ACM
- Weight1.74 pounds
Impressive 5GHz speeds.
Excellent for transferring files.
MU-MIMO is useful for households with multiple devices.
The design looks really outdated.
2.4GHz speeds aren’t great.
3TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, you should consider the TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router. It’s considerably cheaper than the VPN routers we’ve looked at so far, but you can expect a drop in quality as well. The reason we decided to include in on our list is that it’s reasonably priced for an AC1750 router that delivers this kind of performance. As is the case with the cheapest routers, it delivers impressive close-range performance. When you’re in the room with it, you should have no problem achieving the 450mbps – 1300Mbps speeds that it’s capable of. And it can be boosted to 1750Mbps. However, the connection is pretty spotty at long range and you can expect some dead spots in rooms away from the router. The other main downside is that the file transfer speed is really poor, because of the fact that it’s still sporting USB 2.0 technology.
But, it’s not all bad news. It has four LAN ports, which means you have fast access on up to four wired devices. This makes it an absolutely ideal option for a couple or small family that don’t need the reliable connectivity of an MU-MIMO enabled router. It’s also really easy to install, which makes a nice change from some of the more expensive VPN routers. If you’re serious about your connection speeds and you’ve got lots of devices, this router probably isn’t going to cut it. But for small households it’s perfect. To always have perfect signal in your home, check out our top picks of the best wifi extenders.
AC1750 router
2.4GHz – 450Mbps & 5GHz – 1300Mbps
4 LAN ports
USB 2.0 technology
- BrandTP-Link
- ModelWireless Router Archer A7
- Weight14.9 ounces
It’s easy to set up.
4 LAN ports mean fast connection to wired devices.
Works well up close.
Doesn’t work well at long range.
Doesn’t support MU-MIMO
4TP-Link AC1200 Smart WiFi Router
The TP-Link AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router is the cheapest VPN router for home use on our list. At less than $50, it’s almost certainly one of the cheapest on the market as well. Admittedly, it’s an entry-level AC1200 router, but don’t let that put you off because it’s perfect for small houses and apartments. If you’re looking for a VPN router that can confidently cover a large house, look away now.
Due to the fact that it’s an entry-level router, it’s very light on added features. But it has two things that we really like. First, it’s got four LAN ports, so if you can have it next to your main devices you can get guaranteed high speeds at all times. And the second thing we like is the fact that it has MU-MIMO technology. That means the rest of your devices can enjoy the same speed, without being affected by how many devices are connected. For a router with built-in VPN at this price range, this is an impressive feature. Of course, because this router is designed primarily for apartments, it’s not very effective at long range.
AC1200 router
2.4GHz – 300Mbps & 5GHz – 900Mbps
4 LAN ports
MU-MIMO technology
- BrandTP-Link
- ModelArcher A6
- Weight1.54 pounds
Really affordable VPN router.
Super easy to set up.
Can be controlled via a smartphone app.
Gets dusty easily.
Useless at long range.
5ASUS Gaming Router GT-AC5300
The Asus Gaming Router is all about speed. It’s a high-end router AC5300 router that is a noticeable step up from anything we’ve featured so far – but that step up is accompanied by a big step up in price. However, if you’re serious about fast and secure internet, you definitely won’t be disappointed by this router. One of the best things about this type of router is the fact that the performance is just as good, or better, at long ranges. Gone are the days where you have to sit right next to the router to get optimal performance.
The reason for this incredible performance is the fact that it has tri-band Wi-Fi (dual 5 GHz, single 2.4 GHz). That means it can achieve a maximum speed of 5334 Mbps and has a coverage of 5,000 square meters. Basically, it’s an absolute monster. It’s powered by a 1.8GHz 64bit Quad-Core processor, which maximizes the data throughput.
AC5300 router
1.8GHz 64bit Quad-Core processor
Maximum 5334 Mbps
Coverage of 5,000 square meters
Tri-band Wi-Fi
MU-MIMO technology
- BrandASUS
- ModelGT-AC5300
- Weight7.15 pounds
Unrivaled performance for gamers.
Works even better at long range – perfect for large houses.
Ahead of the game in terms of technology.
It’s a lot of money for a VPN router.
It’s massive and looks like an alien spaceship.
VPN Router Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of VPN Routers
Brand – There are a few very well-known brands in this industry, such as NetGear and TP-Link. However, when we’re choosing products for our Buying Guides, we look past the brand name and look deeper into the features and quality of the product.
Reviews – It doesn’t matter what product we’re writing about; we always check out customer reviews. They are a fantastic way of finding out how a product works in the real world. For example, with VPN routers, they all work in a perfect environment. But when you get them home, there are all sorts of variables to take into consideration.
Price – Not everyone has the same budget when it comes to creating a virtual private network. The amount of money you need to spend on a VPN router depends on your online security needs. For example, gamers might want more power and versatility than a normal internet user.
Features To Look For In A VPN Router
Security – Security is paramount to anyone looking into buying a VPN router. Creating a VPN allows users to send and share information as if their computers were connected were directly connected to a private network. It makes your computer less vulnerable to ransomware attacks, keeps your data encrypted, and hides your activity.
Software – In addition to a VPN router, you will need some VPN software to create the network. Most of the VPN routers on this list comes with corresponding software from a VPN service provider.
Third Party Software (DD-WRT and Tomato) – If you’re not satisfied with the software, you might want to opt for some third-party software such as DD-WRT and Tomato.
Wireless Standard – This relates to a set of standards created in the 1990s and constantly being updated. Make sure that the VPN router you choose corresponds with the appropriate wireless standards.
Band Amount – in wireless networks, the band relates to the range and speed of the connection. The higher the band, the faster and further the connection can reach.
MIMO – MIMO (Multiple inputs, multiple output) means you can have high-speed access on multiple devices at the same time.
Connectivity – Connectivity is key when it comes to VPN routers. Always check out the different connectivity options.