Tested on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch for seamless router-based protection
ExpressVPN·
NordVPN·
Surfshark·
CyberGhostHelping 12,000+ professionals choose the right tools
Quick Answer
Console gaming with a VPN requires a different approach than PC gaming. Since consoles do not natively support VPN apps, you need either router-level configuration or Smart DNS to route your traffic. We tested each VPN for router firmware compatibility, Smart DNS reliability, and the impact on gaming performance when connected through a router. Our top picks offer dedicated router apps or pre-configured routers that make the setup process straightforward.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through links on this site. This never influences our ratings or recommendations. Our reviews are based on independent, hands-on testing. We believe in full transparency about how we make money. Read our full disclosure →
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | — | — | — |
| Monthly Price | 2.44 | 3.09 | 1.99 | 2.19 |
| Router Support | Custom router firmware | Router app available | Manual router setup | Manual router setup |
| Smart DNS | MediaStreamer DNS | SmartDNS included | Smart DNS included | Smart DNS included |
| Console Setup Ease | Easiest (Aircove router) | Easy (guided setup) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Ping via Router | +12-20ms | +10-18ms | +15-22ms | +18-28ms |
| Simultaneous Devices | 8 devices | 10 devices | Unlimited | 7 devices |
| Visit ExpressVPN | Visit NordVPN | Visit Surfshark | Visit CyberGhost |
VPNs were tested through both router-level connections and Smart DNS on PS5 and Xbox Series X. We measured setup difficulty, ping impact through routers, and Smart DNS reliability for accessing region-locked content.