What Is The Best Wireless Router For Mac
- Apple's routers have been not necessarily the fastest, but they have been best-in-class, and reliable —so if Apple has in fact abandoned its base station efforts, it is the end of an era.
- How to choose the best Wi-Fi replacement for your Apple AirPort routers The spaceship has returned to its home planet and the crackerbox is empty.
If you want your modem and router separated from each other, you need the Arris SURFboard. This is one of the best routers for Charter Spectrum usage. The combo consists of the SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 modem and the SBR-AC3200 router. Both the modem and router has a stylish white compact design to fit in next each other while standing on a desktop. Showing selected results. See all results for best wireless router for mac and pc. Best Mac router 2018 Get a better Wi-Fi signal on your MacBook (or iPhone or iPad) with our roundup of the best wireless routers for Mac owners By Cliff Joseph. The latest in our list of the best Mac Wi-Fi routers in 2017 is Apple AirPort Extreme, another dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, but at a speed of 1.3Gbps. Obviously, the manufacturer’s price does not quite match the signal speed of this router (and it does not support the latest Wave 2 features, like MU-MIMO, for example).
Everyone should be using a VPN by now. The news is consistently awash with articles detailing the abject destruction of your privacy. And once gone, it is gone forever. The trouble is that using a single VPN requires you to set up each device in your house.
Luckily, there is an alternative method. While there are plenty of reasons to use a VPN, instead of painstakingly entering credentials on individual devices, why not upgrade to a VPN router and protect every device all at once? Here’s what you need to know about VPN routers4 Reasons to Set Up a VPN on Your Router (Instead of Your PC)4 Reasons to Set Up a VPN on Your Router (Instead of Your PC)You use a VPN, but is it practical to use it on several devices when you could simply set it up on a VPN? The choice is yours. Here's what you need to know.Read More.
What Is a VPN Router?
Before we delve into the best VPN routers, let’s quickly establish the difference between the VPN on your laptop or smartphone and a VPN router:
- VPN client: A VPN client on your computer protects data transmissions for that system alone. Once you sign-up and download a client, the VPN protects the individual device. Many services offer protection for multiple devices under the same subscription, but you have to download the software/app for each device.
- VPN router: A VPN router provides the security and privacy of a regular VPNThe Best VPN ServicesThe Best VPN ServicesWe've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, grouped by premium, free, and torrent-friendly.Read More, but covers every device on the network. All of the devices in your home can simultaneously use and benefit from a VPN without fiddling around with masses of login credentials and app downloads. The tradeoff, however, is having to set up a VPN router.
VPN routers were once the sole reserve of security and network buffs. But as internet users seek to improve their privacy and security, VPN routers have become more accessible.
Different Types of VPN Routers
VPN routers come in a few different flavors depending on your requirements. Almost all require you to run a custom router firmware, like DD-WRT or Tomato. These Linux-based custom router firmware projects offer far greater customization than a standard OEM setup. Support varies from router to router, depending on manufacturer and device hardware.
In that, you have two options: purchase a router with your firmware choice preinstalled, or buy a compatible router and take matters into your own hands.
The Best VPN Routers
Without further ado, here are the best VPN routers you can lay your hands on.
1. Asus RT-AC5300
ASUS AC5300 Tri-Band WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC5300)ASUS AC5300 Tri-Band WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC5300) Buy Now On Amazon $270.97
The Asus RT-AC5300 is a visually impressive router that will make your friends wonder about their inferior router choices. It has eight antennas and can blast wireless signal across 5,000 square feet, making it perfect for anyone with a large home or office.
The RT-AC5300 is a tri-band router that uses Asus’s Smart Connect feature to level out demand. This means the router switches between 5GHz bands to make sure there is no network congestion.
In addition, the router packs a decent 1.4GHz dual-core CPU with a similarly decent 512MB RAM, has eight Gigabit Ethernet ports for cable connections, and uses MU-MIMO for better speeds with multiple devices. Another bonus is the USB 3.0 port for external storage devices (as well as a USB 2.0 port too).
This VPN router is an excellent choice for network intensive environments, or even just large, bandwidth-hungry families, albeit at a high cost. The RT-AC5300 supports DD-WRT but not Tomato.
- Purchase without VPN provider or custom firmware via Amazon
- Purchase with your choice of VPN service provider with DD-WRT custom firmware via FlashRouters
2. Netgear Nighthawk R7000
NETGEAR Certified Refurbished R7000-100NAR Nighthawk RouterNETGEAR Certified Refurbished R7000-100NAR Nighthawk Router Buy Now On Amazon $101.94
The Netgear Nighthawk R7000 (our review) is one of the cheapest options on this VPN router list. But cheap VPN router status aside, the Nighthawk R7000 is well worth your time. The R7000 features a 1GHz dual-core processor with 256MB RAM, as well as four gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a USB 2.0 port.
The Nighthawk R7000 is a dual-band router, allowing it to switch seamlessly between bands. Also, the router has a number of Quality of Service (QoS) features to boost streaming and data throughput. For instance, you can optimize traffic for video streaming or online gaming, and so on. You also get some NAS functionality through Netgear’s ReadyShare technology, allowing you to use a large external drive as a basic NAS.
This isn’t the fastest or most powerful router on the list (most models have 802.11ac mode, but some only have “b/g/n”—do not buy any router without at least “n”). But the Nighthawk R7000 provides a cheap entry level VPN router experience, especially if you purchase the router and flash the firmware yourself. The Nighthawk R7000 supports DD-WRT and Tomato, as well as other custom firmware. It also looks cool.
- Purchase without VPN provider or custom firmware via Amazon
- Purchase with your choice of VPN service provider with Tomato custom firmware via FlashRouters
- Purchase with a NordVPN subscription with DD-WRT custom firmware via FlashRouters
- Purchase without VPN provider with Sabai OS custom firmware via Sabai Technology
3. Asus RT-AC86U
ASUS AC2900 WiFi Dual-band Gigabit Wireless Router (RT-AC86U)ASUS AC2900 WiFi Dual-band Gigabit Wireless Router (RT-AC86U) Buy Now On Amazon $168.20
Asus develop and release a considerable amount of routers with VPN capabilities. The Asus RT-AC86U is a powerful dual-band VPN router featuring 512MB RAM and a 1.8GHz dual-core processor. Online photo storage reviews. It comes with three high-power antennas that broadcast over a huge area, as well as packing in NitroQAM technology to boost your data transmission rates by utilizing extra wireless band capacity.
What Is The Best Wireless Router
The RT-AC86U features four Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a USB 2.0 port. You can use Asus’s AiPlayer and AiDisk as a media server and file server in conjunction with an external hard-drive, doubling up as a NAS of sorts.
But best of all, the Asus RT-AC86U is easy to setup with your own custom VPN router firmware, with support for Asuswrt-Merlin (a customized version of Asus’s existing firmware), Tomato, and DD-WRT variants. Unfortunately, I cannot find a retail option with a pre-installed VPN provider and custom firmware—but there are several tutorials online that will guide you through.
- Purchase without VPN provider or custom firmware via Amazon
4. Linksys WRT3200ACM
Linksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source RouterLinksys WRT AC3200 Dual-Band Open Source Router Buy Now On Amazon $184.50
The Linksys WRT3200ACM consistently features in “best VPN router” lists and for a good reason. Like the RT-AC86U, it features a powerful 1.8Ghz dual-core processor with 512MB RAM.
As well as this, the WRT3200ACM uses MU-MIMO to keep those speeds high. In addition to MU-MIMO, the WRT3200ACM uses Linksys Tri-Stream 160 technology to boost Wi-Fi speeds across wireless bands (somewhat similarly to NitroQAM). The WRT3200ACM broadcasts using four antennas with an extensive range. You’ll also find a USB 3.0 port, along with a combined USB 2.0/eSATA port for plugging in peripherals.
Finally, the WRT3200ACM supports OpenWrt and DD-WRT custom firmware, allowing you to customize your VPN router as you see fit. However, pre-installed WRT32000ACM VPN routers are available, with the ExpressVPN/OpenWrt combination one of the easiest to use. This VPN router really does have a considerable amount of support, allowing you to fine-tune your setup.
- Purchase without VPN provider or custom firmware via Amazon
- Purchase with ExpressVPN with OpenWrt custom firmware via FlashRouters
- Purchase with NordVPN with DD-WRT custom firmware via FlashRouters
5. D-Link AC5300 DIR-895L/R
D-Link Ultra AC5300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router (DIR-895L/R)D-Link Ultra AC5300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router (DIR-895L/R) Buy Now On Amazon $661.22
The D-Link AC5300 DIR-895L/R (our review) comes with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor with 256MB RAM, broadcasting using eight antennas (dead spider robot, anyone?). The router is tri-band, using MU-MIMO to provide consistently high speeds to every device in your household or office, with a total theoretical combined throughput of 5,332Mbps (1,000 Mbps in 2.4GHz, plus 2,166 Mbps in 5GHz and 2,166 Mbps in 5GHz).
The DIR-985L/R also comes with four gigabit Ethernet ports, along with a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port. Like most of the other listed routers, the DIR-985L/R will function as a simple-but-effective NAS if you attach an external hard drive of sufficient size.
Best Router For A Mac
The AC5300 DIR-895L/R has extensive support for DD-WRT, with some support for other OpenWrt projects such as LEDE. This is a well-rounded VPN router that provides ample power for a large household with multiple devices (up to 20!), or even a small office.
- Purchase with VPN provider or custom firmware via Amazon
Which VPN Router Will You Choose?
You have five excellent VPN routers to choose from. But if these VPN routers don’t suit your requirements, there are plenty more on the market to check out.
Using a VPN router extends the protection and privacy8 Instances You Weren't Using a VPN but Should've Been: The VPN Checklist8 Instances You Weren't Using a VPN but Should've Been: The VPN ChecklistIf you haven't already considered subscribing to a VPN to secure your privacy, now is the time.Read More of a regular VPN to your entire family. And with the range of online support available, setting up a VPN routerHow to Set Up a VPN on Your RouterHow to Set Up a VPN on Your RouterVPNs are great for online privacy but running a VPN on every device is a pain. Save time and install a VPN on your router instead.Read More is no longer a daunting task only network savants should attempt.
Though if you want to set up a VPN serverHow to Set Up Your Own VPN Server Using DD-WRTHow to Set Up Your Own VPN Server Using DD-WRTWhether you want to crank up home network security or connect to your home network remotely, you'll need your own VPN. Here's how to set one up for free using DD-WRT.Read More, we’re here to guide you.
Explore more about: Online Privacy, Router, VPN, Wireless Security.
The asus routers are nice to flash yourself because they have recovery mode which makes it very hard to brick them and if you do have a bad flash put it in recovery mode and start again. Personally I prefer the merlin software.
There're a lot of other really good routers. Vendors that are care about users privacy and security can easily add VPN features to routers without any investments (free vpn sdk by leading providers). But unfortunately not everyone care about it
You forgot to mention that you need a VDSL modem as well. None of these routers have one
If you want to purchase an actually pre-configured router (one you will not have to flash yourself), I recommend checking out FlashRouters. FlashRouters offers DD-WRT VPN ready routers with a warranty and an active support team.
This is a truly terrible list. White paper specs with no mention of AES-NI or cipher performance per CPU core are absolutely pointless when determining 'The 5 Best VPN Routers'. I guess MUO if just looking for those affiliate clicks, at least wirecutter would provide cipher benchmarks. Number one on this list in terms of a VPN client as a router should start with pfSense on a machine w/ AES-NI, then move on to off the shelf neutered porcupine routers.
If you have some recommendations for a small cost effective travel pfsense router that exceeds 200 Mbps on OpenVPN and easily supports a USB tether to Android for Internet access I would be interested in learning more.
Both the RT-AC86U (BCM4906) and GT-AC5300 (BCM4908) have AES-NI support and are easily 400%+ faster with OpenVPN compared to routers without AES-NI. Asuswrt firmware works pretty well out of the box with regular updates pushed and can easily be upgraded to Asuswrt-Merlin if needed (though many users will not need to).
Currently I plan to use an RT-AC86U for my travel router with a Samsung S9 as my ISP with everything going out over OpenVPN.
Both the RT-AC86U (BCM4906) and GT-AC5300 (BCM4908) have AES-NI support and will perform ~400% better for OpenVPN than routers without it.
For $197 for the RT-AC86U with built in Asuswrt you a very functional and fast OpenVPN device which can be further enhanced via Asuswrt-Merlin if needed (though most will not need to). It is very user-friendly, works out of the box, and has updates pushed regularly.
The RT-AC86U running OpenVPN over a USB tether to an LTE phone should may a very functional and powerful travel network.
If you have a better, easier to setup/maintain, & more cost effective pfsense solution that can travel with you and securely provide Wifi to a traveling group via an advanced LTE phone I would be interested in hearing about it.
Bullshoot, listed fancyrouters, not best.
Look for cisco and mikrotik.Neither of those options are ideal for the home user. Both will be drastically underpowered assuming pfsense. An Apollo lake dev board or 4th gen i5 desktop w/ dual ethernet intel nic would be much cheaper and offer 10x the performance.
Apologies, I meant to say 'assuming OpenVPN, pfsense on an apollo lake dev board'.. I would suggest against IPsec
I would suggest also Ubiquiti EdgeRouter variant. ER-4 for example. Great device imho
Great article, more informative on the VPN subject than any I've seen. Thank you very much. I will be sharing with my skeptical friends.
VPNs can sometimes be hard to configure on routers, so I suggest using a dedicated VPN router app. I use ExpressVPN myself.
Is it possible to increase the amount of RAM in these routers?
Would there be any point in increasing the RAM?