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If there's one sporting event that's simply unmissable, it's the Super Bowl. This year, the Pats meet the Seahawks at the Levi's Stadium, in what promises to be a tantalising clash in the Santa Clara night.
We've got a complete guide on how to watch Super Bowl LX – but if you're outside the US this weekend, you'll likely still want to watch the full NBC coverage and commentary, ads and all. Sure, the Brits and Aussies have free streams available, but they're just not as good.
The best VPNs for Super Bowl LX at a glance
Why use a Super Bowl VPN?
If you're abroad, it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that you can't access your regular streaming services. Due to different companies licensing and distributing content around the world, even if you pay for a TV package that includes NBC – like Peacock – you won't be able to watch the Super Bowl.
The quickest and, realistically, the only fix for this is to use a VPN to make yourself appear to be back home.
So, for example, if you're a US resident who's away with work in Germany, you might be able to get local coverage for free. However, you'll probably want the NBC commentary and – of course – watch all the Super Bowl ads, too.
By firing up your VPN and connecting to a US location, you'll then be able to head to your streaming service's website, log in, and get watching as if you were in your own living room.
The same goes if you're from a country that offers a free broadcast, but you're abroad.
For example, Brits that pay their TV licence can watch the Super Bowl totally free, but if they're abroad, that'll be inaccessible. Again, by connecting to a UK location within the VPN app, access will be restored, and you'll be able to watch Super Bowl LX totally free.
Of course, it goes without say that no matter where you are, it's illegal to stream content that you haven't paid for.
The best Super Bowl VPNs in detail
It's likely you've heard of NordVPN – from TV ads to sponsoring your favorite podcasts, it's everywhere. Thankfully, it's an excellent VPN, and in my NordVPN review it scored highest out of every VPN I've tested. It currently sits at the top of my guide to the best VPNs, and subsequently it's my top pick for anyone who wants to watch the Super Bowl.
Most importantly, in my testing this week I found that it very reliably unblocked Peacock and Sling – both which carry NBC in the States. NordVPN also ranks top on our guide to the best VPNs for streaming, so you can trust you're in good hands.
I found getting NordVPN set up a simple process. If you're on a computer, just head to the site and download the app, and on any other device just head to your app store and download it there. Then, it's a case of logging in, which is made a smoother process on TVs by the use of a QR code you can scan with your phone.
Finding the right server is simple too – although I did find the interfaces of ExpressVPN and PrivadoVPN to be less cluttered and more straightforward. Still, I doubt many people will have an issue navigating NordVPN.
Of course, VPNs aren't just about streaming – privacy is important as well. In my hands-on testing, I found absolutely no data leaks. NordVPN's no-logs policy, which is a document in which a VPN promises to never store or sell your data, has been fully audited by a third-party multiple times, so you can trust it does what it says it does.
Higher tiers of subscription get you extras like Threat Protection Pro, which helps you avoid malware and pop-ups on less trustworthy sites. However, for many people, the Basic plan will offer more than enough.
Buy NordVPN if:
✅ You want to reliably access streaming sites anywhere.
NordVPN has been reliable for streaming for years – and can unblock the likes of Peacock, Sling, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and more.
✅ You want a VPN for more than just streaming.
From enhanced privacy to gaming, streaming, shopping, and more, NordVPN delivers the best all-round privacy package.
✅ You use an Apple TV or Fire Stick
Setting NordVPN up on devices without a keyboard is super simple thanks to its streamlined installation process.
Avoid NordVPN if:
❌ You're on a tight budget.
There's no getting away from the fact that NordVPN is the most expensive VPN on this list. If you want to spend as little as possible, pick PrivadoVPN.
❌ You're a technophobe.
NordVPN isn't too difficult to use, but ExpressVPN is a better choice if you want a simpler alternative.
The cheapest Super Bowl VPN worth using
If you're just looking for a VPN to get access to sites that carry NBC – and plenty of others, for that matter – PrivadoVPN is the most cost-effective choice. While other very cheap VPN services don't hold up their end of the bargain by logging your data and showing you ads, the best cheap VPNs keep you protected at a reasonable price. From my testing, PrivadoVPN is one of those.
PrivadoVPN actually tops my guide to the best free VPNs, but unfortunately the free plan isn't best suited to streaming. However, at $30 for a 27-month subscription (equivalent to $1.11 per month) it still works out cheaper than a single month of many TV subscriptions. But the price isn't the only thing that led me to include PrivadoVPN here.
Unlike lots of VPNs – more expensive ones included – PrivadoVPN claims to specialize in unblocking streaming sites. From my testing, this is true. Although in our PrivadoVPN review we struggled to unblock a couple of Netflix catalogs, I was able to unblock Peacock and Sling with it just this week.
While there's not a huge amount beyond the VPN on offer, the Control Tower feature helps to protect you from malware and blocks ads. It comes free with all premium plans, and I found it worked fairly well. It's not as good as a dedicated malware-blocking service, but it's nice to have.
One issue I have with PrivadoVPN is that, unlike NordVPN and ExpressVPN, it hasn't undergone any independent audits to back up its no-logging policy. However, in our technical testing we noticed nothing to imply it's not doing what it says. Overall, it's an effective, cheap way of accessing your streaming services from abroad.
Buy PrivadoVPN if:
✅ You need a cheap VPN
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest VPN I can confidently recommend to my readers.
✅ You want reliable streaming
Outdoing many more expensive competitors, streaming is PrivadoVPN's specialty.
✅ You want simple apps
Despite their slight lack of polish, PrivadoVPN's apps are very easy to set up and use on all devices.
Avoid PrivadoVPN if:
❌ You want tons of extra features.
PrivadoVPN is pretty basic, and while it's perfect for simply streaming the Super Bowl, there aren't a whole host of additional cybersecurity tools bundled in.
❌ You're a privacy purist.
Although our testing has convinced us PrivadoVPN is safe to use, NordVPN and ExpressVPN have both proven their infrastructure and privacy policies through rigorous independent audits.
The best Super Bowl VPN for beginners
If PrivadoVPN is the bargain choice with a few rough edges, ExpressVPN is the opposite. It feels very premium, and its beginner-friendly apps on all devices a slick, stable, and incredibly easy to get started with.
What's more, over the last year or so I've seen ExpressVPN drop its price multiple times, and it's now even cheaper than NordVPN. Considering it used to be the "reassuringly expensive" option, this is great news.
When I tested ExpressVPN's streaming performance, it delivered well. Peacock and Sling are fully accessible, as are sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus. However, it did struggle with Amazon Prime Video, so if that's a dealbreaker for you, go with NordVPN.
On Windows, speeds are fantastic. However, this is down to the Lightway Turbo protocol, which isn't available on other devices. On TVs, Macs, and mobile devices, you'll need to choose between regular Lightway, WireGuard and OpenVPN, all of which are a little slower – but still quick enough for most uses. You can find the raw data in our ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN is currently running a sale, and if you go for the second tier of subscription – which works out at $3.14 per month over two years – you'll get an ad, tracker and malware blocker, alongside the excellent Identity Defender.
Identity Defender includes data removal, ID alerts, ID theft insurance, a credit scanner, and a credit report. This is similar to NordVPN's NordProtect, but considering that costs more than twice as much, ExpressVPN looks very appealing.
If you're an expert, it's likely that ExpressVPN will feel a little limiting. While it's excellent at what it does, there's not a lot of customizable settings. However, ExpressVPN is clearly designed for people who want a powerful but simple VPN – and there's no denying it delivers.
Buy ExpressVPN if:
✅ You're new to VPNs
ExpressVPN's apps are the most polished and accessible for any VPN I've used.
✅ You want a bargain
Although it's more expensive than PrivadoVPN, ExpressVPN's current deal offers a huge discount.
✅ You want additional protection
ExpressVPN's higher tiers of subscription are the cheapest way to get personal data removal and credit tools bundled with a VPN.
Avoid ExpressVPN if:
❌ You want customizable apps.
ExpressVPN's focus on simplicity inevitably means some advanced features have been omitted.
❌ You subscribe to Amazon Prime Video
In my testing, one of the few failures ExpressVPN had was when trying to unblock Amazon Prime. If that's a dealbreaker, go with NordVPN.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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