vpn-router

If you're thinking about change router, you should consider buying one that is compatible with VPN services. Thus, you can centrally configure the VPN service on it and all the devices you connect to your WiFi network (Smart TV, PC, mobile devices, IoT,...) will be protected. Of course, with the new routers you can also get better speeds and more coverage if you choose the right one.

In general, most people are happy with the one provided by their Internet service provider, but these are usually very basic, and some come with a default configuration that you may not be interested in. In this article you will know everything you need to choose VPN router and you will also see some recommended models.

Recommended VPN Router Models

Between The VPN router models that have the best features, we recommend you choose one of these:

Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

Es one of the best routers that you can find in the market, not only for its compatibility to allow VPN tunnels that use IPSec, L2TP or PPTP technologies. In addition, it offers incredible features even for business use. Its software is extremely flexible and from the first moment it will leave you shocked by its speed.

It is a router with beamforming and MU-MIMO technology to support several simultaneous links and that all the devices connected at the same time can have a good stream of data. Their Smart Wi-Fi It will provide great coverage throughout the room thanks to its 4 adjustable external dipole antennas, and with maximum speeds of 600 Mbps for the 2.4Ghz frequency band, and up to 2.6 Gbps for the 5Ghz band.

It is compatible with OpenWRT and DD-WRT open source software. In terms of connectivity, it also has a port USB 2.0 / eSATA and one USB 3.0 port. If you want to mount it on the wall, you should know that it can be placed both flat and hung on it.

Asus RT-AC86U

It is a super router compatible with VPN, but especially designed for gaming. So if you love playing your favorite video games online, this ASUS is one of the best models you can find. In addition, it has many similarities with the previous one, such as that it is MU-MIMO, it has USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, etc.

Es compatible with AiMesh, to connect ASUS routers and create a mesh network for the entire home or office. This way you can take coverage to the farthest corners of the main router. However, its three powerful external addressable antennas already provide coverage that can be superior to that of many routers provided by Internet companies. In addition, its AiRadar and Range Boost technologies will cover even the most difficult areas with a single router.

Triple-VLAN function, compatible with triple-play services (Internet, IP Voice and TV), with the ability to manage IP addresses automatically, and with OpenVPN server and client for added security. And if that's not enough for you, it has AiProtection by Trend Micro technology to protect your connected devices.

Its WTFast technology and Adaptive QoS will speed up your video games to avoid the dreaded lag. Therefore, you can easily enjoy lag-free 4K streaming and online gaming, as long as your connection is fast.

Su AC2900 chip It brings very fast speeds, with NitroQAM technology to perform very well even on the most overloaded home networks. Being Dual-Band, in the 5Ghz band it will reach up to 2167 Mbps and for 2.4Ghz up to 750Mbps when NitroQAM works its magic...

Asus RT-AC5300

In this more advanced model than the previous one, if it is not enough. In this case, it is also designed for video games, and shares many of the features and technologies with the previous one. It supports the 802.11ac WiFi standard with a combined tri-band data rate of 5334 Mbps, reaching 4334 Mbps for the 5Ghz band and up to 1000 Mbps for the 2.4Ghz thanks to the technology of its Broadcom NitroQAM chips.

Of course it is MU-MIMO and supports AiRadar, to improve its coverage and performance for each connected device. In this case, you have up to 8 antennas external addressable for maximum coverage. And if you need even more because you have several floors or want to cover a large area, it is compatible with Ai-Mesh to create a mesh network.

If you want more details to convince you, it is compatible with several platforms, it accepts VPN, it has GPN technology for speed up video games and lower the ping time, its Link Aggregation technology makes access faster, and its adaptive QoS will prioritize devices that run video games so that if any other user or device connects to WiFi it won't hinder your game.

Linksys WRT32X Gaming

It is another of the great models of the Linksys firm, and especially designed for gamers. It accepts dual band with high speeds thanks to its AC3200 chips. Of course, it's MU-MIMO and thanks to the Killer Prioritization Engine technology it will be able to speed up video games and prevent other connected devices from slowing down your most interesting games.

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Its coverage is very good, thanks to its 4 external addressable antennas high perfomance. So there will be no problems with those corners and rooms a little further away. In addition to WiFi connectivity, it also has Esata, USB 3.0, and RJ-54 or Gigabit Ethernet ports in case you need a wired connection.

According to its manufacturer, the technology of this router is capable of offering lower ping for multiplayer video games, and a much more fluid gameplay. Specifically, it is capable of reducing the slowest ping peaks by up to 77%.

Netgear Nighthawk X4S

Netgear is a brand especially dedicated to network devices, with some very interesting routers. Specifically his nighthawk model It is well known for its wonderful features. In this case it has a fairly decent price, with an AC2600 chip with dual band support, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 2x USB and 1 eSATA.

It can achieve great coverage thanks to its 4 steerable antennas, up to 160 m². Of course, it's also MU-MIMO, and it has dynamic QoS. As for the speed, it can reach up to 800+1733 Mbps when it works in dual band. Its powerful internal processor and its firmware are real wonders.

It not only supports VPN, it also accepts smart parental control, in case there are little ones at home. All easily controlled from the Nighthawk app, which will also allow you to easily configure other router settings.

Synology RT2600AC

Another of the great products that you can find on the market if you want a VPN is this router from Synology, another of the greats along with the above. Like the previous ones, it also accepts 4×4 MU-MIMO links thanks to its omnidirectional high-gain dipole antennas. It works in frequencies of 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. In addition, it includes an RJ-45 Gigabit LAN port, SD card reader, and USB.

All designed to offer you the best experience on the Internet. With very high performance thanks to its 1.73 Gbps for 5Ghz and its 800 Mbps for its 2.4Ghz.

and to be calmer and safer at home or in the office, it has a host of features and settings for security. In addition to accepting VPNs (IPSec, T2TP, PPTP, OpenVPN, SSL VPN, WebVPN, SSTP), it also has advanced parental controls, safe search, and a threat intelligence database.

How to choose a good router?

For choose a good router You have to take into account some important points, that way, you will not make a mistake in your purchase:

  • Wireless Protocol (802.11): it is important that it accepts the new wireless protocols so that it achieves the highest possible speeds. It shouldn't be 802.11n, as they are pretty far behind these days. It should be at least 802.11ac or higher, such as 802.11ax. 60Ghz WiFi routers should also arrive soon under the 802.11ay standard.
  • chipset: It is important that you have a good chipset so that it offers good performance. Although the manufacturers of the equipment are ASUS, Netgear, D-Link, etc., the chipsets are in the hands of very few companies, and in general, regardless of the brand, they will use chips provided by companies such as Qualcomm, Cisco, Realtek, Marvell, Broadcom, Samsung, Intel, etc. I prefer the Broadcom ones, like some of the models that I have previously recommended.
  • QoS service: It is important because it is the system that prioritizes when sharing a wireless connection when there are several devices connected. Thanks to this, video games will have priority over less important conventional applications.
  • firmwareNote: Many router vendors neglect this part, and it's a danger. Therefore, it is interesting that you choose a router whose firmware has frequent updates. Updates can not only remove software bugs, in addition to bugs they could also fix security issues and bring better performance.
  • MU-MIMO: stands for Multi-User Multi Input Multi Output. If supported, you can transfer more efficiently when multiple devices are connected simultaneously, with up to four streams (for 802.11n) or up to 8 streams (for 802.11ac). In this way, when there are several requesting a signal from your router, you will not have to take turns attending to the communications one by one.
  • Number of antennas: it is not only related to the above, they also allow to have more coverage, better if they are external. You already know that 2.4 Ghz frequency is more penetrating and reaches farther, but it is not as fast as 5Ghz. But if the router has more than 2 external antennas, coverage should not be a serious problem if there are not too many obstacles in your house. If you don't always have left to use amplifiers or meshes...
  • Security: In general, most routers today, even cheap ones, are pretty evenly matched in this regard. They should all accept at least WPA2 encryption, as WEP and WPA are currently considered less secure. Of course, if you include other additional services or technologies, such as parental control, VPN support, etc., all the better.
  • Additional ports: In general, it could be interesting if it had an RJ-45 or Gigabit Ethernet in case you want to test with cable or have a device that does not support wireless. But, in some models other ports like USB, eSATA, etc. are also added.
  • Compatibility: Although most are compatible with all operating systems, you should look in the specifications if they guarantee that it is compatible with your operating system (Windows, Linux, macOS, …), especially if they have any additional management software.

Types of VPN routers

vpn router

There are various types of VPN router that you should know, since it will depend on whether or not they are compatible:

  • VPN Compatible Routers: They are compatible with VPN, and cheaper, but with a somewhat longer setup time.
  • Pre-configured VPN routers: they have a much simpler configuration and with minimal effort. It will be ready to use, but it is somewhat more expensive.
  • VPN routers with manual flashing: You can update your current router and look for a cheap way to improve it, although it involves risks and knowledge to do so.

Why buy a VPN router?

It is a good option to avoid having to install a client for each device you have at home and that you want connect to a VPN. In this case, as the router, which is the access point with the “outside” (Internet) implements it, all the devices that connect to it will be protected under the VPN.

This is especially interesting when you have chosen a VPN that does not have a client compatible with your operating system or with certain devices, such as a Smart TV, IoT, home automation, etc. By having the router with VPN, everything that connects through it will be using encrypted traffic, which is the safest of all.

You just set up your VPN on the router, and you can securely connect with your PC, SmarTV, mobile devices, etc. A centralized way to do it...

Do they already come with the VPN or do I need to pay for it separately?

One of the biggest mistakes When buying a router, it is to think that you buy the equipment and you already have an active VPN connection. It is not like that, you must configure it so that the VPN is active. The simple fact of buying one of these models and connecting with it will not make you protected.

Therefore, you have to follow a few simple steps that will allow you to activate your VPN service on the chosen router. That means you will have to pay for a VPN service to a provider...

Our favorite VPNs

nordvpn

NordVPN

From3, 10 €
cyber ghost

CyberGhost

From2, 75 €
Surfshark

Surfshark

From1, 79 €

What is the best VPN for these routers?

Between everyone VPN services analyzed on this page, to use with a router, I recommend that you look in their download area if they have a client or a simple way to configure the service for a router, and not only for other operating systems.

To help you choose, the three recommended VPN services are:

  • NordVPN: one of the most complete and cheap services you can buy. With military-grade AES-256 OpenVPN security, tremendous speed with 5100+ servers spread across many countries, the ability to unblock streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc., as well as P2P and torrent downloads , good support service, and with instructions for its configuration in firmwares such as DD-WRT, Tomato, pfSense, and OpenWRT.
  • ExpressVPN: another of the best services, with extreme speed, and custom VPN apps for routers of the Linksys, Netgear and ASUS brands, with Tomato and DD-WRT firmwares. It supports working to unblock content from streaming services, torrent and P2P support, and very good security.
  • SaferVPN: It is another of the recommended services if you do not like the previous ones. It has guides to configure the VPN in up to 20 different routers, and of course it accepts streaming, torrenting, it is fast and secure.

Our favorite VPNs

nordvpn

NordVPN

From3, 10 €

CyberGhost

From2, 75 €

Surfshark

From1, 79 €