Hands-On With Aircove Go and ExpressVPN

If you want an easy-to-set-up, super easy-to-use VPN solution for travel (or even at home), look no further than the Aircove Go VPN router.

This little palm-sized device is powered by USB-C (like your smartphone, tablet, laptop and more), making it super easy to use in your hotel, at the coffee shop (or brewery, depending on your tastes), and at home. It comes with a 30-day Express VPN subscription (which typically runs $13 a month), too. This VPN solution keeps your data secure, even if you're connected to a wide-open Wi-Fi network at Starbucks.

Why use a VPN? Lots of reasons, but mostly because I like to know that my connection to the internet is secure while I'm at a hotel or coffee shop working. I might check my bank balance, I might have sensitive conversations via messaging apps. Whatever the activity, a VPN keeps that data encrypted and secure.

Using the ExpressVPN Aircove Go

Set up was super easy. I just plugged in the included charger to the wall and the USB-C side to the Aircove Go and it was ready. I then went to expressvpnrouter.com, hit the Get Started button, and followed the prompts. The router looks for an Ethernet signal first and will throw an error if you're not using a wired connection to your router, but all is not lost.

The killer feature here is the ability to connect the Aircove Go to any Wi-Fi signal nearby. You have to go to Internet Settings in the web interface (at the above address and while connected to the router) and click on the Wi-Fi Link tab at the top. It's not super intuitive to find, so it'd be nice if Aircove could do two things: one, make users choose Ethernet or Wi-Fi on first setup, and two, make the Wi-Fi Link tab more accessible.

That said, once I entered the Wi-Fi password to the detected Wi-Fi at home (and at the tavern I tested it at), it was smooth sailing. I just connected my MacBook Air to the "Aircove-237" network on and using it as usual. It works just as easily on my iPhone and iPad, and even my Nintendo Switch. Whatever I use that has a Wi-Fi connection can go through this VPN router. Sweet!

Better yet, I was able to power the Aircove Go with a portable battery charger while on the go, a great thing when the wall outlet is far away. Whether your charger has enough oomph will depend, but this one worked a treat.

More Features of the Aircove Go Wireless VPN Router

That's not all the Aircove Go can do, though. You can set up access groups via the web-based settings app, so that, for example, your kids can connect and not be able to go to websites you don't want them to go to. You can set up a Guest group of users, too, to keep them from sucking up too much of your bandwidth. Even better, you can create a user group to bypass the VPN, which might be handy if certain apps you need to use for work won't function correctly over the VPN.

The company also promises a threat manager to protect against harmful websites and third-party trackers, an ad-blocker to hide ads while you surf, and parental controls to block those adult sites and set hours of access for your kids.

The Aircove Go has all the other router features you might want, like settings for a different DNS server, port forwarding, and more, which could make it a great little device for your home.

Plus, if your internet service only allows for one connection at a time, you can add the Aircove Go in and connect as many devices as you want, since your router will think you're just using one device to access the internet.

Why Use the Aircove Go ExpressVPN Router?

The thing is, most home routers these days have all of the above taken care of, and you can always grab an ExpressVPN subscription for your home.

The killer feature of the $170 Aircove Go, though, is its portability. With a simple setup and powerful VPN features, you really just need to grab and go to your nearest coffee shop or restaurant with Wi-Fi and you're protected while you surf. It's super small, can use pretty much any USB-C cable to power it, and even comes with its own little travel bag. Awwww, cute!

If you need a VPN for travel or even just working outside of your home, you'll want to consider the portable, usable, and powerful Aircove Go with ExpressVPN.