The 5 best VPNs for Eero routers

Getting a Virtual Private Network (VPN) running on a router is a little more complicated than just installing an app, but it’s worth it. Doing so protects every device on your network, including game consoles and other walled-garden systems. The problem is that Eero routers don’t have a built-in VPN client or well-documented support for alternate firmware.

In other words, your best option is actually to use two routers simultaneously. We’ll install the VPN on the first device, which will encrypt your traffic and send it on to the Eero router. This sounds pretty tricky but don’t worry; we have step-by-step instructions a little further down the page. Before that, though, you’ll have to decide which VPN to use.

Here’s a quick look at the best VPNs for Eero hardware. If any stand out to you, just scroll down for a more detailed review.

The top VPNs for Eero routers

1. NordVPN: Our first choice for Amazon Eero devices. Reputable provider with a first-class record on privacy. Also boasts impressive speeds, great unblocking abilities, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Eero routers. Quick and security conscious with servers in 100 countries. Supports WireGuard and provides setup guides for most firmware.
3. ExpressVPN: This VPN supports an astounding 105 server locations and even has its own router app. Also includes automatic obfuscation and 24/7 customer support. 
4. CyberGhost: A no-logs VPN with over 10,000 servers. Faster than most of its rivals and offers custom configuration files so that your router can block ads automatically.
5. IPVanish: A speedy, zero-logs VPN that works with popular router firmware. Allows P2P traffic, provides 24/7 live chat, and works flawlessly with the biggest streaming services.

How we chose the highest-quality VPNs for Eero routers

At the time of writing, it’s not possible to install a VPN directly on an Eero router without completely changing the device’s firmware. We’ll discuss this more later, but to sum things up, it’s risky. However, you can use your Eero device in bridge mode and connect a second, VPN-friendly router instead. Our team searched high and low to find the best VPNs for this kind of setup. Here are a few of our must-have criteria:

• Provides OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files (preferably both)
• Supports a wide range of common router firmware and has manual setup instructions
• Uses powerful encryption and follows a no-logging policy
• Delivered impressive results in our latest speed tests
• Can access a wide range of geo-blocked websites
• Offers around-the-clock customer support via live chat

Best VPN for Eero routers

Let’s get started. Here’s a closer look at our top pick, NordVPN:

1. NordVPN

Jul 2024 Works with Eero RoutersTested Jul 2024

NordVPN is our first choice. Users can choose from around 5,000 servers in 60 countries, with some specifically optimized for torrenting. There aren’t dedicated streaming servers but in our experience, the general-purpose ones work just fine with sites like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Better still, this is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, which means you shouldn’t notice any slowdown or performance issues, even during peak times.

Once installed, NordVPN secures your connection using uncrackable 256-bit encryption and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Nord’s strict no-logging policy has been verified by several external audits. You are limited to OpenVPN, though, since NordVPN doesn’t let you set up WireGuard connections manually.

NordVPN’s support section provides detailed instructions on configuring over a dozen types of firmware including DD-WRT, Tomato, and ASUS Merlin. If you’re struggling, just reach out to staff via the 24/7 live chat service and they’ll be happy to help you out.

BEST VPN FOR EERO ROUTERS:NordVPN is the best option overall. It offers first-class performance, works with over a dozen types of firmware, and doesn’t compromise on security. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

For more details, read our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Works with EERO ROUTERSTested Jul 2024

Surfshark is the best low-cost option. To begin with, it lets you choose from servers in 100 countries, whereas most of its rivals only have around 60 locations. This VPN is fast too, averaging 180 Mbps in our most recent speed tests. As such, it’s ideal for streaming, gaming, torrenting, or any other data-intensive task you can imagine.

With a proven zero-logs policy, 256-bit encryption, and leak protection, Surfshark has everything you’ll need to properly secure your network. You can connect via OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2, and there are posts on the website explaining how to set up a wide range of different routers. Support staff are available day and night via live chat, so you’re never more than a few minutes away from help if you run into problems.

Note that some of Surfshark’s tools (including rotating IP addresses and tracker-blocking) are only available in its apps, not on routers. You can access the rest of the benefits from a Surfshark One subscription via the website, though.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top budget pick. With servers in 100 countries, impressive performance, and support for a huge range of devices, it’s perfect in conjunction with an Eero router. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not take a look at our comprehensive Surfshark review?

3. ExpressVPN

works with Eero routersTested Jul 2024

ExpressVPN is another top-tier service with plenty to offer. For instance, its network spans an astounding 105 countries and it’s never disappointed us as far as speed is concerned. You’ll be able to access all of the most popular streaming platforms while connected too; that’s a huge bonus since temporarily deactivating a router-based VPN is both annoying and bad for privacy.

This is the only provider in our list with its own router firmware. You can take advantage of features that aren’t normally available on routers, such as ExpressVPN’s custom Lightway protocol, tracker-blocking, and split-tunneling. Thanks to the service’s 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and no-logging policy, there’s no need to worry about your online activities being revealed either.

ExpressVPN has dedicated setup guides explaining how to flash its firmware onto Asus, Netgear, and Linksys routers. There are also manual configuration tutorials for a variety of other devices. Every subscription comes with 24/7 customer support and a Smart DNS tool.

ADVANCED FEATURES:ExpressVPN provides more control over your connection than any of its rivals. Can be easily used alongside an Eero router and boasts exceptional performance. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re unsure whether it’s right for you.

Check out our complete ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

works with Eero routersTested Jul 2024

CyberGhost is known for its expansive network. There are over 10,000 servers to choose from in 100 countries, all of which allow P2P activity. Further, this service averaged nearly 300 Mbps the last time we tested it, meaning it’s suitable for users with large households or lots of internet-connected devices.

Now, the CyberGhost apps include streaming and torrenting-optimized servers. Unfortunately, you can’t use these on routers, though you do have access to the gaming servers. Additionally, CyberGhost lets you generate custom configuration files based on whether you’d like to block ads, force HTTPS, or prevent tracking. Your connection is secured using 256-bit AES encryption plus DNS and IPv6 leak protection. For extra peace of mind, this VPN has had its infrastructure independently-audited to prove that it doesn’t keep any logs.

CyberGhost provides manual setup instructions for DD-WRT and Tomato routers. It should work on any system that lets you configure an OpenVPN connection. In our experience, customer support staff are happy to answer questions and walk you through the setup if needed.

ULTRA-FAST VPN:CyberGhost is far faster than most of its competitors. Not only that, but it effortlessly unblocks tricky streaming services, allows torrenting, and refuses to log any data that could identify you. Comes with a length 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full CyberGhost review to learn more.

5. IPVanish

Works with Eero routersTested Jul 2024

IPVanish is ideal for routers. First off, it has servers in roughly 50 locations including high-traffic countries like the US, the UK, Australia, and Japan. This service has really focused on streaming lately, and now lets you securely access platforms that used to block it, such as Prime Video and Disney Plus. Further, IPVanish is astoundingly fast, with average speeds of around 280 Mbps and no bandwidth limits whatsoever.

This service does support WireGuard connections, but only in its apps. Router users can choose between IKEv2 or OpenVPN instead. Regardless of which you use, your data will be kept hidden from snoopers thanks to IPVanish’s uncrackable encryption, proven no-logs policy, and leak prevention. In the unlikely event that you run into issues, just reach out to support staff – they’re available 24/7 over live chat and tend to reply in seconds.

IPVanish provides support for AsusWRT, ASUSWRT-Merlin, DD-WRT, and Tomato routers. You should be able to use it with any router that supports OpenVPN or IKEv2 connections, though.

SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE:IPVanish is reasonably straightforward to install on routers and boasts speeds that many VPNs can only dream of. It’s a great choice for any day-to-day task and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Find answers to any lingering questions in our detailed IPVanish review.

How to use a VPN with an Eero router

Eero routers aren’t guaranteed to be compatible with third-party firmware and don’t include a built-in VPN client. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use a VPN on them, though. We’ll just have to use a secondary device (such as another router) and link the two.

Follow these steps to get a VPN working on your Eero router:

1. First, you’ll have to obtain a second router (we’ll call this router A). This doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest hardware – it just has to be running firmware that supports VPN connections, such as DD-WRT. Plug this in and connect it to your Eero router with an Ethernet cable.
2. Next, log into your Eero router’s control panel and activate bridge mode. This tells the Eero to simply pass on traffic from the first router instead of doing everything itself.
3. Visit your VPN provider’s website and locate the .ovpn or .conf files. Find the server you’d like to use, then download the configuration files needed (most people will be fine with OpenVPN UDP). We’d recommend choosing one in a different country first, as this will allow us to make sure everything works properly later.

   

   Open up router A’s control panel. There’s usually a sticker on the device itself explaining how to do this, but if not, try one of our other methods to find your router’s IP address.

4. From here, follow your VPN’s instructions for setting up an OpenVPN connection. You’ll usually find these in the Support section of the website.
5. Save your changes and reboot the router. When it starts up again, you should be connected to the VPN. You can verify this by checking your IP address and seeing if the location matches the server you picked earlier.

   

6. Finally, make sure your other internet-connected devices are using the new network so that their traffic is properly secured.

Methodology: Finding the most-suitable VPNs for Eero routers

Some VPNs are better-suited to running on routers than others. When researching the best VPNs for Eero hardware, our team carefully considered what each offered in the following areas:

• Network scale: Paid VPNs generally have servers in around 60 countries. We kept an eye out for those with more locations to choose from and well-distributed networks. This reduces the average distance to your nearest server, keeping latency as low as possible.
• Performance: The slower your speeds, the more problems you’ll have with lots of devices connected. We speed test leading VPNs multiple times per year to make sure we only recommend those with first-class performance.
• Configuration options: We examined each VPN to see which protocols they supported, which routers they worked with, and whether they included any unusual features like ad-blocking or specialty servers.
• Security and privacy: You usually won’t get the full range of security tools with a router VPN, but at a minimum we require 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy (ideally verified by outside auditors), and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.
• Versatility: A VPN that only works sometimes is of no use to anyone. Our experts personally test each service to see how it performs in day-to-day situations. This includes checking whether they’re suitable for streaming, torrenting, and video calls.
• Customer support: Router configuration is complex, so the more help you have, the better. We like to see providers offering step-by-step setup guides for popular firmware and routers, as well as 24/7 assistance over live chat.

Do Eero routers have a built-in VPN?

Unfortunately, Amazon has decided not to include VPN-client functionality in its Eero routers. Instead, they only support VPN passthrough. In simple terms, this means you can connect a device such as your phone to a VPN and the router won’t interfere. However, one of the main reasons people use router VPNs is to protect devices that can’t install VPN apps such as Smart TVs or games consoles.

You may notice that Eero Plus plans include a VPN. However, even this has to be installed on devices individually and you can’t change to a different provider. We’d recommend choosing a VPN that suits your needs and installing it on a secondary device instead. As a bonus, most major VPNs offer automatic ad-blocking and content-filtering, and can be had for far less than the price of an Eero Plus subscription.

Can I flash custom firmware onto an Eero router?

You might be tempted to just install open-source firmware on an Eero router, thereby gaining access to a built-in VPN client. However, we’d advise caution if you’re going down this route. The DD-WRT website doesn’t make any mention of Eero devices and OpenWrt only seems to support the Eero Cento. In short, there’s no guarantee your new firmware will work.

To complicate things further, Eero uses a mesh system to provide better wifi coverage throughout your home. By changing the firmware, you may lose access to some of the features and optimizations Amazon has built-in, leading to slower speeds. Instead, it’s best to install a VPN on a second router or Raspberry Pi, then connect your Eero in bridge mode.

This approach prevents you from inadvertently breaking your Eero router, won’t void your warranty, and makes it easier to go back to your existing setup if something goes wrong.