What are VPN routers? And what can you do with it?
A vpn-compatible router is a beneficial gadget. It provides VPN connection to your desktop as well as your smartphone devices over wireless fidelity.
Using a VPN suitable router users don’t need to download and install VPN client software on every device. But the connection is routed through one network to the VPN provider. Also, it allows you to join other devices that aren’t capable running a VPN software. It includes devices like Smart TV, Apple TV, Gaming consoles (PS3 and Xbox), Netflix boxes, Kindles and others.
VPN routers are similar to a small computer. They support devices like NAT through built in USB ports as well as it offers compatibility with VOIP phones.
We have compared and compiled some of the best VPN routers available for purchase:
The easiest choice: purchase a pre-configured VPN router
If you are connected to several devices (like a computer, smartphone or your tablet), this is by far the easiest to use a virtual private network. Just get a VPN router which is pre-flashed and pre-configured for your VPN service. Then all you have to do is to connect your Ethernet cable to the modem as well as with the router and it will work perfectly. As the router has its firmware installed on DD-WRT or Tomato then it will swap the router’s authentic built in operating system. Therefore it will allow to be configured for VPN using tunneling protocols like OpenVPN, PPTP or L2TP/IPsec.
One of our top choices for VPN routers is from FlashRouters. FlashRouters offer pre-configured routers for VPN companies like ExpressVPN, Buffered, IPVanish, VyprVPN, and others. Don’t forget that you still have to get a VPN service for the router to work. If you do not have one in mind, please look at our list of ten best VPNs on our homepage.
Choose your own flashed VPN router
This is your another option which might be slightly more troublesome. You can find flash your own VPN router with DD-WRT or Tomato firmware.
Here are few of our recommendations for the best VPN routers available:
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900
If you do not have any budget constraints, then the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 router is the best choice. Some of the key features it includes are: router has AC1900 WI-Fi: 600+1300 Mbps Speed which is the almost double as fast than the earlier version Wireless-N. It also has 1GHz Dual Core Processor, high powered amplifiers, and antennas to broaden Wireless Network coverage. The router has two USB ports – one is a USB 3.0 & other is a USB 2.0 port. Because of its features including “beamforming” (it focuses Wifi signals to mobile devices) router has been ranked very high and has very impressive abilities.
Using NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 router you can flash a firmware as well as installing a VPN you are able to encrypt your traffic. This has also allowed this router to serve as your own VPN server, so you can connect to it even if you are outdoors.
You can find out more about NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 and buy it on Amazon for $179.91.
ASUS RT-N16
ASUS has produced a lot of routers that have DD-WRT. The best features of the ASUS RT-N16 router include its price for what you get (very powerful performance through Wireless-N (300Mbps) router). This router has also two 2.0 USB ports (all in one printer server and FTP files sharing). For all ASUS routers users have to flash it with a DD-WRT firmware. Although its stock firmware doesn’t carry OpenVPN, the flashing process is simple and used with ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool.
This router is the best to use with OpenVPN UDP however, it can be used also with other protocols like PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN.
Asus RT-AC66U
This is similar to the NETGEAR Nighthawk, because of its big flash memory it can execute even the biggest DD-WRT setups. It also has one of the world’s fastest wireless connection built on it (802.11ac) and it has an ability to extend the wireless range because of it’s detaching antennas. It is also very easy to setup and it lets you save your files in an AiCloud both publicly as well as privately (securely).
Above are our best VPN router suggestions. However, you may look also at some other great VPN routers options:
Author: Inga
I’m a freelance writer living in Canada. Highly interested in topics on technology, online surveillance, and censorship. Love traveling and outdoor activities.