Prepper's Choice: VPN Routers to Consider This Year

When you prepare for disruptions, your network is part of the kit. A router that can run VPNs, isolate devices, and stay configurable gives you control over privacy, remote access, and connectivity resilience. Choosing a VPN-capable router helps you secure every device on your network without installing software per device, and it can let you maintain access to your home network when you’re away.

In this guide you’ll find options that balance security, performance, portability and value so you can pick a router that fits how you plan to use it.

Top Picks

How We Picked These Routers

You want a router that protects privacy, stays reliable under load, and gives you the flexibility to run VPNs and custom firmware when needed. We focused on practical criteria that matter to preppers: 1) VPN support and ease of configuration — whether built-in VPN client/server, WireGuard/OpenVPN support, or good third-party firmware compatibility; 2) Security features — WPA3 support, router-level network security suites, and regular firmware updates; 3) Performance and ports — multi-gig ports, strong Wi‑Fi band performance, and a CPU/RAM balance that handles encryption without choking; 4) Manageability — an intuitive app or web UI for day‑to‑day use, plus advanced options for power users; 5) Portability and redundancy — compact travel routers and options that can act as gateways or access points in multiple scenarios; 6) Value and longevity — hardware quality, community firmware support (OpenWrt/GL.iNet), and reviews indicating stable real-world performance.

We weighted security, VPN capability and long-term reliability slightly higher because those are central to prepper needs.

ASUS RT-AX86U

If you want a router that balances speed, real-world range and useful features without forcing you into subscriptions, this is one to consider. You get Wi‑Fi 6 performance (up to 5,700 Mbps) and a 2.5 Gbps port that actually helps if you have faster wired connections. Mobile Game Mode lowers latency for phones, and AiMesh makes it easy to expand later without a complicated setup. The built-in AiProtection and Instant Guard VPN mean you can secure your home network and even connect back to it when you’re away.

For everyday use it’s great for streaming, video calls and multiple kids doing school or gaming at once; for special situations it’s handy for small business or a dedicated low-latency gaming setup. If you like tinkering you’ll appreciate the advanced settings; if you want something that mostly works out of the box, the app-guided setup gets you there quickly.

What People Say

Users highlight strong real-world range and reliability, easy setup (especially for existing ASUS owners), and useful gaming and QoS features; many praise the security tools and the 2.5GbE port as practical extras.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

ASUS is an established networking brand with a long history of popular consumer routers and regular firmware updates. You’ll find a large user community and plenty of documentation.

Security

Key Benefits

• Fast Wi‑Fi 6 speeds up to 5,700 Mbps
• True 2 Gbps wired support with a 2.5GbE port
• Mobile Game Mode for lower latency
• AiProtection Pro and Instant Guard VPN
• AiMesh compatibility for easy range extension

Current Price: $289.99

Rating: 4.6 (total: 3,220+)

Buy Now

ASUS GT-AX6000

If you want a router that feels like an upgrade you can actually use, this is a solid pick. You get Wi‑Fi 6 speeds up to 6,000 Mbps, a proper 2.5 Gbps port or two for fast wired devices, and a beefy quad‑core CPU that keeps everything smooth when multiple people stream, game or back up large files.

The RangeBoost Plus and AiMesh support mean you won’t have to fight dead spots in a medium‑to‑large home, and VPN Fusion lets you route specific devices through a VPN without breaking everything else. For daily life it’s great for stable video calls, streaming on several devices and big file transfers; for special setups it’s useful if you run a NAS, want low‑latency gaming, or need a reliable home office backbone. If you don’t mind a slightly large chassis and want performance over bargain pricing, you’ll appreciate what this router brings.

What People Say

Users consistently call out stable Wi‑Fi, wide coverage and the practical value of the 2.5Gbps ports — people with NAS or fast desktops see real benefits. A few mention the web UI could be faster and that the unit is physically large, but most are happy with performance and build quality.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease Of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

ASUS has a long history in consumer networking; you’ll find regular firmware updates, a large user community and plenty of documentation if you need help.

Security

Key Benefits

• Very fast Wi‑Fi 6 performance up to 6,000 Mbps
• Dual 2.5 Gbps ports for high‑speed wired devices
• Strong CPU for sustained multi‑device use and NAS backups
• Improved range with RangeBoost Plus and AiMesh support
• VPN Fusion lets you run site‑to‑site or per‑device VPNs

Current Price: $184.00

Rating: 4.7 (total: 31+)

Buy Now

GL.iNet Flint 2

If you want a router that gives you real control without feeling like a black box, this is worth a look. You get Wi‑Fi 6 speeds, multi‑gig wired ports, plenty of storage and RAM for plugins, and a firmware stack built around OpenWRT so you can tweak things or keep the simple GL.iNet interface. For daily use it keeps streaming, video calls and dozens of smart devices behaving well; for special setups it’s great if you host a media server, run VPNs at the router level, or need SQM to kill bufferbloat during cloud gaming. If you’re the sort who likes to tinker, you’ll appreciate the extra flash and RAM; if you just want better stability and ad‑blocking out of the box, the built‑in AdGuard and one‑click VPN switches make life easier.

What People Say

Owners praise the Flint 2 for stability, strong SQM/bufferbloat performance, easy built‑in ad‑blocking and the flexibility of OpenWRT—many note it scales well from plug‑and‑play to heavily customized setups.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease Of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

GL.iNet has an established OpenWRT‑focused lineup, active firmware updates and helpful support—users report quick, competent customer service and a responsive product roadmap.

Security

Key Benefits

• Wi‑Fi 6 performance with support for many simultaneous devices
• Two 2.5GbE ports plus four 1GbE ports for flexible wiring
• Preinstalled AdGuard and simple VPN toggles for privacy
• Large flash (8GB) and 1GB RAM for installing extra OpenWRT packages
• OpenWRT compatibility so you won’t be left behind on firmware

Current Price: $159.90

Rating: 4.6 (total: 1,190+)

Buy Now

GL.iNet Slate 7

If you're looking for a travel router that actually makes life easier on the road, the Slate 7 is worth a look. It pairs pocket-sized portability with a surprisingly capable feature set: a color touchscreen for quick status checks and toggles, Wi‑Fi 7 for fast local speeds, dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports for wired devices, and preinstalled OpenVPN/WireGuard so you can encrypt everything on public networks.

For everyday use it keeps streaming and video calls steady when hotel Wi‑Fi is flaky; for special trips it’s great on cruise ships, RVs or business travel where you want a single secure gateway for all devices. If you like to tinker, OpenWrt gives room to customize; if you just want safer browsing away from home, the touchscreen toggles and one‑tap VPN make that simple.

What People Say

Owners like that it turns shaky hotel and public Wi‑Fi into a single secure network for all their devices, praising the touchscreen, VPN speeds and OpenWrt flexibility while noting a small learning curve for advanced tweaks.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease Of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

GL.iNet is known for OpenWrt‑centric hardware and regular firmware updates; users report responsive support and a community that helps with advanced setups.

Security

Key Benefits

• Pocketable Wi‑Fi 7 speeds for fast local performance
• Dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports plus USB 3.0 for wired flexibility
• Touchscreen interface for quick status checks and VPN toggles
• Preinstalled OpenVPN and WireGuard for router‑level encryption
• OpenWrt firmware for advanced customization if you want it

Current Price: $149.99

Rating: 4.6 (total: 357+)

Buy Now

TP‑Link Archer BE600

If you want a home router that feels like it’s built for tomorrow but works comfortably today, the Archer BE600 is worth a look. You get Wi‑Fi 7 speeds across three bands, a 10 Gbps port plus multiple 2.5 Gbps ports for wired devices, and coverage that handles dozens of clients without falling apart.

In plain terms, that means smoother 4K/8K streaming, fewer dropped game sessions and room for all the phones, cameras and smart gadgets you throw at it. The Tether app makes setup simple, HomeShield gives you parental controls and threat scans, and VPN client support means you can route traffic at the router level so individual devices don’t need separate VPN apps.

For everyday use it keeps streaming and video calls steady; for busy homes or someone future‑proofing their network, it’s a sensible upgrade you won’t have to think about for a while.

What People Say

You’ll see owners praise the BE600 for noticeably faster real‑world speeds after upgrading, easy app‑led setup, and reliable multi‑device performance — with a few tips shared for smoothing out specific IoT or 2.4 GHz quirks.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease Of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

TP‑Link is an established networking brand with broad firmware support and a signatory to CISA’s secure‑by‑design pledge; users report generally responsive support and frequent updates.

Security

Key Benefits

• Very high local speeds with Wi‑Fi 7 across 6 GHz, 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz
• Multi‑gig wired options (10 Gbps WAN/LAN and multiple 2.5 Gbps ports)
• Wide coverage and capacity for many devices (up to roughly 120 devices)
• Router‑level VPN client support so devices can use remote VPNs without extra apps
• HomeShield security suite: parental controls, threat scans and IoT protections

Current Price: $219.99

Rating: 4.5 (total: 393+)

Buy Now

GL.iNet GL‑A1300 (Slate Plus)

If you travel or work from random Wi‑Fi spots, this little Slate Plus is one of those things that quietly makes life easier. You get dual‑band Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), OpenWrt so you can tinker if you want, and both WireGuard and OpenVPN built in so devices on your network are encrypted without installing apps on each one. It’s small enough to tuck in a bag, can share internet from a USB‑tethered phone or Ethernet, and helps you avoid risky hotel or café hotspots. For everyday use it’s convenient and compact; for travel it removes a lot of the setup drama and gives you router‑level privacy.

What People Say

You’ll hear owners highlight how quick it is to set up on the go, how it masks IPs without fiddling with device apps, and how USB tethering and the small size make it ideal for trips.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Use Cases

Ease Of Use

Compatibility

Brand Trust

GL.iNet is known for open‑source friendly routers and OpenWrt support; enthusiasts appreciate frequent community resources and customizable firmware while mainstream users get a reliable travel router.

Security

Key Benefits

• Preinstalled WireGuard and OpenVPN for router‑level encryption
• OpenWrt 21.02 gives customization and extra features if you want them
• Compact, travel‑friendly design with gadget organizer case
• USB tethering and network storage support (Samba/WebDav)
• Dual‑band Wi‑Fi for decent local speeds and stable roaming

Current Price: $83.80

Rating: 4.9 (total: 15+)

Buy Now

FAQ

How Do I Choose The Right VPN Router As A Prepper?

You should pick a router that matches how you plan to use it: decide whether you need router-level VPN (protecting every device) or just occasional client VPN access, check for strong CPU and hardware VPN acceleration if you want full-speed encrypted throughput, and favor routers that support modern VPN protocols like WireGuard for better performance. Consider Wi‑Fi standard and ports so your router doesn't bottleneck your internet plan — for example, budget travel options like the GL.iNet GL-A1300 are around $83.80 and work great for on-the-road secure access, midrange OpenWrt-capable models like the GL-MT6000 are about $159.90 and offer deep customization, and higher-performance home units such as the ASUS GT-AX6000 ($184.00) or ASUS RT-AX86U ($289.99) give multi-gig ports and extra CPU headroom. Also think about firmware flexibility: if you want full control and community packages, choose a device with open firmware/OpenWrt support, but if you prefer easy setup and integrated security features, stock firmwares from ASUS or TP-Link can be simpler. Finally, match the router to your ISP speeds and the number of devices, verify vendor VPN features (selective routing, VPN Fusion, or Instant Guard) and read real-world throughput reviews before you buy.

Will Using A VPN On My Router Slow My Internet?

Yes, a VPN can reduce throughput because encryption and tunneling use CPU cycles, but how much depends on the router and the VPN protocol you use. You can minimize slowdowns by choosing a router with a powerful CPU or dedicated VPN acceleration, using WireGuard for faster performance, and enabling selective routing or split tunneling so only devices that need protection go through the tunnel. If you rely on a travel device like the GL-BE3600 (about $149.99) or a software-heavy OpenWrt model, test real-world speeds with your chosen VPN provider and, if router-level VPN is too slow, run the VPN on the specific device that needs it instead. Also check for features like dual-WAN or WAN aggregation (found on some ASUS and TP-Link models) to preserve bandwidth and use QoS to keep critical traffic responsive.

How Do I Use A VPN Router When Traveling Or Preparing For Outages?

You should preconfigure your travel or backup router with your VPN profiles, admin password, and a saved configuration so you can deploy it quickly; portable options like the GL-BE3600 Slate 7 (about $149.99) or the GL-A1300 (about $83.80) are designed for hotel Wi‑Fi, captive portals, and tethering. Bring the right power solution (USB‑C power bank or the router's rated adapter — note some devices require 9 V/3 A), keep an Ethernet adapter handy for wired fallback, and test the setup before you leave so you know how to switch between modes (client, AP, or router).

For home outage resilience, consider pairing a robust main router with a lightweight OpenWrt-capable unit for remote access and failover, use remote access tools like Tailscale or vendor features such as ASUS Instant Guard, and always backup your config and firmware so you can restore settings quickly during an emergency.

Preppers Favorites

You tend to prioritize rock-solid VPN performance, strong security and throughput, and whether the unit is full-featured or travel-ready — so you’ll pick an ASUS RT-AX86U for its low-latency gaming hardware and straightforward VPN client setup, the GT-AX6000 if you want top-tier speed and future-proofing for many devices, or the GL.iNet Flint 2 when you need a compact, open-source, budget-friendly router that’s easy to carry in a bug-out kit. In short, you decide based on whether you need a high-performance home backbone or a portable, flexible VPN tool for on-the-go resilience.

Wrapping Up

Pick a router that secures your entire network and can run VPNs at the gateway so every connected device benefits without per-device configuration. If you want raw speed and gaming-grade features with strong VPN options, the ASUS GT-AX6000 and RT-AX86U are top contenders.

If you prefer open firmware, flexibility and strong value, the GL.iNet Flint 2 is worth considering. For travel and portability, the GL-BE3600 Slate 7 or the compact GL-A1300 make it easy to keep your connections private on the road.

Decide which trade-offs matter most to you — portability, absolute throughput, or deep configurability — and pick the router that matches those priorities.

Product	Image	Rating	Price	WiFi Standard	Max Speed	Ports	Recommended Uses
ASUS RT-AX86U		4.6/5 (3220 reviews)	$289.99	802.11ax (WiFi 6)	Up to 5700 Mbps	1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 3.0	Gaming Home Security Streaming
ASUS GT-AX6000		4.7/5 (31 reviews)	$184.00	802.11ax (WiFi 6)	Up to 6000 Mbps	2 x 2.5G WAN/LAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 3.2	Gaming High-Speed Internet Access Smart Homes
GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2)		4.6/5 (1190 reviews)	$159.90	802.11ax (WiFi 6)	Up to 6000 Mbps	2 x 2.5G WAN/LAN, 4 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 3.0	Gaming VPN Usage Home Office
GL.iNet GL-BE3600 (Slate 7)		4.6/5 (357 reviews)	$149.99	802.11be (WiFi 7)	Up to 4800 Mbps	1 x 2.5G WAN, 5 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 3.0	Travel Public WiFi Security Gaming
TP-Link Tri-Band BE9700		4.5/5 (393 reviews)	$219.99	802.11be (WiFi 7)	Up to 9700 Mbps	1 x 10G WAN/LAN, 2 x 2.5G WAN/LAN, 3 x 2.5G LAN	Gaming Smart Homes 4K/8K Streaming
GL.iNet GL-A1300 (Slate Plus)		4.9/5 (15 reviews)	$83.80	802.11ac (WiFi 5)	Up to 1300 Mbps	3 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x USB 2.0	Travel VPN Usage Home