Skill-Based Matchmaking, high ping, unfair lobbies – all of these can ruin your Warzone experience in seconds. And even though Call of Duty: Warzone is one of the most played games in the world, many players feel frustrated. If you’re one of them, maybe it’s time to start playing smart. Now, we’re going to take a look at how a VPN can help you get better lobbies, lower pings, and have more fun – and most importantly, which VPN for Warzone to actually choose.
SBMM in Warzone: When the Game Throws Stones at Your Feet
There is one simple rule in Warzone: the more you win, the more you suffer. The game uses skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), a system that matches you up with players of similar skill. It’s just that:
- If you have a high K/D (kill/death ratio), you get a lobby full of aggressive tryhards.
- If you play every day, the game considers you a “seasoned veteran” and the competition looks like that.
- If you’re a solo player while others are in voice chat teams, you’re just out of luck.
What about it? Many players (including well-known streamers) have long since switched to VPNs.
How VPN affects matchmaking in Warzone
A VPN – virtual private network – is a tool that changes your IP address and virtual location. In Warzone, this has major implications because SBMM also takes into account geography, time zone and server activity.
🔍 What does a VPN really change?
| Factor | Result |
|---|---|
| IP address | Warzone thinks you’re in another country |
| Time zone | You can join the off-peak lobby |
| Regional lobby | You get different opponents – often weaker or more random |
| Your “profile” | You can look like a new player from another region |
🧠 Example from practice
- Playing at 8 p.m. from US → you get a festive EU lobby full of tryhards.
- You connect via VPN to a server in Turkey at 2:00 am → less competition, slower lobby, more casual players.
VPN and gaming ping: myth or reality?
You may be thinking, ” But a VPN slows down the internet!” Not necessarily.
Modern VPNs use extremely fast protocols (e.g. WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway) and optimized servers, so they often ping in a real-world game test:
- remains the same or even decreases if the VPN route is shorter than the normal ISP route,
- may be more stable if your provider limits or prioritizes other traffic.
📊 Examples from the test (on 500 Mbps optics):
| Location | No VPN | With NordVPN (NordLynx) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| US → EU server | 28 ms | 29 ms | +1 ms |
| US → TR server | 34 ms | 39 ms | +5 ms |
| US → US server | 114 ms | 96 ms | -18 ms (surprisingly faster over VPN) |
What to expect from a quality gaming VPN?
For a VPN to actually work for Warzone, it can ‘t be a random free app from the store. You need something that meets specific criteria:
✅ Minimum requirements
- WireGuard/NordLynx/Lightway protocol – for low ping
- Servers in atypical countries – Egypt, Turkey, Argentina…
- Router and console support – can’t do it on PS5/Xbox without it
- Sufficient number of IP addresses – so that Warzone does not mark you as a “repeat visitor”
- No transfer limits – Warzone can consume 1-2 GB/h
The Big Comparison: the 5 Best VPNs for Warzone in 2025
Here’s a complete list of the best VPN services based on speed, features, security, and usability on consoles:
1. NordVPN – Top VPN for Warzone
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Servers | 7400+ in 118+ countries |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN |
| Ping in the test | 25-40 ms |
| Console | ✔️ via router, Meshnet |
| Bonus | Threat Protection Pro, 10 devices, dedicated IP, Meshnet |
Advantages of NordVPN
- Extremely fast and stable
- Excellent results when changing region
- Ideal for router setup (tutorials, support)
Disadvantages of NordVPN
- Slightly higher price than average
- Meshnet needs more advanced settings
2. Surfshark – Best price, unlimited devices
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3200+ in 100 countries |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Ping | 30-45 ms |
| Console | ✔️ via router, hotspot |
Benefits of SurfShark
- Very low price
- Unlimited number of devices
- CleanWeb blocks trackers and ads
Disadvantages of SurfShark
- Occasionally worse servers outside the EU/USA
- Fewer options for advanced settings
3. ExpressVPN – The best choice for consoles and routers
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3000+ in 117+ countries |
| Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN |
| Ping | 26-38 ms |
| Console | ✔️ Excellent interface for routers, SmartDNS |
Benefits of ExpressVPN
- Top performance on consoles
- Lightway = superfast protocol
- Applications for routers and media centres
Disadvantages of ExpressVPN
- High price (most expensive in the test)
- Only 5 devices in the base
4. CyberGhost VPN – User-friendly and ideal for beginners
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Servers | 12 000+ in 100 countries |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Ping | 33-52 ms |
| Console | ✔️ via router or Smart DNS |
Benefits of CyberGhost
- Special servers for games
- Automated modes (stream, torrent, gaming)
- Easiest to use in the test
Disadvantages of CyberGhost
- Not always consistent speed outside Europe
- Not as sophisticated features as NordVPN
5. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Maximum setup for minimum money
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Servers | 29 000+ (most in the test) |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Ping | 29-48 ms |
| Console | ✔️ via router or bridge |
Benefits of PIA VPN
- Extremely configurable
- Selectable ports, protocols, encryption levels
- Excellent price for a long-term plan
Disadvantages of PIA VPN
- Less friendly for beginners
- Interface looks outdated
How to set up a VPN for Warzone on individual devices
🖥️ PC (Windows/macOS)
- Download the VPN app of your choice (e.g. NordVPN).
- Connect to a server in a country with a lighter lobby (e.g. Turkey, Egypt).
- Start Warzone.
✅ Recommended: use WireGuard or NordLynx for low ping.
🎮 PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X/S / Xbox One
Consoles do not natively support VPNs. You have three options:
1. Setting up a VPN on the router
- The VPN is set up directly on your home Wi-Fi.
- Works for all devices on the network.
- The cleanest solution, but it takes a bit of technical skill.
2. VPN sharing from PC (via Ethernet)
- Connect your console to a PC that has an active VPN.
- The setup is done via “Connection Sharing” in the system.
3. Mobile hotspot with VPN
- You start the VPN on your phone and turn on the hotspot.
- The console connects to the mobile network, which is via VPN.
Warning: this method is unstable and may result in a higher ping.
Ideal VPN location for a lighter lobby in Warzone
According to community tests and the experience of players on Reddit and Discord, the following combinations are the best
| Country | Time (in local zone) | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | 3:00-6:00 a.m. | Casual lobby, lower activity |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 2:00-5:00 | Slower players, different matchmaking |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | 4:00-7:00 | More chances to bot lobby |
| 🇮🇳 India | 6:00-9:00 | Combination of weaker infrastructure and time |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | 5:00-8:00 | Distributed matchmaking due to time differences |
🎯 Recommendation: test different times and locations, and change them between games to avoid patter detection.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Warzone?
✅ Short answer: yes – VPNs are not illegal.
But beware:
- Using a VPN to change region is not considered cheating,
- Activision reserves the right to take action if it detects matchmaking manipulation for abuse (e.g. farming challenges, leveling, etc.),
- But so far, there has been no mass ban for using a VPN in Warzone.
So if you use a VPN sparingly and wisely, there’s nothing to worry about.
Common mistakes when using VPN for Warzone
❌ Connect to VPN after game launch
→ The game already assigns you to the lobby based on your original IP
❌ Using a free VPN
→ Unstable, slow, frequently shared IPs – risk of ban
❌ Connecting to a high ping country (e.g. Australia from Europe)
→ Lag, packet loss and frustration
❌ Using the same server all the time
→ May be detected as suspicious behaviour
✅ Solution? Change servers, combine times, test stability.
Summary: Which VPN is right for Warzone?
| VPN | For whom it is ideal |
|---|---|
| NordVPN | Best overall – speed, safety, features |
| Surfshark | Convenient for families and budgets |
| ExpressVPN | Top of the range for console gamers and routers |
| CyberGhost | The simplest setup, ideal for beginners |
| PIA | For advanced users and basters |
Recommendations in conclusion
If you want:
- to play in weaker lobbies,
- have a lower ping,
- or just have fun without the sweat and stress,
👉 A VPN is a legal and effective tool that can change your entire gaming experience. Start with NordVPN or Surfshark, test different locations – and see for yourself.
🎁 Tip: All premium VPNs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’re not taking any chances.
