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To get a UK IP address, connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom; websites will then see the VPN endpoint’s IP address rather than your connection’s usual public IP. That can help when you need a UK-facing connection, but it does not make you anonymous: the VPN provider becomes a party you must trust, and websites may still identify you through your account, cookies, or device signals.
How a UK VPN connection changes your apparent IP
A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN endpoint and presents the endpoint’s IP address to websites and other destinations. Choose a UK location—London if that specific endpoint is available—and a destination will generally see a UK source IP. Your internet provider will see that you are connected to a VPN, while the VPN provider may be able to see traffic and associated account information. Logging in to a website or retaining identifying cookies can still connect activity to you. Which?’s VPN guide explains these privacy limits.
How to get a UK IP address
- Choose a VPN that lists a UK location. Check its current server or location list, and confirm London specifically if you need that city rather than any UK endpoint.
- Install the provider’s app on the device you plan to use and sign in.
- Select United Kingdom or London in the app’s location list, then connect.
- Check the resulting IP location using a reputable IP-checking service. If the location is wrong or the connection fails, disconnect and try another listed UK endpoint.
A UK endpoint changes the apparent network location for destinations reached through the VPN. It does not change your physical location, guarantee that every service will treat you as being in the UK, or remove account-based identification.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →VPNs with UK and London locations: what current comparison evidence says
The title’s “tested” wording would imply hands-on testing by this article’s author, so it is not used here. The following location counts and performance observations are attributed to TechRadar’s UK VPN comparison, updated 7 August 2026; they are not independently verified here. Its guide lists NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN among its leading options for UK use.
#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
| Provider | UK location detail reported by TechRadar | Performance or access result reported by TechRadar |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 440+ UK servers across four locations, including London | TechRadar reported accessing UK-specific streaming services in its tests and peak speeds above 1,200 Mbps on UK servers. This is a test peak, not a typical-user speed estimate. |
| ExpressVPN | Six UK locations, five in London-area locations and one in the Midlands | The cited source does not provide a specific speed result in the evidence summarized here. |
| Proton VPN | TechRadar named it its best private UK VPN; the cited evidence does not establish precise London coverage details. | The cited source does not provide a specific speed or named-service streaming result in the evidence summarized here. |
These are dated claims from one editorial comparison, not a like-for-like evaluation of privacy policies, audits, device support, or renewal prices. The official NordVPN UK server page and ExpressVPN UK server page are useful places to check provider information, but the material cited here does not establish current exact counts or city lists from those pages. Check current provider listings before choosing, especially if London rather than a UK location generally is essential.
What affects speed and streaming access
Speed and latency
A VPN can reduce speed because traffic takes an additional route through its endpoint. The result depends on your underlying connection, endpoint distance and country, server load, and other network conditions. Which? reports that its tests found a speed decrease with a VPN active in nearly all cases and that endpoint country can have a significant effect. A provider’s reported peak is therefore not a promise of your speed. If performance matters, try a nearby UK endpoint and compare it with your normal connection under similar conditions.
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.
Streaming services
Streaming platforms may detect and block VPN IP addresses, so a UK server does not guarantee access to a particular catalogue or uninterrupted playback. Switching locations may help in some cases, but access can still fail, and using a VPN may conflict with a service’s terms. TechRadar’s reported streaming results describe its own tests, not a guarantee for every account, connection, or date.
Is using a VPN in the UK illegal?
Ofcom’s guidance does not describe VPN use as generally banned. It recognizes that VPNs are commonly used in the UK and can offer privacy and anonymity benefits, while noting they may also enable people to avoid IP-based access restrictions. The Ofcom guidance, last updated 13 October 2025, concerns duties under the Online Safety Act for in-scope online user-to-user, search, and pornography services to protect UK users. Those service obligations are not a blanket prohibition on VPNs.
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.
Ofcom says a regulated service may choose to restrict access from the UK by geoblocking UK IP addresses, and that services restricting UK access must not actively promote or encourage ways for UK users to avoid those protections or restrictions. Separately, a streaming service’s terms and copyright or licensing restrictions may affect whether a particular use is permitted. A VPN’s availability does not override those rules.
Quick Recap
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.
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.
How to choose a UK VPN endpoint responsibly
- Confirm the location you need. A provider may offer a UK connection without specifying London. Treat location counts as time-sensitive and confirm current details with the provider.
- Read the privacy policy. A VPN shifts trust from the local network and internet provider toward the VPN provider; it does not eliminate the need to trust anyone.
- Keep expectations realistic. Speeds vary, and websites can identify users through sign-ins and other signals even when the apparent IP changes.
- Check service terms. Do not assume a VPN endpoint guarantees access to a streaming service or makes a restriction permissible to bypass.
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