NordVPN is the strongest overall pick in Gizmodo’s October 7, 2026 streaming test: it and ExpressVPN each worked with all 14 services tested, while NordVPN was named the guide’s top pick. Both recorded 7.8% average speed loss in that test. These are dated results from one test setup, not a guarantee for every service, catalog region, network, or viewing session.
What did the 2026 streaming test actually measure?
Gizmodo tested VPN access to 14 streaming services and measured speeds using a 190.36 Mbps connection. Its title’s “14” refers to services—not devices, operating systems, or regions. The page’s comparison table names Netflix catalogs in three regions, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and JioHotstar; other services appear in its findings. It does not clearly enumerate all 14 in the text available, so the missing names should not be inferred.
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Results reflect whether a service worked in that publication’s test conditions. A VPN might work for one catalog region and fail for another, or work on one attempt and be detected on the next. Streaming services change their blocks, apps, and regional libraries; VPN providers also change infrastructure. Treat compatibility figures as a dated snapshot. Gizmodo’s test and findings provide the provider-specific results.
Which VPNs performed best in Gizmodo’s test?
The table summarizes Gizmodo’s October 7, 2026 results. The counts and speed-loss figures are that publication’s outcomes, not estimates for all users. It reported average speed loss only for the two providers shown with a percentage.
#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
| VPN | Services unblocked | Average speed loss | Notable result in the guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 14 of 14 | 7.8% | Gizmodo’s overall pick; Disney+ worked using its browser extension with location spoofing enabled. |
| ExpressVPN | 14 of 14 | 7.8% | Disney+ also required the browser extension in the described test. |
| CyberGhost | 11 of 14 | not stated | Failures included Netflix Japan, JioHotstar, and Disney+. |
| Proton VPN | 10 of 14 | not stated | Failures included Hulu, Disney+, Pluto TV, and ITVX. |
| Private Internet Access | 8 of 14 | not stated | Failures included Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video. |
Gizmodo reported the test connection as 190.36 Mbps. The 7.8% figures are measured losses across the servers it tested, not promises about the speed a subscriber will receive. Distance to the VPN server, the home connection, Wi-Fi, device, and time of day can all affect actual playback. The guide gives about 15 Mbps for Netflix 4K and about 25 Mbps for Disney+ 4K as reference figures; those are the guide’s stated figures, not independently verified requirements here.
NordVPN: the best-supported overall choice in this test
NordVPN combined a 14-of-14 result with the guide’s top-pick designation and 7.8% average speed loss. The exception worth noting is Disney+: the desktop app was blocked in the described test, while the browser extension worked after location spoofing was enabled. Pluto TV and Prime Video sometimes detected the VPN, though the guide says they reportedly worked on retry. It also reports Smart DNS and a native Apple TV app. The guide says the no-log policy had undergone six independent audits since 2018; that is the article’s report, not a separate review of the audits.
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: tied on service count and measured speed loss
ExpressVPN also unblocked all 14 services in the test and had the same reported 7.8% average speed loss. Disney+ required its browser extension in the described test, and ITVX and Prime Video detected it on some attempts. The guide describes MediaStreamer for TVs and consoles that do not support VPN apps. Its full result is a tie on the two reported test measures, even though Gizmodo selected NordVPN as its overall pick.
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CyberGhost: service-labeled servers, with important misses
CyberGhost worked with 11 of 14 services in the test. Its app labels servers by service, which can make a targeted attempt easier to choose, but a service label is not a guarantee: the guide reports that a server marketed for Netflix Japan failed, along with other Netflix Japan, JioHotstar, and Disney+ attempts.
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.
Proton VPN: privacy-oriented, but less successful in this test
Proton VPN unblocked 10 of 14 services. Gizmodo reports that Hulu, Disney+, Pluto TV, and ITVX blocked it in the test. The guide describes open-source apps and a native Apple TV app, but no Smart DNS for Samsung and LG TVs. Those are separate considerations from streaming access: the service’s privacy-oriented positioning does not erase the specific compatibility misses.
Private Internet Access: more relevant to viewers focused on US access
Private Internet Access unblocked 8 of 14 services, with reported failures for Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video. Gizmodo notes servers in all 50 US states and no device cap. The state coverage may matter to a viewer whose priority is US locations, but it does not make the provider a stronger choice for the services it failed to access in this test.
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.
Why do other streaming VPN rankings disagree?
Different rankings can measure different services, regions, time periods, and scoring rules. Comparitech’s live dashboard said it measured 10 VPNs across 15 services and nine regions in a rolling 28-day window. At its displayed October 5, 2026 update, it showed 206 checks: 98 unblocked, 73 blocked, and 35 partial. Its displayed score used Netflix and BBC iPlayer alone, despite measuring other services; it named ProtonVPN the leader at 78% and Netflix the toughest service. Those results are not directly comparable with Gizmodo’s one-time 14-service test. See the Comparitech streaming compatibility dashboard for its live methodology and status.
The difference is a useful reminder to prioritize the exact service and catalog region you need rather than treating any single overall score as universal. TechRadar describes evaluation criteria including privacy policies, encryption, audits, speed, connection behavior, streaming access, and support; Security.org describes service access, streaming speed and quality, server availability, and device compatibility. These are useful dimensions to assess, but they do not independently verify Gizmodo’s provider results. TechRadar’s streaming VPN guide and Security.org’s 2026 guide explain their respective evaluation approaches.
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.
How do you choose a VPN for the service and region you want?
- Name the target first. Identify the streaming service and the specific country catalog you want to access. A result for one service or region does not establish access to another.
- Use dated results as a shortlist, not a guarantee. NordVPN and ExpressVPN had the broadest coverage in Gizmodo’s October 2026 test, but their results still included intermittent detection and a Disney+ browser-extension workaround.
- Check your own connection against the video quality you want. Gizmodo’s stated 4K reference figures are about 15 Mbps for Netflix and 25 Mbps for Disney+. The VPN’s test speed loss does not predict your resulting speed; leave headroom for household traffic and Wi-Fi variation.
- Confirm the setup for the exact device. Check the device generation, operating system, country, and provider support before subscribing or changing network settings. Native VPN apps, Smart DNS, router configuration, or a shared computer connection may be required.
- Evaluate privacy and practical terms separately. Streaming success alone does not establish privacy quality. Review the provider’s privacy documentation and relevant independent audits, and check current plan terms, simultaneous-device limits, and support for your devices rather than relying on a dated comparison.
What setup options work on TVs and streaming devices?
Gizmodo used a Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for its device tests. Setup options depend on whether a device supports a native VPN app and on the provider’s features. The guide identifies native Apple TV apps for several providers and describes Smart DNS as an option for some TVs and consoles without VPN support. Smart DNS is not the same as running a VPN app, so check what protection and location-routing behavior the provider says it supplies.
Roku
The reviewed guide says Roku does not support VPN apps. Its suggested alternatives are a VPN configured on the router or a connection shared from a computer. Both approaches affect network setup and may route other devices through the VPN as well, so check the router or computer instructions and the provider’s compatibility guidance before changing settings.
Samsung and LG TVs, consoles, and Apple TV
For Samsung and LG TVs or consoles without a native VPN app, the guide says Smart DNS may help where the provider supports it. Availability varies by provider; for example, it notes that Proton VPN does not offer Smart DNS for Samsung and LG TVs. A native app, where available, is another route, but confirm support for the exact model and software version. The guide reports native Apple TV apps for NordVPN and Proton VPN, and discusses TV-oriented features for other providers.
A Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is a streaming-app device used in the guide’s tests, not a guarantee of VPN access or successful unblocking. Confirm the current app and VPN compatibility for the exact device generation and country before relying on it.
Quick Recap
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