A VPN router is a networking device that implements VPN (Virtual Private Network) functionality into the router’s hardware capabilities. This ensures that the user’s internet traffic is secured and encrypted via a VPN server whenever the router is in use. Any device connected to a VPN router will benefit from encryption via the router’s VPN server.
The 4 main benefits of a VPN router are listed below.
- Provides comprehensive network encryption for all devices that are connected to the router.
- Offers VPN compatibility to devices that lack native VPN support capabilities, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.
- Enhances privacy by providing security features directly through the router. Consumers don’t need to use a non-VPN router and enable a VPN through third-party software or apps.
- Simplifies the processes involved in setting up a VPN server connection through a centralized management system.
The Geekflare team has researched and listed the best VPN routers available today based on their ease of use, hardware compatibility, security features, and protocol support options.
- GL.iNET GL-A1300 (Best for Portability)
- ASUS AC1900 (Best for Ease of Use)
- NETGEAR Nighthawk (Best for Security)
- Encrouter (Best for VPN Server Locations)
- Synology RT2600ac (Best for Extended Range)
- ExpressVPN Aircove (Best for Built-In VPN Service)
- ASUS RT-AX57 (Best for Advanced Features)
- Spitz GL-X750V2 (Best for Mobile Device Connectivity)
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GL.iNet GL-A1300
The GL-A1300 is a VPN router that offers a stable network with impressive speeds up to 400Mbps (2.4G) + 867Mbps (5G). It uses an IPQ4018 CPU that’s clocked at 717MHz to offer a smooth and efficient performance. It also features the OpenWrt 21.02 operating system that’s programmed to minimize signal interference.
Apart from this, the Wi-Fi router comes with AdGuard Home for ad-blocking, encrypted DNS with Cloudflare, and the option to separate private and guest WiFi networks. Since the router has OpenVPN and WireGuard pre-installed, it supports up to 30+ VPN service providers. This allows users to access content from a vast number of remote locations.
For extra layers of security, the company has ensured that the router supports SAMBA and WebDav protocols. This allows the user to securely store their documents in a private network storage. Additionally, the router is lightweight and portable, weighing in at 429 grams (approximately 15.13 oz).
GL.iNet GL-A1300 Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 429 grams |
GL.iNet GL-A1300 Pros ✅
- The lightweight design makes the router portable.
- A VPN Kill Switch is provided to ensure security and privacy for emergencies.
- Allows users to switch seamlessly from WAN to LAN.
GL.iNet GL-A1300 Cons ❌
- Difficult to set up initially.
GL.iNet GL-A1300 Price
The GL.iNet GL-A1300 is priced at £64.
ASUS AC1900
The ASUS AC1900 uses 5G Wi-Fi and 256 QAM technology to provide total speeds up to 1900Mbps for lag-free 4K streaming. This is combined with 6 layers of advanced network security technology to provide reliable connectivity.
ASUS has also provided its exclusive RF fine-tuning and AiRadar Beamforming technology to extend the coverage area, up to 3000 square feet. Apart from this, the Wi-Fi router can connect to multiple MU-MIMO compatible devices.
Additionally, the ASUS Router companion app is available for users to remotely control the network and change the network settings according to their preferences.
ASUS AC1900 Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Weight | 998 grams |
ASUS AC1900 Pros ✅
- Easy to install using ASUS’s verified 3-step installation process.
- Network connectivity performance is excellent.
- Firewall controls are effective against security concerns.
ASUS AC1900 Cons ❌
- Doesn’t support Gigabit Ethernet.
ASUS AC1900 Price
The ASUS AC1900 is available at a price of £27.99.
NETGEAR Nighthawk
NETGEAR’s Nighthawk VPN router offers up to 3Gbps speeds over Wi-Fi and is compatible with all the latest WiFi6 smartphones, thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 technology. It’s also compatible with all ISPs, and provides 1Gbps speed for cable, satellite, fibre, and DSL.
It also houses a 3.0 USB port for creating a personal cloud storage for files. For this, users will have to share a storage drive that’s available on any connected device. Moreover, the Wi-Fi router has 4 x 1G Ethernet ports, so it can be connected to smart TVs and desktop PCs for optimal speeds. You can also connect the router to your gaming console for an enhanced gaming experience.
NETGEAR has also included advanced features like OFDMA, 1024 QAM, Beamforming technology, and Amazon Alexa Voice Control with the product. This ensures that the entire network is connected to unlimited devices without performance drops, and provides an intuitive user experience.
The router supports security protocols like WPA2 and WPA3, DoS, and Firewall. Consumers also have access to NETGEAR Armor for a 30-day free trial, providing enhanced security for all connected wireless devices.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Tri-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ax |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 617 grams |
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pros ✅
- Improves Wi-Fi speed across all connected devices.
- Very easy to set up and use through the Nighthawk companion app.
- Provides ethernet connectivity for multiple devices.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Cons ❌
- NETGEAR Armor subscription is expensive.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Price
The NETGEAR Nighthawk is priced at £109.
Encrouter
Encrouter‘s VPN router breaks down geo-restrictions through its in-house VPN service, which has servers in over 70 locations worldwide. It offers Wi-Fi 6 technology, Gigabit Ethernet support, WPA3 security protocol support, and Multi-User MIMO functionality. The entire ensemble runs on the in-house EncrouterOS.
The company also claims that the router provides impressive speeds of 600+Mbps via VPN and connects to over 100 concurrent devices. It also uses WireGuard protocol to enhance the network security. Users are able to change the router settings through Encrouter’s app.
For connectivity options, you can use an Ethernet cable, apart from Wi-Fi. This ensures faster speeds even when the VPN service is enabled.
Encrouter Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Tri-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 439.4 grams |
Encrouter Pros ✅
- Easy to set up.
- Internet speed through the VPN is fast.
- Excellent after-sales service.
Encrouter Cons ❌
- Other VPN services cannot be used.
Encrouter Price
The Encrouter VPN router is priced at £139.
Synology RT2600ac
The Synology RT2600ac VPN router has dual-band connectivity options and is equipped with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor to deliver fast and reliable performance. It is dual WAN capable, offering load balancing and failover support for enhanced network stability and reliability.
It also uses 4×4 802.11ac wave 2 radios and MU-MIMO technology to provide speeds up to 2.53Gbps to the connected devices. For device connectivity, the Smart Connect feature of the Wi-Fi router allows a seamless transition between maximum speed or range, depending on the user’s preferences.
Security features include hardware-accelerated Layer 7 traffic control and monitoring, VPN connection creation through WebVPN, Synology SSL VPN, and SSTP VPN. There are also extensive parental control features to protect your children from inappropriate content, and bandwidth prioritization allows users to choose the amount of bandwidth for specific tasks, such as gaming on a console.
Synology RT2600ac Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 698.5 grams |
Synology RT2600ac Pros ✅
- Easy to install and troubleshoot.
- Exceptional range, thanks to the Smart Connect feature.
- Detailed parental control provides safe browsing.
Synology RT2600ac Cons ❌
- Interface menu design is bland and clunky.
Synology RT2600ac Price
The Synology RT2600ac is priced at £164.39.
ExpressVPN Aircove
The Aircove VPN router is built exclusively by ExpressVPN, and brings all the benefits of the VPN software service to the home network. It offers dual-band WiFi speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps (600 Mbps for 2.4GHz, 1,200 Mbps for 5GHz) without VPN enabled.
Multiple devices connected to the Wi-Fi router are provided speeds of up to 180Mbps simultaneously. Users also have the ability to organize their favourite devices into groups, where each is assigned a specific VPN location, and all of them receive VPN protection.
In terms of range, the Aircove router covers up to 1,600 sq. ft. of area around the flat or house. Users have complete control of the router settings through a dashboard available on their desktop and smartphone. They can directly use the built-in VPN to connect to the network and hide their original IP address.
ExpressVPN Aircove Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 821 grams |
ExpressVPN Aircove Pros ✅
- An excellent choice for flexibility, thanks to 4 Ethernet ports.
- Router setup process is easy to complete.
- User panel is intuitive and allows for quick VPN access via a remote VPN server.
- Exclusive integration with ExpressVPN, which is a top-notch VPN service.
ExpressVPN Aircove Cons ❌
- Build quality is average and feels cheap.
ExpressVPN Aircove Price
The ExpressVPN Aircove is priced at £172.
ASUS RT-AX57
The ASUS RT-AX57 is VPN router with dual-band connectivity and supports the 802.11ax WiFi technology standard to deliver higher throughput and better efficiency. It also features 1024-QAM technology, providing a total networking speed of up to 3000Mbps.
Users with multiple device connections will benefit from the router’s MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies, enabling simultaneous communication through the Wi-Fi network. For additional features, the router protects the entire home network with AiProtection Classic, which is powered by Trend Micro.
When the user is away from home, ASUS’s Instant Guard feature provides a one-click VPN to secure the Wi-Fi network and hide your IP address. Additionally, the router’s range supports extension via more AiMesh-compatible routers. This is more in line with the requirements of power users, instead of casual ones.
ASUS RT-AX57 Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ax, 802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11g |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 371.3 grams |
ASUS RT-AX57 Pros ✅
- Range of the router is decent and provides excellent data transfer rate speeds.
- Feature-packed operation provides versatility to the user.
- Mobile app is easy to use and has an intuitive interface.
ASUS RT-AX57 Cons ❌
- Does not provide a USB 3.0 port.
ASUS RT-AX57 Price
The ASUS RT-AX57 is priced at £71.24.
Spitz GL-X750V2
The GL-X750V2 is an advanced version of Spitz GL-X750, a 4G LTE smart router. This router model is AT&T certified (AT&T IoT Data Plans), thereby making it a viable option for rural areas where there’s poor cell service. You’ll find a Quectel EC25-AFFA 4G module pre-installed in the router.
It comes pre-installed with OpenVPN and WireGuard, offering compatibility with over 30 VPN service providers. It can be used with micro SIM cards and is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile telecommunication companies.
The router also supports Cloudflare to protect your privacy and prevent eavesdropping and DNS data manipulation through man-in-the-middle attacks. It features OpenWrt/LEDE pre-installed and unlocked open-source capabilities.
Spitz GL-X750V2 Specifications
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Weight | 471.7 grams |
Spitz GL-X750V2 Pros ✅
- Provides decent connection and stability for smaller-sized homes, flats, or places with poor cell service.
- User interface is intuitive.
Spitz GL-X750V2 Cons ❌
- Takes a long time to boot.
- Limited memory space.
Spitz GL-X750V2 Price
The Spitz GL-X750V2 is priced at £105.
Best VPN Routers Comparison
| Product | Frequency Bands | Wireless Standard | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL.iNet GL-A1300 | 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11ac | 429 grams | £64 |
| ASUS AC1900 | 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11ac | 998 grams | £27.99 |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk | 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11ax | 617 grams | £109 |
| Encrouter | 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11ac | 439.4 grams | £139 |
| Synology RT2600ac | 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11ac | 698.5 grams | £164.39 |
| ExpressVPN Aircove | 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11ac | 821 grams | £172 |
| ASUS RT-AX57 | 5GHz, 2.4GHz | 802.11ax, 802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11g | 371.3 grams | £71.24 |
| Spitz GL-X750V2 | 3G, 4G LTE | 802.11ac | 471.7 grams | £105 |
How To Choose The Best VPN Router?
There are 7 main factors to consider when choosing a VPN router.
- Compatibility: Check if your router is compatible with multiple VPN protocols, such as SSL VPN and PPTP, as this will determine the level of security and online protection that you will receive. It’s recommended to use a VPN router that supports all the major VPN protocols.
- VPN Providers: Certain routers are compatible with specific VPN providers. For example, ExpressVPN Aircove is only compatible with ExpressVPN’s services. Check if the VPN router of your choice is compatible with any of the major VPN services or is certified by one particular VPN service.
- Security: A VPN router is used to maintain privacy and security. Therefore, there are a few advanced router features that your device should have for maximum security and online real time protection. The VPN router you buy should have features like firewall protection and malware scanning. It must also provide parental controls to ensure that children are kept away from malicious sites.
- QoS: Some VPN routers include Quality of Service (QoS) enhancements that allow the user to configure the router for specific tasks. Whether you’re streaming videos in 4K/8K from streaming services like Netflix or gaming online, such routers provide network settings that can be changed based on your requirements.
- Ease of Use: Your VPN router should be easy to set up through panel interfaces and should not require advanced technical knowledge to configure. The aim is to simplify the installation process for the router.
- Updates: A variety of routers provide automatic firmware updates. Check if your chosen VPN router has this functionality. This will ensure that your router is compatible with the latest WiFi connectivity protocols, thereby increasing its lifespan.
- Device Support: The router must be able to connect with multiple devices while the VPN service is in use. It should not experience performance issues while providing simultaneous connection to devices like smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, or smart TVs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, VPN routers are an excellent choice for users who want an advanced level of online privacy and security. These routers also enable users to utilize VPN services, which in turn gives users access to online content that is georestricted. They will also provide higher VPN connectivity speeds when compared to a normal router that is connected to a third-party VPN service.
No, most routers that are provided by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) don’t support VPN. However, users can combine the modems from ISPs with a router that supports VPN to take full advantage of the VPN service. Most ISP routers don’t allow users to change or configure any of the settings; even simpler settings like the DNS cannot be changed without advanced technical knowledge.
There are plenty of routers that support VPN clients. Some notable entries include the NETGEAR Nighthawk, ASUS RT-AX57, and the TP-Link AX3000. Other manufacturers, like Linksys provide routers that are compatible with multiple VPN services.