5 Best VPN Routers 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

There are times when you need to create a virtual private network. Whether you’re a gamer, someone who works with sensitive information, or just want to boost your online security, you’ll need to invest in a VPN router.

Depending on your needs, the price of VPN routers may vary, which is why we have included five different ones.

We’ve searched the internet for the best VPN router, and these are our favorites.

5 Best VPN Routers 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

NETGEAR R6700 Nighthawk AC1750 AC1750 Dual Band VPN Router – Best Overall

The first VPN router on our list is the popular NetGear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750. 

It’s well known in the industry as possibly the best VPN router for big houses that don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars. 

The reason it is so effective for home use is that it has a 1GHz Dual Core processor which is designed to handle over 12 separate devices with Wi-Fi connection.

Any modern parent will know just how this will come in handy when you have kids upstairs playing tables and game consoles, and you want to connect to the internet downstairs.

It can process up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency band and up to 1300 on 5GHz. 

While this speed is not the best in its class, it is sufficient 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.

Clearly this VPN router is designed for gaming and streaming video. 

Bandwidth takes priority for this use and you can get the fast Wi-Fi speeds currently available. 

Serious gamers may want more versatility from their VPN router, but for family use this is ideal. 

Not only can everyone log in at the same time, your family will also be safe from phishing and malware.

We also really like the design of this router. Not only does it look great, but it also has a very wide and sturdy base that prevents it from tipping over. 

On the base, they even included a rubber mat so that it doesn’t slip on smooth surfaces.

Linksys WRT WRT AC3200 Dual Band VPN Router – Easy to Use

The Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router is a big step up from the first VPN router we featured. 

Before we get into the good stuff about this router, let’s cover a few issues first. 

A lot of people have a problem with the console’s design, complaining that it feels like a decade out of date. 

We agree that this is not the most modern router, but it might turn some people off. 

The other main complaint is that the 2.4GHz speeds aren’t that impressive, considering the price.

Now for the good times. First of all, this router is renowned for its extremely fast speeds of 5 GHz. 

If you already have a fast internet connection and want to get the most out of it, this VPN router can definitely handle it. 

The other main advantage is the speed with which it can transfer the files.

It also has MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Input Multiple Output) technologies. 

If you are unfamiliar with this, it basically means that you can connect multiple devices to the internet at the same speed. 

Unlike older routers, your connection speed is not affected by the number of connected devices.

Another thing that comes up often in positive reviews of this product is the fact that you can install third-party firmware. 

This might not be of a huge benefit to the average user, it will be a huge selling point for tech geeks looking for a VPN connection that is completely customizable. 

In summary, we don’t necessarily recommend this VPN router for people looking for an easy way to create a VPN. 

But if you know what you’re doing, it’s really impressive. For more high-quality products like this, check out our guide to the best 3-bolt gold docks.

TP-Link AC1750 AC1750 Smart WiFi Router – Dual Band

If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, you should consider the TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router. 

It’s considerably cheaper than the VPN routers we’ve reviewed so far, but you can expect some drop in quality too. 

The reason we have decided to include this type of router in our list is that it is reasonably priced for an AC1750 router that offers this type of performance. 

As is the case with cheaper routers, it delivers impressive performance at close range. 

When you are in the room with it, you should have no problem reaching speeds of 450mbps -; 1300Mbps of which it is capable. 

And it can be increased to 1750Mbps. However, the connection is quite spotty at long range and you can expect dead zones in rooms far from the router. 

The other main drawback is that the file transfer speed is really low, due to the fact that it is still equipped with USB 2.0 technology.

But it’s not all bad news. It has four LAN ports, which means you have fast access to up to four wired devices. 

This makes it an absolutely ideal option for a couple or a small family who don’t need the reliable connectivity of a MU-MIMO capable router. 

It’s also very easy to install, which makes a nice change from some of the more expensive VPN routers. 

If you’re serious about your connection speed and have a lot of devices, this router probably isn’t going to cut it. 

But for small households, it’s perfect. To always have a perfect signal in your home, take a look at our top picks of wifi extensions.

TP-Link Archer C50 1200Mbps AC WiFi Router – Frequency Band

The TP-Link AC1200 Smart Wi-Fi Router is the cheapest VPN router for home use on our list. 

At under $ 50, it’s almost certainly one of the cheapest on the market. 

Granted, it’s an entry-level AC1200 router, but don’t let that put you off because it’s perfect for small homes and apartments. 

If you’re looking for a VPN router that can confidently cover a large house, look elsewhere now.

Since this is an entry-level router, it is very light in terms of additional features. 

But there are two things we really like. First of all, it has four LAN ports, so if you can have it alongside your primary devices, you can get guaranteed high speeds at all times. 

And the second thing we love is the fact that it has MU-MIMO technology. 

This means that the rest of your devices can enjoy the same speed, without being affected by the number of connected devices. 

For a router with a built-in VPN in this price range, this is an impressive feature. 

Of course, because this router is designed primarily for apartments, it is not very efficient at long range.

One of the main reasons we have included this router is because it is very easy to install. 

It is not designed for people who are tech-savvy, which is why easy installation is essential. 

Plus, if you get stuck, TP-link offers 24/7 support. 

Be sure to also check out our guide to the best network storage devices for more amazing products like this.

ASUS GT-AC5300 Gaming Router – Best Compatible

The Asus Gaming Router is all about speed. This is a high-end AC5300 router which is a notable improvement over anything we’ve featured so far -; but this improvement is accompanied by a significant increase in the price. However, if you are serious about fast and secure internet, you certainly won’t be disappointed with this router. One of the best things about this type of router is the fact that the performance is just as good, if not better, at long range. Gone are the days when you had to sit right next to the router for peak performance.

The reason for this incredible performance is the fact that it has tri-band Wi-Fi (dual 5 GHz, single 2.4 GHz). 

This means that it can reach a maximum speed of 5334 Mbps and has a coverage of 5,000 square meters. 

Basically, he’s an absolute monster. It is powered by a 1.8GHz Quad-Core 64-bit processor, which maximizes data throughput.

We could talk for hours about the performance of this gaming router and it never ceases to amaze. 

One thing that seems to polarize opinions about her is her appearance. For gamers, it fits their large and powerful gaming systems.

But for the average user, it stands out a bit. It’s by far the biggest router on this list and it has eight massive antennas sticking out of the base. 

We could go on with the features, but instead we’ll just say this router is going to change your experience as a gamer forever. 

The performance is unmatched. However, if you’re just looking for a VPN router for normal home appliances, it’s probably overpriced.

Buying Guide

Brand – There are a few very well known brands in this industry such as NetGear and TP-Link. 

However, when we choose products for our buying guides, we look beyond the brand name and take a more in-depth look at the features and quality of the product.

Feedback – No matter what product we write about, we always check our customer’s feedback. 

It’s a fantastic way to experience how a product works in the real world. 

For example, with VPN routers, they all work in a perfect environment. 

But when you bring them home, there are all kinds of variables to consider.

Price – Not everyone has the same budget when it comes to building a VPN. 

The amount of money you need to spend on a VPN router depends on your online security needs. 

For example, gamers may want more power and versatility than a normal internet user.

Features to look for in a VPN router

Security – Security is paramount for anyone considering purchasing a VPN router. 

Creating a VPN allows users to send and share information as if their computers were connected directly to a private network. 

It makes your computer less vulnerable to ransom attacks, keeps your data encrypted, and hides your activity.

Software – In addition to a VPN router, you will need VPN software to create the network. 

Most of the VPN routers on this list come with the corresponding software from a VPN service provider.

Third Party Software (DD-WRT and Tomato) – If you are not satisfied with the software, you can opt for some third party software such as DD-WRT and Tomato.

Wireless Standard – This is a set of standards created in the 1990s and constantly updated. 

Make sure the VPN router you choose matches the correct wireless standards.

Amount of Band – In wireless networks, band is the range and speed of the connection. The higher the band, the faster and farther the connection.

MIMO – MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) means you can have high speed access on multiple devices at the same time.

Connectivity – Connectivity is the key when it comes to VPN routers. Always check the different connectivity options.