Best VPN for Genshin Impact in 2024

Genshin Impact is a wildly popular F2P open-world action RPG with gacha elements. Requiring an internet connection whether you’re going solo or co-op, many players, unfortunately, run into high ping issues while exploring Teyvat. And where there’s slow speeds, there’s lag, stuttering, and constant disconnections from the game server.

You may suffer from high ping due to internet disruptions, ISP bandwidth throttling, or because of Genshin sending your traffic to the game servers via the longer path. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck like this forever – a VPN can help you solve this instantly. Simply connecting to a VPN server closest to you usually improves ping noticeably.

Of course, there are other tips and tricks that can lower your ping for smooth gameplay. We’ll be discussing them and the best VPNs for Genshin Impact below.

Best Genshin Impact VPNs: shortlist

1. NordVPN

   The best VPN to play Genshin Impact
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Speedy Genshin Impact VPN
   9.5
3. ExpressVPN

   Performance-focused Genshin Impact VPN
   8.4
4. CyberGhost VPN

   Affordable VPN with gaming-optimized servers
   8.9

Why use a VPN for playing Genshin Impact?

As is the case of many online games, Genshin Impact is prone to lag and stuttering. While most of it is caused due to unreliable internet, more often than not, you can blame your Internet Service Provider for that. If you engage in bandwidth-hungry activities (and Genshin Impact certainly is), the ISP will deliberately restrict your connection speeds to prevent network congestion.

The Genshin Impact client itself doesn’t always route game traffic to the servers through the quickest path. In turn, this increases latency, making your ping go up. It can become especially high if you’re playing on a server that doesn’t correspond to your physical whereabouts. And if ping goes above 999 ms, you get instantly disconnected from Genshin, not helping matters at all.

A premium gaming VPN helps you route game traffic via the most optimal path. Plus, if you’re located in, let’s say, the EU but are playing in the Asia server, connecting to a VPN server in an Asian country improves connectivity as well. Furthermore, this software encrypts all internet traffic with an unbreakable cipher, shielding your activities from all snoopers, ISPs included. This way, they can’t meddle with your bandwidth since they can’t see it.

VPNs are also great for staying safe if you dive into Genshin Impact while connected to public Wi-Fi. (Which many mobile players tend to do). These are notorious for being playgrounds of cyber criminals, and you might end up catching a virus or, worse, getting your data stolen. But again, you can’t be targeted if you’re technically invisible on the network.

Using a VPN to fix Genshin Impact lag doesn’t go against the game’s Terms of Service, but using such software for purchasing in-game items cheaper violates it. Your account will be banned if you’re caught doing so. We recommend disabling a VPN when purchasing anything in-game, just in case.

The best VPNs for Genshin Impact: detailed list

1. NordVPN – the top VPN to lower Genshin Impact ping
2. Surfshark VPN – fast & affordable Genshin Impact VPN
3. ExpressVPN – a versatile VPN for Genshin Impact
4. CyberGhost – Genshin Impact VPN with a great price-to-value ratio

We tested 25 premium VPNs with Genshin Impact to find the best for the game. Our primary concern was performance, speed retention rates, global server coverage, and broad device support. The level of security and such handy features like split tunneling weren’t overlooked either.

1. NordVPN – the best Genshin Impact VPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for Genshin Impact. Thanks to the NordLynx protocol, we didn’t experience any significant speed loss, retaining up to 90% of connection speed. Our ping remained in the optimal 80-130 ms range, letting us game lag-free. And the gameplay was smooth even when playing in the Asian server whilst physically being on another continent.

The sizable network of 7000+ servers across 118+ countries lets you pick the server most suited for your needs. Subscribers can even take advantage of specialized hardware, such as obfuscated, P2P-optimized, double VPN, and more. Furthermore, NordVPN protects your identity with industry-leading encryption and 2 reliable kill switches.

In terms of functionality, NordVPN offers plenty of features. Split tunneling can be used to route VPN traffic specifically through Genshin Impact, improving connectivity. And getting a dedicated IP address ensures you always connect to the game via the same VPN server. Finally, this service can be configured on your router, letting you secure gaming consoles as well.

Playing Genshin Impact can be hassle-free today with NordVPN for 74% off. The price for such a great VPN can also potentially go lower with a discount code. Other than that, a free 7-day trial lets you get a taste of the service hands-on. Or just subscribe risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – feature-packed VPN for Genshin Impact

Another praise-worthy Genshin Impact VPN is Surfshark. Neither solo gameplay nor co-op suffered from lag, as ping didn’t go above 180 ms. Even playing the game in the evening, when network traffic is usually busier, was relatively stutter-free. Just goes to show that WireGuard is worthy of the title of one of the speediest protocols, with Surfshark’s implementation showing speed retention rates of up to 87%.

Surfshark stands out from the competition with its fleet of 3200+ servers in 100+ countries. It ensures users get plenty of choice in terms of location while helping prevent traffic congestion on the VPN’s side. As for security, this provider makes you virtually untraceable with AES-256 encryption, a powerful kill switch, and IP & DNS leak protection measures.

With Surfshark, subscribers can bypass internet restrictions and censorship by utilizing Camouflage and NoBorders modes. Then there’s split tunneling (Bypasser), CleanWeb for ad & tracker blocking, and MultiHop for double the encryption. And those who play Genshin Impact on consoles aren’t left out, either – just install the VPN on the router, and that’s it.

Coming with unlimited simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee, Surfshark is currently available with a 86% discount. And we always recommend checking out our coupons page for bargain deals. Still not sure that this VPN will fulfill your Genshin Impact needs? Take it out for a spin with the 7-day free trial.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. ExpressVPN – Genshin Impact VPN with great connectivity

With ExpressVPN, you can say goodbye to Genshin Impact lag and other connectivity issues. The lighting-fast Lightway protocol kept 75% of our connection speed, maintaining stable ping during gameplay. Even if other applications requiring an internet connection were open (i.e., Discord or Chrome), there weren’t any sudden spikes that would disrupt the game.

This is another provider with an extensive fleet covering 105+ countries. Moreover, ExpressVPN offers high-grade security, supplemented with features useful beyond online gaming. Besides split tunneling, there’s built-in StealthVPN for hiding VPN traffic, Threat Manager for disabling user trackers, and a password manager.

ExpressVPN, just like a few others on this list, doesn’t neglect device support. Whether you’re playing Genshin Impact on PC, mobile, or PlayStation, you can configure this VPN to work with multiple gadgets. Of course, installing the software directly on your router covers all household devices instantly.

Now, ExpressVPN isn’t as cheap as NordVPN or Surfshark, coming only with a 48% discount. But paying less for a subscription is possible by trying discount codes. Alternatively, you can check if this is the right commitment for you by combining the 7-day free trial and the 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of ExpressVPN, read our ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost – VPN for Genshin Impact with loads of servers

CyberGhost is both a highly affordable and speedy Genshin Impact VPN. It especially demonstrated fast speeds when testing how each VPN fares when playing in different game servers. We used the WireGuard tunneling protocol and gaming-optimized servers, resulting in a smooth gaming experience.

It’s hard not to see why CyberGhost performed so well when its network consists of 11700+ servers across 100+ countries. And great connectivity doesn’t mean that other VPN aspects are ignored. No matter which subscription you choose, you benefit from split tunneling, Smart Rules for customizing how the VPN behaves, and a Security Suite for taking down malware.

Of course, since CyberGhost is compatible with a multitude of operating systems, no Genshin Impact player suffering from lag is left behind. PC, mobile, and even PlayStation console owners can lower their ping by installing this VPN on their devices. Even getting the software to run on your router is pretty simple.

CyberGhost lets you enjoy Genshin Impact as it was intended for 84% off. And checking the available coupons is always good practice for getting better deals. Lastly, every subscription is insured by the 45-day money-back guarantee, and there’s a free 7-day trial for curious cats.

For a deeper investigation of CyberGhost VPN, read our CyberGhost VPN review.

Genshin Impact VPNs comparison

How we chose the best VPNs for Genshin Impact

Picking any random VPN all willy-nilly might exacerbate the already annoying Genshin Impact lag issues. That’s why we thoroughly tested a couple of dozen providers to find which improve the game and which fail. Our research criteria emphasized:

• Fast connections. An encryption layer naturally slows down your connection, and our fastest services offer in-house protocols or great implementations of WireGuard to combat this. We tested how each VPN affects ping playing solo, co-op, and when playing in regional Genshin Impact servers (EU, NA, Asia, TW/HK/MO) while being physically located in another continent altogether.
• Sizable networks. A higher server count ensures the VPN doesn’t run into network congestion issues that would slow down your connection. And broad country coverage guarantees there’s a server close by for reducing latency. It’s also beneficial for stabilizing ping when you're not playing on a Genshin Impact server corresponding to your actual location.
• Ensured security. ISP bandwidth throttling (and malicious snoopers) can only be stopped if your online activities are hidden. That’s why AES-256 encryption is a must-have for a VPN. And there shouldn’t be any possibility of data leaks, either. This is where IP & DNS leak protection and kill switches come into play.
• Device compatibility. Genshin Impact is available on several platforms, not just PC. The game has plenty of mobile and PlayStation players, as well. Because of this, our team scoured for VPNs that support Windows, Android, iOS, PS4, and PS5. Router support is especially crucial for console players, as it’s the only way to secure PlayStation with a VPN.
• Reasonable price. A great VPN will cost money, but you shouldn’t necessarily go for one with a high price tag. Our priority was services that offer value for what you’re paying. Furthermore, they include money-back guarantees if you decide to cancel the subscription.

In the end, NordVPN proved to be the best Genshin Impact VPN. It kept ping consistently low during testing, providing gameplay as smooth as butter no matter how or where you’re playing the game. Plus, it packs a lot of functionality for a very reasonable price.

How to use a VPN for Genshin Impact

1. Subscribe to a reliable Genshin Impact VPN. Our top choice is NordVPN, now 74% off
2. Download and install the application on the device of your choice
3. Log into your VPN account and tweak the security settings to your liking
4. Select a server closest to your actual location and connect to it
5. Open the Genshin Impact game launcher and launch the game
6. Log into your Genshin account
   
   
7. Enjoy lag-free gameplay!

Play Genshin Impact lag-free with NordVPN

How to play Genshin Impact on another server

When creating an account, Genshin Impact lets players pick whichever in-game server they prefer – America, Europe, Asia, or TW/HK/MO. This doesn’t affect any content of the game, only the game client’s update schedule. Asian players get updates the earliest, while others have to wait a couple of hours, depending on the time zone.

Naturally, picking a server that doesn’t correspond to your physical location can lead to higher ping and unstable connectivity. Furthermore, if your friends choose different in-game servers, you won’t be able to play with them in co-op.

Changing your in-game server is possible, but you’ll have to create a new account for that. There’s no way to transfer your current account from one server to another. And while you can’t solve the co-op issue without starting the game from scratch, you don’t have to resort to this method to fix high ping. You just need to change your virtual location.

Here’s how to reduce Genshin Impact ping if you find yourself in this situation:

1. Sign up with a VPN with a large server network. NordVPN has servers across all continents
2. Download the VPN client and install it
3. Connect to a VPN server in a country corresponding to your in-game server. For example, the US is best for the American server, the UK for the European, Japan for the Asian, and Hong Kong for TW/HK/MO.
4. Launch Genshin Impact and play the game without high ping ruining the experience!

How to fix Genshin Impact lag: other tips & tricks

While the usual cause of lag and rubber banding is high ping, some players may also experience stuttering for other reasons. The culprits include but are not limited to:

• Failing to meet minimum system requirements
• A spotty internet connection
• Outdated system and GPU drivers
• Playing the game on maximum graphics settings

If the issue stems from your internet, we suggest switching to Ethernet whenever possible. Disable any background applications that might be hogging bandwidth, like browsers and VoIP applications. Some Genshin players found that restarting the router also alleviates the problem somewhat. And, of course, you might be a victim of ISP bandwidth throttling, so getting a VPN to stop it is highly recommended.

More often than not, running Genshin Impact on the highest graphics settings will worsen stuttering, especially if your PC doesn’t have the best specs. We advise keeping them set on the lower end and disabling certain in-game settings altogether, such as:

• V-Sync
• Volumetric Fog
• Reflections
• Bloom
• Co-Op Teammate Effects

You might also want to lower Shadow Quality, Render Resolution, Visual Effects, and Environment Detail. And set Motion Blur and Crowd Density to Low.
Finally, you’ll need to tweak your PC’s settings:

• Install any pending Windows updates and ensure your graphics card is running with the latest driver version
• Change your DNS server settings to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4
• Disable fullscreen optimization and play the game preferably in window mode

Do we recommend a free VPN for Genshin Impact

No, we don’t recommend using free VPNs for Genshin Impact because they will only make ping worse. Costless providers impose strict data caps and deliberately limit connection speeds not to overload their networks. Enabling such a VPN on an already spotty or throttled internet connection will slow it down even more.

And that’s not taking into account the shady business practices free VPNs are notorious for. If you’re not paying for the product, you end up being the product yourself. In this case, it’s your data. Yes, most secretly collect your data and then sell it to the highest bidder, which is usually advertising companies. After all, that’s how they manage to pay for the operating costs.

Going premium is always the best choice, as paid providers don’t limit bandwidth and speeds. Furthermore, many premium VPNs offer trials and money-back guarantees. You can freely test them and get your money back if the service doesn’t meet your standards.

Start with NordVPN today

Conclusion

Genshin Impact has been basking in the limelight for quite a while, and that will not change anytime soon. However, high ping and lag issues sour the experience for many players around the world. Thankfully, it’s not something you’ll just have to suffer through.

NordVPN is the best Genshin Impact VPN for those seeking smooth gameplay. Boasting the fastest speeds in the industry, it reliably keeps ping low whether you’re playing solo or co-op. Couple that with extensive global coverage and broad device compatibility, and you can play Genshin Impact comfortably on any device. Plus, the added layer of encryption keeps ISP bandwidth throttling at bay.

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FAQ

Can I use a VPN on Genshin Impact?

Yes, you can use a VPN on Genshin Impact. In fact, it’s recommended for lowering ping and eliminating lag. Furthermore, such software stops your ISP from restricting your bandwidth, which might also be slowing down your internet connection.

How to use a VPN for Genshin Impact?

Subscribe to a reliable Genshin Impact VPN. Then install the VPN client on your device, connect to a server that’s closest to you, and launch the game.

What is the best Genshin Impact VPN?

NordVPN is the best VPN for Genshin Impact. It facilitates consistently fast speeds, which keeps ping from jumping higher, and covers 118+ countries, ensuring there’s a server nearby for better latency. Furthermore, it comes with a top-grade security toolkit, keeping you safe throughout.

What is Genshin Impact's best server for Australia?

Pick the Asia server when creating an account if you want low ping. But if you want English-speaking co-op, then pick the America server. Just keep in mind that ping might be all over the place with the latter.