Best Wireless Routers with Built‑in VPN & Advanced Security

TL;DR: The TP‑Link Archer BE230 packs Wi‑Fi 7 speeds up to 2,882 Mbps on 5 GHz, a 2.0 GHz quad‑core CPU, and built‑in VPN, but lacks a 6 GHz band and may lose range in bigger homes.

The Archer BE230 delivers a total throughput of 3.6 Gbps, with a 5 GHz peak of 2,882 Mbps and a 2.4 GHz rate of 688 Mbps. Its 2.0 GHz quad‑core processor and four external antennas help keep those speeds stable, while the 41 mm height, 343 mm length and 272 mm width give it a solid, tabletop presence.

Compared with the other six routers, the BE230’s heavier than the ultra‑light Asus RT‑AX1800S (0.82 lb) but lighter than the Linksys E7350 (1.64 lb) and the high‑end Asus RT‑BE96U (4.12 lb). Its 5 GHz speed outpaces the 1,201 Mbps of the Asus RT‑AX1800S and the 867 Mbps of the TP‑Link Archer A54, though it falls short of the 5,764 Mbps offered by the Asus RT‑BE96U. On the 2.4 GHz band it also beats the 574 Mbps of the Asus RT‑AX1800S, while its processor clock (2.0 GHz) tops the 880 MHz dual‑core chips in the Asus RT‑AX1800S and Linksys E7350, and outpaces the 1.5 GHz CPU in the Tenda AX1500.

Reviewers praise the router’s “powerhouse” performance for 4K/8K streaming and gaming, especially the strong 2.4 GHz coverage that keeps IoT devices happy. However, the lack of a 6 GHz band limits true Wi‑Fi 7 potential, and the 5 GHz signal drops sharply after about 35 ft, which can be a drawback in larger or multi‑story homes. The built‑in VPN server/client, WPA3, HomeShield and EasyMesh compatibility add a solid security and expandability layer for users who want more control.

Best for: Gamers and streamers with gigabit internet who need top‑close‑range speeds and built‑in security features.

Avoid if: You live in a large multi‑story house or rely on Wi‑Fi 6E/7 devices that need a 6 GHz band.

TL;DR: The TP‑Link Archer A54 delivers up to 1,167 Mbps combined speed, 4.3‑star ratings from 4,836 reviewers, and solid security features for a budget‑friendly price of $41.60.

The standout figure for the Archer A54 is its total throughput of 1,167 Mbps, with a 5 GHz band capable of 867 Mbps and a 2.4 GHz band at 300 Mbps. It also packs four fixed omnidirectional antennas, 2×2 MU‑MIMO and beamforming to keep multiple devices happy at once.

Compared with the six other routers in this roundup, the Archer A54 weighs more than the Tenda AX1500 (450 g) and the Asus RT‑AX1800S (372 g) but weighs less than the Linksys E7350 (850 g). Its 5 GHz speed of 867 Mbps trails the Tenda and Asus models, which list 1,201 Mbps on that band, and its total Wi‑Fi speed is lower than the Tenda’s 1,500 Mbps. Unlike the Linksys and Asus units, the Archer runs on a single‑core CPU rather than a dual‑core or quad‑core processor, and it uses Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac) while several peers have moved to Wi‑Fi 6.

Users consistently praise the Archer A54 for smooth HD streaming and responsive online gaming in typical 3‑bedroom homes. Reviewers note that the built‑in MU‑MIMO and beamforming help maintain stable connections when several devices are active, and the EasyMesh compatibility makes expanding coverage easy. The full security suite—including SPI firewall, WPA3, and parental‑control URL filtering—gets frequent mentions as a plus for families.

Technically, the router runs on a 9 V, 0.85 A power supply and offers four 10/100 Mbps LAN ports plus a single 10/100 Mbps WAN port. It supports a wide range of WAN types (Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP) and can switch between router, access‑point, and range‑extender modes, giving you flexibility without extra hardware.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance

TL;DR: The Asus RT‑AX1800S delivers Wi‑Fi 6 speeds up to 1.2 Gbps on 5 GHz, lifetime AiProtection, and AiMesh support for $58.99, making it a solid budget router for small‑to‑medium homes.

The standout spec delivers 5 GHz throughput of 1201 Mbps, paired with a dual‑core MIPS 1004Kc processor running at 880 MHz. Combined with 256 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash, the router handles multiple devices without a hitch in typical apartment settings.

Compared with its peers, the RT‑AX1800S is lighter than the Linksys E7350 (1.64 lb) and more compact than the Asus ROG Rapture GT‑BE98 PRO, which weighs over 4 lb. Its 2.4 GHz speed of 574 Mbps sits between the Tenda AX1500’s 300 Mbps and the TP‑Link Archer BE230’s 688 Mbps, giving it a balanced middle ground. While it shares a four‑antenna, 2×2 MIMO design with the Tenda AX1500, it offers a higher 5 GHz rate than the TP‑Link Archer A54’s 867 Mbps.

Users repeatedly praise the router’s easy setup, strong close‑range signal, and the lifetime free AiProtection suite that includes VPN support. Professional reviewers note the value of AiMesh compatibility for expanding coverage without buying a whole new system. The main complaints revolve around limited long‑range performance, especially on the 2.4 GHz band, and a heavier‑than‑expected plastic chassis despite the 0.82 lb weight.

Beyond raw speeds, the device supports Wi‑Fi 6 features such as OFDMA, MU‑MIMO, Beamforming, and 1024‑QAM, all within a 20/40/80 MHz bandwidth. It offers four Gigabit LAN ports, a Gigabit WAN port, and buttons for WPS, reset, and power, plus parental controls and QoS for traffic management.

Best for: Budget‑conscious households or apartments up to about 2,000 sq ft that need reliable Wi‑Fi 6 basics.

Avoid if: You have a large, multi‑story home, require high‑bandwidth streaming at distance, or need a portable router with USB connectivity.

TL;DR: The Asus RT‑BE96U delivers tri‑band Wi‑Fi 7 performance with up to 19 Gbps total speed, dual 10 Gbps ports, and advanced security, but its large size and premium price limit its appeal.

At the heart of the RT‑BE96U is a Wi‑Fi 7 engine that pushes 6 GHz throughput to 11529 Mbps, 5 GHz to 5764 Mbps, and 2.4 GHz to 1376 Mbps, adding up to a claimed 19 Gbps aggregate speed. The router uses eight antennas, a 4×4 MIMO configuration and 320 MHz channel width with 4096‑QAM modulation, which professional reviewers note as a solid foundation for future‑proof networking.

Weighing 4.12 lb, the unit is slightly lighter than the Asus ROG Rapture GT‑BE98 PRO at 4.4 lb, yet it dwarfs the TP‑Link Archer BE230 (1.21 lb) and the other six models, which range from 0.82 lb to 1.64 lb. Its footprint of 13.8 in × 13.8 in × 8.6 in is larger than the compact BE230 and the Linksys E7350, and wider than the ROG’s 8.68 in width. In speed terms, the RT‑BE96U’s 6 GHz band at 11529 Mbps far outstrips the BE230’s 5 GHz 2882 Mbps and its total wireless speed of 3.6 Gbps, positioning it at the top of the performance tier in this group.

Everyday owners rave about the router’s “blazing” Wi‑Fi 7 performance and the convenience of AiMesh for whole‑home coverage, especially in homes exceeding 2,000 sq ft. The built‑in AiProtection Pro suite and parental controls also earn frequent praise. On the flip side, users repeatedly mention the bulky chassis and the 65 W power draw as drawbacks, and several reviews call out the alternating‑band Multi‑Link Operation as a limitation for power users.

Under the hood sits a 2.6 GHz quad‑core processor, 2 GB of RAM and 256 MB of flash storage, giving the router headroom for advanced features. Connectivity includes a configurable 10GBASE‑T WAN/LAN port, an additional 10GBASE‑T LAN port, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type‑A and a USB 2.0 port, plus a RJ‑45 power‑over‑Ethernet option. Software‑side, Asus provides AiCloud, QoS with 32 bandwidth‑limiter rules, and support for Samba/FTP and media serving.

Best for: Those prioritizing quality and willing to pay for premium performance

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $549.99

TL;DR: The Tenda AX1500 delivers 1.5 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 speed, a quad‑core 1.5 GHz CPU and four 5 dBi antennas at a budget‑friendly $37.99, making it a solid entry‑level router with mesh support.

The router’s headline spec is a total Wi‑Fi speed of 1500 Mbps, split into 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. Under the hood sits a quad‑core 1.5 GHz CPU that professional reviewers say provides enough processing power for multiple simultaneous streams. Four 5 dBi antennas with beamforming help focus signal strength where you need it.

Compared with the other six routers in this roundup, the Tenda is lighter than the TP‑Link Archer A54 (658 g) but a bit heavier than the Asus RT‑AX1800S (372 g). Its 5 GHz throughput matches the Asus RT‑AX1800S’s 1201 Mbps and beats the TP‑Link Archer A54’s 867 Mbps. The 1500 Mbps combined speed also tops the Archer A54’s 1,167 Mbps total throughput. With a coverage claim of up to 3500 sq ft (mesh 3‑pack), it outpaces the Linksys E7350’s 1500 sq ft rating.

User feedback highlights smooth streaming and gaming thanks to the 1.5 Gbps Wi‑Fi 6 capability, while professional reviewers point out the solid WPA3 encryption and mesh compatibility. However, reviewers note that detailed performance benchmarks remain scarce and the router lacks 160 MHz channel support, which power users might miss.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional-grade performance

TL;DR: The Linksys E7350 delivers Wi‑Fi 6 speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 1500 sq ft, supports 20+ devices, and packs a compact 156 mm × 77.11 mm × 220 mm footprint for $54.00.

The standout spec is its 880 MHz dual‑core processor paired with an AX1800 (Wi‑Fi 6) radio that promises up to 1.8 Gbps maximum throughput. With beamforming, MU‑MIMO and a 2 × 2 spatial‑stream design, it can handle more than 20 devices while still covering up to 1500 sq ft, making it a solid entry‑level router for apartments or small homes.

Compared with the six other routers in this roundup, the E7350 sits in the middle of the weight spectrum at 1.64 pounds—heavier than the ultra‑light Asus RT‑AX1800S (0.82 lb) but considerably lighter than the high‑end Asus RT‑BE96U (4.12 lb). Its width of 77.11 mm is narrower than the Asus RT‑AX1800S (134 mm) and the TP‑Link Archer A54 (231.14 mm), giving it a slimmer profile on a shelf. The processor speed matches the Asus RT‑AX1800S’s 880 MHz dual‑core chip, yet it trails the TP‑Link Archer BE230’s 2.0 GHz quad‑core CPU, explaining why the E7350 is marketed as a budget‑friendly option rather than a performance flagship.

Professional reviewers highlight the compact design and the inclusion of Wi‑Fi 6 as a strong value proposition for modest setups, while noting the lack of independent benchmark data. User feedback reflects a mixed picture: a 4.1/5 rating from 3,863 reviews suggests many owners are satisfied, but some comments mention that real‑world coverage can vary, especially in larger or multi‑story homes. The router’s EasyMesh compatibility, automatic firmware updates, and a dedicated WPS button simplify setup and future expansion.

Best for: Entry-level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: You need powerful performance or professional‑grade features

TL;DR: The Asus ROG Rapture GT‑BE98 PRO packs a 30 Gbps quad‑band Wi‑Fi 7 engine, dual 10 Gbps ports and 2,500 sq ft coverage, but its large size and premium price keep it in the high‑end niche.

What really sets this router apart is its advertised 30 Gbps maximum Wi‑Fi speed, driven by two 6 GHz bands each rated at 11,529 Mbps. Combined with a quad‑core 2.6 GHz CPU and 2 GB of RAM, the device can juggle heavy gaming traffic and multiple high‑resolution streams without choking. The spec sheet also lists a 2,500 sq ft coverage area, which should blanket most large homes.

Compared to the other six routers, the GT‑BE98 PRO weighs 4.4 lb, heavier than the Asus RT‑BE96U (4.12 lb) and far heftier than sub‑pound rivals such as the Asus RT‑AX1800S (0.82 lb) or the TP‑Link Archer BE230 (1.21 lb). Its dimensions—13.79 in × 13.79 in × 8.68 in—make it larger than the compact boxy designs of the Linksys E7350 and TP‑Link Archer A54. On the speed front, the 6 GHz throughput matches the Asus RT‑BE96U but outpaces every other peer, whose highest listed total wireless speed is 19 Gbps (Asus RT‑BE96U) or 3.6 Gbps (TP‑Link Archer BE230). The GT‑BE98 PRO also offers dual 10 Gbps WAN/LAN ports and three 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, a level of wired capacity none of the other six routers provide.

Reviewers consistently applaud the router’s “extraordinary” 6 GHz performance and the stability it brings to 8K streaming and fast‑paced gaming sessions. At the same time, several users note that the 5 GHz band can lose speed at longer distances, especially with older Wi‑Fi 6E or Wi‑Fi 6 devices. The large chassis also draws criticism because it’s hard to fit into cramped apartment setups. Professional reviewers highlight the built‑in AiProtection Pro suite, which bundles a firewall, Trend Micro threat protection and site‑to‑site VPN without extra subscription fees.

Best for: Those prioritizing quality and willing to pay for premium performance

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns