Best VPN Routers

Updated October 2020

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more

Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

While the built-in VPN is somewhat of an afterthought, this robust router’s ability to support a plethora of devices at once and its open-source friendliness make it a top choice.

Pros

Super-fast routing capability with excellent range. Built-in VPN enables secure remote access to the home network, and router includes DynamicDNS for added convenience.

Cons

Some reported issues with router dropping WiFi connectivity after recent firmware updates. Users may need to set channels manually to avoid interference from nearby routers.

Best Bang for the Buck

A super-light VPN router that’s easy to carry along on trips, but sturdy enough to use regularly at home, too.

Pros

Compact and light for travel. Relatively easy for experienced users to set up. Very good range, with stable operation over long periods. Easy firmware updates are a big plus. Travelers like its USB tethering capability with smartphones.

Cons

Instructions are somewhat lacking, which can confuse less experienced VPN users. Only 1 USB port. Can drop connection frequently for no clear reason.

A reliable, highly configurable VPN router that is powerful enough for smaller businesses’ needs, but works well in the home, too.

Pros

Extremely fast router with a solid, secure firewall and a built-in VPN. Experienced users can quickly and easily set up VPN between multiple units and configure its security settings. Bandwidth management is a plus.

Cons

Router often needs manual updating, particularly when setting up VPN or DNS. Security certificate doesn’t always work with newer browsers. Disconnects frequently. Can get overburdened in multi-device, high-bandwidth environments.

Cisco Systems

Gigabit Dual WAN VPN 14 Port Router

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Bottom Line

A dependable mid-range router for small networks that offers plenty of sophisticated features, but may be too complex for less experienced users.

Pros

Very easy to install on a home network. Handles dozens of port forwarding rules without an issue. Handles higher-speed connections well. Highly configurable through website interface.

Cons

Can only be configured through a web interface. May have trouble with gigabit speeds. VPN client software must be purchased separately. Load balancing is somewhat complicated, with few instructions available.

UTT

Dual Band Wireless AC VPN Router

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Bottom Line

A sturdy router with a strong WiFi signal and a highly configurable, business-grade VPN. Its mostly manual configuration can be a challenge for newer users.

Pros

Plenty of functionality both as a router and VPN. WiFi signal is strong enough to go through most walls. Business-grade features are a nice plus. Works with iOS and Android clients.

Cons

Load balancing is so-so. VPN server name is limited to 12 characters. Most settings must be manually configured, making this a tough device for newer users to figure out.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

30 Models Considered

28 Hours Researched

2 Experts Interviewed

188 Consumers Consulted

Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

A virtual private network (VPN) is a more secure and reliable way to run your business’s computer network. A VPN router is a type of router that allows all workers access to the network from any device with greater security and reliability than a regular router. Each employee also doesn’t have to install software on his or her device to access the network. Some VPN routers are portable while others are too bulky for travel. Some come with multiple Ethernet ports to connect multiple devices. Installation and firmware updates should be simple. VPN routers can be configured to different degrees – a larger business will probably need more configuration options. The coverage range is important to consider as well as upload and download speeds.

Other Products We Considered

The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

ZyXEL

Next Generation VPN Firewall

ASUS

AC1750 Dual-Band WiFi Router

TP-Link

AC2600 Smart WiFi Router

TP-Link

AC1900 Smart WiFi Router

Linksys

LRT214 Gigabit VPN Router

TP-Link

Safestream Multi WAN VPN Router