5 Best VPN Routers for 2021
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2021, September 24 12 min reading
Sure, you can download VPN apps to protect your smartphone and laptop. But what about all the other things in your house? How about your IoT refrigerator, robot vacuum, and your smart TV? There is a way to secure it all at once.
You can do this by getting a good VPN capable router. A VPN-enabled router will broadcast a truly encrypted and secure signal. With that in mind, we have put together a list of the best VPN router options for you in 2021.
What is a VPN router?
A VPN router is a router that the VPN is running on. Such a router is capable of supporting a VPN client (not all) and one is set up on it. Once a VPN client is running on a router, every device that uses it to connect to the Internet will be automatically protected by the VPN.
Why do you need a VPN router at home?
There are many good reasons to have a VPN router in your home:
- Encrypt all your traffic at once
- Hide your home IP
- Maintain your privacy when streaming your favorite content
- Protect every device in your home without setting it up individually
- Enable VPN features for devices where VPN cannot be installed
- Protect family and friends as soon as they connect to your router – no need to check them individually
What is important when choosing a VPN router?
What is necessary in a VPN router? Mostly the same things are important for any router. But here are the specifications we considered the most important when choosing a VPN compatible router:
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repeat: |
The 2.4GHz band offers slower Wi-Fi, but it’s stronger and goes further. 5 GHz is the band that allows higher quality streaming, but is weaker. |
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Speed: |
The higher the speed in any given range, the faster your connection will be. The 2.4GHz speeds listed will always be lower than 5GHz, although some routers may be better in one range than the other. |
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Wireless Evolution: |
A good modem supports 802.11ac and features MU-MIM to efficiently handle bandwidth between multiple devices. |
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Ease of use: |
Installing wizards and applications is vital – installing and controlling the router via a modern web interface is much better than using something like MS DOS. |
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Ports: |
Important for those who want to take full advantage of the router’s functionality by connecting other devices and peripherals. |
With this in mind, you will be able to easily compare the routers on our list (and in your daily life). Check if any of the items listed below catch your eye!
5 Best VPN Routers for Home
1. InvizBox 2 VPN Router
WiFi speed: Dual SIM 867Mbps and 150Mbps
Wireless Specifications: 802.11ac and 802.11n
MU-MIMO: Yes
Antennas: 3
LAN ports: 2
External ports: 1 x USB 2.0
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VPN InvizBox 2 stands out on this list because it already comes configured for Surfshark – yes, they do share that list with us. An existing Surfshark user will need to be logged in, and this will be the end of their VPN setup phase. The router is already configured for Surfshark. You just need to enter your credentials, and you are ready to go.
The developers built InvizBox 2 from the ground up with a VPN in mind, so it has many rather unique features. For example, you can set up multiple Wi-Fi hotspots with a different VPN endpoint. This means that you can set up different hotspots for your Smart TV and Smartphone.
InvizBox 2 is also very useful, as it automatically updates itself with security updates and new Surfshark VPN server lists. It also features parental controls and the ability to set up a hotspot for kids.
Attention: Unlike the Invizbox 2 VPN router, the rest of the routers on the list do not come pre-configured (they are set up with a VPN). You will need to get a VPN and install it on the router yourself. We provide guides for setting up Surfshark on a router.
2. Synology RT2600AC
Speed: 2.4GHz: 800Mbps; 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps.
Wireless Specifications: 802.11ac
MU-MIMO: Yes
Antennas: 4
LAN ports: 4
External ports: 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x SD
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Synology RT2600AC is a VPN router for home use. It’s a great router on its own that offers excellent speed and great connections. The Synology RT2600AC makes best use of the 802.11ac standard. It operates in a 4-stream (4×4) setting, ensuring high speeds. MU-MIMO allows efficient bandwidth use.
The Synology RT2600AC has a dummy operating system that you can access online. You can control a lot of its functions via this desktop-like platform. Also, Synology has gone to great lengths to provide documentation for this router. Handbooks and help articles are easy to find and read.
The router has an app store dedicated to plug-ins that extend its functionality. If you are an advanced user, you will appreciate the SD port. Use it to expand the storage space available in the router if necessary. It also won’t be difficult to turn your Synology RT2600AC into a NAS server – just add a hard drive and download the appropriate package.
3. Asus RT-AC86U AC2900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router
Speed: 2.4GHz: 750Mbps; 5 GHz: 2167 Mbps.
Wireless Specifications: 802.11ac
MU-MIMO: Yes
Antennas: 4
LAN ports: 4
External ports: 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0
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Whether you are a fan of video streaming or online gaming, the Asus RT-AC86U router is an excellent choice. It is a powerful router with MU-MIMO technology and supports a variety of VPN protocols.
As a mid-range VPN router, it has a respectable top speed of 2167Mbps on the 5GHz band and 750Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. Setup is also easy: you can use the setup wizard or do it manually.
The Asus RT-AC86U Router offers excellent all-round performance. In addition to the VPN, it comes with Trend Micro protection from infected clients and malicious hacks.
If you are looking for a mid-range router that will not lower your internet speed while using a VPN service, then the Asus RT-AC86U is the best choice.
4. GLiNet GL-MT300N-V2 “Mango” Mini Smart Router
Speed: 2.4GHz: 300Mbps
Wireless Specifications: 802.11 b/g/n
MU-MIMO: No
Antennas: 1
LAN ports: 1
External ports: 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x MicroUSB
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That cute yellow number is the GLiNet GL-MT300N-V2 Smart Mini Router – also the more marketing-friendly name of “Mango”. It’s a compact router, weighing only 1.4 ounces (39 grams) and easily fits in your pocket. It is also very easy to configure with Surfshark VPN.
Of course, Mango has to sacrifice a thing or two to be small or cheap. The Wi-Fi signal does not provide much speed and only comes over the 2.4GHz band. The benefits of multiple antennas or ports are often lost. However, many of these things aren’t completely necessary in a modem meant for navigation and for turning unsecured local networks into secure Wi-Fi hotspots (by installing a VPN on the router, of course).
5. Asus RT-AC5300 AC5300 Tri-Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router
Speed: 2.4GHz: 1000Mbps; 5 GHz: 2167 Mbps.
Wireless Specifications: 802.11ac
MU-MIMO: Yes
Antennas: 8
LAN ports: 4
External ports: 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0
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Asus RT-AC5300 is not working VPN router. It contains a huge amount of antennas – eight of them. It’s also loaded with all the modern features you could hope for, and one that should satisfy the most demanding of homes.
It’s a fast router: the 5GHz band offers speeds up to 2167Mbps, and it can go up to 1000Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. The eight antennas are there to enable tri-band transmission and reception (ie two 5 GHz and 1 GHz). Combine that with MU-MIMO and features like ASUS Smart connect, and you’ll have great connections no matter how many devices you have at home.
As expected with a high-end router, it is loaded with advanced management and basic settings. The Asus RT-AC5300 is an excellent choice for HD video streaming or online gaming.
What are the limitations of VPN routers?
Now, it’s not all sunny and rainbows when it comes to VPN routers. There are several downsides to consider:
- Setup can be tricky: if you didn’t buy a pre-booted router with a VPN installed, you’ll have to do it yourself. This involves a bit more technical work than the average user is used to.
- You trade a bit of control: This basically means that switching a VPN server on a router isn’t as easy as when using an app on your device. It doesn’t matter much when it comes to security, but it can be inconvenient when you hide your IP address.
- It does not protect the connection to the router: This is a small issue, but the VPN router only starts encrypting your data when you reach the router. It can still be intercepted unencrypted as it travels from the device to the router. This is not a huge threat, to do this, the intruder must be very close to your home.
Now that you are aware of the benefits and drawbacks of using a VPN router, you can make your choice in the matter. How about some recommendations to start with?
Bonus: Our Support Team Recommendations
The Surfshark support team has a lot of experience working with our clients. So, we have VPN router recommendations chosen especially for you:
- NetDuma R1 – Easy to configure.
- Asus: RT-N56U, RT-AC86U, DSL-AC51, RT-AC3200, AC68U, RT-N66U, AC66U, AC52U, RT-AC51U, AX88U, Rapture GT-AC2900
Do you already have a router that supports VPN? You can always check online by searching for your router model and checking the specifications. If so, you can turn it into a VPN hotspot by getting Surfshark. Due to our unlimited devices policy, you will be able to cover not only your router but also the devices you take with you while you are away from your safe home.
Don’t want to set up a VPN on the router yourself? There are routers that come with Surfshark installed and preconfigured.
Secure your router today
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written by
Martinas Klimas
Knowing as much about VPN as it is healthy for someone who is not a VPN developer
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