As someone who spends a lot of time working remotely, streaming content, and traveling within the United States, having a reliable and fast VPN is essential. I decided to test the top 5 VPNs commonly recommended for U.S. users to find out which one truly delivers. Whether it’s for security, streaming, or bypassing geographical restrictions, not all VPNs are created equal.
After weeks of testing, here’s what I discovered—and the one VPN that outperformed the others in almost every category.
What I Looked For in a VPN
Before diving into the results, here are the main criteria I used to evaluate each VPN:
- Connection Speed – Especially for streaming and large downloads.
- Security – Encryption strength, privacy policies, and data protection.
- Usability – Ease of installation and user-friendly interface.
- Access to Content – Ability to bypass geo-restrictions and access sites like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
- Pricing – Is it worth the cost?
The Top 5 VPNs I Tested
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- CyberGhost
- Private Internet Access (PIA)
All five of these VPNs came highly recommended in tech reviews and forums. But only one truly stood out.
1. ExpressVPN – Fast, Reliable, and Great for Streaming
ExpressVPN consistently delivered blazing fast speeds during my testing. Whether I was connecting to a nearby U.S. server or one overseas, latency stayed low, and streaming 4K video was smooth with no buffering.
Security-wise, ExpressVPN boasts AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which is also a plus for privacy-conscious users.
What impressed me most was its ability to unlock nearly every streaming service I tested, including:
- Netflix US, UK, Japan, and more
- Disney+
- BBC iPlayer
- Amazon Prime Video
Pros: Excellent speeds, strong security, great for streaming.
Cons: One of the pricier options.
2. NordVPN – Solid Performance with Extra Features
NordVPN is often seen as a strong competitor to ExpressVPN and it has earned that reputation. The double-encryption feature and built-in malware protection are excellent additions from a security perspective.
However, during peak traffic times, I noticed a drop in connection speed. While still capable of streaming, it wasn’t as smooth as with ExpressVPN. It did, however, manage to unblock most platforms with minimal effort.
Pros: Great security, feature-rich, affordable long-term plans.
Cons: Inconsistent speeds on some servers.
3. Surfshark – Best Budget Option
I was skeptical at first because of Surfshark’s lower price point, but it held its own surprisingly well. Surfshark allows for unlimited devices on a single subscription, which is a big plus for families or power users.
While speeds were slightly behind ExpressVPN and NordVPN, they were good enough for HD streaming and casual browsing. However, some UK streaming sites didn’t load consistently.
Pros: Affordable, unlimited simultaneous connections.
Cons: Occasional hiccups with streaming geo-restrictions.
4. CyberGhost – User-Friendly with Dedicated Streaming Servers
CyberGhost stands out for its beginner-friendly interface and dedicated streaming servers labeled for platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and more. That said, connection times were slightly longer than the other VPNs I tested, and speeds were average at best.
Pros: Easy to use, focused streaming features.
Cons: Not ideal for users looking for blazing speed or advanced configuration.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Great for Power Users
PIA has a strong reputation thanks to its customization settings and a proven track record for privacy. But for casual users, the interface can feel overwhelming. Speed was inconsistent, and it wasn’t as successful in bypassing streaming blocks as others on this list.
Pros: Highly customizable, proven privacy.
Cons: Not very beginner-friendly, so-so streaming capabilities.
The Clear Winner: ExpressVPN
After testing all five services under various conditions, ExpressVPN clearly stood out as the most reliable, fastest, and most consistent VPN for use in the U.S.
While it is on the higher end in terms of price, the quality of service, security features, and seamless media streaming make it well worth the investment.
Final Verdict: If you’re serious about your online privacy and want a VPN that won’t let you down—whether it’s for watching Netflix, browsing securely, or working remotely—ExpressVPN is the one that actually works.