Table of Contents
- Why use a VPN on Xbox?
- What we expect from a top Xbox VPN
- Best VPN for Xbox One and beyond
- How to use VPN for Xbox
- Pros and cons of VPN for Xbox One and other Microsoft devices
- Conclusion: VPN for Xbox is possible and worthwhile
- VPN for Xbox FAQ
Why use a VPN on Xbox?
VPNs are typically marketed for general internet browsing, which is probably why they aren’t brought up when talking about games consoles. But make no mistake, there are huge benefits to using an Xbox One VPN (and beyond). And not just for professional gamers, but for everyone. Here are five reasons you should learn how to get VPN on Xbox today:
No bandwidth throttling
In order to manage the congestion on their data network, internet service providers may throttle – in other words, slow down – bandwidth. Unfortunately for gamers, this can often unfairly fall on them. But let's say you use an VPN Xbox Series X service, as an example. Suddenly your ISP cannot tell what you’re doing and is therefore unable to unfairly punish you for playing games online.
Extra online protection
From the best VPN provider to lesser options, a key facet of what they offer remains the same – and that’s extra protection online. By encrypting your data, it means you’re less vulnerable to outside attacks. For gamers, this is particularly relevant if you’ve ever been threatened by a DDoS attack, where gamers attempt to throw you offline by overwhelming you with requests. If your IP is masked, they can’t find a connection.
Reduced ping times
Lag is the enemy of the competitive gamer. It refers to the difference in time between when a button is pressed and when that action appears on screen. In battle, an extra moment's hesitation is deadly. Much of the lag comes down to ping times, which is the time it takes for data to send and receive. A very fast Xbox VPN has the potential to help with this by allowing you to connect to a closer game server.
Access geo-blocked content
A VPN allows you to access the internet from the location of the server – which in the case of the best VPN for Xbox can mean many dozens of countries. This provides you access to geo-locked content, not just gaming related, but for all kinds of entertainment accessible from your console.
One VPN for all your needs
The best VPN for gaming is overwhelmingly what we’d recommend generally. This is great news because it means when you’ve found your ideal server, you can use it for everything.
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What we expect from a top Xbox VPN
If you’re searching for the best VPN for Xbox, it’s good to have a shortlist of things to look for. Here are some things which separate the best from the rest:
- Fantastic security credentials
- Robust encryption protocols
- No logs policy and transparent broader privacy policy
- Vast server network
- Fast connections speed and consistently excellent performances
- Servers distributed across many locations
- Great device compatibility
- Competitive pricing
- Ease of set up
- Consistently available customer support
- Great features, such as ad blocking, kill switch, and malware protection
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Best VPN for Xbox One and beyond
We don’t just want all the above benefits, we want them to the highest possible standards. It’s not just about how to get a VPN on Xbox, but how to get the best. We are, nonetheless, happy to say that we feel the following three have surpassed our expectations.
1. Surfshark: Your jack-of-all-trades VPN
As mentioned earlier, you can use your Xbox VPN for all your online needs. That said, doing so is made a whole lot easier if you use a VPN which offers the ability to connect as many devices as you want for no extra cost. That’s not the only thing which makes Surfshark stand out, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Specifically advantageous to gamers is their protection against DDoS attacks and unlimited bandwidth, meaning you’re safe from slowdown and attacks. They also have a huge selection of servers, opening up the whole gaming universe to you.
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Surfshark Highlights
- Strict no-logs policy
- Impressive connection speeds
- Unlimited device protection
2. ExpressVPN: Lag destroyer
Speed simply matters when playing online. And in our experience, there’s no Xbox One VPN – nor any for any other Microsoft product – which produces as fast responses as ExpressVPN.
They’re the priciest of the bunch here, for sure, but it’s that consistency you’re paying for. 94 countries all covered with brilliantly quick servers. They even, with ExpressVPN Aircove, have a Wi-Fi router with a built-in VPN, making how to get a VPN on Xbox even easier.
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ExpressVPN Highlights
- Super-fast, global coverage
- Maximum privacy assurance
- Premium streaming unblocking
3. NordVPN: An international delight
For only a few bucks a month, you can enjoy over 5,000 connections all over the world. This is great because if one is having issues or is overcrowded, you can just hop onto the next option. And the best VPN for Xbox should always be multi-faceted.
NordVPN also offers fantastic security features relevant to keeping you safe while playing online. This includes DDoS protection, split tunnelling, and CyberSec. They’re also immensely user-friendly and, considering that learning how to get VPN on Xbox requires its own extra steps, anything which makes this simpler is fine by us.
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NordVPN Highlights
- Robust Military-Grade Encryption
- Efficient Streaming and Torrenting
- Audited No-Log Privacy
| VPN Provider | Free trial time | Minimal monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | 7 days | $2.49 |
| ExpressVPN | 30 days | $8.42 |
| NordVPN | 30 days | $3.49 |
How to use VPN for Xbox
Unfortunately, right now, there’s no native support for VPNs. But that doesn’t mean you need to miss out. Here’s all you need to do to stay safe and enjoy greater access online.
Please note, this is how to get a VPN on Xbox using a Microsoft PC, and is a typical example which may differ with some VPNs and devices. Nonetheless, this should provide a correct overview for most learning how to use VPNs on Xbox.
- Connect an ethernet cable between your console and PC
- Go to control panel, click network & internet, then change adapted option
- Right click on your VPN icon
- Go to properties, click the sharing tab
- Confirm you will allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection
- Click ‘Select a private network connection’
- Choose the ethernet connection
- Confirm by pressing ‘Ok’
Pros and cons of VPN for Xbox One and other Microsoft devices
Xbox VPNs: Pros & Cons
- Several tangible security benefits
- International access
- Potentially faster connections
- Set up could be easier
- May require Microsoft PC
Conclusion: VPN for Xbox is possible and worthwhile
Everyone reading this can learn how to get a VPN on Xbox, either through a Microsoft PC or even by using the Wi-Fi router offered by ExpressVPN. And if you’re interested in making the most of playing online – in terms of your access to servers, security, and in the case of the best speed – it’s well worth doing, even with the extra expenditure and effort.
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VPN for Xbox FAQ
🎮How does VPN on Xbox work, if at all?
The first question for our guide to using a VPN on Xbox devices is simple. Can you even do so? It’s obvious to anyone who uses an Xbox that such things aren’t advertised, but are they achievable? To learn about all the possibilities of using a VPN on Xbox, starting with those vital practicalities, be sure to check out our page dedicated to this very subject.
👍Are there benefits to using a VPN on Xbox?
Usually, when people are talking about the uses of a VPN, they’re discussing more broad internet access. They mean keeping your data safe when searching or shopping online, or even the benefits of being able to access more material on Netflix. But what are the benefits of using a VPN on Xbox, if there are any and if such a thing is even possible? This not-so-secret mystery will be unveiled in our comprehensive guide to VPNs on Xbox.
💻Do I need a different VPN for Xbox?
It’s important not to assume anything when it comes to online applications. Using a VPN on Xbox will almost certainly be a different experience to using such services on your phone or computer. So much so that it begs the question if the same VPNs can be used for all such devices, or if specialist options are needed. For information on this, and much more, check out our VPN for Xbox guide.
