Best VPN routers 2018: the best routers for Virtual Private Networks

If you regularly use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the internet and reroute your data, then having the best VPN router is a must. These are robust routers that can be easily configured for use with a VPN, so you’ll get the full potential of the network without any noticeable drop in speed.

So, when buying the best VPN router for your needs, what do you need to look out for? The main thing is speed – when you reroute your network traffic through a VPN, there will be a drop in speeds. The best VPN routers will be fast enough that you shouldn’t notice too much of a drop.

They should also be able to work with VPNs without too much trouble – and ideally the best VPN routers will have an easy-to-use interface for enabling VPNs.   Some VPN routers will have apps you can install to enable a VPN. Others may allow you to install new firmware, such as DD-WRT, which can then be used with a VPN.

Read on to find our picks of the best VPN routers, as well as a list of guides to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

Picking the best VPN for your needs

To compliment your VPN router, here are our guides to picking the best VPN for your needs:

The best VPN routers in 2018

1. Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

Speed: 802.11ac: 3x 867 Mbps, 802.11n: 600 Mbps | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 1 x ESATA/USB 2.0 | Features: Tri-Stream 160, 1.8GHz dual core CPU, 512MB RAM, 256MB flash memory

Open source firmware support

Excellent features

Coverage sometimes spotty

More suitable in an office than a home

The Linksys WRT 3200 ACM is our choice for the best VPN router of 2018. Its no-nonsense design hides a remarkably versatile and powerful router that is a great choice for VPN use. You can install DD-WRT firmware for VPN compatibility, and it comes with four antenna and three bands for fast and wide-ranging network speeds. It also has four gigabit Ethernet ports and USB 3.0, making it an excellent router in its own right, even without a VPN.

Read the full review: Linksys WRT 3200 ACM

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .

2. Asus RT-AC86U

Performance as loud as the design

Speed: : 802.11ac 1734 Mbps down | Connectivity: : 5 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: : MU-MIMO, Traffic Analyzer, Adaptive QoS WTFast Gamers Private Network

Extensive firmware

Great speed and coverage

Complex firmware

Divisive looks

Anyone who’s familiar with Asus, and especially its more gamer-centric products knows exactly what they’re getting themselves into here – especially regarding design. However, if you’re not a gamer, and just looking for the best VPN router, then don’t discount the Asus RT-AC86U. It has some excellent VPN features that makes it a fast performer that won’t see your internet speeds dropping too much when using a VPN. You can also install third party firmware if you want greater choice.

Read the full review: Asus RT-AC86U 

3. Asus RT-AC5300

A high-powered router that’s great for VPN

Speed: 802.11ac: 2,167Mbps, 802.11n: 600Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO support, Link Aggregation, traffic analyzer, WPS, 512MB RAM, 8 external antenna

Great Wi-Fi coverage

Powerful gaming features

Large

Single USB 3.0 port

The Asus RT-AC5300 is an excellent high-end gaming router that comes with a number of advanced features for making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible. It also means it’s a brilliant VPN router, and if you don’t mind the expense, this is a great choice. The spider-like design won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range.

Read the full review: Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band Gigabit Router

4. Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router

A gaming router with the performance to back it up

Speed: : AC3200 | Connectivity: : 1 x Gigabit WAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x eSATA/USB 2.0 | Features: : Killer Prioritization Engine, Customized Firmware, 1.8GHZ Dual-Core CPU, MU-MIMO

Great Wi-Fi speed

Easy to use firmware

Very expensive

On the surface, the Linksys WRT32X might not look that different than Linksys’ heavy-hitter, the WRT3200. And, well, that’s not actually that far off. The WRT32X takes all of the successful components of that highly rated router, and puts them in a router with a custom firmware that’s extremely easy to navigate and a very subdued and attractive visual design, making it one of the best VPN routers you can buy in 2018. You will be paying a premium for this repackaging, but if you’re looking for reliable ping performance that online gaming requires, the Linksys WRT32X takes one of the best VPN routers and tailors it to your needs.

Read the full review: Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router 

5. D-link DIR-885L/R

Speed: 802.11ac | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO, Advanced Wireless AC beamforming, SmartConnect

Good selection of features

Good performance

Pricey

If you’re looking for a dependable mid-range VPN router that combines speed with a great Wi-Fi range and features aimed at games, then you’ll definitely want to consider the D-link DIR-885L/R. It has a good selection of ports, and the user interface for setting up and configuring the router is nicely designed and easy to use. It also supports  DD-WRT open-source firmware, which makes this a flexible and powerful VPN router that you can customise for your needs.

6. Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800

Built-in VDSL modem and 4×4 wireless speeds make this a great all-rounder

Speed: 802.11ac: 1733Mbps, 802.11n: 800 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA | Features: VDSL 2 modem

Great wireless performance

VDSL 2 modem

Lacks 1024-QAM

Requires special hardware for fastest speeds

If routers had a fashion contest, Netgear’s D7800 would be among the top contenders. Its solid black finish is complemented by a quartet of antennas. Plus it’s damn fast and bettered by its inclusion of a duo of USB ports paired with an eSATA connector. The real centerpiece, though, is the VDSL 2 modem built into the Nighthawk X4S D7800, negating the need to buy or lease one separately. The outfitted software isn’t too shoddy either; a simple Dynamic QOS system makes it a breeze to govern a multitude of devices on a single home network. Best of all, it’s a great router to use with a VPN.

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