PS5 and Xbox Series X don't support native VPN apps, so you'll need a workaround — router VPN, PC hotspot, or SmartDNS. We tested the best options and found ExpressVPN is the easiest for beginners, Surfshark is the best value, and the ExpressVPN Aircove router is the ultimate plug-and-play hardware solution for console gamers.
Here's the thing about gaming consoles: neither the PS5 nor the Xbox Series X has a native VPN app. You can't just download one from the store and toggle it on. To get VPN protection on your console, you need a workaround — either setting up the VPN on your router, sharing a connection from a PC, or using SmartDNS.1
Why bother? Three big reasons:
The catch: speed loss. Console VPNs add a hop, so you want a provider that minimizes that overhead. Here are the ones that do it best.
ExpressVPN is the most user-friendly option for console gamers, period.1 Its proprietary Lightway protocol delivers excellent speeds with minimal latency overhead — exactly what you want when every millisecond counts in a firefight.
The real killer feature? ExpressVPN's Aircove router (see pick #3). If you buy the whole ecosystem, setup is truly plug-and-play: connect the Aircove to your modem, log into your ExpressVPN account through the router dashboard, and every device on your network — PS5, Xbox, Switch, smart TV — is instantly protected. No flashing firmware, no PC bridging, no technical headaches.
If you're using a standard router, ExpressVPN also offers a MediaStreamer SmartDNS feature, which can unblock geo-restricted content on consoles without any speed penalty (though it doesn't encrypt traffic — it's DNS-level only).
Best for: Beginners who want the easiest possible setup and don't mind paying a premium for reliability.
| Dimension | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed loss | Minimal (Lightway protocol) |
| Server network | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Setup difficulty | Easy (router app or Aircove hardware) |
| Simultaneous devices | 8 |
Surfshark is the best value pick for console gamers, especially if you have multiple devices to protect.1 The headline feature: unlimited simultaneous connections. That means you can run the VPN on your PC (acting as a hotspot for your console), on your phone, on your tablet, and still have room for your roommate's setup — all on one subscription.
Surfshark's CleanWeb feature also blocks ads and malware at the network level, which can speed up your browsing and reduce tracking across your whole home network when configured on a router.
Setup-wise, you'll need to either configure Surfshark on your router (it supports OpenVPN and WireGuard on compatible routers) or use the PC hotspot method. Surfshark doesn't sell its own router hardware, so you're trading ease-of-setup for a much lower price point.
Best for: Budget-conscious gamers with multiple consoles or devices who are comfortable with a bit of manual setup.
| Dimension | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed loss | Low (WireGuard support) |
| Server network | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Setup difficulty | Moderate (router config or PC hotspot) |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited |
The ExpressVPN Aircove is the closest thing to a "just works" solution for console VPN protection. It's a full-featured Wi-Fi 6 router with ExpressVPN built directly into the firmware. No flashing, no manual configuration, no command line — you plug it in, log in, and your entire home network is encrypted.2
For PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, this is the most seamless experience available. The router handles all the VPN routing at the network level, so your consoles never need to know a VPN exists. You can even use the Aircove dashboard to assign specific devices to the VPN while letting others (like a work laptop) bypass it — useful if your employer blocks VPN traffic.
The trade-off: it's expensive compared to a software-only VPN subscription, and you're locked into ExpressVPN's ecosystem. But if you value your time and want a set-it-and-forget-it solution, this is it.
Best for: Gamers who want zero-configuration network-wide VPN protection and are willing to invest in dedicated hardware.
| Dimension | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed loss | Minimal (Wi-Fi 6 + Lightway) |
| Server network | Same as ExpressVPN (3,000+) |
| Setup difficulty | Very easy (plug and play) |
| Simultaneous devices | All devices on your network |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | Aircove Router |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed loss | Minimal | Low | Minimal |
| Server count | 3,000+ | 3,200+ | 3,000+ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Very easy |
| Best for | Beginners | Budget | Hardware fans |
You have three main methods:
1. Router VPN — Configure the VPN on your home router. Every device connected to that router (including your console) is automatically protected. Works with both PS5 and Xbox. Requires a router that supports VPN configuration (many modern ones do, or you can flash custom firmware like DD-WRT).
2. PC/Mac hotspot — Connect your computer to the VPN, then share that connection to your console via Ethernet or Wi-Fi hotspot. Great for testing, but your computer needs to stay on and connected while you game.
3. SmartDNS — Some VPNs (like ExpressVPN with MediaStreamer) offer SmartDNS, which can unblock geo-restricted content without encrypting your traffic. No speed loss, but no privacy protection either — it's for content access only.
If you want the easiest, most reliable experience: go with ExpressVPN — especially if you pair it with the Aircove router for truly hands-off setup. If you're on a budget or need to protect multiple consoles: Surfshark gives you unlimited connections at a fraction of the price.
Disclosure: As an affiliate, we may earn a commission if you purchase through the links above — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've tested and believe add real value.
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