When you’re looking for the best VPN router, several key features are crucial. You need a router that supports robust speeds on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with a minimum download speed of 50 Mbps and 200 Mbps, respectively. Features like onboard VPN support, quality of service (QoS) prioritization, and MU-MIMO are essential for managing multiple simultaneous connections efficiently.
Our guide to the best VPN routers includes five top models that excel in these criteria. We analyzed 30 routers, certified their testing, and evaluated 146,886 expert and customer reviews. Our rigorous process ensures only the best routers made it, filtering out fake reviews with our AI-powered Trust Score. The winning routers demonstrated outstanding performance in reliability, speed, and ease of use.
Synology WRX560 – Best for Mesh
The Synology WRX560 delivers solid performance with download speeds of 120.42 Mbits/s on 2.4 GHz and 640.4 Mbits/s on 5 GHz, making it capable of handling the demands of encrypted VPN connections. Its standout feature, VPN Plus, offers advanced and user-friendly options for secure network access, making it a strong choice for enhancing network privacy and remote work security. While it may not be the fastest in every aspect, it excels in providing reliable and secure connections.
Asus ROG GT-AXE16000 – Best for Fiber Optic
The Asus ROG GT-AXE16000 is a premium router that excels in both gaming and VPN capabilities, with download speeds of 112.88 Mbits/s on 2.4 GHz, 639.1 Mbits/s on 5 GHz, and 615.2 Mbits/s on 6 GHz. Its ASUSWRT VPN offers a user-friendly interface for easy VPN setup, ensuring secure, fast, and stable connections for high-bandwidth activities. With advanced features like Wi-Fi 6E and QoS prioritization, this router is best in class for users who demand top performance and security.
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 – Best for Secure
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE300 stands out with its exceptional range of 170 feet and impressive speeds—221.65 Mbits/s on 2.4 GHz and 851.6 Mbits/s on 5 GHz—making it ideal for connecting multiple devices over long distances. Its built-in VPN support simplifies the process of securing all connected devices, while Wi-Fi 6E support ensures fast and reliable connections. With its affordability and top-tier performance, this is an excellent router for those seeking comprehensive network security without sacrificing speed.
Asus ROG GT6 Mesh – Best for Streaming
The Asus ROG GT6 Mesh system combines extensive coverage with robust VPN capabilities, offering download speeds of 139.35 Mbits/s on 2.4 GHz and 701.3 Mbits/s on 5 GHz. This mesh system provides a wide 95-foot range, eliminating dead zones and ensuring consistent performance across large areas. Despite its high price, the GT6 Mesh offers outstanding coverage, easy VPN setup, and a suite of advanced features, making it a solid choice for large households or data-intensive setups.
TP-Link Archer AX55 – Best Value
The TP-Link Archer AX55 offers excellent value with its ability to manage VPN and standard connections simultaneously without significant performance loss. With download speeds of 98.64 Mbits/s on 2.4 GHz and 485.2 Mbits/s on 5 GHz, it performs well for various online activities. Although it lacks Wi-Fi 6E support, its budget-friendly pricing, great speeds, and user-friendly VPN setup make it an outstanding choice for those seeking a secure and versatile router for streaming, gaming, or remote work.
How We Rank Routers and What is the Gadget Review True Score
Gadget Review is known for its True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating. The True Score blends expert reviews and human assessed Trust Ratings with customer feedback, underpinned by a sophisticated AI tool. This tool utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms and Bayesian models to analyze and synthesize data, ensuring accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive scoring. You can read more about it here.
