Your smart TV, thermostat, and game console can't run a VPN app — but they still need protection. The fix: a router-level VPN. We tested the top services for router compatibility, speed, and ease of setup. NordVPN is our top pick for its broad firmware support and blazing NordLynx protocol, but ExpressVPN's pre-configured Aircove router is the easiest option for beginners.
Your smart TV streams your shows. Your thermostat knows when you're home. Your game console connects you to players worldwide. And your smart speaker listens for your voice.
None of them can run a VPN app.
That's the blind spot in most home security setups. Smart home devices — IoT gadgets, streaming boxes, consoles — are famously bad at built-in privacy. They ship with minimal security, collect data by default, and often can't be configured with a VPN client at all.1
The fix is simple: put the VPN on your router. Every device that connects through that router is then protected, no app required.
Here's the best VPN for smart home devices, tested for router compatibility, performance, and ease of setup.
| Pick | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Overall | Broad router firmware support + NordLynx speed |
| ExpressVPN | Ease of setup | Pre-configured Aircove router |
| Surfshark | Value | Unlimited devices + CleanWeb ad blocking |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy | Open-source apps + strong WireGuard support |
Best for: Router compatibility, performance, and setup guides for every major firmware.
NordVPN is the most well-rounded choice for router-level protection. It supports DD-WRT, OpenWrt, AsusWrt Merlin, Tomato, and many other router firmwares with detailed setup guides for each.1
The real standout is NordLynx — NordVPN's WireGuard-based protocol. It delivers near-native speeds even when your entire home network is routed through the VPN, which matters when you're streaming 4K on the TV while someone's gaming on the console.1
Key specs:
Best for: Beginners who don't want to flash firmware or configure anything manually.
ExpressVPN's Aircove is a pre-configured VPN router. You unbox it, plug it in, and it's already running ExpressVPN. No firmware flashing, no manual configuration, no command-line tinkering.2
This is the pick if you want VPN protection for every device in your home but don't want to spend an afternoon setting it up. The Aircove also includes built-in ad blocking and content filtering at the router level.2
If you already have a compatible router, ExpressVPN's manual setup guides for DD-WRT and Asus Merlin are solid too.
Key specs:
Best for: Budget-conscious households with lots of devices.
Surfshark's unlimited device policy means you don't have to use a router — but you still should for devices that can't run a VPN app.3 The real value here is CleanWeb, Surfshark's DNS-level ad, tracker, and malware blocker. On a router, CleanWeb protects every device on your network, including "dumb" IoT gadgets that can't install ad blockers themselves.3
Surfshark supports manual setup on DD-WRT, OpenWrt, and Asus Merlin routers, and its WireGuard implementation keeps speeds respectable even under load.
Key specs:
Best for: Users who prioritize open-source transparency and strong privacy protections.
ProtonVPN is built by the same team behind Proton Mail, and it shows in the privacy architecture. The apps are open-source and audited, and the service operates under Swiss privacy law — one of the strongest legal frameworks for data protection in the world.
For router setups, ProtonVPN offers excellent WireGuard configuration support on compatible firmware like DD-WRT, OpenWrt, and pfSense. The Secure Core architecture routes traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions, adding a layer of protection for sensitive smart home data like camera feeds and door lock logs.
The free tier exists but doesn't support router configuration — you'll need a paid plan for that.
Key specs:
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup ease | Manual guides | Aircove (pre-configured) | Manual guides | Manual guides |
| Best protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard) | Lightway | WireGuard | WireGuard |
| Router firmware | DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Asus Merlin, Tomato, pfSense | Aircove, DD-WRT, Asus Merlin | DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Asus Merlin | DD-WRT, OpenWrt, pfSense |
| Device limit | 10 (router covers all) | 8 (router covers all) | Unlimited | 10 |
| DNS protection | Threat Protection | Ad blocker (Aircove) | CleanWeb | NetShield |
| Best for | Overall performance | Easiest setup | Budget + unlimited devices | Privacy purists |
Most smart home devices are designed for convenience, not security. A smart bulb doesn't have a VPN client. A game console doesn't let you configure a proxy. A smart TV's privacy settings are buried in menus you'll never find.
When you install a VPN on your router, every device that connects to your home network is automatically routed through the encrypted tunnel. That includes:
The only requirement is a router that supports custom firmware (DD-WRT, OpenWrt, Asus Merlin, Tomato) or a pre-configured VPN router like the ExpressVPN Aircove.1
The process varies by VPN provider and router firmware, but the general steps are:
If this sounds like too much work, the ExpressVPN Aircove skips steps 1-4 entirely. It comes pre-configured.2
If you have smart home devices, a router-level VPN is the only practical way to protect them all. NordVPN is our top pick for its broad router firmware support, excellent NordLynx performance, and detailed setup guides. If you want the easiest possible experience, ExpressVPN's Aircove router removes all the technical friction.
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 services we've tested and believe provide real value.
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