A VPN router is a Wi-Fi router with a VPN installed on it. Some routers come pre-installed with this feature; others require a manual install. Most VPN routers cover the whole network under the VPN umbrella, while the more advanced ones let you manage your VPN connections separately.
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The best VPN routers for your home in 2023
- Compatible with all devices
- Allows unlimited connections
- Secures your entire household
What is a VPN router?
Top 5 VPN routers for your home
If you’re looking for the best VPN routers for home use, you landed at the right place!
1. InvizBox 2 VPN router
Pros:
- Surfshark-ready
- Very easy to use
- Multiple VPN hotspots
- Automatic security and feature updates
- Open-source
Cons:
- 2 Ethernet ports
The InvizBox 2 VPN stands out because it is configured for Surfshark — setting up a VPN router has never been this easy.
2. Vilfo
Pros:
- Allows split tunneling
- Comes with the needed Surfshark configurations
- Easy to operate
- Fast even with a VPN connection
Cons:
- Supports dual-band, but only one can be active at a time
Vilfo VPN router is an excellent option with Surfshark with its blazing speed and easy setup. All the needed Surfshark installations are already prepared for you.
3. Synology RT2600AC
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Easy to use
- Many ports
Cons:
- Not that cheap
Synology RT2600AC is a wonderful VPN router for home use. It offers excellent speed and great connections.
4. Asus RT-AC86U AC2900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router
Pros:
- Good speed
- Gaming-optimized
Cons:
- May be difficult to set up
Whether you’re a video streaming or online gaming fan, the Asus RT-AC86U router is an excellent choice.
5. GLiNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Smart Router “Mango”
Pros:
- Cheap
- Small and mobile
- Easy VPN setup
Cons:
- Limited Wi-Fi speed
- No multi-antenna benefits
It’s a tiny router that easily fits in your pocket. It’s also very easy to configure for Surfshark VPN.
Why do you need a VPN router?
You have multiple reasons to want (and need) a VPN router. Here are a few of them:
Protect your entire household
Have some guests over and don’t want their devices to be a security risk to your network? With a VPN router, you won’t need to worry. It protects every device connected to it. You’ll be secure without taking extra steps using your home Wi-Fi.
Relax with an easy-to-use connection
Setting up every device in your household sounds exhausting? You’re in luck! You only need to set up a VPN router once, and then you can forget about it. Stop worrying about changing settings or pressing the same button over and over to ensure everyone is protected.
Get 24/7 VPN security
Worried your kids won’t pay attention to security risks? Worry no more: a VPN router means you never have to turn it on yourself. You are protected the moment you connect to the VPN router’s network.
Secure devices that aren’t compatible
Your phones, laptops, and TVs might have easy-to-use apps, but what about your Smart fridge or Alexa? If they're connected to the internet, they can be hacked. Since you can't install VPN apps on them, here's your best solution: a VPN router that covers everything.
How to choose a VPN router and what to look for?
Get yourself a VPN-compatible router and look for these specifications:
Frequency
The 2.4 GHz band provides a slower Wi-Fi connection, but it’s stronger and goes further. The 5 GHz one is the band that enables high-quality streaming, but it’s weaker.
Speed
The higher the speed on any given band, the faster your connection will be. The listed 2.4 GHz speeds will always be lower than 5 GHz, though some routers might be better at one band than the other.
Wireless sophistication
A good router supports the 802.11ac standard and features “multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output” that efficiently splits bandwidth between multiple devices.
Ease of use
Install wizards and apps are vital — installing and controlling a router via a modern web interface is much better and easier.
Ports
They’re important for those who want to fully use a router’s functionality by connecting other devices and peripherals.
Internet provider compatibility
Before buying a new router, ensure it works with your internet service provider. This is self-explanatory but very important.
How to set up your VPN router?
The short side of it — follow these steps to set up a VPN on your router:
- Type in your IP address into your web browser’s address bar;
- Configure your OpenVPN client. This step might differ depending on what router you’re rocking;
- Go to advanced settings and locate the VPN tab;
- Enable the OpenVPN option and connect to the VPN.
Keep in mind that details may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer. So here are some step-by-step guides to keep you in the know.
- DD-WRT
- OpenWRT
- AsusWRT
- Tomato
- pfSense 2.4.4
- Sabai
- Synology NAS
- Linksys
- Netduma R1
- QNAP
- Mikrotik
- GL.iNet 3.x firmware
- GL.iNet 2.x firmware
And that’s not all of them. If you can’t find your router on our list — reach out to our customer support team, and they’ll be able to help.
If you wish to learn more about installing a VPN on a router in general, then we’ve got you covered!
Try it out with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee!
If you’re still unsure whether Surfshark would work with your router, you can always test it. With our 30-day money-back guarantee, you can enjoy the full benefits of a premium subscription with no risk. Didn’t work with your router? Wasn’t the right solution for you? You can always say no and get a refund.
FAQ
Are VPN routers any good?
VPN routers are good for encrypting the whole network and protecting your devices that aren’t VPN-compatible.
If you’re asking if a VPN-oriented router is any good, then there’s one thing to remember. Manual VPN installation requires deeper knowledge of how routers work because one mistake can damage a router irreparably. So VPN-oriented routers may save you time, money, and the struggle of installing a VPN manually.
And if you’re asking, “Are VPN routers worth it?” — for some, not really, but for security-conscious people, it’s better to stay safe than be sorry afterward. So, to each their own.
What are the limitations of VPN routers?
Router setups aren’t perfect. There are a few downsides to be aware of:
- The setup may be tricky;
- Switching the VPN server on a router isn’t as easy as using an app on your device;
- It doesn’t protect the connection to the router.
What routers work with Surfshark VPN?
Here are our support team’s best compatible routers picks:
- NetDuma R1 — easy to configure;
- ASUS routers: RT-N56U, RT-AC86U, DSL-AC51, RT-AC3200, AC68U, RT-N66U, AC66U, AC52U, RT-AC51U, AX88U, Rapture GT-AC2900.
Do I need a special router for a VPN connection?
Not really. Some routers cannot support VPN connections, but most of them are outdated anyway. Chances are, the router you have at home already supports VPNs.
How do you know if your router supports VPNs?
You can always check online by searching your router model and specifications. For example, most routers that can run OpenVPN can support a Surfshark connection. And, as we mentioned above, there are VPN routers that come with Surfshark pre-installed and configured.
Can I use a VPN router with multiple devices?
Yes, you can access a VPN router network with separate devices. That’s actually the intended purpose of a VPN router — to have network-wide encryption so that every device at your home is secured.