Should you replace your Wi-Fi router with a VPN-ready one? Here's how mine fared

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are excellent tools for improving online privacy and security. Most people sign up with a VPN provider and then install their accompanying native applications on their PCs, tablets, and smartphones. 

However, there’s another option: installing a VPN on your router. This method provides blanket coverage for any device connected to the router’s Wi-Fi, allowing you to circumvent connection number restrictions and saving you the legwork of installing a VPN app on every device you want to protect. 

Also: The best VPN services of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

It’s not always a quick task, though. Many routers on the market support third-party VPNs, but you may need reasonable technical knowledge and be willing to tamper with internal settings to make everything work. 

Alternatively, some VPN providers offer VPN-ready hardware; one such model is the subject of this review. The Privacy Hero 2, a $199 router available on FlashRouters, supports NordVPN and Surfshark (both owned by Nord Security) alongside a range of VPN protocols. It comes with one year of access to Privacy Hero Wireguard VPN and, with a current promotion, one year of NordVPN.

Let’s dive into this VPN-ready router’s build, installation, benefits, and disadvantages.

How’s the build quality?

Once you unbox the Privacy Hero 2, you’re met with a lightweight, compact router. It’s lighter than most routers I’ve tried or reviewed (except for travel routers) and has a plastic feel. The build quality is acceptable for a $199 router, although I felt I had to handle it carefully. 

The Privacy Hero 2 comes with an A/C power supply, Ethernet cable, and installation guide. The size of the four external antennae seemed odd, probably because they were somewhat bulky compared to the router’s tiny body. Overall, the build is reasonable, and my only real complaint is the short length of the Ethernet cable. 

Installation process

I’ve tested a variety of Wi-Fi routers — traditional, mesh, and VPN-supporting — over the years and found that installation complexity varies. The Privacy Hero 2 was very easy to set up. The router comes with a booklet and online installation guides, including a short video that helps users with the hardware side of the installation. After I plugged the router in, it took about 10 minutes to update.

Once the router is ready, you must sign up for a free Privacy Hero account, which gives you web access to the router’s dashboard. 

The next step is creating your Wi-Fi network. There are two options:

1. You can set the network name to the same name and password as your existing network, so you won’t have to reconnect your devices individually to the new one. This option requires you to turn off your ISP’s router Wi-Fi signal. 
2. Alternatively, you can create a new network name. As I intend to retire my aging TP-Link model that has served as an IoT device hub until now, this was the option I chose — with the name Privacy Hero. 

You can explore the Privacy Hero dashboard now that you’re set up. I like the layout; it’s clean, simple, and fuss-free. 

I’ll focus on the VPN tab, as these are the main settings you’d most likely want to change. You will see various options: VPN, VPN Kill Switch, Malware & Phishing, and Ad Blocking. 

Also: Using a VPN is no longer enough. Protect your entire network with WireGuard – here’s how

If you click the first tab, you can choose between different VPN services. In this review, we’ll use NordVPN.  

This part was the most awkward part of the installation process. The router comes with a free year of NordVPN service, so you must go to the account tab, find your voucher, validate it on NordVPN, create your account, and then generate an access token. 

Once you have the access token, you must submit it in the Privacy Hero dashboard. Due to timeout failures, my token was not accepted until after three attempts. 

NordVPN then launched on the router with a UK server as default. If you want to change your country, click on the connection and change the server yourself. Visit NordVPN’s OpenVPN configuration file list and copy and paste the server name you want to connect to. 

Ensure you have also enabled the Kill Switch, Malware & Phishing, and Ad Blocking options. The kill switch will protect your privacy if your internet connection suddenly drops by stopping the router from leveraging your standard, unencrypted ISP connection. The other settings will reduce your exposure to tracking and cyber threats. 

Let’s start streaming 

My favorite feature is under the Streaming tab. Dubbed “Relocation,” it enables you to select the country connection through which your VPN will attempt to route your traffic without constantly changing your setup. 

Also: NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which VPN is right for you?

If a streaming service is available in only one country — for example, BBC iPlayer in the UK — it won’t be shown, as the organization will automatically direct your traffic via a UK relocation connection. If, however, a service is available in multiple countries, you have options. Netflix, for example, can be set to the UK, Canada, or the US. 

You will still need an active subscription; some streaming services require a subscription from your target country. 

Testing streaming services

I spent over an hour testing various connections and configuring the router to my liking. That’s not to say you need to spend the same amount of time doing so, as the router is about as “out of the box” as possible. 

NordVPN worked from the start, and I experienced no connection issues with my Samsung smartphone, Samsung TV, or Apple MacBook Pro. However, setting up streaming services was more challenging.

I spent several hours testing which geo-blocked streaming libraries I could access through my new Wi-Fi connection. I tested the Privacy Hero 2 with Disney+, Netflix, and the anime streaming service Crunchyroll. 

Also: TunnelBear VPN review: An affordable, easy-to-use VPN with a few notable pitfalls

My first test was accessing my home UK libraries, which I could do without a problem. I then enabled Privacy Hero 2’s relocation feature for the aforementioned streaming platforms while keeping the initial connection on a UK server, where I faced several challenges. At first, I had no success — only my UK library was available. I powered down the TV, Sky satellite TV box, ISP-issued router, and Privacy Hero 2 and waited for everything to reboot. 

I then tried to access US streaming service libraries on Disney+, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. Despite the relocation options, this didn’t work directly through the Samsung TV’s Tizen hub when the UK was set as the central server. However, it worked for Netflix and Disney+ when I tested three US-based servers instead with relocation enabled. 

Accessing these libraries through a third-party app, in this case, Sky, worked best on my TV for Netflix and Disney+. When I chose this route, it didn’t matter what country my initial connection was set to. 

Also: The best live TV streaming services of 2025: Expert tested

When I tested Netflix and Disney+ on my laptop, I could access US libraries without issues. (I received a login email from Netflix confirming that an account was being used in the US; the relocation function was working correctly.) Unfortunately, Crunchyroll did not work on my smart TV, but I could access its US library on my laptop. 

I also attempted to access Canadian libraries and had similar levels of success. Accessing different geo-blocked libraries for testing purposes was more successful than I expected, although you may have to try different configurations. 

Lastly, I performed a speed test while connected to Privacy Hero 2 compared to my typical ISP router connection. I experienced a download speed loss of around 16% and an upload speed loss of 6.6%. For a VPN, I can’t complain.   

About those ads…

While a VPN’s streaming capabilities are pretty popular, another feature many VPN providers offer is ad blocking. 

Ad blocking can be as much of a cat-and-mouse game as streaming services blocking VPN IP addresses. YouTube, for example, has declared war on third-party ad blockers and is attempting to stop viewers from being able to bypass or skip ad breaks. 

I didn’t expect much, considering that most of the time, when I use a VPN and watch a YouTube video, there’s very little difference in how many ads are displayed vs. when I use a standard Wi-Fi connection. However, I was pleasantly surprised at my final router and server setup results. 

I tested my setup using a cooking channel I’m subscribed to; while I love its content, the frequency of commercial interruptions makes it almost unwatchable. 

Also: Is your live TV streaming service still worth it? I reassessed the options for us both

On a standard laptop connection, while connected to the default UK VPN server, the first ad on videos and a handful of ads were displayed, but fewer than usual. I compared watching the same YouTube video on my smart TV with Privacy Hero 2, with the same results. I then decided to try changing the router’s initial server to a country where YouTube doesn’t monetize ads. Lo and behold, all of the ad breaks within the video were disabled.

I use an ancient MacBook Air to watch YouTube or to listen to audiobooks at night, and there’s nothing worse than an ad break startling you awake. To ensure this wasn’t a fluke, I changed this laptop’s Wi-Fi connection to Privacy Hero 2, and the result was the same: no ads. 

There is a caveat: Speeds were impacted, so depending on what server you select and the speed of your initial broadband connection, you might be trading buffering for an ad-free experience. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

Regarding the physical design of the Privacy Hero 2, the company should improve the build quality and be more generous with the Ethernet cable’s length. However, installation is easy and user-friendly. This VPN router is the best I’ve tried to date, and it will be a long-term fixture in my household. 

I have previously installed VPNs on third-party, supporting routers, but the Privacy Hero 2 is far less complicated to set up and requires very little technical knowledge. The dashboard is easy to navigate and keeps technical jargon to a minimum.

Also: Best TVs of CES 2025: Samsung, LG, and other new models that made our jaws drop

If you want to change the initial server connection, you’ll need to work out the OpenVPN configuration file names. I would like to see NordVPN provide a streamlined list of servers that identifies which server belongs to which country. A dropdown list right in the dashboard would be useful.  

My favorite feature is the streaming location option. While many streaming channels are currently limited to the UK, US, and Canada (something I would like to see expanded where possible), toggling between them without finding servers yourself is highly convenient. 

If you want to try out the Privacy Hero 2, you can buy it from Flashrouters for $199. You’ll receive a free one-year NordVPN subscription with your purchase.

Specifications

• VPN protocols: Wireguard
• Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6 – Wireless AX
• Wireless speed: 3000Mbps
• Wi-Fi bands: Dual Band
• Ethernet port: Type 4 Gigabit
• Antenna type: 4 External
• Processor: MediaTek
• Processor speed: 1.3GHz
• RAM: 512 MB / 128 MB
• Power supply: 100-240V

Along with Wireguard, this router also supports NordLynx, which combines Wireguard with NordVPN security features.