🌐 Best VPN for Security — Our Top 2
We tested 8 VPNs. These two came out on top for privacy, speed, and UK usability. Scores compiled from TechRadar, VPNMentor, and our own independent tests.
✔ Fixed price of €5/month (~£4.30) — no tiers, no upsells, no annual commitment. Your account is a random 16-digit number — no email, no name, no personal data stored. WireGuard and OpenVPN supported. Independently audited no-logs policy (published audit reports). RAM-only servers. Owns its infrastructure — no third-party server providers. Accepts cash and Monero for truly anonymous payment.
🚩 What we liked: Genuine privacy by design — not marketing. No email required to sign up is unique in the VPN space. Simple, honest pricing. WireGuard by default is fast. What we didn't: Fewer server locations than competitors (~440 in ~40 countries). No streaming optimised servers. No live chat support (email only). Smaller network means slower performance for non-European routes.
✔ Swiss jurisdiction (strongest privacy laws). Open source — anyone can audit the code. Secure Core servers route traffic through Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden. Free tier available (limited). Built by the same team behind Proton Mail. No affiliate logs, no data sharing.
🚩 What we liked: Genuinely privacy-first company. Open source is rare in VPNs. Excellent transparency reports. What we didn't: Fewer servers than Nord. Speeds slightly slower. Free tier has limited features.
🔑 Best Security-Focused Password Managers — Our Top 2
We tested 6 password managers for security, ease of use, and UK compatibility. Scores from Wired, PCMag, and our own usability testing with non-tech users.
✔ Fully open source — third-party security audits published online. Zero-knowledge encryption (even Bitwarden cannot see your passwords). Free tier is genuinely usable — unlimited passwords on unlimited devices. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and all browsers.
🚩 What we liked: Best free tier of any password manager. Family plan covers 6 people for £3/mo. Self-host option for advanced users. What we didn't: Interface feels slightly basic. No password health in free tier. No built-in 2FA authenticator.
✔ Uses a unique two-key model (Secret Key + Master Password) for extra security. Zero-knowledge architecture. Travel Mode hides vaults when crossing borders. Excellent user experience — the easiest to set up for non-tech users. Watchtower feature monitors for breaches and weak passwords automatically.
🚩 What we liked: Smart Watchtower breach monitoring. Excellent family sharing. Best user experience of any manager. What we didn't: No free tier (subscription only). Requires desktop app for initial setup. Higher cost than Bitwarden.
📮 Best Hardware-Encrypted USBs — Our Top 2
We tested 5 encrypted USB drives for build quality, encryption speed, and durability. If you carry sensitive data, do not use a normal USB stick.
✔ Hardware-encrypted with XTS-AES 256-bit. FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified (military grade). PIN entry — enter a password directly on the drive, no software needed. 10 invalid attempts wipes the drive. Admin PIN can reset User PIN. USB 3.2 Gen 1 (fast transfers). Waterproof and dustproof.
🚩 What we liked: No software installation. Admin/User dual PIN is excellent for businesses. Virtual keyboard protects against keyloggers. What we didn't: Slightly bulky. No USB-C option. Price is high for larger capacities.
✔ On-board PIN keypad — type your password directly on the drive. XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption. FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated. No software or drivers required — works on any device with USB. Auto-lock when disconnected. Programmable PIN length (7-16 digits). Tamper-proof design.
🚩 What we liked: No software needed at all. Keypad entry is intuitive. Works on computers, game consoles, media players. What we didn't: Slightly slower read/write than IronKey. Rubber keypad membrane can wear over time. Not FIPS 140-3.
🧪 How We Test
We buy every product we review with our own money. We do not accept free units from manufacturers. Each product is tested for a minimum of 2 weeks in real-world UK home and office conditions. Scores combine expert review sites, user feedback, and our own testing. We mark affiliate links clearly because transparency is not optional.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our recommendations. We recommend what we genuinely believe is best for our readers.