A VPN is easy to set up on a PC or Mac, but many other devices such as Apple TV, Roku Box, PS3 and Xbox 360 unfortunately don’t allow you to connect to the web using VPN settings. This is where a VPN router comes in, as routers that support VPN services allow you to let any device that connects to the internet using this router is automatically using the VPN service of your choice. There are a couple of really good VPN routers available, and we picked out two of the best ones for you.
The ASUS RT-N16 features pros and cons
The Asus RT-N16 has many advanced features that make it appealing to most users worldwide. These features include an FTP server, USB storage and printer sharing. This router is unlike many other routers in the market today; this is because it is very easy to use, it’s not necessary to be a network expert to get it up and running. The ASUS has an impeccable graphical user interface that even a novice in networking can easily understand and use.
This particular router will offer you high-speed services mainly for close distances. It might not work as fast for WAN due to the longer distances involved. The router is a single band 802.11n device and operates on a radio frequency of 2.4 GHz. These specifications happen to be the same as other routers that are within the same price range as the ASUS RT-N16.
However, the ASUS router will not provide you with the option of providing a guest wireless network. This is a major disadvantage as the guest wireless feature enables you to share Internet resources with close family and friends without having to share your whole network with people you do not know.
Other shortcomings of the device that you need to know include the fact that it is bulky when you try to run it using the stock firmware. In addition to this, the USB ports are not powerful enough to support bus powered removable hard drives. If you are really an enthusiast about the device, you should probably use it with a third party open source firmware.
The Cisco RV042 4-port 10/100 VPN Router – Dual WAN
The Cisco RV042 4-port 10/100 VPN Router – Dual WAN has received numerous recommendations from many users. This is mainly due to its strong VPN capabilities that allow remote access to employees and other offices. These capabilities provide for up to 50 VPN tunnels for remote users. In addition to this, the router provides two connections, which ensure that the sharing of network resources goes on smoothly without any interruptions.
An added advantage of this particular router is how simple it is to set it up in your office or home. You can easily change the settings according to your preference because of the easy-to-use interface. The device also provides its users with very strong security. This is very essential for a small business and even large corporations.
Daniel C.
Sander D.
While it is odd that the Cisco RV-042 is reviewed and not the E4200 pictured in the headline,…. the previous commenter seems to be unaware that the RV-042 is NOT a wireless router, so his comment that it does not have WPA2 is irrelevant. you would need to place a wireless device after.
Additionally, Cisco has two versions of this,… a 10/100 and also a gigabit version.
The the number of VPN tunnels is a big selling point as other router solutions limit them or charge extra/tunnel.
Set can be a simple or as complicated as you wish, and can require some actual reading of a manual and learning something (heaven forbid) for some of the detailed features like forwarding, which give you many option.
One issue we have had however, is the unit get warm and has no internal fan, so we have had a couple units burnout after about 5 years, if not properly ventilated.
I’m curious as to why the “Cisco RV042 4-port 10/100 VPN Router – Dual WAN” is on your list as one of the best two reviewed VPN routers.
It’s only shining feature is the capability to provide up to 50 VPN tunnels for remote users.
However, your site stated something completely erroneous and will get a lot of non-wireless savvy customers into a bind. You stated “The device also provides its users with very strong security.” That is completely false. While this router does support a strong firewall, it does NOT provide the (really only) best wireless security on the market; one which has been out and in most wireless routers for what… a decade? WPA2. That in itself is a huge no-go in terms of wireless security.
Secondly, you didn’t mention the ports. In a world of Gigabit network adapters, the “Cisco RV042 4-port 10/100 VPN Router – Dual WAN” only sports 10/100Mb WAN and LAN ports. That means that from the get go, your internet is throttled at the “Internet” port of the router. No matter what the VPN speeds can produce, every internet connection will slow at that WAN port.
For all intents and purposes (especially price, averaging $145.00) the “Cisco RV042 4-port 10/100 VPN Router – Dual WAN” is a complete waste of money.