Next-gen gaming consoles are not immune to data breaches, hackers, and other pesky online threats. Calling all Xbox players, you’re at a serious disadvantage if you’ve not considered securing one of the best Xbox Series X VPNs. Think of it as DLC for your console - the best VPNs can offer you a protected gaming experience that still prioritises performance.
Unlike other devices, installing a VPN on your Series X isn’t quite as simple as downloading an app. At this point in time, there aren’t any VPNs with dedicated Xbox apps. In order to protect your console, you’ll need to protect your router with a Virtual Private Network, then connect your Xbox to the network. Another method would entail installing a VPN to a desktop, then sharing the connection with your Xbox either through ethernet or hotspot.
When it comes to protecting your Xbox Series X, you have to turn to reputable gaming VPNs. You need a provider with superior speeds that are reliable. A deciding factor for whether your VPN can maintain speeds is its ability to prevent DDoS attacks and ISP throttling. These are some of the main perpetrators for drops in speed and connectivity during multiplayer gaming.
The best Xbox Series X VPN at a glance:
• The best Xbox Series X VPN: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• The best Xbox Series X VPN for value: Surfshark - View on Surfshark
• The best Xbox Series X VPN for privacy: NordVPN - View on NordVPN
A gaming VPN just like a streaming provider, needs to deliver the most seamless experience. Although, picking a VPN with positive router credentials is just as important. Remember, when you install a VPN to a router it’ll be protecting all the devices connected to that network, not just your Xbox.
Join us while we walk you through the very best Xbox Series X VPNs. These providers are guaranteed to give your next-gen console the best fighting chance, but never at the expense of exceptional speeds.
About our expertise
At What’s The Best, we live and breathe technology. Among our team of tech experts, we have pretty much every base covered - from televisions and speakers to cameras and smartphones.
To say we spend a lot of time on the internet is a bit of an understatement, and most of the time, we’re using a VPN. Whether for work or recreation, we’re regularly connecting to VPN servers near and far.
It’s by collecting this shared knowledge, experience and passion, that we are able to select the best VPNs for you. We trust each of our picks implicitly - in fact, many of them we use ourselves. That's because at What’s The Best, if we wouldn’t buy it ourselves, we don’t recommend it. Simple.
Please note: All prices are correct at time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
1.
ExpressVPN
The best Xbox Series X VPN
go.expressvpn.com
As a provider that’s snatched the top spot for best gaming VPN and the fastest provider, it has to be the best pick for the Xbox Series X. You can rely on ExpressVPN in more ways than one, speeds are consistently high, security will refuse to falter, and the server network is the gift that’s always giving.
Express is the only provider in this ranking that has a dedicated router app. This is a massive advantage because users can customise their VPN setup to a greater extent than you can through a browser extension.
As a premium VPN, Express does come with a more premium price tag. There are providers on this list that offer almost as much for more than half the price. That’s not saying ExpressVPN will cost you an arm and a leg though, there’s always cheap VPN deals available for new members.
Pros
- Dedicated router app
- Reliable security
- Constant high speeds
Cons
- Cheaper options offer nearly as much
2.
Surfshark
The best Xbox Series X VPN for value
surfshark.com
Are you a fan of getting your money’s worth? Surfshark might just be the VPN for you. Users swear by Surfshark are in constant awe of its tremendous value for money. You’re getting a premium VPN for a far from premium fee.
For the Xbox Series X, Surfshark will have no trouble protecting your console while delivering some impressive peak speeds. The server network is slightly larger than ExpressVPN’s, but you may come across a few slow servers across their coverage.
Surfshark’s privacy credentials are up there with some of the most secure VPNs out there. Users can enjoy this level of security across unlimited simultaneous connections too, so while your router may be one of these connections, you can link up your mobile device for when you leave the house as well. We’d advise caution though when using too many connections at once, there’s have been reports of kill switch issues under extreme use.
Pros
- Best value for money VPN
- Impressive peak speeds
- Strong privacy
Cons
- Occasional slow server
- Kill switch issues under serious pressure
3.
NordVPN
The best Xbox Series X VPN for security
nordvpn.com
NordVPN is a top pick for gamers, so it easily makes our ranking as one of the best for Xbox Series X. Privacy is the word for NordVPN, using this provider for your Series X has some serious security benefits.
Nord is infamous for its double data encryption using Nordlynx and WireGuard in tandem. Gamers get dedicated Ips for running their own gaming servers. It also helps being one of the fastest providers on the market. Low latency servers are worldwide across a coverage of 5709.
NordVPN is about as premium as they come, this does mean it’s filled to the brim with features. For an advanced user of Virtual Private Networks, it’s a playground, but the interface may take some getting used to for a total novice.
Pros
- Super security
- Fast worldwide servers
- First choice for gaming
Cons
- Tricky interface for beginners
4.
CyberGhost
The best Xbox Series X VPN for features
www.cyberghostvpn.com
Team up with the little yellow ghost and enjoy a feature packed Xbox VPN experience. There’s barely a tool on CyberGhost that doesn’t need to be there, and everything is so accessible.
With the sole purpose of gaming on an Xbox Series X, users get dedicated gaming servers. While there’s some sluggish servers across their 9500+ coverage, the majority are lightning quick. Once you find a fast server, CyberGhost can maintain these speeds reliably. There’s also a very well tested kill switch supporting your Xbox’s connection too.
Users found CyberGhost’s customer support to be a little lacking though, which isn’t ideal if you face an issue or if you’re a VPN beginner.
Pros
- Abundance of useful features
- Generous coverage
- Solid kill switch
Cons
- Customer support could be sharper
The best Xbox Series X for coverage
www.privateinternetaccess.com
Putting the access in Private Internet Access, this provider is a great VPN option for Xbox gamers looking for as many servers as possible. A 35,000-server coverage is quite the feat, meaning multiplayer gamers will be absolutely spoilt rotten.
It’s all well and good having the servers, but are they any good? The short answer is yes. With PIA, you have dedicated Ips available across the entire worldwide coverage. This a brilliant tool for online gaming because of the sheer amount of choice you have.
Despite PIA offering some pretty intuitive privacy settings along the way, there is the fact that PIA is based in the US (a Five Eyes country). Let's just say an extra level of trust will have to given to PIA if it is to be your chosen Xbox Series X VPN.
Pros
- 35,000 servers
- Useful privacy features
- Dedicated IPs
Cons
- Based in a Five Eyes country
Terms to remember
VPN – Virtual Private Network
DDoS attack - When an attacker floods a server with internet traffic, preventing users from accessing connected online services and sites.
ISP throttling – When your internet service provider restricts your bandwidth or speed without telling you in order to control internet traffic.
Kill switch - If internet connection is lost it kills any internet connection until a secure VPN link re-established
How to get a VPN on Xbox
Getting a VPN on your Xbox takes a few more steps than regular devices, there aren’t any dedicated VPN apps for console you see. You’ll need to know how to install a VPN to your router. Once you’ve done this, just connect your console to the protected home network.
You can also connect your Xbox to a desktop either wirelessly or through ethernet cable. If there’s a VPN protecting that computer or laptop this protection will carry over to your Xbox.
How to use a VPN on Xbox
Using a VPN for your Xbox is easy once you know how. You’ll control the Virtual Private Network through a computer that has access to the router VPN settings. If your Xbox is connected to a VPN directly through a desktop, you’ll run and configure the VPN through this device’s app.
This process is the same for all consoles, so if it's a PS5 VPN you're after as well, follow this method.
Can I use a free VPN on Xbox?
You can by all means use a free VPN for your Xbox, although we wouldn’t advice it for a number of reasons. Most free VPNs don’t offer router support and even if they do, the majority of free providers offer restricted plan. These restrictions include data limits, fewer servers, and restricted speeds. Not even the best free VPNs are likely up to the task of protecting an Xbox to same standard the premium brands are.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.