A VPN router can be useful for a home or business, and it’s a popular choice for new businesses. VPN routers are similar to regular wireless routers, but there is one major difference. VPN is short for virtual private network, and you can think of it like a secure tunnel for your Internet activities.
The VPN allows you to access network resources from anywhere on the planet, and it can allow you to bypass filtering, censorship and more. With a VPN router, you can give VPN connections to computers in your home or office, and you don’t have to install a VPN client on each device.
The router will also allow you to connect devices that aren’t able to run a VPN client, and some great examples are the PlayStation 3, Apple TVs, Netflix boxes and Kindles.
You can think of a VPN router like a mini computer, and right out of the box, it’s configured to connect with a VPN service. One of the main advantages of purchasing and using a VPN router is the ability to protect all your devices with the VPN.
Since many gaming consoles and devices cannot run VPN software, a VPN router offers protection for these devices, and when it comes to the provider, your router will be counted as a single connection.
Below, you’ll find reviews for 10 of the best VPN routers available.
Cisco RV110W-A-NA-K9 Small Business RV110W Wireless N VPN Firewall Router
The Cisco RV110W-A-NA-K9 can work well for small businesses, and it features an integrated ethernet switch, which has four ports. Some common devices that can be connected to this router are IP phones, printers and computers.
For improved data, video and voice traffic, this router comes with QOS support, and the browser-based device manager makes it easy to adjust settings and navigate the setup.
The Cisco RV110W-A-NA-K9 can support separate virtual networks, and it gives you complete control over how sensitive network information is handled. If you need to set up secure wireless access for guests, this router can do it for you.
This router offers 802.11n wireless connectivity and provides a high-speed connection for better coverage and throughput. These benefits help employees stay productive while they’re away from the desk.
TP-Link Gigabit VPN Router (TL-R600VPN)
The TP-Link Gigabit VPN Router TL-R600VPN is another popular product, and with a one-gigabit WAN port and four-gigabit LAN, it offers one of the fastest wired connections available. This VPN router is designed to support IPsec and PPTN VPN protocols, and it can handle as many as 20 IPsec tunnels.
The TP-Link TL-R600VPN can even handle a maximum of 16 PPTP VPN tunnels. To protect your network against Internet attacks, this router comes with built-in DoS defense, and it features an SPI firewall. For further protection of your investment, the router comes with professional 4KV Lightning protection.
The package comes with a resource CD, installation guide, ethernet cable, power cord and router. If you’re looking for strong protection against external threats, the TP-Link TL-R600VPN is worth considering.
Cisco Systems Gigabit VPN Router (RV320K9NA)
The Cisco Systems RV320K9NA features dual gigabit ethernet WAN ports, and it’s designed for reliable business continuity and load balancing. As a high-performance VPN router, this product offers several reliable ethernet ports, and it makes it easy to transfer large files quickly.
The Cisco Systems RV320K9NA supports multiple users, and with dual USB ports, it supports a 3G or 4G modem or flash drive. For better security, it features strong hardware encryption and has a protective SPI firewall.
This router can be especially useful for small businesses because it’s designed with emphasis on network connectivity. Like all other Cisco products, this VPN router offers reliable performance, firewall protection and secure access to network resources. The intuitive user interface is easy to use and takes minutes to set up.
TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi SafeStream Gigabit VPN Router TL-ER604W
Another top VPN router is the TP-Link N300 TL-ER604W, and it features a one-gigabit WAN port. For maximum connectivity, this product also comes with three gigabit LAN ports, and it supports a large number of L2TP VPN tunnels.
With a single click, this router can restrict P2P and IM applications, which is great for managing staff behavior. The TP-Link TL-ER604W delivers a 300Mbps connection, which is based on wireless N technology. The high-speed connection makes it easy to download large files quickly, and it provides a reliable networking experience.
To guarantee safe wireless sharing, this router features a multi-SSID and guest network, which make wireless sharing easier. The TP-Link TL-ER604W even comes with professional 4KV lightning protection, and you’ll need this feature for the protection of your investment.
Linksys LRT214 Gigabit VPN Router
The Linksys LRT214 is a gigabit VPN router, and it features several gigabit ethernet ports. For extra connectivity, it’s capable of handling 50 IPsec tunnels, and it can manage up to five OpenVPN tunnels, which are useful for Android and iOS users.
If you’re looking for a high-quality VPN router, speed is always an important factor, and the Linksys LRT214 offers a 900Mbps firewall. To meet a wide range of business network requirements, it provides a wide range of features, and the site-to-site VPN is secure enough for remote access.
Small business owners will benefit the most from this VPN router, but it can be used for a variety of applications. The Linksys LRT214 is one of only a handful of routers to implement IPv6, and the user interface is very responsive.
CISCO SYSTEMS RV215W Wireless-N VPN Router (RV215WAK9NA
The CISCO SYSTEMS RV215W is a high-speed 802.11N wireless router, and it features a four-port, 10/100Mbps ethernet switch. It comes with a browser-based user interface, which allows you to adjust settings from your browser.
This browser serves as a high-speed wireless access point, and it serves as an affordable way to get the protection of a virtual private network.
The CISCO SYSTEMS RV215W is recommended for small businesses, and it makes it easy for employees to connect to the Internet from home offices and remote locations.
For reliable 3G and 4G connectivity, this router has a USB port, and it’s ideal for remote use. It’s also a popular choice for VOIP phones, and it’s frequently used in medical and dental offices, which require separate Internet connections for employees and guests.
Mikrotik Pre-Configured Multi Country VPN Router
This router comes with one month of access to a Swiss, Spanish, Irish, USA or UK VPN, and it can be used to unblock your Internet connection and access sites that are blocked by your ISP.
To set up the connection, all you must do is plug the router into your existing modem and designate the location of your VPN. With this router, you can switch between USA, UK, Irish and Swiss IP addresses, and you can access the support any day of the year.
The major advantage of purchasing this Mikrotik router is the fact that it’s a pre-configured device, which makes it very convenient and easy to use.
GL.iNet GL-AR300M Mini Travel Router
The GL.iNet GL-AR300M is a popular VPN router, and it can be especially useful for travelers. This product features a Wi-Fi converter, which can transform the wired connection in an office or hotel into a wireless network.
The Wi-Fi converter allows you to share an Internet connection with several different devices, and it can even be used for a safer Internet connection in cafes and restaurants. The GL.iNet GL-AR300M is compatible with 3G and 4G modems, and it comes with OpenWrt installed.
If you’re looking for VPN compatibility, this router comes with the OpenVPN client, and it’s compatible with up to 20 different VPN service providers. With 16MB NOR flash, this router offers more storage than many similar products, and for greater connectivity, it features dual ethernet ports.
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Wireless Wi-Fi Router (Archer C1200)
The TP-Link AC1200 supports 802.11ac standard, which is the modern generation of Wi-Fi. It also supports simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. With both connections, you’ll have access to 1.2Gbps total available bandwidth.
To easily share a printer or transfer files, this router comes with a USB 2.0 port, and it makes transferring files between network computers quick and easy. The TP-Link AC1200 even has a feature for guest network access, and it can provide secure Wi-Fi to guests.
If you’re looking for VPN compatibility, this router offers a secure VPN server, and it’s a strong shield against attacks and public Wi-Fi. Unlike some alternative products, you don’t need a paid subscription to access the VPN server.
Cisco-Linksys WRV54G Wireless-G VPN Router
The Cisco-Linksys WRV54G makes it easier to share an internet connection, and it can also serve as a switch or access point. With built-in VPN endpoint capability, it offers advanced security features, and it’s a popular choice for small business owners.
This router can deliver a secure connection to 50 traveling or remote users, which is made possible by the VPN. Advanced wireless data encryption protects against unauthorized access, and since the VPN feature creates encrypted tunnels through the Internet, it’s safe to use for remote users.