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VPN routers for your home

  • Compatible with all devices that connect to routers
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Your entire household secured with one device
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What is a VPN router?

A VPN router is a regular Wi-Fi router with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) installed on it, providing a VPN connection to all devices on its network.

Some routers come pre-installed with a VPN; others require a manual installation. To install a VPN on a router, you’ll need to flash the router firmware. Whether you can flash the router you already have depends on the make and model.

While most VPN routers cover the whole network under the VPN umbrella, the more advanced ones let you manage your VPN connections separately. Either way, they provide VPN service without needing to install VPN software on each connected device.

What is a VPN router?

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Top 5 VPN routers for your home

If you’re looking for the best VPN routers for home use, you landed in the right place!

1. ASUS RT-AX88U Pro

Pros:

  • Super fast speeds
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Gaming-friendly
  • Built-in VPN support and security features
  • Stable performance

Cons:

  • No Wi-Fi 6E support

The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro router is an excellent choice for those who value security and want to integrate Surfshark VPN into their network quickly and easily. 

ASUS RT-AX88U

2. ASUS AX3000

Pros:

  • Simple setup and management
  • Easy VPN installation
  • Fast and stable connection
  • Dual-band performance

Cons:

  • One USB port

The Asus RT-AX3000 offers reliable performance, wide coverage, and network security with built-in VPN support. In minutes, you can get Surfshark VPN on all your devices.

ASUS AX3000

3. ASUS RT-AX86U

Pros:

  • Powerful performance
  • VPN support and VPN Fusion
  • Advanced security features

Cons:

  • No wall-mounting option

With its fast speeds and effortless VPN setup, the ASUS RT-AX86U is a great option for privacy-conscious users and homes with high internet demands.

ASUS RT-AX86U

4. GLiNet GL-AR300M

Pros:

  • Compact and portable
  • Pre-installed VPN support
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Limited range

The GL.iNet GL-AR300M is a great option for those who travel or work remotely and want to prioritize VPN use.

GLiNet GL-AR300M

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

“Mango” is a tiny router that easily fits in your pocket. It’s also very easy to configure for Surfshark VPN.

GLiNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Smart Router “Mango”

If you’re looking to get these routers or would like to browse more, check out what FlashRouters has to offer — the listed routers support Surfshark VPN and can even be preconfigured with it for your convenience.

Why do you need a VPN router?

You might want (or need) a VPN router for multiple reasons. Here are a few of them:

Relax with an easy-to-use connection

Does setting up every device in your household sound exhausting? You’re in luck — with a VPN router, you only need to set it up once, and then you can forget about it. No more worrying about changing settings or pressing the same button repeatedly to ensure all your devices are protected!

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. You’ll be secure using your home Wi-Fi without taking any extra steps.

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 on the VPN  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/bands

The 2.4 GHz band provides a slower Wi-Fi connection, but it’s stronger and goes further. The 5 GHz band enables high-quality streaming, but it’s weaker. It’s best to look for a dual-band VPN router for broader device compatibility.

Installation process

Look for a VPN router that’s easy and quick to set up. Consider installation wizards and apps — installing and controlling a router via a modern web interface is more convenient and easier.

Performance

Your router should support the number of devices on your network without losing speed and cover the whole area. It should preferably have multi-gig ports and support MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output).

VPN compatibility

Ensure that the router you choose is not only VPN-compatible but also supports VPN protocols and the VPN provider you want to use.

Internet provider compatibility

This may seem obvious and self-explanatory to some, but it’s very important that before buying a new router, you confirm it works with your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Affordability

Make sure to pick a router within your budget that still provides the specs and features you need for VPN protection and overall internet use.

How to set up your VPN router

Follow these steps to set up a VPN on your router:

  1. Type your IP address into your web browser’s address bar.
  2. Configure your OpenVPN client. This step might differ depending on what router you’re using.
  3. Go to Advanced settings and locate the VPN tab.
  4. Enable the OpenVPN option and connect to the VPN.

Keep in mind that details may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer. Here are some step-by-step guides to keep you informed.

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, we’ve got you covered!

How to set up your VPN router
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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 Surfshark 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.

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Frequently asked questions

VPN routers are good for encrypting the whole network and protecting your devices that aren’t VPN-compatible.

If you’re wondering whether a VPN-oriented router is any good, 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, protecting all devices on their network is 100% worth it.

Router setups aren’t perfect. There are a few downsides to be aware of:

  1. The setup may be tricky.
  2. Manually setting up the VPN server on a router isn’t as easy as using an app on your device.
  3. It doesn’t protect the connection to the router.

Here are our support team’s best compatible router 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.

Not really. Some routers cannot support VPN connections — most of which are outdated anyway. Chances are, the router you have at home already 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. There are even VPN routers that come with Surfshark pre-installed and configured.

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.

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