VPNs have become the go-to services for protecting your online activity private and protecting your data. Using one on your smartphone or PC is as simple as downloading and enabling it. While that might not seem like much of a task, doing this for every device you own can be exhausting. That’s why using VPN-enabled routers in your home makes more sense. Mainly because it eliminates the process of installing VPN clients separately on each of your devices and makes the process friendly for those who don’t know how VPN works.
Why Choose a VPN Router
While it’s true that you can download VPN apps to most of your smart devices, some like smart TVs, fridge, and robot vacuum cleaners will still be left out. Plus, most VPN subscriptions can cover only a handful of Wi-Fi and wired devices anyway. Switching to a VPN router in your house can help overcome shortcomings of a VPN client. Secondly, with a VPN router, you can bypass geographical restrictions on content that’s not available in your location. This ‘set it and forget it method’ will protect all the devices at home with VPN. Needless to say, VPN routers for home usage is a smarter decision than tirelessly using Chrome extensions or apps to encrypt data.
Thus, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best VPN routers for home users on Amazon.
1. TP-Link Archer A7
Connectivity: 4 x LAN, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0 | Data Transfer Rate: 1750Mbps | Area Coverage: 2500Sft
With budget pricing and stellar performance, TP-Link AC1750 is a solid contender for the best VPN router for homes. Setting up is rather simple with its easy-to-navigate app and web browser support. Besides VPN capabilities, it also offers support for voice commands with Amazon Alexa. Performance-wise, the dual-band home router can deliver up to 1750 Mbps high-speed internet making it best suited for the size and occupancy of a regular household. On top of that, the three high-gain antennas and strong amplifiers help Archer A7 cover an area up to 2,500 square feet.
However, budget pricing means you will have to trade-off some features. Unlike other VPN routers on this list, it lacks Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) ability to connect with multiple users simultaneously. Although, it does have Quality of Service (QoS) and parental controls.
With more than forty-seven thousand reviews on Amazon, this popular VPN router still manages to amass a decent rating of 4.5/5, making it a true bang for your buck.
Pros
- Affordable
- Excellent performance
- Amazon Alexa support
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- The user interface needs work
- Single USB 2.0 port
2. Asus RTAC5300
Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Data Transfer Rate: 5300Mbps | Area Coverage: 5000Sft
When it comes to the best home VPN routers, you can expect nothing but quality from a brand like Asus. And it’s safe to say that Asus RTAC5300 doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It features a bulky crown-like design with 8 removable and adjustable antennas which can easily cover an area of up to 5000 square feet. On top of that, it supports AiMesh to create a flexible whole-home mesh network by adding additional compatible devices.
Aside from the above, Asus RTAC5300 is a feature-rich VPN router with game-enhancement options, MU-MIMO data streaming, 4X4 data transmissions, and a wealth of management settings. With its well-designed app, users can easily manage network traffic, diagnose connection issues and even update the firmware.
Whether you’re a gamer or love to stream in 4K, the router can handle it all with the latest 802.11ac technology, making it a popular choice among gamers.
Pros
- Simple setup
- Ideal for gamers
- Fantastic firmware with plenty of options
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Bulky design
- Single USB 3.0 port
3. Synology RT2600AC
Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x SD Card Reader | Data Transfer Rate: 2530Mbps | Area Coverage: 3000Sft
The Synology RT2600AC is a powerful yet cheap VPN router. This quad-stream VPN router for home users can deliver speeds up to 1733Mbps on the 5GHz band and up to 800Mbps on the 2.4GHZ band. What’s more, it can easily cover an area of up to 3000 square feet which should be enough for most homes. Additionally, there’s room for even more storage up front, with an SD card slot, that can be used simultaneously along with the USB.
However, the most talked-about feature of this router is the firmware known as Synology Router Management (SRM). It features a modern operating system allowing you to search, view notifications, open multiple windows, and do a lot more.
It has a bunch of other options as well including MU-MIMO simultaneous data streaming, automatic band steering, and beamforming. Priced at around $200, the Synology RT2600AC checks all the right boxes with plenty of management options along with an easy-to-use web interface.
Pros
- Simple setup
- Two USB ports and SD card slot
- Lots of management options
Cons
- The mobile app needs improvement
4. Linksys WRT32X AC3200
Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 | Data Transfer Rate: 2160Mbps | Area Coverage: 3000Sft
Linksys WRT32X AC3200 is yet another home VPN router for your nest that focuses on gaming. The router is open-source-ready, meaning you can customize it with OpenWrt and DD-WRT. Plus, you can turn the router into a web server, create hotspots, detect network intrusion, and more. And for connectivity, it has four wired gigabit ethernet ports along with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0/eSata ports.
Like most others, it’s equipped with MU-MIMO technology ensuring that multiple clients connected via Wi-Fi will get served simultaneously. So, no more fighting for the bandwidth. Besides, it also has a companion app for creating separate guest networks, prioritizing your devices, and setting parental controls.
Overall, Linksys WRT32X AC3200 manages to impress the mass with its open source firmware and prompt customer support.
Pros
- Open source firmware
- MU-MIMO Technology
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Average data transfer speeds
5. NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000P
Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x USB 3.0, | Data Transfer Rate: 1300Mbps | Area Coverage: 1800Sft
NETGEAR Nighthawk strikes a perfect balance between price and performance. Setting up the R7000P is a simple task via either the mobile app or through the web-based interface. In terms of hardware, Netgear Nighthawk R7000P includes 3 antennas supporting up to 1.9Gbps wireless speeds thanks to its dual-core 1 GHz processor. Plus, it can handle up to 30 devices which is enough for regular home usage.
Security is at the forefront with the NETGEAR Nighthawk. It features the Netgear Armor (powered by BitDefender) that provides protection against phishing and malware, while also scanning all your devices for vulnerabilities. Our only gripe is the below par coverage of up to 1800 square feet.
That said, while you can get a decent VPN router for around $150, you’ll be unlikely to find one as good as the NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000P for less.
Pros
- Easy setup
- MU-MIMO technology
- Malware and parental-control options
Cons
- Average data transfer speeds
- Limited range
Wrap Up: VPN Routers for Home Users
All of these VPN home routers can not only be used indoors but also at small businesses. While picking one, do look out for key features such as the setup process, range, and connectivity options. Rest assured, you’ll be enjoying a seamless and secured experience if you decide to go with any one of the listed above.
Also Read: 5 Best Free VPN Apps for Android TV
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