Proton's Unlimited plan has dropped $120, making now the cheapest time to ditch Google entirely, should you wish.

The plan includes everything you'd expect from Google's privacy-unfriendly suite: Docs, Drive, Calendar, Mail, Sheets, and so on. But, it also throws in extras such as Proton VPN, one of the best VPNs available, and Proton Pass, a premium password manager which includes the super-handy email aliasing feature.

Normally, the Proton Unlimited bundle costs $12.99 per month over two years, billed as $311.76.

This deal brings a 38% discount, making it $7.99/month. That saves $120, bringing the total 2-year cost to $191.76.

Unlike Google's suite, all of Proton's tools are end-to-end encrypted and ad-free. This means whatever you send, upload, or create is protected from snoopers looking to intercept your information to use maliciously or sell online.

This is the lowest Proton Unlimited price we've seen in 2026 but we don't know how long it'll last. So, if you're interested, sign up now to lock in the deal, and you can always make use of Proton's 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.

While ditching Google entirely might seem scary, Proton is taking steps to make it as simple as possible.

Its 'Easy Switch' tool sits at the heart of this. It allows you to sign into your old email account, from which Proton automatically pulls information such as your emails, contacts, and calendar.

Files aren't quite so slick but Proton has guides for transferring from services such as Google Drive, OneDrive and more to help you get started.

I've used Proton's privacy suite for nearly two years now. Since the addition of Meet and Sheets (alongside Calendar, Docs, Drive, Mail, Pass and Wallet) it now feels more like Google Workspace than ever, and it's all far more secure.

All of the tools included can be signed up for separately. Most are pricey on their own but the Unlimited bundle makes it really good value.

The Legend of Zelda fans rejoice! The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Celebration stream gave us a deluge of announcements all about the iconic action-adventure series, including the reveal of a shiny special edition Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Pre-order here

• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Nintendo
• US: Check stock at Amazon
• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Best Buy
• US: preorder console for $519.99 at Target
• UK: preorder console for £499.99 at Amazon
• UK: preorder console for £429.99 at Nintendo
• UK: preorder console for £429.99 at Very
• Aus: preorder console at Nintendo for $799.95

We anticipate the console to be in extremely high demand, not only as the first proper special edition Nintendo Switch 2 to hit the market but also thanks to its status as a tie-in with one of Nintendo's biggest franchises.

It's also an absolute stunner, with special green Joy-Con 2 controllers, a gold and black dock, and loads of little details sure to delight Zelda fans.

The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition system officially launches on October 29, 2026, and pre-orders are now going live at various retailers. Customers in the US, UK, and Australia can all secure units at the official Nintendo Store today.

We've put this page together to help you get your hands on the console the second it goes up for sale — plus links to pick up the matching Nintendo Switch 2 Controller and the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to go alongside it.

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — US

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: Check stock at Amazon
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at Best Buy
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at Target

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition controller preorders — US

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder soon at Best Buy

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — UK

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder for £499.99 at Amazon
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder for £429.99 at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder for £429.99 at Very
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder for £429.99 at Smyths Toys
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: check stock at the Nintendo Store
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: check stock at the Nintendo Store

The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary Edition console preorders — Australia

• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store for $799.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store for $149.95
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: preorder now for $109.95

Miss the anniversary live stream?

You can check out the video-on-demand version below or keep scrolling for some top questions answered.

FAQ

Price comparison

Here are the latest prices for the regular Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller for the purposes of price comparison.

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches for Switch 2 on November 5
• The first print run is getting 'special textured foil packaging'
• Preorders have opened at the Nintendo Store and other retailers

Nintendo just gave us a closer look at the upcoming Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a special presentation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the series, and at the same time, confirmed the release date.

The big news for collectors, though, is that the first run of the physical edition will feature special textured foil packaging, so here's where you can secure your sparkly copy with a preorder ahead of release on November 5.

The official store opened up preorders first in all regions, and now several other retailers also have them available. Incredibly, physical copies are starting to sell out in some places, so I'm keeping an eye on other stores now and will add them as soon as I spot any more availability.

And while it's extremely unlikely that it will completely sell out ahead of launch, given that the special cover is limited to this initial print run, it's best to be safe if you want to add a copy to your collection.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — US quick links

• Amazon: preorder for $69.99
• Walmart: preorder for $59.98
• Nintendo Store: preorder for $69.99
• Best Buy: preorder for $69.99
• GameStop: preorder for $69.99
• Target: preorder for $69.99

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — UK quick links

• Amazon UK: preorder for £69.99
• ShopTo: preorder for £54.85
• Smyths Toys: preorder for £54.99
• Very: preorder for £59.99
• The Game Collection: preorder for £59.95
• Game: preorder for £54.99
• Nintendo Store: preorder for £58.99
• Currys: check stock
• Argos: check stock

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time preorders — AU quick links

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: preorder now for $109.95
• Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: preorder at the Nintendo Store

As for the limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller that were announced during the livestream, preorders for both of those have now started as well, ahead of the launch on October 29. Stick with our coverage through the link above for live updates on availability, as those products are selling out super-fast.

You probably have tens, if not hundreds of passwords floating around across all the online accounts you use every week. In fact, the average person has over 150 passwords. It's not easy to remember them all, making it more attractive to keep them simple and similar - but that can lead to a serious chain of account theft.

That's why password managers like Keeper exist. They generate strong passwords and store them passwords in a secured vault to keep them safe from hackers and prying eyes. They even autofill your credentials to make logging in to your account faster and easier.

Keeper has cut prices on its personal, family, and business starter plans by up to 50%. Keeper regularly scores highly in our reviews, and includes great features across Personal, Family, and Business plans.

Why we recommend Keeper

Our Keeper review highlights the platform's zero knowledge architecture and device level encryption that helps keep your password vault secured against unwanted intrusions.

Where Keeper really shone was in our usability and convenience testing. We loved how Keeper uses biometric security to access your vault, rather than requiring a master password with each log in. By using a facial scan or fingerprint to verify that its actually you accessing your vault, it adds a fast but secure method of verification to ensure its you, and not a nefarious actor.

For households, the Family Plan includes five private vaults, allowing you to quickly share Wi-Fi or streaming passwords using Keeper's shared vaults.

The Business Starter plan covers 5 users, covering an unlimited devices, shared team folders, user activity reporting for IT admins, and a free Family Plan for every team member.

These discounts apply to the first year only, so the value is highest for new customers or anyone switching from a monthly plan. After that, pricing goes back to standard rates.

Windscribe has reduced its annual plan from $69 to $39 upfront ($3.25/month), just in time for the new academic year.

The plan includes unlimited simultaneous connections — a feature missing from competitors like NordVPN or Proton — along with a built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker.

Its user-friendly apps are available across desktop, mobile, and many smart TVs, so it can cover everything you need: whether you're securing public Wi-Fi in the library or streaming back in the dorm.

Crucially, this isn't a first-year teaser rate. You'll be billed $39 every 12 months for as long as you keep the subscription active, avoiding the steep renewal price hikes standard across the VPN industry.

Few premium VPNs match this pricing, particularly when accounting for renewal costs. For example, NordVPN's one-year plans start at $65.88, over $20 more, and renew at $139 per year. It's a similar story when you look at the likes of Surfshark and ExpressVPN, too.

It's also among the fastest VPNs we reviewed during our most recent tests, achieving over 2,000 Mbps over WireGuard. Plus, it reliably unblocks major streaming platforms and bypasses regional internet blocks.

If you're not keen on Windscribe but want to keep top speeds, PrivadoVPN is another top choice that achieved over 2000 Mbps in testing. Equally, for streaming performance, no VPN performed better than NordVPN with global services this time around.

If you want to test it first, Windscribe offers a solid free tier. While bandwidth and server locations are capped, it gives you a risk-free way to test the interface before upgrading.

Surfshark's latest deal shows why it's long been our best cheap VPN. Its One plan, the best-value option, is down to $67.23 for a two-year subscription, saving you nearly $10 upfront.

This is the lowest price we've seen since Surfshark adjusted its prices a couple of months ago and likely the best deal available until Black Friday.

The One plan offers several key features alongside the VPN including Antivirus, Dark Web Monitoring, and Scam Protection. At $2.49 per month, this Surfshark deal is actually $1 cheaper per month than NordVPN’s entry-level tier alone — saving you roughly $27 over the plan.

Tempted? You've only got 3 days left to claim; the offer ends on August 31, when the price will return to $2.79/month.

Surfshark remains among the best VPNs I've tested in 2026. It delivers over 1,000 Mbps download speeds over WireGuard, unblocks most top streaming services with ease, and offers plenty of extra features to protect your data online.

While the recent price hike was noticeable, it remains the best cheap VPN out there. What's more, despite its extensive feature list, the app is simple enough for beginners on any platform.

If you're after superior performance, be prepared for a higher price tag. NordVPN, our best VPN overall, starts at $94.23 for 27 months, $27 more than Surfshark. Meanwhile, Proton VPN is $83.76 for 24 months and ExpressVPN is $83.72 for 28 months, both over $16 more.

While higher-tier competitors offer minor improvements in raw speed, privacy, or unblocking capabilities, you'll rarely notice the difference during everyday browsing. So why pay the extra?

One of the worst parts about getting scammed is the shame, and that shame just plays into the hands of the crooks. If we don't spread the personal stories, then no one gets warned. So, good on Les Howard who told his story of getting QR code scammed to the BBC earlier this week.

Les, quite understandably, feel victim to what's widely known in the security industry as quishing (QR phishing). Les scanned a QR code that he thought was to pay for his parking, downloaded the app, put in his card details and then watched as chunks of cash were removed from his account day after day. Not great.

There are a number of different ways that QR scams work. Les Howard experienced the fake app routine, but it could just have easily been a link to a fake website, mocked up to look exactly like the real one. AI can work marvels these days when it comes to creating duplicate web pages.

You can just as easily get done by the QR scanner apps themselves, which will take a legitimate QR and send you anywhere it wants to, adding all sorts of other links or scraping the details that you send through.

Now, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't use QR codes. We just need to be a bit more careful about it. The two most important pieces of advice are to use the QR scanner that comes baked into your phone's camera app, if you have one, and, second, use a QR code checker app to make sure what you're scanning isn't a scam.

There are free online tools for the job, such as Is This QR Safe and DNS Checker but they also come bundled in with other tools such as antivirus and VPNs. Kaspersky antivirus has a QR code scammer. The VPN to choose to get one is IPVanish.

The IPVanish QR code checker – like all good QR code checkers – loads a live version of the destination page, rather than just relying on domain blacklists that may not be up to date.

It checks all the facets of the page for anything malicious, and follows any redirects that may be trying to throw it off the scent, until it's sure the QR code is safe. If all is well, it presents you with the page and allows you to continue. If not, you'll be told it's a scam code. Pretty simple stuff from the user end.

We rate IPVanish as solid, 4-star VPN. It's only short of the very best VPNs on features like server count and some streaming service unblocking that's not a priority for this use case.

In terms of QR code checking and other security features, it's right up there. So, if you're VPN-curious and definitely want in on a QR code checker, then give it a go.

If a QR code checker is all you want, though, then make sure to take some of those free options above for a spin, instead, before you settle on which one to use full time.

The new Pixel 11 series may be introducing several software improvements to Google's flagship phones, but there's little to be said about online security.

Pixel VPN by Google has been around for years but no major changes have been released recently. So which tool should you pick instead?

The best VPNs are often expensive and have lots of features you might not use. IPVanish, by contrast, is among the cheapest VPNs available, and offers exactly what you need to protect your data online.

It's only $2.19 per month over two years, paid as $52.56 upfront. For that price, you get unlimited simultaneous connections, solid WireGuard connection speeds, and even 3GB of eSIM data to help you travel securely over the summer months.

Having tested IPVanish several times recently, it remains among my favorite Android VPNs to use and recommend to beginners.

The app looks like it could be something out of a Bond movie with its green and black military-like design. You're greeted with a large connect button, easy access to other tools, and VPN settings that are clearly laid out for beginners

If you're after supreme speeds, there may be better options. It achieved 740 Mbps over WireGuard in our May 2026 testing cycle, which is fast enough but slower than the very fastest VPNs.

As a streaming VPN, IPVanish performed solidly. However, we did encounter some issues with Prime Video, US YouTube and Disney+ Canada. That said, it performed far better than many others.

For the absolute best experience right now, your best alternatives are NordVPN, Proton VPN, or Surfshark, though be prepared to pay considerably more for these right now.

Despite the heatwaves, the back-to-school season is fast approaching. Thankfully, ExpressVPN's latest price drop gives you the security you need for longer — and for less — in time for the fall semester.

ExpressVPN's two-year plans now start at only $2.99/month (previously $3.49), equivalent to $83.72 in total. It also now comes with 4 months extra included, saving you $14 over the 28 months.

ExpressVPN ranks as the most secure VPN we've tested, perfect if you're looking to keep yourself safe while diving into research for your latest project.

With a more expensive plan, you can also access secure AI, identity defense tools, password management, and email spoofing capabilities.

The deal means ExpressVPN is currently cheaper than NordVPN and on par with ProtonVPN, both of which are normally cheaper.

That said, this isn't ExpressVPN's best-ever deal. In the past, its price has dropped as low as $2.49/month. However, there's no guarantee these deals will return. The current sale is available until September 9.

I've tested VPNs for years and think ExpressVPN is one of the best options for your studies. Here are a few features you should make sure to check out:

• ExpressKeys: Password management, password health checks, and secure notes storage. Perfect if you need to remember logins for research sites, internal systems, and more.
• ExpressMailGuard: Alias email domain creator. Ideal if you need to sign up for websites for research purposes and don't want to worry about the spam emails once you leave college.
• VPN protection: A secure, encrypted tunnel to the internet. Access servers in 113 countries, stay protected from malicious sites, and protect all your devices, no matter if its for working, gaming, or streaming.

Seeing the red 'limited-time deal' banner on some DDR5 RAM at Amazon should elicit some excitement given the rarity of price cuts lately. But when you click through and see the price for this 32GB Corsair Vengeance kit, you'll wonder if there's genuinely a deal here at all — and other wannabe buyers aren't wholly convinced, either.

"It's 'only' 4x the price it should be," wrote one user named Technikal on HotUKDeals, a community that shares deals from across the web and asks the community to vote whether they think they are hot or cold. "The current average is 5x," he continues, "so, in that sense it's a good deal...I guess."

A muted response, that's for sure. And while it may be true that the deal price of the RAM kit is technically one of the lowest prices available right now, it's so far from the much lower prices we saw before the RAM crisis turned buying memory for your PC into a depressing exercise.

"Blimey, just checked my receipt for mine from 2 years ago - cost £85..." says another HotUKDeals user named Jacko_1975.

In fact, even just a year ago, this very same RAM kit was available for £99.99 when it wasn't even on sale, according to price history information from Keepa.

Given that, it's no surprise that shoppers have reacted negatively to Amazon's flash deal. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't look like things are getting any better when it comes to RAM prices. A report from Samsung suggests the RAM crisis is just getting started, and it could extend to other components in the near future.

If you're looking at these deals and are trying to convince yourself to purchase any RAM in the near future, we've got a PC gaming expert delivering advice on what to do if you're considering buying memory, a GPU, or other components.

Sadly, the news is grim, and these prices could be with us for a while yet. So, yes, it may be difficult to feel happy about seeing supposed RAM deals like this, but from what I'm seeing and hearing, I don't think they're going to get any better, either.

It’s official: TechRadar readers want VPN pricing to change. In a recent set of polls, 54% of TechRadar readers said price jumps were the most annoying part of VPN subscriptions, while a whopping 97% said they’d rather pay a flat fee than a discounted rate that rises later on.

The problem is that many of the best VPNs don’t work this way. Most opt for a reduced rate that increases at the end of the fixed plan. And while some providers offer an end-of-plan offer, it isn’t guaranteed.

One VPN that breaks this mould is Mullvad VPN. It costs €5 per month, every month.

Its price hasn't changed since it launched way back in 2009. What’s more, if you’d like to keep your payment anonymous, it allows cash payments, which require no identification whatsoever.

Mullvad's single price does mean it is more expensive per month than options offering an initial discount. NordVPN, for example, costs $3.49/month initially, over a dollar less, but you're faced with a $80+ price rise at the end of two years, and you pay the whole fee upfront.

Mullvad gives you greater control of your payments; no price rises, and performance that rivaled the very best VPNs in our March 2026 testing.

It achieved 2,308 Mbps using WireGuard in our speed testing, second only to PrivadoVPN. It also proved to be reasonably effective with streaming services. It struggled with Disney+ and Prime Video in some regions, but was flawless with global Netflix libraries and local services such as BBC iPlayer.

Compared to other VPNs, Mullvad does fall short on additional security features. It lacks capabilities such as antivirus, password management, or dark web monitoring to secure you outside of the VPN. For these features, you'd need to look to VPNs such as NordVPN or Surfshark.

Wanna have your own say? The polls are still open, so feel free to leave your vote and let us know why in the comments below.

Multiple studies have found that the average person has over 150 passwords. As a password security expert, I regularly recommend that every single password people use should be both unique and strong - but this adds the problem of being able to remember each one, or store them securely.

Password managers are designed for this exact reason. They store your passwords in encrypted vaults and autofill your credentials as and when you need them. For this very reason, Keeper is one of our most highly rated password managers.

Right now, Keeper has cut prices on its personal, family, and business starter plans by up to 50%, providing an affordable password management solution that can store and generate your passwords, while also providing convenient features for securely sharing regularly used household or business passwords.

Why we recommend Keeper

In our Keeper review, we praised the zero knowledge architecture and device level encryption that helps keep the contents of your personal vault hidden from hackers.

Keeper also scored great marks in our usability and convenience testing. Rather than having to enter your master password each time you need to fill in your credentials, Keeper uses biometric security to access your vault. Biometric security uses a facial scan or fingerprint to verify that its actually you accessing your vault. It's also phishing resistant.

Four households, the Family Plan includes five private vaults, allowing you to quickly share Wi-Fi or streaming passwords using Keeper's shared vaults.

The Business Starter plan covers 5 users, covering an unlimited devices, shared team folders, user activity reporting for IT admins, and a free Family Plan for every team member.

These discounts apply to the first year only, so the value is highest for new customers or anyone switching from a monthly plan. After that, pricing goes back to standard rates.

If you're looking to get ahead for college in the fall, then a VPN is one of the most sensible back-to-school staples to tick off your list now. You're going to spend a lot of time connected to campus Wi-Fi and it's often not as user-friendly as it might seem.

For sure, there can be security concerns when connecting to any form or public network, which a VPN can help with, but its best use at university is to make sure you can access all the content that you usually do at home.

That's because campus Wi-Fi can be very restrictive. These are networks that have to manage huge bandwidth demands, maintain cybersecurity, and also comply with legal requirements.

That means that they often limit access to certain usage-heavy services, and sites and apps that are more in a grey area when it comes to safety and the law. Think video streaming, online gaming and torrenting, for examples, as three activities that you might find curtailed.

But, if you're using a VPN on your device, the campus network in question won't be able to see what internet sites and services you're accessing, so it will be blind to you and your activities.

It will probably be able to see that you're using a VPN, the amount of bandwidth your device is using and what your device is but your online deeds will remain private. So, if you're headed to college this year, you might want to think about getting a VPN.

Right now, IPVanish is a good choice for college students. It does a great job of keeping your digital life private and, just as importantly, it's cheap!

At $2.19 per month, IPVanish is solid, 4-star VPN and is only short of the very best VPNs on features like server count and some streaming service unblocking that's not a priority for this use case.

It does also have a unique privacy feature which may be handy for your browsing too.

IPVanish's Secure Browser is remote browser software that runs on an IPVanish cloud server. The sites and services you then navigate to have no idea about you or your device at all. They only connect with the cloud server.

That means the session cannot be linked with you at all and no trackers, cookies nor anything else can come your way. It also protects you from any malware or any other nasty things that you stumble across. Definitely worth using when you're searching the darker corners of the web.

Along with IPVanish's standard features, that should have you covered for all the college dorm internet use cases you'll have. Give it whirl.

There are some very good and obvious reasons why a VPN should be part of your summer holiday plans.

Anyone who's ever had to rely on crawling hotel Wi-Fi speeds or faced blocks on their regular home streaming services while abroad will understand the frustration, and a VPN is a great solution for both of those.

A VPN will mask your online activities to make sure you can access whatever you like on public Wi-Fi without the network restricting your bandwidth or recording the sites and services you go to.

You can also use a VPN to supply you with an IP address of any country in the world, of course. That means that your device can appear to be connecting from back home and you won't get blocked from accessing iPlayer, Sling or any of your other regular streamers.

All good VPNs offer these things, and for a few dollars a month, it's well worth downloading one for this year's summer vacation.

If you are going to give that a try, then you should have a think about IPVanish. It's a very good VPN – not the best VPN, but a very good one – but the reason it's a good choice for your travels this time is that an IPVanish subscription currently comes with a free eSIM to use for 30 days too.

Compare that to ExpressVPN – the only other recommended VPN company that offers a free eSIM right now. First, ExpressVPN's plans are twice as expensive ($2.19 per month vs $4.49 per month) but, secondly, you only get access to your eSIM for 3 days with ExpressVPN!

Sign up to the IPVanish Essential plan ($2.19 per month) and you'll get 3GB for 30 days. If you go for the Advanced plan ($3.29 per month), then it's 5GB for 30 days.

The other good reason to try Advanced is that it comes with access to a cloud based browser called Secure Browser. This means that you'll do all your browsing and service accessing from IPVanish's cloud servers, instead of your own device, while on shared Wi-Fi networks. There's no way that any restricting network will have any idea of what you're doing and that should mean you're scot-free to access whatever you need with minimal disruptions.

You can read more about IPVanish and Secure Browser here. Have a great vacation and happy travels!

It’s finally here – at 3pm ET / 8pm BST, Spain and Argentina step onto the pitch at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup Final.

Arguably, today’s match is the sporting event of the year – and as such, fans will be tuning in from every corner of the globe.

If you’re hoping to catch the match but want to keep your connection secure, or want to access streams from your home region while travelling abroad, a VPN is a great way to establish a fast, safe connection to your streaming service of choice.

It can be tempting to pick up one of the best free VPNs for your World Cup watch party, but these aren’t always as reliable as their paid counterparts. PrivadoVPN is one of the more cost effective options on the market for a reliable, fast, and secure paid VPN, offering real upgrades over its free counterpart.

Free VPNs come with compromises

Free VPNs include restrictions that aren’t present on their paid counterparts. These might not be an issue for everyday browsing, but can be a real problem for video streaming.

Issues with free VPNs can include restrictive data usage limits, limited server locations or connection to a random location, and slower network speeds.

For crucial sports events like the World Cup Final, the last thing you want to deal with is buffering, a blurry, low-resolution picture, or a connection to the wrong country.

Luckily, upgrading to a paid VPN doesn’t have to be expensive. For a competitive price, PrivadoVPN’s paid edition does away with its free version’s 10GB data cap and ups its single connection limit to 10 devices at once.

Other options

If PrivadoVPN isn’t for you, there are other options on the market. TechRadar’s VPN Editor Rob Dunne has made his pick for the World Cup Final with NordVPN, which tops our list of the best VPNs overall.

If you’re looking to save money, our pick for the best cheap VPN is Surfshark VPN, which offers a comprehensive feature set but isn’t quite as cheap as Privado VPN.

In the past year I've spent tens of hours streaming with VPNs, and one thing is consistently problematic for even the best VPNs — live events.

So, if you're traveling and keen to catch the World Cup final this weekend, you might think you're stuck. Thankfully, NordVPN proved to be the one streaming VPN I tested that consistently performed well in these scenarios.

Over the past year, I've used NordVPN with Peacock, BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports, ITVX, and 7Plus. And compared to any other VPN, it's proved the most effective.

I experienced the least delayed streams, the least buffering, and, most importantly, the fewest complete connection dropouts when using NordVPN. So, while cheaper alternatives such as Norton VPN and Surfshark exist, if you want the most reliable performance, this is where I'd put my money.

If you don't want a long term commitment, you could always choose to pick a monthly plan. For $15, you can watch the rest of the tournament and gain all the additional security benefits that come with a VPN.

You don't need NordVPN's most advanced features to watch the World Cup with a VPN. That's a good thing, as right now its premium plans are considerably more expensive than many other providers.

With long-term plans, Surfshark plans start at $2.49/month, a full dollar cheaper per month; the same goes for Norton VPN. If you're really budget-focused, both PIA and Cyberghost are less than $1.60 per month right now, too.

But, should you choose a NordVPN Plus plan or above, you do get some great perks. NordPass, the best password manager we've tested, cloud storage, dark web monitoring, and more are on offer.

It's worth mentioning that buying the more premium plans monthly will set you back at least $20, so I'd recommend signing up for a longer duration if you prefer these extra features.

We always caveat our VPN speed tests by saying something like "but you only need around a 30 Mbps connection to stream 4K video". The trouble is that it's not always as simple as that when you're watching a UHD stream – particularly for an event as popular as the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The best VPNs offer ultra-fast network speeds that can handle ultra-high definition 4K video streaming – but network traffic spikes can bring this to a standstill.

Events like the World Cup cause traffic surging with some popular ISPs, VPNs, and the streaming services themselves struggling under the capacity stresses of having so many users demanding bandwidth at once. The results are often buffering or a reduction in video resolution at the least. Hence why your 4K football match might look a lot rougher than it should.

Server congestion can also cause packet loss, where packets of data sent through a network are unable to reach their destination, resulting in dropped frames or stuttering.

The solution is a two-parter. Firstly, you want to find a VPN with support for high-speed WireGuard connections that can remain stable under pressure from congestion. Secondly, switch your stream to 1080p, rather than 4K, in order to reduce the bandwidth you require. This should keep frame rates high and buffering to a minimum.

If you’re looking for a new VPN to keep up with the World Cup or watch other major events in 4K, our Norton VPN review found a solid choice with average Wireguard speeds of 1010mbps. What’s more, Norton VPN is currently available for up to 60 per cent off:

If you’re just not willing to step down to 1080p, you might want to look into using a Smart DNS service instead of a VPN. This will allow you to spoof your location on a less crowded server (i.e your home network), but won’t encrypt your data or hide your IP address.

And if Norton VPN just doesn’t float your boat, there are other options on the market. Norton is still slower than many of the best VPNs: ExpressVPN (1177mbps), NordVPN (1249mbps), and Proton VPN (1475mbps) all boast faster speeds. And for those on a budget, Surfshark still reigns as our pick for the best cheap VPN.

If you've survived the first 24-hour gap in this year's World Cup schedule, then it's time to ensure your viewing of the quarter-finals is the best it can be.

The World Cup's mass appeal puts a huge strain on streaming providers. And if you're travelling, you could easily miss out on commentary in your native language or be stuck behind paywalls if you're in the US.

This is where the best streaming VPNs come in handy. They offer high-performance encryption protocols, servers with huge capacity, and all the tech you need to securely watch your regular World Cup coverage from wherever you are.

Right now, the cheapest VPN for this is Norton VPN. It ranks second in our best streaming VPNs rankings, but is a dollar a month cheaper than our top pick — NordVPN.

Norton VPN has servers across 91 countries, speeds of over 1000 Mbps on WireGuard, and hardly struggled with any streaming services we tested.

It's also even cheaper when you pick up a 12-month plan. These now start from only $39.99.

By comparison, a year of NordVPN is $65.88, over $25 more.

So, if you're just after World Cup protection, why spend the extra? You even get AI-powered scam protection, real-time ransomware and malware protection, password management, dark web alerts, and 10GB cloud storage thrown in if you choose a Plus plan (still $15 cheaper than NordVPN).

For the absolute cheapest experience possible, only PIA, CyberGhost, and PrivadoVPN come with our seal of recommendation. These are all under $1.60/month but are far less reliable with streaming services, especially if you're planning to watch live events like the World Cup or Wimbledon.

I hear people all too often tell me that they prefer physical printed books because they like the feel of the paper, the sound of the pages turning, the smell from the ink... Well, if that's what you're focusing on, you really aren't reading, are you? All those should be superfluous if you're deep into a good story.

And given the convenience of an ereader — portable tablet with thousands of titles stored locally, Bluetooth connectivity for audiobooks, the cheaper cost of ebooks, no need for bookshelves that require dusting — you can't convince me that buying one of the best Kindles isn't a good investment.

That's especially true right now since Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sale has seen prices tumble to record lows. In fact, they're even cheaper now than they were on day one of the sale, which has never happened and I've covered every single Amazon sale in Australia since the online retail giant arrived Down Under in 2017.

All the Australian prices listed below are exclusive to Prime members though, so be sure you have a subscription before buying. If you don't, you can sign up now and get a 30-day free trial as a first-time customer, which will cover the entire Prime Day sale. You can cancel any time.

All the Kindle Prime Day deals listed below ship to New Zealand at no additional cost, so do not miss this chance.

With Amazon having ended support for some of its older Kindles, now is a very good time to upgrade or get your first ereader. They even make thoughtful gifts...

• For more deals and discounts, follow my live coverage of the Amazon Prime Day 2026 sale, with offers up to 85% off

Best Prime Day Kindle deals

How many unique passwords do you use to secure every single one of your hundreds of online accounts? If your answer isn't, "I have a strong unique password for every account," then you're among the millions of people at risk of having multiple accounts stolen from just a single password leak. All it takes is the right combination.

But that doesn't have to be the case. Using a password manager to generate and store your credentials is a secure and convenient way to prevent your accounts from being hacked. The best part is, Keeper has cut prices on its personal, family, and business starter plans by up to 50%.

Keeper's password manager offers secured password storage vaults, a password generator that easily complies with password strength requirements, and includes convenient features for privately sharing regularly used passwords - like the one for the Wi-Fi.

Why we recommend Keeper

Our Keeper review found the password manager to be an excellent addition to anyone wanting to improve their personal or household security.

The service uses zero knowledge architecture and device level encryption to keep the contents of your personal vault hidden from private eyes.

Rather than having to enter your master password each time you need to fill in your credentials, Keeper uses biometric security to access your vault. This uses the built in facial scan or fingerprint tech on your device. Keeper will also recognize when you are trying to log in to a website or app, and allow you to autofill the exact credentials you need.

Four households, the family plan includes five private vaults, allowing you to quickly share Wi-Fi or streaming passwords using Keeper's shared vaults.

These discounts apply to the first year only, so the value is highest for new customers or anyone switching from a monthly plan. After that, pricing goes back to standard rates.

Many of the best VPNs come with ad-blockers built in, meaning you can surf the web uninterrupted, but when it comes to watching live broadcasts like the 2026 World Cup online, ad-blockers can bring your entire stream to a standstill.

Those using an ad blocker on a streaming service usually have no problems – until the ad break, when the screen can freeze or turn black.

This is because many streaming sites use server-side ad insertions (SSAI), which deliver ads from the same pre-browser server as the rest of the broadcast, rather than through a third-party domain.

When the VPN’s ad-blocker detects an advertisement, it shuts down the entire viewing experience, rather than only the ads – because the ads and broadcast are coming from the same place. Your ad-blocker can’t tell the difference between the two and calls time on your stream.

Thankfully, most VPNs allow you to disable ad-blocking. So, remember to do that when you're using an ad-funded World Cup streaming service, like ITVX. (It's not a problem on ad-free ones like iPlayer.)

If you don't currently have a VPN for the World Cup, then give Norton VPN a try. It's very good for streaming and has a 60-day money-back guarantee. That's double the length of other VPNs.

It's also more than enough time to cover you for the rest of the World Cup.

It's simple enough to switch off Norton's ad blocker. Go to the settings cog and find the Ad Tracker Blocking toggle. (It's in the VPN preferences tab if you're using a laptop. Then switch it off. Simple.

If you are hesitant to switch off your ad-blocking tools completely, there is a fairly techy workaround if you really want.

While streaming, open your browser’s developer tools and watch the network tab as the stream crashes – this should show you the blocked tracking domain.

You can then add that URL to your ad blocker’s whitelist, which will keep the video running while continuing to block other ads.

It’s worth noting that one of Norton’s competitors, Windscribe, allows users to create custom whitelisting rules by site with its R.O.B.E.R.T tool (yes, that's its actual name), meaning you won’t need to switch off ad-blocking while enjoying a match. Check out our Windscribe VPN review for details.

Most of the best VPN deals are only available on two-year plans. But this time, Windscribe has bucked the trend.

On July 1, the company announced the chance to save $20 when you sign up using the promo code NOBACKDR.

The promo brings the price of its 1-year plan down to $49 — making it nearly $20 cheaper than NordVPN's equivalent one-year tier ($65.88).

Unlike most of the best VPNs, Windscribe only offers one-year and monthly plans. Thankfully, it doesn't impose price hikes at the end of your subscription, unlike NordVPN which rises to $139 after the first year.

In our most recent round of testing, Windscribe proved to be one of the fastest VPNs around, achieving 2263 Mbps using WireGuard. That was only beaten by Mullvad (2308 Mbps) and PrivadoVPN (2334 Mbps).

Its R.O.B.E.R.T phishing blocking tool is also effective, blocking 76% of the malicious links we threw at it. More impressively, it blocked 97% of ads too.

For the moment, its only real weakness is streaming. It couldn't unblock YouTube in the US or Prime Video in Japan at all. It also faced some minor issues with Prime Video US and Canada, and Disney+ in Australia and Japan.

While US YouTube proved tricky for even the best streaming VPNs, this performance isn't as good as we'd expect. So if streaming is your priority, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN, Norton VPN, or Proton for the time being.

The World Cup's extortionate prices are well documented, but what if you could avoid the highest cost of them all, the ticket?

To access the pivotal stages of this year's tournament, tickets start at over $ 1,000, with some reaching up to $9,000. Luckily, ExpressVPN is giving you the chance to avoid this cost altogether.

Sign up for an ExpressVPN plan between now and July 11, and you'll be entered into a raffle for a chance to win tickets to the quarterfinals, semifinals, or the grand finale.

The longer the plan you choose, the more entries you get. 1-month plans get 1 entry, 1-year plans get 5 entries, and 2-year plans get 10 entries.

It's worth noting that the raffle is only for the ticket. However, the thousands you'll save on the ticket should cover the majority of other expenses you need for this once-in-a-lifetime game.

For the best value, I'd recommend a two-year Basic or Advanced plan. While the 'low' price of a one-month plan might be appealing, it only gets you one raffle entry, and it's a more expensive monthly plan than you'd find from other VPNs.

Picking an Advanced plan is probably the better choice if you fancy your odds of winning.

The 3 days of Holiday.com eSIM access included in Advanced plans means you shouldn't struggle to stay connected while you're out there. Plus you can use ExpressVPN across more devices, and gain access to features such as ExpressKeys, MailGuard and more.

If you're new to VPNs, don't worry. We rate ExpressVPN among the best VPNs for beginners, and it's also the most secure VPN we've tested this year. This means you should be able to get started quickly and never need to worry about your connection again.

Not convinced? Some of the best VPNs are also running superb deals right now, so long as you're willing to sacrifice your chance at a seat at the World Cup. Check out the best VPN deals right now below.

Not all FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage is the same.

For example, in the UK, England vs DR Congo is on BBC iPlayer, and that means you can watch it in glorious 4K UHD, but half of the World Cup games are on the HD-only ITVX streaming service.

But high res football fans, listen up: there is a place you can watch the match at maximum resolution, and all for free too.

The free-to-air CazéTV YouTube channel has the rights to show all of the FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage in Brazil, and in 4K UHD too. So, if you're a Brazil national currently abroad, then you can still access the stream.

Just pick yourself up a VPN, select a server in Brazil and then tune into CazéTV as you normally would back home. If you don't already have a VPN, then give Proton VPN a try.

We continuously test the best VPNs and we rate Proton very highly. It's great for streaming but, the reason we recommend it for CazéTV and Brazil is because Proton has more South American servers than an almost every other VPN provider, so you're not likely to run into capacity issues with other people trying to do the same.

But, just as importantly, Proton VPN also recorded the highest speeds over long distance connections (such as Europe to Brazil) in our recent tests, meaning that you should get a nice, clean, up-to-the-minute stream with no buffering or stuttering.

Proton VPN comes with live chat support just in case you have any difficulties getting connected. It's also one of the most private and secure VPNs out there if you're looking to stay safe online, as well as do some soccer streaming.

There is a free version of Proton VPN but it's the paid one you'll need to get access to the Brazil server and the faster streaming speeds.

VPNs are completely legal to use. They're excellent for streaming your regular shows wherever your travel and providing privacy and protection from prying eyes for all of your online activities.

VPNs offer features and tools to boost your video streaming performance, and some of those are particularly handy if you're planning to watch the World Cup final.

Anyone using a VPN to get around local broadcast restrictions might still encounter problems if the free World Cup streaming service they're trying to use is blocking access from the IP address that their VPN server has issued.

That can happen before you try to stream or even partway through the match itself. Either way, that's a pain and, with some VPNs, that means disconnecting from the server and then trying out a bunch of others until you identify one that works, but some VPN providers can save you the hassle.

We particularly like the technology that Norton VPN has introduced in time for the 2026 World Cup. It's called Manual IP Rotation, and it allows you to ‘rotate’ your VPN’s IP address to another location within the same country, without interrupting the encrypted tunnel you’re streaming through.

Put simply, it’s a one-button solution to streaming services blocking your VPN’s IP. The idea is that you connect once and then never have your World Cup stream interrupted again.

Norton has a 60-day money-back guarantee, so even if you still find that it doesn't work for your needs, you can just get a refund. But do try it out before kick-off just in case, please.

In terms of the competition, Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN service and comes with its own IP rotation system thanks its Nexus technology, which connects all of its VPN servers together in one network.

And if your streaming service has a specific server on lockdown, NordVPN’s massive network of servers could offer a working alternative.

Travelling to World Cup matches shouldn't mean paying huge sums to keep your phone working.

While some domestic add-ons will serve you well enough, what if there was a way to access unlimited data and secure your internet traffic in the process while you watch the World Cup?

An ExpressVPN Advanced plan encompasses five main tools. A VPN, eSIM, password management, Identity protection, and private emails – all for only $3 per month.

That means avoiding US roaming charges and it's also perfect if you want to watch the World Cup matches you're missing from your hotel room without paying for US streaming services because you can tune into BBC and ITV for free, just as you would at home.

ExpressVPN remains the most secure VPN I've tested. Its eSIM, provided by holiday.com, covers 150 countries with unlimited data for 3 days.

ExpressKeys offers unlimited password storage and generation, credit card storage, password health checks, and 2FA. Identity Defender gives you up to $3 million in identity theft insurance, and MailGuard comes with unlimited aliases.

In short, it comes with everything you need to travel to the World Cup this summer without overpaying for your phone.

If, however, you're at the game, you can use the VPN to dodge awful stadium Wi-Fi speeds thanks to separate, encrypted traffic tunneling. You'll also be protected against identity theft in the process, thanks to Identity Defender.

Normally, an Advanced plan would set you back much closer to $4.50 per month, which would then be paid upfront as anything up to $108. Now, it's only $83.72, and it throws in 4 extra months of protection with that cost.

ExpressVPN offers US locations in all 50 states, three Canadian cities, and one in Mexico City. This means no matter the game you're headed to, you can always be protected.

That said, several other VPNs could suit you better. NordVPN and Norton VPN both offer better streaming performance if you want to stream another game while you're travelling, and Surfshark is a cheaper option if you're just after a VPN.

ExpressVPN is, however, the only VPN offering the chance to win tickets to a World Cup match. The promotion has one more day before entries close, and gives you a chance to win tickets to a quarterfinal, semi-final, or even the final.

Be aware, though, that the promotion comes at the expense of ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if you sign up, you're locked in.

If you are looking for a security suite for your team or business, NordLayer may have just what you're looking for - and they currently have a 20% discount code.

The core features include a business VPN, access control & zero trust architecture, threat prevention & intelligence, password management, device protection, and advanced device security.

There are also numerous handy integrations across identity & access management, cloud networks, and cybersecurity.

Today's top NordLayer deal

NordLayer Lite

For small teams looking for an essential layer of business protection, the Lite plan offers all of the core features at $8/month per user.

Network security connection speed is up to 1 Gbps (across all plans) with Shared Gateway locations across 40+ countries , so your security won't slow down your collaboration, business meetings, or general connectivity.

Your network will also be protected with Download Protection, Web Protection, VPN protocol variety to suit your preferences, and the highly efficient NordLynx VPN protocol.

For each license, you get 6 device network connections with multi-platform app support. The Lite plan also features multi-factor authentication and single sign-on, alongside activity monitoring reports to spot any suspicious or unsecured activity.

NordLayer Core

NordLayer Core adds additional functionality across network security, internet access security, network connectors, user authorization & management, and visibility at $11/month per user.

For a start, your team will benefit from a server with a dedicated IP, alongside IP allowlisting and IP-based split tunneling, plus a choice of Virtual Private Gateway locations in 40+ countries. You'll also be able to manually configure your network connections.

Core also adds category-based DNS filtering, custom DNS, and an application blocker to keep your team from accessing disruptive or unsecured apps.

For security, your team will have access to biometric authentication to verify that it is actually your colleagues accessing your network, and not a malicious actor. For additional visibility into the security of your team members, Core adds device posture monitoring.

NordLayer Premium

Premium ups your protection significantly at $14/month per user.

On the network security side, NordLayer offers a Cloud Firewall (FWaaS) and device-level posture security, plus URL-based split tunneling available as a browser extension.

It also adds site-to-site configurations for your network connector, with a Cloud LAN and browser extension for added usability. Premium also adds user provisioning to speed up onboarding for new employees.

• Take a look at our full guide to the best antivirus software

Editor's note: Just a few hours after this feature was written, an Ultimate Edition Upgrade appeared on the PlayStation Store. There's no word on how much it will cost yet, but it looks like fans will at least be able to upgrade their editions. The rest of this article remains as originally published below.

It sounds bizarre saying that I wish I could go back in time and bully my past self into spending more money, but that's exactly what I would do when it comes to Red Dead Redemption 2.

I first bought the cowboy adventure game on sale back in 2020. I can't remember the exact price, but it was something like 30 bucks for the standard version, and about ten more if I wanted the Ultimate Edition instead.

I took a look at what the more premium version offered — an exclusive mission, a cool horse, some new clothing, and some in-game progression boosts, plus a load of content for Red Dead Online — and decided that it wasn't for me. After all, I wasn't entirely sure that I would even enjoy the game or want to explore its multiplayer component.

The problem is that I did genuinely love it, and soon found myself wanting all the extra goodies. The problem? Rockstar offered no way to upgrade between editions. There were no little add-ons that let you pick up each item individually, like you can with most other games.

I was trapped with my standard version, and if I wanted to experience that Ultimate Edition content I would have to buy the entire game again. Obviously, I wasn't going to do that — leaving me bitter and feeling like I missed out.

Learn form my mistake

With the Grand Theft Auto 6 price and editions officially confirmed, I'm urging everyone not to make the same mistake. Like Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 6 will be available as either a standard edition or Ultimate Edition, with the latter unlocking loads of exclusive content.

It sounds even more significant than what you got with the comparable edition of Red Dead Redemption 2, and includes new vehicles, weapon skins, outfits, and even access to some exclusive locations, such as a beachside garage.

To be clear, Rockstar has not officially confirmed whether it will offer the option to upgrade to the pricier edition down the line. But, after my Red Dead Redemption 2 experience, I wouldn't take the risk.

At $99.99 (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed), the Ultimate Edition isn't cheap. It's only $20 more than the standard version, though, which goes for $79.99, and that 20 bucks could very well save you from feeling like you missed out in a year's time.

Bear this in mind when GTA 6 pre-orders begin at midnight on June 25 (local time) ahead of the game's launch on November 19 for Xbox Series X and Series S and PlayStation 5.

It's big game time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Scotland take on Brazil on a night which could see the Tartan Army seal qualification to the knockouts – and just because you're a UK expat it doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy watching Steve Clarke's men for free on BBC iPlayer just like you would back in Scotland.

So long as you're a license fee payer, you've every right to enjoy the Beeb's British commentary and support from your sunny spot in Dubai, Saudi, Singapore or wherever else you may be.

Just use a VPN, choose a UK server to connect to in the app, and then head to iPlayer and get streaming straight away, just like everyone else back in Scotland.

If you don't have a VPN, then we recommend NordVPN. We've rated it as the best VPN for streaming as well as the best VPN overall for more than two years now. Sign-up, install it on your laptop and away you go.

NordVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support just in case you have any difficulties getting connected. It also offers a tonne of scam protection features too if that's of interest to you beyond streaming.

VPNs are completely legal to use in all but the most draconian of countries. They're excellent for streaming your regular shows wherever your travel and providing privacy and protection from prying eyes for all of your online activities.

If you want to keep up with the World Cup wherever you go, or get hold of a secure streaming connection, then you have a few options.

The standard method is to use a VPN on a laptop or mobile device, and then use a HDMI cable to connect the device to your TV and display the image, effectively turning the TV into a monitor.

You could also try wireless casting via AirPlay, Chromecast, or Windows’ Miracast, but the experience is rarely as straightforward as your TV maker or the casting technology pretends it is. It all takes precious fiddling around time and that's time that your World Cup watch party guests will not be willing to wait.

Instead, turn to your hardware and try out your VPN provider's native TV apps or its apps for media streamers like Fire Sticks or Apple TV boxes. For most of these devices, it's incredibly simple to get going. Go to their app stores, find your VPN provider and install.

Then, just set your server location to the UK or Australia or wherever else you need to tune in, as usual, and then head to your regular streaming app – whether that's BBC iPlayer, ITVX, SBS or wherever else you find your free World Cup live streams.

And, if you don't already have a World Cup VPN, then you might want to try Norton VPN at the moment. It's a great streaming VPN and the only one to offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. That's more than enough to iron out any teething issues and will also see you through to the end of the World Cup itself.

Of course, there are other options if Norton VPN isn’t to your liking. ExpressVPN is a solid pick for TV streaming, thanks to support for multiple platforms and intuitive Smart DNS capability – the last of which is a good solution for TVs that don’t support VPNs as standard.

For more alternatives, NordVPN is our choice for the best VPN overall, while Surfshark is our pick for the best cheap VPN but lacks Smart DNS features for Samsung and LG TVs.

As a rule of thumb, if your TV OS is Android TV, you should find it easy to set up the VPN direct on your TV set. If you've got a Samsung or an LG and would rather keep things simple, then your Fire Stick or Apple TV box is best.

Happy streaming!

Upgrading any area of one's gaming setup is something I can always get behind, and regardless of budget, need, desire, or platform, I'm often able to find recommendations across all kinds of gear.

Shop more early Prime Day deals at Amazon US

However, audiophile or high-end gaming headsets is one of my favourite areas in which to delve and recommend. We've seen a surge of new products in recent years either targeting the audiophile market directly or at least the audiophile-adjacent, premium and high-end part of the spectrum. As such, there's now a good few products to choose from nowadays.

But there's only a few I recommend over the others. Each offers something slightly different, but all are excellent and are my personal picks for the best audiophile gaming headsets going right now. They're so good, they justify their price tag even when at full price, I believe, too. So if you're looking to enhance your gaming audio ahead of GTA 6 pre-orders starting this Thursday, then check out my recommendations below.

Planar-magnetic drivers FTW

For me, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is the greatest-sounding gaming headset money can buy right now. It is now my default go-to set of cups for all gaming, no matter the genre or type of game I'm playing, and I absolutely love it.

At the core of the headset are its 90mm planar magnetic drivers, which are frankly absurd. I am a big fan of a lot of brands' default audio quality, but I have never had better audio out of the box than the Maxwell 2's. It's the best going right now, and literally can't speak highly enough about it.

The science and philosophy of Audeze really make it exquisite for those looking to get better audio for single-player games, stemming from the company's history in making premium headphones for music and media. The reality is that it is still brilliant for multiplayer games, and you also get some flexibility via the Audeze app for tweaking your own EQ settings if you need to.

There are very few chinks in the armor, but some things to be aware of might be its good but unspectacular mic, and its overall bulkiness — though I think we are all a bit too scared of headsets that are big and that weigh more than others; it's genuinely OK if a headset weighs a few more ounces or grams, don't worry! I really like the chunky feel and slightly heavier feel of the set myself, and find the set incredibly comfortable.

Otherwise, I simply cannot reiterate this again: if you really want to get the best gaming audio, and something that'll make GTA 6 sing beautifully no matter the scenario, then this is the audiophile gaming headset to buy right now.

An Elite experience

While the Maxwell 2 rules on the driver and audio quality front, if you're looking for an audiophile-level, premium headset that offers a complete solution and all the bells and whistles — along with some excellent audio, of course — that you need from a headset on any platform, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is worth considering.

It's pricey, I know, but as I said in my review, it really is the best gaming headset I've ever tested. It simply offers it all in one truly excellent package, from audio quality and versatility — you can use it across every platform, simultaneously — to feature set, build quality, comfort, and microphone performance — literally everything.

If you really want one high-grade headset to rule them all while offering audiophile-level gaming audio, then this is the upgrade to make this year, ahead of GTA 6.

It's an old one, but a great one

The PC38X is a wonderful wired audiophile-level headset which I have loved using on both PC and PS5. It sounds fantastic, and is a pretty no-nonsense gaming headset with genuine pedigree behind it.

You might see it styled as Drop + Epos PC38X or just a Drop PC38X, but whichever title you see it under, I really recommend this as a wired set for anyone who wants to keep things simple and get a brilliant-sounding open-backed set of audio givers.

It is a bit old now, but you know what they say: class and quality endures (or something like that. Now, there is one caveat with this headset, and one that is directly related to it being a slightly older model: its availability is a bit spotty. Our automatic price-finding tool below should surface the headset, however, and I have seen it with my own eyes at Amazon US and Amazon UK this week.

However, if you are looking for some wired audiophile gaming headset alternatives to the PC38X if it's not available in your region, then I have some picks for you too.

The Audeze LCD-GX is an open-back premium set of headphones that have been built for gaming. Channeling all that planar magnetic goodness that the brand is known for, these are a seriously high-end set of cups. The massive 106mm drivers pack an almighty punch and offer immense detail, while it comes with a mic, so it's a genuine wired headset option.

The Sennheiser HD 550s are one of my favorite sets of headphones from recent years, and while they may appear as another headphone offering from Sennheiser, these are definitely targeted at gamers who want higher quality audio. You'll need to buy a mic attachment separately to elevate it to a full gaming headset offering.

The Asus ROG Kithara is another option, and is a recent release into the audiophile market. Developed with HiFiMan, this headset has huge 100mm planar-magnetic drivers (not too dissimilar to the Maxwell 2), an open-backed design, and sounds wonderful.

And while not an audiophile gaming headset in the truest sense, per se, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wired gaming headset is an excellent option for those looking for a complete wired gaming headset experience, with brilliant audio and all the features to boot.

Traveling today comes with a hidden bill that catches many off guard. It isn’t just the price of the flight or the hotel; it’s the steady drain of international roaming fees. Take Verizon’s TravelPass for instance. At $12 a day, this quickly adds up and can turn an exciting 2026 FIFA World Cup trip into an unexpectedly expensive one.

While some travelers rely on public wifi to save, this often means battling sluggish speeds and insecure networks that risk your data. Fortunately, the way we stay connected while abroad is changing. The world’s best VPN services are no longer just encryption tools; they’ve evolved into direct mobile data providers.

By bundling secure VPN access with an affordable eSIM plan, you can skip sky-high carrier fees and stream your favorite shows without geo-blocks. This ensures a secure, seamless connection throughout the tournament without having to worry about surprise bills.

Saily: NordVPN's highly flexible, pay-as-you-go traveler

Saily, NordVPN’s flexible eSIM platform, is ideal for travelers who prefer pay-as-you-go control over their data spending.

Instead of committing to a single monthly plan, you can purchase small 1GB or 5GB allowances exactly when you need them. The setup is refreshingly simple: you install just one eSIM profile on your phone. Once installed, it handles all of your data without cluttering your device with extra apps.

It’s worth keeping in mind that NordVPN and Saily remain separate subscriptions. Though you can link your logins, they don’t merge into a single bill. Instead, you’ll manage them independently, paying strictly for the data you use and the VPN access you need.

Holiday.com: ExpressVPN’s unlimited data premium tier

Subscribing to an ExpressVPN one or two-year Advanced or Pro plans gives you a coupon for Holiday.com, their eSIM partner. This partnership effectively bundles unlimited mobile data into your existing subscription.

However, the setup isn’t fully integrated. You still need to download a separate Holiday.com app to activate and manage your eSIM plan, meaning you’ll be switching between two different apps to stay secure and connected.

Plus, these unlimited data offers are time-capped, at three or five days. If you need more data, you can conveniently top up via the ExpressVPN dashboard.

What if your VPN doesn't do data?

Not everyone wants to switch providers just for a trip. If you’re already loyal to a traditional security suite, you might be disappointed to find they don’t offer cellular data themselves, preventing you from enjoying the convenience of an all-in-one solution.

The process is simple enough but requires a little more legwork. You’d need to purchase a standalone eSIM from a provider like Airalo – one of the best eSIMs for global travel –then manually toggle your VPN app on top of it when you need encryption.

This lets you shop around for the cheapest data plans but with the caveat that you’ll be juggling two separate apps.

Verdict

Choosing the right setup depends entirely on your travel style. Saily takes the crown for budget-conscious fans who want total flexibility; its pay-as-you-go model lets you buy exactly what you need without overcommitting.

On the other end of the spectrum, Holiday.com (via ExpressVPN) is the superior choice if you need a lot of data for streaming World Cup matches.

Other VPNs remain a robust option if device security is your top priority, offering complete control to shop for the best eSIM deals. However, this comes with a trade-off: you’ll be managing two separate subscriptions and apps. For most travelers, this DIY approach isn’t worth the hassle unless you have a specific security preference.

CyberGhost continues to offer one of its best deals while other VPNs raise their prices. You can get a 2-year subscription for $1.59 per month with two months extra — that's $41.34 for 26 months of protection.

Surfshark's recent price jump means plans now cost at least $67.23, $25 more than CyberGhost. Despite this, both VPNs offer more than 100 locations, deliver strong speeds over WireGuard, and have proven solid streaming VPNs.

CyberGhost was around 400 Mbps faster than Surfshark over WireGuard in our most recent tests and it also proved more consistent when streaming Netflix throughout our testing.

Where CyberGhost falls short is its device limit. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. CyberGhost? 7.

This means that if you're trying to secure your entire family you'll likely run out of connections pretty quickly. You can fix this by setting up CyberGhost as a router VPN, but if you're new to VPNs entirely, this is a complex way to start.

Thankfully, if you want to test it out, you get longer to decide than with almost any other VPN. CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee is only bested by Norton's 60-day guarantee. None of the best VPNs offer anywhere close to this, instead giving you only 30 days to decide.

What's the catch?

Aside from the mere 7 connections, there's one other noticeable drawback to CyberGhost — it's got almost no guidance for beginners.

Loading it up on Android, you'll notice no explanations and no guidance on how to use it. If you're looking for a beginner VPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN will be far superior.

These VPNs have extensive help catalogues, explainers across almost every feature, and quick access to support.

It's also worth noting that, unlike VPNs such as NordVPN or Surfshark, there's no additional security features.

CyberGhost's one plan is purely VPN-focused. While you can add other tools for an extra fee, you might be better off choosing a different cheap VPN that gives you access as standard.

Dating back decades, proxies still have a place in today’s ever-expanding internet. Originally designed to improve internet performance and security, a proxy acts as an intermediary between a device and the internet.

And while their VPN cousins have taken much of the spotlight, proxies provide a faster, lighter alternative - not to mention a better fit for tasks like web scraping, SEO monitoring, social media management, and ad verification, to name a few.

So, if you’re looking to get your hands on some of these bad boys, you’ll be pleased to know that DataImpulse is offering +25% bonus traffic for all users. The company specializes in creating custom proxy services for businesses, but individual users can find something for themselves as well who aim to access data from anywhere and collect the data they need.

Why we picked DataImpulse

From easy setup to over 90 million ethically-sourced unique IPs, both newbies and more demanding users will find something that suits their needs.

For starters, DataImpulse’s highly competitive, pay-as-you-go pricing and traffic that never expires make it a great choice if you need low-cost residential or mobile proxies without monthly subscription commitments. A rather big global coverage is available too, with more than 195 locations at your disposal.

The company promises 99.9% uptime for datacenter proxies, and those who pick premium residential proxies will get a personal account manager. To top it all off, regardless of the plan, you’ll get 24/7 customer support. Not saying that you’ll ever need it, but it’s nice to know that DataImpulse has your back, one way or another.

Norton VPN has reduced its price just in time for the 2026 World Cup. With plans starting at $39.99 (£29.99) for one year of protection, it's cheaper than big-name competitors like NordVPN, Proton, and ExpressVPN.

What's more, the company's mid-tier plan (Norton VPN Plus) is now the same price as its entry-level plan. That means you can get the company's AI-powered scam detection tool, dark web monitoring and password manager effectively for free.

Don't let the budget price fool you, either. Norton has quietly become one of the fastest-improving and fastest-performing VPNs of 2026.

In our latest rounds of testing, it topped out at an impressive 1,010 Mbps, proving it's fast enough to stream live tournament matches in HD without buffering or regional blocks getting in the way.

The deal also includes a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. That’s double the standard 30 days you get from other major providers, so you can use it to watch the entire World Cup risk-free and cancel for a full refund if you aren't completely satisfied.

When you commit to a year-long plan, it's important to know the company will keep upgrading its product and Norton is doing exactly that.

Last month, the provider significantly scaled up its infrastructure, expanding its server network to more than 130 locations across 90 countries.

Norton also introduced a Manual IP Rotation feature for its Windows and Mac desktop apps. So, if a streaming service flags or restricts your current connection mid-game, you can swap to a fresh virtual IP address on demand without having to drop your connection or interrupt the live stream.

Norton VPN has also become one of the very best at unblocking popular streaming platforms. It easily clears regional hurdles for major services, unblocking Netflix libraries across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

It also handles Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and US YouTube with ease, letting you watch your favorite home content from anywhere in the world. So if you're traveling to North America to watch a World Cup match, you can keep on top of your favorite shows.

Secretlab has unveiled its first true home office chair. The Atlas is designed for productivity. After going hands-on with the new seat, we have some thoughts. And as TechRadar Pro's office furniture editor, my team and I have tested hundreds of gaming and office chairs - so I've selected the 12 hybrid seats that most impressed me most during review.

You'll spot some game brands here, like Corsair, Razer, and Boulies, who all have a strong heritage when it comes to engineering the best gaming chairs. But I've looked a little further afield, too, with some of the best office chairs we've tested, like the exceptionally adjustable Sihoo seat, and Herman Miller's Logitech crossover. Perfect if you're into the anti-racing seat designs you usually get in this arena.

What I want to see from these hybrid gaming and office chairs are ultra-comfortable builds for work and hours of play time, yet a 'stealth' style that won't look out of place on a video call to your boss. For more information, click 'View details' below each entry to read our review notes.

My top hybrid gaming and office chairs

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing now. I'm completely hooked, watching every match. And as a bit of fan service, I'm also tracking down the best World Cup eSIM deals for anyone who's heading out to the games.

My team has tested all the best eSIMs for international travel, so I've been checking out what deals every provider is offering as football fever strikes the globe. I've also managed to score some exclusive promo codes so you can save even more.

If you're traveling to the US, Canada, Mexico (or all of them), these are the top pre-paid and unlimited eSIM plans I can find specifically designed for football fans looking to swerve sky-high roaming fees. If you're not heading to the next big match, find out the best places to stream the games with our FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Finder.

Best World Cup 2026 eSIM deals

Best World Cup 2026 eSIM deals for unlimited data

Best World Cup 2026 eSIM deals for multiple countries

Best World Cup 2026 eSIM deals for single countries

World Cup 2026 eSIM deals: FAQs

When does this year's World Cup start and end?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off on June 11, with one of the host nations Mexico playing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca. The final, held in New York, takes place on July 19.

Do all eSIM plans support voice calls?

No. Some providers offer data, and data and call-time plans; however, some only support data plans.

In fact, a survey from eSIM.net (read it here) that recently landed in my inbox suggests that "68% believe all eSIMs support voice calling." And those that do, worry that not having access to calls while abroad might impact banking access, healthcare communications, and travel logistics.

So, definitely check which type you're signing up for before committing to any eSIM.

Can I purchase a World Cup eSIM deal now and activate it later when I travel?

Yes, almost all eSIM providers let you set an activation date, so you can set-up the eSIM at home, and it'll kick in once you land at your destination.

Typically, after purchase, your provider lets you know the activation window - it varies depending on which eSIM service you're using, though.

Are the World Cup eSIM deals available for all countries/regions?

Yes, all eSIM providers offer coverage across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, alongside global plans for frequent travelers.

How can I check if my phone supports eSIM technology?

We've explored how to check if your phone supports eSIM.

On iPhone, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings >General>About
• Look for “Digital SIM” or “eSIM”
• If you see “Digital SIM”, “eSIM”, or an EID number, your device supports eSIM
• Then check if your phone is unlocked
• Go to Settings>General>About>Carrier Lock
• If it says "no SIM restrictions", your iPhone is unlocked and ready for an eSIM

For Android devices, the method can vary depending on the phone and operating system, but the general steps are:

• Go to Settings> Connections (or Network & Internet)
• Look for SIM options
• Tap SIM Manager, Mobile Network, or SIM Cards depending on your phone
• Search for “eSIM”, “Add eSIM”, or “Download SIM”
• If you see “Add eSIM”, “Add mobile plan”, or “Download SIM”, your device supports eSIM
• Make sure your device is unlocked
• In Settings>About phone>Status, look for information on carrier lock

How do I set up and activate the eSIM on my device?

Once you’ve purchased an eSIM, you’ll receive an onboarding email with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to set it up.

If you buy your eSIM directly through the provider’s app, the activation process is even easier as you’ll be guided through everything on screen.

Typically, you’ll be asked to install the eSIM first. After installation, you can activate it in your phone’s settings. Make sure your device is connected to the internet and has enough battery before you begin. Most eSIMs can only be activated once, so it’s important to follow the steps carefully.

Activation usually takes just a few minutes. Once complete, you’ll see the new plan under your mobile services, and you can rename it if you prefer.

The best VPNs do the hard work for you. But what if you want complete control of your VPN connection?

Protocol choice, split tunneling, obfuscation, and server location is the normal extent of 'control' offered. PIA, however, takes this a step further.

Port selection, encryption level, and packet size are just some of the variables in your control. While it's not the fastest VPN, this deep customization lets you perfectly balance performance and security for your exact needs.

Right now, it's also among the cheapest VPNs out there. While it'd normally set you back $2.19 per month, it's currently only $1.33/month — $34.58 in total for 26 months of protection.

That's cheaper than Surfshark, our best cheap VPN, and NordVPN, our best VPN overall. In fact, the only VPN we recommend that's cheaper right now is PrivadoVPN, at only $1.11/month.

It's rare to find a top-tier VPN this affordable. In fact, there are only three other VPNs in this price bracket that I would recommend.

Surfshark is the best cheap VPN overall. It's much quicker than PIA, offers more features, and performs better with streaming services. However, it's comparatively expensive at $1.99/month.

CyberGhost is another VPN offering a super-low price right now. Starting at $1.59 per month, it's not quite as customizable as PIA, but it offers more locations and you can try it for 24 hours without paying a penny.

PrivadoVPN is the cheapest VPN I'd recommend. It's only $1.11 per month, but only has 67 locations and is yet to undergo a third-party audit. However, it's among the fastest VPNs I've ever used.

Explaining complex tech to your grandparents is not easy – let alone setting them up with something like a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – but silver surfers need scam protection too, particularly if they're using shared networks in supported accommodation.

I've spent over two years using Proton VPN and I'm pretty convinced that this is the one I'd suggest to my gran. I'm not saying she's going to understand the fineries of VPN protocols and kill switches, but I'd bet she'd be happy having the Proton auto-connected in the background without it becoming a problem.

First time VPN users that do want to get into the app and get under the hood will be pleasantly surprised, though. All Proton VPN apps are filled with tooltips explaining what the features do. It's got a solid customer support site, and its apps are clearly laid out to avoid confusion.

Right now, it's also cheaper than the best VPN overall, NordVPN, which starts at $3.09 per month for its most basic plan. Proton includes all of its VPN features in one plan, and, for now, it's only $2.99 per month.

That's a saving of about $10 over a 2-year plan. What's more, NordVPN also adds local tax to its advertised prices which Proton does not.

If you know what you're doing with VPNs already, there are a couple of other good choices.

Surfshark is the best cheap VPN and starts at around $1.99 per month. It still performs just as well as Proton, offers more features to secure your data outside of the VPN, and has apps simple enough for most people.

For the absolute best performance, NordVPN is the pick. It's the most expensive of the three and carries hefty auto-renewal costs, but its worth it. No VPN is as good with unblocking streaming services, and it has very strong security credentials too.

Amazon Prime Day has just been announced which makes it a very good time to bag a free Amazon gift card while you still can.

We've had an exclusive Surfshark deal running on TechRadar for just over a week now but it ends tonight. You get a free Amazon gift card when you sign up to any of the two-year plans.

Surfshark Starter gets you $10, One gives $20, and One+ $30, and it's same denomination in pounds if you're in the UK.

Plans start from only $1.99 per month but do beware that the deal ends tonight and we're not likely to see anything like this from Surfshark until Black Friday 2026 at the very earliest.

Of the three Surfshark price plans, I recommend Surfshark One for $2.49 per month. That's $67.23 upfront but you get the $20 gift card against that, so it's effectively more like $47.23.

Compare that to the lower tier Starter plan which is $1.99 per month, $53.73 up front but only a $10 gift card. So, only a few dollars less than One at an effective $43.73 but without all of the best features.

How to get a free Amazon gift card

What I particularly like about the One plan are the data security tools that I think are really useful for sales times, like Prime Day, and beyond.

You can use Alternative ID so that you don't have to register with any shops and services with your real email address and Alerts let's you know if any of your data is compromised, including credit cards and ID.

There's also web content blocking, and a secure search engine free of ads and trackers.

Prime Day runs from June 23 – 26. Surfshark is a great option to look after your ID and data during this time and beyond but take a look at our other best cheap VPNs for more choice if you want to shop around.

The Champions League has long been a staple midweek viewing for me. But, in recent years, my internet connection has struggled to match the standard of football it's trying to stream.

Whether it's throttling, congestion, or ISP peering causing my issues, I don't entirely know. That said, I've quickly found that a VPN has solved my issues almost entirely.

I've been using NordVPN to watch my beloved Chelsea since the beginning of their search for a third Champions League trophy. While the results on the pitch have left something to be desired, the results for my connection have been far more impressive.

Connecting to a local server, I've never found myself struggling for stream quality, nor have I seen my stream delayed so much that I see the goals in my phone notifications first.

Unlike other VPNs, I also rarely found my stream completely dropping out. While some of the best VPNs like Proton and Surfshark provide stiff competition in many other ways, I found my connection dropping more often with these providers when streaming on services such as TNT and Peacock.

Can you use a free VPN to watch the Champions League final?

Free VPNs come nowhere close to the best streaming VPNs you'd need to pay for. While yes, it's theoretically possible to watch the final with a free VPN, limitations in server network, data caps, and reduced streaming performance all make it more hassle than it's worth.

If you're wary of paying huge sums, the best cheap VPNs will prove far more effective. Surfshark starts from only $1.99 per month and will perform better than any free VPN on matchday.

Alternatively, consider picking up a one-month VPN plan. The likes of Proton VPN can give you a month of protection for only $10. Should you then choose to extend your plan, you can then pick up a deal on a longer option that works out to far less per month.

Protect your data and get a bonus Amazon gift card with our latest exclusive Surfshark deal.

TechRadar readers can claim up to $30 in Amazon gift cards for free with 2-year Surfshark plans. The VPN ranks as our best cheap VPN, and while it's not quite NordVPN — our best VPN overall — it includes more than you'd expect given the low price.

In our latest speed testing, Surfshark achieved just over 1000 Mbps using WireGuard, putting it in a similar bracket to NordVPN (1249 Mbps) and ExpressVPN (1177 Mbps). It also has several unique features that can help keep you secure outside a VPN.

The One plan is the best-value Surfshark plan and a great way to protect more than just your browsing data. It gets you $20 in free Amazon vouchers and all of Surfshark's best cybersecurity features for $2.49/month.

While top-tier rivals like NordVPN and Proton VPN edge it on security and streaming capabilities, Surfshark costs at least $1/month less.

It’s an ideal, budget-friendly choice for beginners who want simple apps and solid everyday protection.

There are also rarely VPN deals available that offer Amazon gift cards. To make the best use of your free money, I've found a security toolkit you can put together for under $30 to protect your data outside your phone.

Alternatively, it's a great time to pick up some Amazon deals in preparation for summer.

In an age where everyone from advertising companies to government agencies is trying to snoop on your online activities, a VPN is a vital tool in keeping your private data...private.

The best VPNs don’t log any information about who you are or what you get up to online - or do they? Signing up to a premium VPN means signing up for a payment plan, and that’s an avenue by which a VPN account can be tied to a specific person.

Some VPNs offer alternative methods of payment such as crypto-currency or gift cards, but the most secure, anonymous payment method is still cold, hard cash.

Enter Mullvad VPN. While it might be a little feature-light compared to other, more expensive VPNs, it offers the core features we want to see in every VPN we recommend like a kill switch, obfuscated connections, a no-logging policy, multihop servers and, more uniquely, the ability to pay for your subscription with cash in an envelope.

Best ways to stay anonymous online

With the ability to sign up anonymously, and pay for your subscription with cash, there’s no better choice than Mullvad if anonymity is your top concern.

Most premium VPNs will let you sign up using debit cards, Paypal and crypto-currency. Mullvad takes this further and accepts payment through Monero, bank transfers, Swish, EPS transfer, Bancontact, iDEAL | Wero, and Przelewy24.

Mullvad’s overall offering is less extensive compared to other premium VPNs out there. There’s no dark web monitoring, no integrated anti-virus, ad blocking or any of the other added features that come with more expensive competitors. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your online security, there are better options out there.

Mullvad focuses on doing one job, and doing it well, and that’s securing your connection from anyone who might want to snoop on it.

Other VPN providers do that too, but they also tend to cost more than Mullvad does. Mullvad is one of the few providers to provide a list of not only where its servers are located in the world, but who the service provider is for each server.

You can even see whether the hardware is owned by Mullvad itself or rented from someone else, allowing you to see the companies your internet traffic interacts with, every step of the way from your device to the internet.

Mullvad’s commitment to transparency even extends to their VPN client, which is Open Source, meaning anyone can look at the source code and confirm if the company is serious about its privacy claims.

If you needed a reason to pick up a Memorial Day VPN deal, Surfshark just gave you the best deal we've seen this year.

TechRadar readers can exclusively claim up to $30 in free Amazon gift cards, alongside 3 months of extra protection when you get a 2-year Surfshark plan. That means 27 months of protection from one of the best VPNs currently available, plus the ability to grab something else you need from Amazon for less.

Interested? You've only got a week to get your hands on this VPN deal before it expires on June 2. Once you've signed up, your Amazon voucher will arrive on day 31 of your plan — so you can't make use of it's handy 30-day money-back guarantee and grab the freebie.

Plans start from only $1.99/month, paid as $53.73 upfront. But, since the value of the voucher increases depending on the plan you choose, I'd recommend a One plan. This costs $2.49/month (paid as $67.23 upfront) and comes with a $20 voucher.

It also stops your cost jumping to the $113.13 One+ plan all for the sake of only $10 more in gift cards and Surfshark's Identity theft coverage.

Looking for something different? Some other top VPNs also have discounts available right now:

NordVPN is our best VPN overall. Most notably, it was the best streaming VPN in our latest testing by some way. It also offers stronger security credentials than Surfshark, however this comes at a price, since plans start from $3.09 per month.

ExpressVPN is a superb option if you're new to VPNs and want the most secure VPN possible. It's only $2.79 per month at its cheapest, but packs some of the fastest VPN speeds we've seen, and includes other helpful features such as password management that Surfshark lacks.

Proton VPN combines the value and security of ExpressVPN with the server network and speeds of NordVPN. It offers 188 locations worldwide, is based in Switzerland, meaning you're backed by tight privacy laws when using it, and it starts from only $2.99 per month.

The Memorial Day weekend is here. But, if you're traveling, be sure to stay vigilant about the information you put online along the way.

Connecting to public Wi-Fi at a local cafe or gas station comes with a few security trade-offs. Unsecured networks make it easier for third parties to monitor your online activity or intercept unencrypted data.

Luckily, a virtual private network stops this. A VPN encrypts the data you send online before it can be intercepted and it remains hidden from your ISP.

One of the best VPNs for this is ExpressVPN. Among US VPNs, it's one of only a few to offer servers in all 50 states. It also offers super-secure encryption keys, and other useful tools like a password manager depending on the plan.

What's more, it's cheap. It starts from $2.79 per month right now, almost half what you'd have been paying for it eighteen months ago. This drop puts it among the best cheap VPNs, beating the likes of NordVPN and Proton for value at the time of writing.

Depending on what you use a VPN for most, some alternatives might suit you better.

For example, while ExpressVPN has some of the best security credentials available, NordVPN is a better streaming VPN overall. We tried it with top services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, and it hardly faltered.

Equally, if you're after robust privacy laws to back up your security, or you're a keen torrenter, Proton VPN is a great solution. It's based in Switzerland and is one of the few top VPNs to offer port forwarding support.

Where ExpressVPN wins compared to both, however, is Aircove. Aircove is ExpressVPN's router, which builds VPN security in directly. While you can set up a router VPN with either Proton or NordVPN, it involves a much more complex process compared to Aircove's plug-and-play capability.

Coffee pods are OK in a pinch, but in my experience even the best ones can't compare with the rounded, full flavor you get from freshly-ground beans. I test over a dozen coffee makers a year, of all different types, and none of the capsules I've tried can match the taste of traditionally-made espresso.

A recent survey of TechRadar readers' coffee-brewing habits revealed that although 52% of people agree with me and brew their morning drink with beans, 25% are committed to their pods. I can see why — pods are definitely convenient, and there's no grinding or measuring necessary — but they also produce waste, you're limited to one particular type of pod, and the pods can be expensive. But there is an alternative.

I recently had the opportunity to test a new espresso machine that makes brewing with whole coffee beans as easy as using pods, is very reasonably priced, and is a piece of cake to keep clean. It's called the Philips Baristina, and if you want to break away from coffee capsules, it's perfect.

At first glance the Baristina looks a bit like a manual espresso machine, with a portafilter (the tool with a handle that holds the coffee grounds), but don't be intimidated - all you need to do is push that into the machine and slide it a few inches to the right, then press a button for either a single or double shot of espresso. That's it — there are no barista skills needed at all.

After you press the button, the Baristina will measure and grind the appropriate quantity of coffee directly into the filter basket. The machine will then tamp it down, and the portafilter will move to the left all by itself and pour hot water through it at high pressure to produce your drink.

At the end, just pull out the portafilter, knock the used coffee grounds out into your food waste bin (they will come out in a solid puck, with no mess), wipe the filter basket and you're done. It's much easier and less hassle than using a super-automatic espresso machine (where all the brewing happens inside the case) for a fraction of the price. It's so good, I didn't hesitate to award it a full five stars.

The only downside is that, like most capsule coffee makers, the Baristina doesn't have a steam wand for foaming milk — but don't worry. The machine is also available bundled with a separate milk frother, which my colleague Max Langridge gave four stars out of five in his review.

If you're one of the 25% of our readers still brewing with pods, the Baristina will open up a whole world of speciality coffees, letting you brew with any beans you like, experimenting with new beans, roasts, and blends. If you'd like to move away from the limits of pods, I don't think you'll look back.

The 2026 Premier League season is coming to a close. Whether you're watching behind your hands for fear of your team being relegated or hoping for a snatch-and-grab win to get into Europe, Sunday the 24th certainly isn't a gameweek to miss.

An easy way to ensure you don't miss a kick is with a VPN. Virtual Private Networks secure your connection via an encrypted tunnel. Since these services have servers worldwide, you can choose to connect via a tunnel in your home country. This means if you're traveling over the weekend, you can stream the game with your usual streaming service, without encountering location-based blocks.

For me, no VPN can handle your matchday better than NordVPN. It ranks as our best VPN overall, offering fast download speeds, secure protocols, and, most importantly, seamless streaming performance.

I've tested it with the likes of Sky, Peacock, TNT, and Ziggo, and it's never faltered when streaming live events such as football, tennis, or F1. It's also fast enough that I've rarely found my stream delayed to the point where I find out the score from a phone notification first.

Right now, NordVPN is only $3.09 per month — $83.43 in total — for 27 months of protection. This means you'll get secure access to the finale of this Premier League season, plus two more after that.

Streaming is the biggest challenge VPNs face. The best streaming VPNs regularly update their servers to ensure their IP addresses work with key platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, while also ensuring your streaming quality isn't massively impacted once you're signed in.

Our most recent tests proved NordVPN was the best overall at these areas. That said, several VPNs work well with sports-focused streaming platforms if you want something a touch cheaper or with different features.

Personally, Surfshark is my next best recommendation. It does sometimes struggle with dropouts when watching live events, but it starts from $1.99 and comes packed with other features.

Alternatively, Proton VPN is as secure as NordVPN, is normally slightly cheaper (between $2.79 and $2.99 per month), and offers an equally broad selection of server locations. That said, it struggled to reach the same streaming quality as NordVPN on regular occasions.

Google I/O 2026 has arrived, and while Android, Gemini, and YouTube share the headlines, Google has yet again forgotten its VPN service along the way.

Pixel VPN by Google (formerly Google One VPN) has been included in Google Pixel phones for several years now. However, aside from a name change and a small improvement to its integration in Android menus in recent months, it hasn't garnered much attention from its Alphabet owners, leaving it far from being among the best VPNs right now.

Thankfully, some of the best Android VPNs continue to push improvements to their services, and one example that's doing this for less right now is Proton VPN.

The provider is $2.99 per month ($71.76 total) for two years of protection. Even better, its Unlimited plan is only $7.99/month ($191.76 total) and gives you a secure way to ditch Google entirely without losing functionalities such as Docs, Drive, and Calendar.

Proton ranks third in our overall VPN rankings. Its Android app is easy to use and comes packed with explanations if you're new to VPNs and unsure what to do. It's faster than most VPNs out there, and it also has some of the most secure VPN servers available, perfect if privacy is your primary focus.

Proton isn't the only great Android VPN out there, though. Surfshark ranks as my top Android VPN overall. It packs a ton of features into plans that are often only a little over $2 per month. It also has 'Alternative ID' a feature, which takes Android 17's new 'Spoofing Protection' feature to another level by giving you an entirely new, secure identity to use on websites to avoid data breaches.

For the best VPN performance overall, look to NordVPN. It's more expensive than both Proton VPN and Surfshark, but by far the most effective. It's among the fastest and most secure VPNs, is post-quantum encrypted, and includes features such as the best password manager out there, NordPass.

Proton VPN has the largest and most active community of any VPN on Reddit. That doesn't make it the most popular VPN in the world but it does make it something better – the one that inspires the most fans.

We're not going to speculate why that is but the fact that there are over 86,000 people that feel positive enough about Proton VPN to get on a forum about it every week, can only be a good sign, and that very much backs up our feelings about it on TechRadar.

We rate Proton as one of the big three VPNs available. Take a look at our Proton VPN review or our best VPN buying guide for our full thoughts and comparisons but suffice to say, it's got a lot going for it, not least of which is this ready-made support group that you can find on Reddit.

You'll find answers to most of your questions about how to set it up, use it and get the very best out of it for your needs. And, if you can't find what you need, you can write a post and bet that one of those 86,000 people will, at the very least be able to point you in the right direction.

That's an asset that not every VPN can boast. Only NordVPN comes close with a 52,000-strong subreddit. But while, there's a small discount on NordVPN right now it doesn't compare with the 30% reduction that's just hit the price of Proton Unlimited, which includes the VPN and a host of other privacy-first online apps from Proton.

That makes for a saving of $48 or £42 over the 12-month agreement, bringing the monthly subscription down from $12.99 (£10.39) to $8.99 (£6.89) per month for a limited time.

We don't know how long this deal will last – Proton has not announced those details – but what we do know for certain is that you'll only find Proton Unlimited on sale like this only once or twice a year. You'll probably have to wait until the end of the 2026 if you miss it now.

Like most VPNs, Proton comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can change your mind later and get a full refund. But, between us, and 86,000 people on Reddit, we really think that you won't.

Norton VPN bills itself as the VPN for beginners. If you're familiar with its products, or its name, at least, then it's a pretty good choice for your online privacy.

It's also a particularly good time to sign up to Norton VPN because TechRadar is giving away a $30 Amazon gift card to anyone who signs up to one of the 2-year plans right now. So, instead of paying $59.99, you'll effectively only spend $29.99.

More importantly, it's also a good VPN and, like we say, very easy to use. Just read the chart-topping 4.7/5 Trustpilot reviews, if you don't believe us. Sign in, hit the big yellow 'Connect' button, and you're away.

If you're installing it for a parent, then head to the little settings cog in the corner and you'll find the Auto Connect toggle at the very top. Enable that and you can be certain that the VPN will fire up each time they turn their device on.

You can even select it to Auto Connect depending on what network their connected to if you like. You might want to hold off on enabling the kill switch, though, unless you don't mind fielding a few phone calls on why they can't access they internet. There's really nothing else to it.

How to claim your Amazon gift card reward

This gift card deal is something we've laid on at TechRadar. You won't find it anywhere else – only Future Publishing sites.

It's available on sign-up to all two-year Norton VPN tiers, Standard, Plus and Ultimate.

To get the deal, click on the 'Get Reward' button above. Type your email into the box that pops up and follow the instructions sent to you.

Norton VPN comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. So, if you're not happy with the service that you get, it's easy enough to change your mind at no cost. It's simple to do. We've tried it ourselves.

Just bear in mind that you won't get the $30 gift card until after the 60 days expires. The only thing to figure out then is what you buy on Amazon and whether it's for you or your mother...