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The strongest current shortlist comes from TechRadar’s VPN ranking, last updated September 24, 2026. It names NordVPN as the overall pick, Surfshark as the best low-cost option, and Proton VPN as the privacy-focused choice. ExpressVPN also appears in the same comparison, but the ranking text available for this article does not place it in a numbered position, so this guide does not assign it one. The right pick still depends on what you need from a VPN: privacy practices, speed on the routes you use, server locations, streaming reliability, device limits, or price.
Whose testing these rankings reflect
The results discussed here are TechRadar’s. TechRadar says it regularly runs in-depth VPN testing and assesses performance, features, privacy and security, support, and value. In its own words: “We know all this because we regularly conduct in-depth, rigorous VPN testing.” You can read its method in TechRadar’s testing methodology, and its running results in TechRadar’s latest VPN testing results. The speed numbers below are not independently reproduced here, and they should not be read as guaranteed speeds for your connection.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
TechRadar also discloses that purchases made through its links may earn it an affiliate commission. Its rankings are dated editorial judgments, not permanent audits, so treat them as a starting point rather than a final answer.
The three ranked picks
NordVPN: TechRadar’s overall pick
TechRadar ranks NordVPN first overall, citing a combination of security, speed, ease of use, and streaming performance. In the test it describes, NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol reached 1,256 Mbps. TechRadar notes that performance on a cross-Atlantic connection was lower, but it does not state that figure in the ranking text. Choose NordVPN if you want a broad all-round service and are willing to pay for it; TechRadar positions it above Surfshark on overall results and above it on price-related trade-offs.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
TechRadar says Surfshark costs less than NordVPN and allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which matters if one subscription needs to cover many phones, laptops, and tablets. The trade-offs are fewer countries than NordVPN and weaker results in some of TechRadar’s security tests. The ranking reports 1,615 Mbps on WireGuard for a local connection and 355 Mbps on a trans-Atlantic connection. The gap between those two numbers is a useful reminder that distance and protocol can change speed more than the brand name does.
Proton VPN: the privacy pick
TechRadar describes Proton VPN as privacy-focused and reports server coverage in 149 countries. On WireGuard it recorded 1,521 Mbps locally and 1,242 Mbps over a long-distance connection. TechRadar also notes weaker OpenVPN performance, so the protocol you choose in the app matters. Proton VPN is the natural fit if privacy features weigh more heavily for you than raw speed.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
ExpressVPN: included, not ranked here
TechRadar’s comparison includes ExpressVPN and discusses its Lightway protocol, performance, and security. The article also mentions ExpressVPN Aircove devices, which are VPN-enabled routers that can protect every device on a home network rather than one app at a time. Because the ranking text available for this guide does not assign ExpressVPN a definitive position, check TechRadar’s full comparison before comparing it with the three picks above.
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The table gathers the numbers TechRadar published. Each figure comes from its own test conditions, which it does not fully list in the ranking text, so they are best used to compare providers within the same source rather than as universal benchmarks.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
| Provider | Protocol | Local result | Long-distance or trans-Atlantic result |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | NordLynx | 1,256 Mbps | Lower than local; figure not stated |
| Surfshark | WireGuard | 1,615 Mbps | 355 Mbps (trans-Atlantic) |
| Proton VPN | WireGuard | 1,521 Mbps | 1,242 Mbps (long-distance) |
Speed depends on protocol, device, route, server location, and the date of the test. A figure taken on one route will not predict what you see when you connect to a server on the other side of the world.
What country counts do and do not tell you
TechRadar reports that Proton VPN has servers in 149 countries and that Surfshark offers 141 locations across 99 countries. It states that NordVPN has more countries than Surfshark, but the ranking text available here does not give NordVPN’s total, so that figure is not stated.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
A country count is not the same as a nearby server in every city. If you need a specific city, a local IP address for a streaming library, or a server close to your work site, check the provider’s current server list directly. Country totals also change as providers add and remove locations.
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- Privacy first: Proton VPN, per TechRadar’s privacy pick. Read the provider’s current privacy documentation before subscribing.
- Lowest cost with many devices: Surfshark, which TechRadar says allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
- All-round performance: NordVPN, TechRadar’s overall winner, if the higher price is acceptable.
- Home-network coverage: Consider ExpressVPN if you are interested in Aircove routers, and compare its plans in TechRadar’s full ranking.
- Streaming a specific library: Test the service on the platforms you use during a trial or refund window, because TechRadar’s ranking does not guarantee access to any particular service.
Check these before you pay
- Current prices and plan terms. Prices and guarantee conditions change often and were not verified for this article.
- The device limit on your chosen plan, especially if you plan to use one subscription on several devices.
- The protocol options in the app, since OpenVPN and WireGuard-based options can perform differently.
- The refund policy, which is the practical way to test streaming and speed on your own connection.
TechRadar’s own ranking page, The best VPN service 2026, remains the place to confirm the current order and full comparison.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Why this is a four-name shortlist
This guide covers four providers because only three have a numbered position in the ranking text available here, with ExpressVPN included but not placed. Rather than add a fifth name without evidence, the article keeps to what the source supports. If you want a wider field, read TechRadar’s full comparison, which covers the complete list of providers it tested.
Readers who want the reasoning behind a particular score should start with TechRadar’s methodology page, which explains how each category is weighed.
In short: NordVPN is TechRadar’s overall winner, Surfshark is the value pick with unlimited connections, and Proton VPN is the privacy choice. Match the pick to your priority, then verify the price, device limit, and server coverage you need before subscribing.
Quick Recap
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