As many governments worldwide are tightening online controls and imposing censorship measures, using a virtual private network (VPN) is becoming more important than ever. A VPN is one of the best and most accessible ways to improve your online privacy. They can be used to hide your location, change your IP address, and stop online eavesdropping.
Many of us use a VPN on multiple devices by directly installing the VPN's app, but installing a VPN on your router can be far easier. Setting up a VPN on your router provides blanket security and privacy coverage across home devices. This means you don't need to install VPN software on each device, and the process is easier than you think. Some router manufacturers also provide products with preinstalled VPNs.
Also: Best business VPNs of 2025
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What is the best VPN router right now?
My pick for the best overall VPN router is the Privacy Hero 2. This $190 router has our top preinstalled VPN, NordVPN, saving you the hassle of setting up and configuring the software. It also offers impressive speeds, coverage, and server selection. It's also great for accessing different streaming content libraries and reducing YouTube ads.
ZDNET has years of experience testing VPN solutions and hardware. We closely monitor and test standalone VPN software, alongside supporting hardware and associated services. The team also takes an interest in any VPN-ready routers that reduce the potential complexities of installing the software. I also frequently conduct speed and security tests to ensure my favorite VPNs hold their weight against competitors.
Read on to discover my other favorite VPN routers that offer excellent VPN compatibility, speed, coverage, and additional privacy features.
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The best VPN routers of 2025
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