The InvizBox 2 is a powerful VPN router that allows you to protect all internet traffic on your home or office network. By setting up the InvizBox 2, you can encrypt connections for all your devices without needing to install VPN apps individually.
In this in-depth review, we‘ll take a close look at the features, benefits, setup process, and overall performance of the InvizBox 2 VPN router.
Overview of the InvizBox 2
The InvizBox 2 is a router specifically designed for VPN use. It has a quad-core ARM processor and 1024MB of RAM, giving it more than enough power to handle multiple encrypted connections simultaneously.
Some key features of the InvizBox 2 include:
- Easy set up right out of the box, pre-configured to connect to a high-speed VPN server based on your location
- Ability to connect to your existing IPVanish account or purchase VPN service through InvizBox
- Dual-band WiFi supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks
- Gigabit WAN and LAN ports for fast wired connections
- Built-in VPN kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops
- Tor networking support for added anonymity
- Parental controls to block internet access by device or on a schedule
The sleek, compact design of the InvizBox 2 makes it ideal for discreet, set-it-and-forget-it VPN protection for your home network.
Hands-On Review of the InvizBox 2
I tested the InvizBox 2 in my home network for several weeks, connecting a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones, media streamers, smart home gadgets, and game consoles.
Unboxing and Setup
Getting started with the InvizBox 2 was quick and painless. The router comes neatly packaged with an Ethernet cable, power adapter, and quick start guide.
On the underside of the router, each of the four VPN profiles is labeled with a unique WiFi password. This allows you to connect devices to different VPN locations as needed.
I plugged the router into my modem, connected to the WiFi network, and opened a browser to access the admin dashboard. The dashboard has a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy to configure additional settings.
Out of the box, the InvizBox 2 was already pre-configured with VPN credentials for one of the four available profiles. Connecting my devices to the WiFi network immediately routed all traffic through the VPN tunnel.
VPN Performance
In my testing, the InvizBox 2 maintained impressively fast speeds – as high as 35Mbps down on a 50Mbps internet connection. Connecting wired devices to the gigabit LAN port yielded speeds up to 450Mbps.
The quad-core processor easily handled multiple simultaneous device connections without any buffering or lag, even when streaming 4K video. Load balancing across the VPN profiles worked smoothly, allowing me to allocate specific devices to different locations.
Latency remained low at around 35-50ms. For general browsing, streaming, and gaming, the VPN performance felt identical to my regular internet speeds.
Features and Functionality
Here are some of the standout features I found useful during testing:
Multiple VPN profiles – The four pre-configured VPN profiles made it easy to connect different devices to various locations. For instance, I could have my media streamer in Canada, tablet in UK, and phone in US.
5GHz WiFi – The dual-band wireless supports the latest WiFi standards, providing faster speeds for newer devices. I was able to maintain a strong 5GHz signal across my entire home.
Gigabit LAN port – Connecting my desktop PC to the wired LAN port boosted speeds by around 20% compared to WiFi. It‘s a great option for stationary devices that need max throughput.
Kill switch – The kill switch worked flawlessly in my testing. Any time the VPN connection dropped, it severed the internet connection until the VPN regained connectivity. This prevents accidental data leaks.
Robust parental controls – The parental control options are highly customizable, offering the ability to block devices, set schedules, configure web filtering, disable internet access entirely, and more.
Tor support – For users wanting an extra layer of privacy, the InvizBox 2 can route traffic through the Tor network. Just keep in mind that Tor connections are much slower.
App and device agnostic – All traffic is secured at the network level, meaning you don‘t need to install any VPN apps on your devices. Everything connected to the InvizBox 2 is automatically protected.
Easy remote access – You can manage the InvizBox 2 settings from anywhere using the mobile app or web interface. Changes like adding parental controls take effect instantly without having to be home.
Security and Privacy
In terms of privacy, connecting through the InvizBox 2 was a superior experience compared to using VPN apps on individual devices.
With VPN apps, there is often leakage of local network traffic that bypasses the VPN tunnel. This can expose some of your activity. With the router-level encryption of the InvizBox 2, all traffic is forced through the VPN which prevents any leaks.
The InvizBox also acted as an effective network-wide ad blocker, keeping ads from loading on any devices connected to it.
Furthermore, the unique pre-set passwords printed on each router provides an extra level of security and anonymity.
Who is the InvizBox 2 Good For?
The InvizBox 2 is an ideal solution for the following use cases:
- Households with many devices in need of VPN protection
- Remote workers or travelers wanting to access home network securely
- Those seeking robust parental controls over kids‘ internet access
- People looking to access geo-restricted content from anywhere
- Privacy-focused users who want full VPN coverage without leaks
- Anyone needing easy setup and maintenance of VPN networking
For household use, the InvizBox 2 provides a huge convenience factor – just connect your devices to the WiFi and they‘ll automatically route through the VPN. No more installing and toggling separate VPN apps.
For remote workers, having a home VPN router allows you to access devices and services on your home network remotely, while keeping your connection encrypted.
Parents can manage web filtering, time limits, and device access all through one centralized dashboard. For regulating what kids do online, the InvizBox 2 is a game changer.
Cordcutters who want to unblock streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others can do so with ease using the location-spoofing abilities of the InvizBox 2.
Overall, the simplicity, versatility, and robust performance makes the InvizBox 2 a top choice for anyone serious about implementing VPN protection across their digital life.
Drawbacks to Consider
While I was very impressed with the capabilities of the InvizBox 2, there are some downsides to weigh when considering a VPN router:
- VPN routers are more expensive – Expect to pay $200-300 for a good model compared to $5-15 per month for many VPN subscriptions.
- Set-up can be tricky – Getting the modem, main router, and VPN router properly networked can involve some configuration.
- Connected devices have no standalone internet – When using the VPN router, if the VPN connection goes down so does your internet.
- Not as portable – A VPN router isn‘t nearly as portable as a VPN app on your laptop or phone if you need to connect from multiple locations.
For many households, the benefits will heavily outweigh these disadvantages. But they are worth keeping in mind, especially if you travel frequently or need flexibility.
I encountered no major issues setting up or using the InvizBox 2, but more novice users may find the initial configuration process a bit challenging. Thankfully, InvizBox provides great customer support by phone or email.
InvizBox 2: Final Verdict
After extensive testing, my opinion is that the InvizBox 2 delivers excellent network-wide VPN functionality and is simple enough for anyone to set up and use.
The router itself is thoughtfully designed with privacy and ease-of-use at the forefront. Performance during my testing was blazing fast and reliable across dozens of device connections.
Some may balk at the price, but you get what you pay for – a commercial grade, professionally configured VPN router packed with features. For securing your home internet, the InvizBox 2 is money well spent.
If you‘re looking for a robust, set-it-and-forget-it VPN solution for your household or office, I highly recommend taking a closer look at the InvizBox 2. Be sure to also check out InvizBox‘s site for helpful resources and guides on getting started.
