NordVPN is a trusted name in online defense. It offers an extra layer of safety when diving into the internet. Pairing it with a solid VPN router is essential to protect every device that is online in your space. Connecting through a fitting router ensures that what you do online stays hidden and away from the eyes of your internet service providers, potential hackers, and even the government.

Wondering about the top choice of router for NordVPN? Finding the best router for NordVPN can be a bit tricky. However, the main things to think about are; how it works, its speed, and how well it matches with NordVPN. It is essential to get a strong router that has built-in VPN support specifically for NordVPN. Want the best options? Then keep reading to find the best router for NordVPN.

Having NordVPN setup on your router is like having peace of mind. You can confidently explore online knowing that your actions aren’t being secretly watched or tracked.

How To Choose The Right Best Router For NordVPN?

How To Choose The Right Best Router For NordVPN

When searching for the perfect router to pair with NordVPN, finding the best router for NordVPN is crucial. There are a few things to keep in mind. NordVPN needs a lot of power so your router should be strong with good memory. You need a strong router to make sure NordVPN works smoothly. Don’t forget to see which VPN protocols the best router for NordVPN can handle.

Both OpenVPN and IKEv2 are top-notch choices. They are safe and trustworthy. If you want your Wi-Fi to reach further in your house then pay attention to the router’s antenna strength.

For NordVPN to work best, your router should offer a wide and fast connection range. Remembering these details will help you choose a router that pairs well with NordVPN.

Processor Power And RAM

Using NordVPN means that your router should be fast and have enough memory. While NordVPN keeps you safe online, it needs the best router that can keep up. A slow router with little memory might cause slow internet or frequent dropouts. For the best experience with NordVPN, your router should have at least a 1 GHz CPU and 512 MB of RAM. But depending on various factors, these numbers might change.

So when shopping for a NordVPN-friendly router, or the best router for NordVPN, check its speed and memory. Ideally, go for a router with a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. This ensures faster and safer VPN use.

VPN Protocol System 

There are many VPN protocols out there. It can be confusing but if your router supports OpenVPN or IKEv2 then you are in good hands. These two are known for their strong safety measures and compatibility with many devices. To find out if your router supports them, check its manual or settings. If not, then think about getting a new NordVPN router that does.

Antenna Strength

Keeping safe online is vital and even small things matter. That is why your router’s antennas are essential, especially when using a NordVPN router. A strong signal is needed to make sure NordVPN works effectively. So when choosing a router, make sure its signal can reach every corner of your home. Depending on your home’s size, consider a router with strong antennas. A better signal means better online safety. Make sure to get the most from your NordVPN subscription by choosing a router with the right antennas.

What Kind Of VPN Are Out There?

What Kind Of VPN Are Out There

Before you decide to buy. It is good to understand the two main types of routers available. This can help your decision. In simple terms there are two main VPN routers: those that come pre-flashed and those that don’t.

Pre-flashed Routers

These routers already have a VPN installed on them. They are ideal for those who know which VPN they want and don’t want the hassle of setting it up. Later on, we will discuss the top pre-flashed routers for NordVPN.

Unflashed Routers

These routers, however, need you to set up the VPN yourself by using the router’s app or online interface, which is something to consider when looking for the best router for NordVPN. The advantage? You can switch between different VPN services if you are still deciding.

But be aware that sometimes the built-in software of the router might not work with the VPN you like, potentially making it less than the best router for NordVPN compatibility. Or it might only work with certain VPN types like OpenVPN or IPSec.

If the VPN you want isn’t supported on an unflashed router, then you will have to change the router’s original software to another one like DD-WRT. This change is called “flashing.” We will go over how to do this with DD-WRT later in this piece, especially if you’re aiming for the best router for NordVPN that can be customized.

What Are Some Best Routers For NordVPN?

What Are Some Best Routers For NordVPN

When picking the best VPN routers, including NordVPN router options, we looked at things like how fast they are and how well they connect. We included popular brands like ASUS and some less common ones like Synology. For each router, we will talk about how it looks, how to set it up, and how well it works.

Remember that some new routers might not work with DD-WRT. In these cases, you can only use the VPN options the router comes with. Always check this before buying an unflashed router.

Linksys WRT-3200 ACM

The Linksys WRT-3200 ACM is a top-notch router that’s compatible with DD-WRT, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a cheap VPN router. This means you can tweak its software to make it work just how you want. Right out of the box, it boasts speeds up to 3200 Mbps but with some tweaks you can make it even faster.

It also has a cool feature called dual-band with Tri-stream 160 technology. If we put it simply then it has two 160 Mhz channels in the faster 5 GHz range. So your gadgets won’t slow each other down. But don’t mix this up with some other routers that have two separate 5 GHz ranges which are called tri-band.

However, the WRT-3200 ACM has a few drawbacks. It is from 2018 and doesn’t have the newer WiFi 6. As more devices use WiFi 6 this router might feel outdated in a few years.

Pros
Cons
It will support DD-WRT
It has 2018 model
If offers a great design
It offers no WiFi 6 support
It offers dual-band with Tri-stream 160 technology.

TP-Link Archer X21

Looking for a solid VPN router under $100? The Archer X21 by TP-Link might be your top pick for a cheap VPN router. It is a WiFi 6 router that gives strong performance and has a stylish look. Plus when compared to older models, the X21 doesn’t get too hot, all thanks to its silicone feet.

Performance-wise, this cheap VPN router can reach speeds up to 1200Mbps. Though it is not the fastest on our list, it is more than enough for home use or small businesses. Setting it up is simple with the TP-Link tether app; it usually takes around 10 minutes.

But there is a disadvantage: if you want to set up a VPN then the tether app won’t help. You will need to go through TP-Link’s web interface which works with OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP. Also it misses out on parental controls that many other routers offer. Still for its price the Archer X21 is a great deal.

Pros
Cons
This router is budget-friendly as compared to others.
You can not set up a VPN from the TP-Link app.
It provides WiFi 6 support
It provides no parental control
It has a simple but very effective design.

ASUS RT-AX86U

If you are on the hunt for a speedy and feature-rich router, then the ASUS RT-AX86U should be on your radar, especially if you’re looking for the best router for NordVPN. Released in 2021, it uses the newest WiFi tech called WiFi 6 or 802.11ax. This tech means that it is quicker and more reliable than many other routers. To get the max speed you would need a WiFi 6 device but even older devices work well with it, making it a candidate for the best router for NordVPN.

The router itself is solid and looks sleek. The red highlights give it a cool and gaming vibe. Speaking of gaming, it has some gamer-friendly features like a special gaming port and settings for Nvidia’s GeForce Now.

Setting it up is straightforward with the ASUS router app. With the app you can tweak the router to work how you want. There is also the Instant Guard feature. It lets you use a VPN right from the router. This VPN uses strong security with the IPSec VPN protocol and AES2-56 bit encryption. Plus there are handy extras like parental controls, settings to manage internet traffic, and USB 3.0 ports. Given its features and compatibility, it’s arguably the best router for NordVPN.

A heads-up: custom software like DD-WRT and Tomato isn’t really available for WiFi 6 routers yet. But the AX86U has ASUSWRT-Merlin which is advanced software that can work with many VPNs. If you are interested in a version that comes with NordVPN, you can find it on FlashRouters for about $425.

Pros
Cons
It provides you with WiFi 6 support
There is no wall mounting
It offers useful gaming ads-on
It contains great ASUS app and interface

Synology RT-2600AC

Synology might not ring a bell like ASUS or TP-Link does, but their RT-2600AC stands out as a top pick for VPN routers in the $150-$200 bracket, and it’s also a strong candidate for the best router for NordVPN in this price range. Though it misses out on WiFi 6, it still impresses with speeds that can hit up to 2500 Mbps under perfect settings. Its size is decent—not too small, but it should fit nicely on most desks or shelves.

Inside, the RT-2600AC is powered by a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm chip. This means it can handle several tasks at once without slowing down, making it one of the best routers for NordVPN in terms of multitasking. The four external antennas are a plus—you can move them around for the best connection. Plus, using the Synology app or the online interface, you will find lots of handy extras. There is a good choice of VPN setups including options like Open VPN, PPTP, and more.

One thing to keep in mind: since Synology isn’t as big worldwide, their customer service might be limited in some places. Also, some folks might find its look a bit plain, but for those concerned primarily with performance and VPN compatibility, it could easily be considered the best router for NordVPN in its price category.

Pros
Cons
It provides support for various VPN protocols
They have a unispring design
It is a great app and web UI
They have limited after sales support.
They contain four external antennas which are a plus.

TP-Link AC5400

The TP-Link AC5400 clearly stands out as a top pick for gamers and could be considered one of the best routers for NordVPN due to its strong security features and fast performance. This router is powered by a solid 1.8GHz processor that can handle a lot.

It also comes with three separate frequency bands including two faster 5GHz ones. This means you can connect more devices without slowing things down. Even at a distance of 100 feet, the AC5400 keeps its fast speed, making it a strong contender for the best router for NordVPN, especially in big houses or offices.

Safety is a big deal for this router. It has features to block harmful content and prevent unauthorized access. It also has nine ports and supports USB 3.0, letting you connect multiple devices directly for faster internet.

Using TP-Link’s Tether app, like the Archer X21 does, you might find a small hiccup: setting up a VPN might require you to use a different method. Still, TP-Link works with important VPN setups like OpenVPN and PPTP, making it versatile and arguably another best router for NordVPN.

The router’s design is cool but it is quite large. Its antennas can’t be moved so you will need a good amount of space for it. If you don’t have many new WiFi 6 devices, then this router might be the best fit for you.

Pros
Cons
It is a tri-band router
It has a large size
Contains nine ports for better-wired connectivity
It has no WiFi 6 suppor
It has consistent performance across the different distances

Conclusion

VPN routers offer an amazing blend of encryption and security across all your gadgets. Each router on our list promises reliability and performance, making them strong contenders for the best router for NordVPN. For those mindful of their wallets, the TP-Link Archer X-21 stands out as an affordable yet efficient choice. Gamers will appreciate the distinct attributes and connectivity prowess of the TP-Link AC5400.

But when choosing the finest VPN router, the ASUS RT-AX86U takes the trophy. Its pre-configured variant ensures hassle-free VPN activation, especially for those hesitant about manual setups. It’s arguably the best router for NordVPN if you’re looking for a seamless experience.

Our preferred VPN for these ready-to-use routers? NordVPN. It ensures your digital tracks are well-covered, boasting swift connections, security layers, and a vast global server arsenal. Beyond routers, NordVPN extends its shield with a dedicated mobile app for both Android and iOS. It smoothly integrates with platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, and various smart devices, further solidifying its status as the best router for NordVPN compatibility. We hope we have helped you with the research of routers. However, if you still have any questions, then feel free to ask us.

Customer Reviews for NordVPN: In-Depth Review, Tests, and Stats

IR Irina

Best Router For NordVPN
Verified
Connection issues with MLB.TV
So I had some connection issues on my iOS device (iPad) with MLB.TV streaming, and representative named Garfield SOLVED my unique problem that I had spent hours researching and tackling with no luck before today! Garfield was extremely patient, personable, and very knowledgeable. Through multiple approaches and problem-solving steps, he created a solutuon that worked. Way to go, and definitely a returning NordVPN customer here. Thank you, Garfield.
Date of Experience:
May, 2 2023
CH Christina

Best Router For NordVPN
Verified
Prompt customer service
My subscription automatically renewed and a payment was taken, which I didn’t want as I haven’t been using the service. I contacted the company and received a prompt and efficient response where my subscription was reversed and the payment was returned. If only every company was so easy to contact and communicate with!
Date of Experience:
May, 6 2023
MW Michael White

Best Router For NordVPN
Verified
I would highly recommend
Excellent service and easy to use to protect your privacy. I have NVPN on my laptop, iPhone and fire stick, great value for money.
Date of Experience:
December, 15 2023
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