Best VPN Routers 2025: Top Picks for Home & Office, Setup Guide, and Expert Reviews
Virtual private networks (VPNs) can be a powerful way to protect your privacy, especially when combined with your home router. They encrypt your browsing activity, keeping your location and online behavior private. Running a VPN on your router enhances overall network security, which is helpful for remote work, protecting household devices, and accessing geo-blocked content such as Netflix libraries in other regions. Whatever your purpose, VPN routers let you protect and encrypt multiple devices at once.
Below you’ll find the best VPN routers available in 2025, along with their pros, cons, pricing, and setup guidance.
Quick Comparison Table: Best VPN Routers at a Glance
In a hurry? here’s a quick comparison table of the routers we’ll discuss and what they offer:
| Model | Best For | Key Features | VPN Compatibility | Price | User Rating |
| Aircove | ExpressVPN users looking for a built-in VPN | Instant protection for every device, automatic updates, kill switch | ExpressVPN | $189.90 | 4.0 |
| ASUS RT-AX88U PRO | Large homes, multi-device support | Coverage up to 2,700 sq. ft., multiple VPN tunnels, mobile tethering | OpenVPN, WireGuard | $284.51 | 4.2 |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk | Wi-Fi 7 power users | Up to 12 Gbps, built-in security, automatic updates | OpenVPN configs | $399.99 | 4.3 |
| TP-Link Archer | Best value | Multi-Link Operation, 4K-QAM, smart-assistant compatible | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec | $179.99 | 4.5 |
| GL.iNet | Budget choice | Wi-Fi 6, high device limit | OpenVPN, WireGuard | $149.99 | 4.6 |
Top VPN Router Picks for 2025 (Expert Reviews)
Now that we’ve given you our general overview, here are our top picks for VPN routers where we break down premium features, gaming support, and other must-haves we think you’ll love.
Aircove Wi-Fi 6 VPN Router
Pros:
- Up to 5 VPN locations at once
- Parental controls
- Ad and tracker blocking
- Developed by ExpressVPN
- 30-day free trial for new ExpressVPN users
Cons:
- Limited VPN compatibility
- Coverage capped at 1,600 sq. ft.
Best Usage Scenario: Users wanting a router with a built-in VPN (ExpressVPN)
VPN compatibility: ExpressVPN
Price: $189.90
Aircove is an ExpressVPN exclusive router designed specifically for this service. It’s affordably priced, intuitive, and ships with ExpressVPN’s software pre-installed, making setup quick. You can group devices, apply parental controls, enable the kill switch, and rely on automatic updates. Wi-Fi sharing without entering a password is another useful touch.
Aircove supports dozens of devices and includes adapters for the US, EU, UK, and AU. Note that the link provided is for the US/Canada model; users in other regions should make sure they select the correct version.
ASUS RT-AX88U PRO
Pros:
- Speeds up to 6000 Mbps
- Gbps WAN/LAN ports with link aggregation
- Dual 2.5G ports
- Mobile Game Mode for low-lag gaming
- AiMesh technology to expand coverage
- Simultaneous connections to multiple VPN tunnels
Cons:
- Expensive
- Poor customer service
- Some users report slower performance at times
Best Usage Scenario: Wi-Fi 6 users needing wide coverage
VPN compatibility: OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, L2TP
Price: $284.51
One of our favorite features of this ASUS router is the option to pair it with their exclusive RangeBoost Plus to extend overall coverage to a generous 2,700 square feet. For many users, that’s more than enough to cover their entire house.
Mobile gamers will appreciate the Mobile Game Mode, which helps reduce latency and lag. Additionally, the option to use USB 4G LTE and 5G mobile tethering is great for alleviating internet outages. Parents can also set detailed age-based controls.
Most users experience strong speeds and reliable coverage, though the price is higher than some alternatives. Still, you get a lot for your money and the router supports a broad range of VPN connection types, including PPTP, L2TP, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
NETGEAR Nighthawk
Pros:
- Speeds up to 12 Gbps for real-time gaming
- Great for 4K/8K streaming
- Enhanced built-in security tools
- Automatic firmware updates
- Coverage up to 3,000 sq. feet
- Supports up to 120 devices
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Some users report connection issues
Best Usage Scenario: Wi-Fi 7 users
VPN compatibility: OpenVPN configuration files
Price: $399.89
NETGEAR’s Nighthawk is built for users who want a powerful, high-performance router that can handle anything you throw at it. Setup is simple through the Nighthawk app, and free customer support is available if you need help with installation or optimization.
Its speed makes it excellent for real-time gaming, remote work, and 4K/8K streaming with minimal buffering. The router includes 1 x 2.5 Gig and 3 x 1 Gig Ethernet LAN ports for fast wired connections. With coverage up to 3,000 sq. ft., it’s one of the broadest options in this guide. Overall, Nighthawk is extremely fast, highly capable, and ideal for users needing wide coverage and maximum speed.
TP-Link Archer
Pros:
- Covers up to 2,400 sq. ft
- Supports up to 90 devices
- 4K-QAM
- Wi-Fi 7
- 6.5 Gbps total bandwidth
- Compatible with EasyMesh range extenders
- 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port, 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports
- Committed to CISA’s Secure-by-Design pledge
Cons:
- Setup can be tricky
- No WireGuard support
Best Usage Scenario: Best bang for your buck
VPN compatibility: OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP Over IPsec (compatible with Surfshark, PIA, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and more)
Price: $179.99
This Wi-Fi 7 router is one of the best value-for-money products hands down. It provides wide coverage, stable connectivity, and multi-link operation. Supporting up to 90 devices, it delivers many of the same capabilities as premium routers like the Nighthawk but at less than half the cost.
The Archer easily handles 4K/8K streaming, VR/AR, gaming, and video conferencing with ease. It’s also compatible with most major VPN providers thanks to OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPsec support. The main drawback of this device is that setup may be slightly confusing, but thankfully TP-Link’s free customer service is available to guide you.
GL.iNet
Pros:
- Supports over 86 devices
- 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 technology
- 4K streaming
- Works with AdGuard Home for ad and tracking blocking
- Quad-core 2GHz processor
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Not as fast or powerful as premium routers
Best Usage Scenario: Budget-conscious users
VPN compatibility: OpenVPN and WireGuard (compatible with 30+ VPN providers)
Price: $149.99
As of writing, GL.iNet has the highest customer ratings of any of the routers on our list. Why? Because you get great functionality paired with a very fair price. Just a few things we love: it’s fast enough for gaming, conference calls, and 4K streaming, and includes built-in ad blocking when used with AdGuard Home.
Users appreciate its strong signal strength, high device capacity, and overall build. With WireGuard, your speeds can reach up to 900Mbps, with around or 880 on OpenVPN. Not too shabby. What’s more, standard features like WPA3, Dual-Ethernet WAN, and OpenWrt come pre-installed. For most users, GL.iNet offers more than enough capability at a low cost.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a VPN Router
There are many features worth evaluating before choosing a VPN router. Here are the essentials:
- Easy setup: VPN configuration can be simple or frustrating. Choose a router with clear instructions and reliable support.
- Built-in VPN: While this is a nice-to-have, it can make your life easier if you have one already pre-configured with a VPN.
- Enhanced security: Many routers will come with built-in security features to further protect your devices and network for a safer browsing experience.
- Compatibility: Choose a router that supports your VPN or its required protocols.
- Wi-Fi coverage: If you live in a large space, the bigger the coverage area, the better
- Device limits: Most routers have multiple devices that can be simultaneously connected, but connection limits vary across models.
- Speed: You’ll want a router with minimal lag, especially if you’re gaming or streaming media.
- Advanced settings: Features like split tunneling, guest networks, parental controls, and kill switches add flexibility. The more the merrier!
VPN Router Usage Scenarios: Home, Office, Gaming & Remote Work
VPN routers have a variety of benefits. Here’s when you may want to use one and why.
Remote Work
If you work remotely, using a VPN with a router can increase your privacy and security. You can protect your work data, gain remote access to servers in different regions, and protect sensitive information, such as client or financial data.
This is even more important if you must adhere to certain privacy laws for regulatory compliance. TP-Link Archer is a particularly strong fit for home offices due to its security-oriented design.
Home Network
To keep your home network secure, a VPN router is a great solution. Not only will it help protect you, but it also unlocks access geo-restricted content that would otherwise be unavailable, such as Netflix libraries in other countries.
Many routers also have parental controls and security tools, so you can fine-tune your settings accordingly. This can even include guest Wi-Fi access. The ASUS RT-AX88U PRO is particularly well suited for home use for these reasons.
Unlimited Connections
MANY VPN services limit simultaneous devices to around 10 connections, which can be frustrating if you want to protect your entire home network. Using a VPN router can increase this protection significantly.
Many routers support 80–100 devices, and your VPN counts the router as a single connection. This lets you use your VPN without hitting device limits and also prevents the battery drain you’d get from running a VPN on every individual device.
Gaming
Online gamers can also enjoy the benefits of a VPN router by connecting to servers that decrease latency, avoid DDoS attacks, and allow access to geo-restricted games and servers.
Using a VPN while gaming also helps you avoid bandwidth throttling that can slow you down. While all of the routers we’ve reviewed are a good fit for gamers, the NETGEAR Nighthawk is especially well-suited for gamers who want maximum speed.
How to Set Up a VPN on Your Router (Step-by-Step Guide)
The process for configuring a VPN on a router depends on the VPN provider and hardware. For instance, advanced settings take more preparation when compared to the straightforward setup of pre-configured options.
The setup steps are usually similar across VPNs and routers, but if you’re unsure, check your provider’s or router brand’s official instructions. Most offer free support that can walk you through the process.
While these instructions may vary depending on your setup, here’s a good place to start:
- Choose a VPN compatible with your router (or vice versa)
- Open your web browser and enter your router’s IP address to access the admin or management page.
- Locate the VPN section in your settings, often under Advanced, Security, or Network.
- From here, follow your VPN provider’s setup instructions, which usually involve entering firmware details and your VPN credentials into the router’s control panel.
- Activate the VPN and enter your login details if prompted.
- Test the connection to confirm your VPN is working by checking whether your real IP address is hidden. You can use a site like https://whatismyipaddress.com/ to verify this.
A few things to note. Many routers now include apps that walk you through the setup process, which makes things much simpler. Pre-configured models are even easier, such as the Aircove, which takes far less time and effort to get running. Here are ExpressVPN’s official Aircove setup instructions.
If you want to optimize your router’s VPN performance, you can try:
- Choosing a more efficient VPN protocol, such as WireGuard
- Using UDP instead of TCP, if available
- Reducing the number of VPN clients connected
- Disabling extra services that you’re not using, such as parental controls
- Keeping your firmware updated
- Using wired Ethernet when possible
- Testing different VPN server locations
- Choosing a router with strong enough hardware
Because VPN router setup can get complex, here are configuration guides from several major VPN providers to help you along the way:
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best VPN Router for Your Needs
We’ve already provided a comparison chart and router recommendations, but here are the main factors to remember when choosing your final VPN router:
- Best value: Value isn’t only about price. It’s also about how much performance and functionality you get for what you spend.
- Provider compatibility: The more protocols your VPN supports, the more router options you’ll have.
- Technical skill: Pre-configured routers are the most user-friendly. More advanced users can take advantage of deeper settings and optimizations.
- Usage: Match the router to your needs. For example, if you want to stream 8K content, choose a router designed to handle it.
When in doubt, user reviews are your best friend. Having real-life examples often reveal issues or advantages that can help shed light where spec sheets can’t. Consider looking into reputable retailers like Amazon or Best Buy to find reviews on specific router brands and models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A VPN router directs and guides your network information, transmissions and web interactions. With the VPN in use, these kinds of interactions are encrypted and secured, keeping all of the connected devices relatively protected from prying eyes and malicious actors.
The Aircove has the strongest built-in VPN support since it is pre-configured for ExpressVPN and ready to use out of the box.
That really depends on your needs. Routers are handy because they can cover your entire home network from a single point, negating the need to individually activate a VPN on each device. However, if you’re away from your router a lot of the time, you won’t be protected unless you use a VPN on your mobile devices as well.
They can be. VPN routers help prevent DDoS attacks and reduce bandwidth throttling while gaming. VPNs can add slight slowdown when streaming, but a strong router and good VPN provider make it barely noticeable. They also let you access geo-restricted content.
You’ll need to enter your VPN settings into your router’s control panel. The router and/or VPN provider should have instructions to do this. Pre-configured routers usually have apps and streamlined guides to make the process easier.
You’ll need to choose one that is compatible with your VPN provider and their supported protocols. However, for the more tech savvy, custom firmware can be installed as a workaround if needed.
Yes, some slowdown is normal, but fast routers paired with strong VPN services minimize the impact.
Yes, the GL.iNet router, for instance, is a strong budget-friendly choice. Just make sure you don’t skimp on features to save a few bucks, or you won’t find the router nearly as useful.
Look for good VPN protocol support and compatibility, such as WireGuard and OpenVPN, features like split tunneling and kill switch, Wi-Fi 6 or higher, and robust hardware with good CPU encryption performance.
Yes! Many routers support dozens of devices, which is especially helpful when your VPN limits simultaneous connections. The router counts as one device, but it protects everything connected to it.
Conclusion
Using a VPN router lets you secure your entire home network and all connected devices from a single point. It’s an effective way to expand the benefits of your VPN across your whole household. If you want to explore further, here’s our guide explaining what a VPN router is.
