Entertainment

Guide to the Best VPN for FireStick – Unlock the Entertainment

Last updated on April 30, 2019

Looking for the best VPN for FireStick that can bring you unfiltered access to the beauty that is the internet? Here’s a hand-picked selection of the best VPN apps for your Amazon Fire TV streaming device that you can start using right now.

In an attempt to break the stronghold that cable companies across the globe have created on the entertainment content that viewers can enjoy, online streaming services were introduced. As a stronger wireless network infrastructure has been put in place worldwide, there has been rapid expansion of premium subscription streaming service like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, and many others. However, even with the extended freedom, there is certain regional limitations that is put in place.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick has been one of the most renowned media streaming devices out there, offering the ability to connect with every major subscription service. Despite the cable-free content, the only thing that seems to get in the way of unfiltered access to entertainment is regional restriction put in place due to copyright laws. However, there’s a way to get around it all by selecting one of the best VPN for FireStick in the market.

Why do you need a VPN for Amazon Fire TV?

Since you’re already paying a premium for the subscription entertainment services, shelling out a few extra dollars each month may not seem too tempting. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should invest in a VPN service that can be used with your Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Privacy Protection

With government agencies like the NSA keeping a close eye on everything that you do, privacy has become a priority for users. Since VPN services make your browsing sessions anonymous by masking the IP address of your Internet Service Provider and encrypting the data transferred across the servers, you can rest assured knowing that your browsing experience is private.

Avoid Censorship

The worst thing that can happen to an entertainment junkie is media censorship, which is unfortunately practiced in almost every country, and far more strictly under regions such as Saudi Arabia and China. Allowing to unblock services such as YouTube, Facebook, and plenty of restricted content at any time, getting the best VPN for FireStick is your shot to jumping past unnecessary and oppressive censorship laws.

Bypass Geo-Restrictions

There are hundreds of different media streaming services out there, but the reason you can’t use most of them with your Amazon Fire TV Stick is geo-restrictions. Since you can use the VPN service to spoof your location by connecting to a remote server located abroad, this enables you to provide a fake geographical location to the streaming service and helps unlock a large catalog of restricted content for viewing.

Best VPN for FireStick

Now that you know why the Amazon Fire TV Stick can make the most out of what VPN services have to offer, the hard part is making the right choice. To make things easier for you, we’ve sieved through the different available VPN services to help you find the right one out there.

ExpressVPN– Best Value and Performance

An industry leader in the VPN service space, ExpressVPN has successfully cast a wide net across all platforms, including a official app for Amazon Fire TV Stick as well. Backed by an assuring money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the service within 30 days, ExpressVPN is available for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS as well.

When it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions, none can do it better than this VPN for Fire TV, which offers more than 130 VPN servers that span across more than 90 countries worldwide. While it may be a tad bit pricier compared to the others on the list, features such as smart DNS proxy and 24/7 customer support make it worthwhile.

Get 30% Off ExpressVPN

IPVanish

One of most highly-rated VPN services for Amazon Fire TV Stick out there, IPVanish has become a popular choice among users who use VPN services for streaming, all thanks to the high-speed data transfer rates. Maintaining a no-log policy for its clients, you don’t have to worry about user data collection when you’ve got one of the best VPN for FireStick by your side.

Allowing optimized support for Kodi media player, multi-level connection support spread across devices, and a dedicated Amazon Fire TV app to go with it, IPVanish allows you to unlock an entire catalog of content when streaming with subscription services like Netflix and Hulu.

Get the IPVanish

ZenMate

While ZenMate may not be as old as some of the other contenders on the list of the best VPN for FireStick out there, but it certainly is among the most prominent ones. Apart from offering features such as high-speed connectivity with low latency to keep buffering at bay and no-logging policy to keep your entertainment experience private, ZenMate comes with multi-device support.

Built under the strict data-protection guidelines of the European Union, ZenMate offers some of the fastest servers in the United States and the United Kingdom. The single-click connect app designed for Amazon Fire TV makes it easy for you set it all up and get going, and although it isn’t the cheapest offering on the table, it certainly more than makes up for it in quality.

Get the ZenMate

TorGuard

A VPN service that has positioned itself as the “fastest VPN protocol on the internet”, TorGuard started offering official support for all Amazon Fire TV devices last year. Offering tightknit security protocols through no-logging and features such as SSTP/L2TP/IPsec/OpenVPN, TorGuard comes loaded with more than 3,000 servers across 50+ countries.

The TorGuard app for Amazon Fire TV is specifically designed to help you do away with geo-restrictions and access region-specific Netflix entertainment catalogs from anywhere in the world. Since the service uses a dedicated IP address, you can easily bypass the security firewall set up by Netflix and enjoy a content online at anytime from anywhere.

Get the TorGuard

Private Internet Access

A relatively newer entry into the market, Private Internet Access has still managed to cement its position as one of the best VPN for FireStick out there. The service comes with multi-platform support across a whopping 10 different devices at once, and is all locked down with features such as encrypted data transfers, ad-blocking, and no-log policy.

There is no bandwidth restriction put in place by Private Internet Access, which is ideal when you’re streaming gigabytes of content in high definition. Supporting VPN servers in more than 32 countries across the world, Private Internet Access also offers you complete anonymity when you browse the internet or watch media online.

Get the Private Internet Access

Bonus

Apart from the list of the best VPN service providers listed above for Amazon Fire TV, here are couple other great choices for you to try out:

BulletVPN

Designed for the modern user in mind, BulletVPN is a relatively new entry into market which puts streaming on focus. Although the service does not offer a humongous number of servers across the world, what makes it one of the best VPN for FireStick is the fact it takes buffering out of the equation with high-speed server connectivity.

Setting up the service is a cakewalk with the official Amazon Fire TV app available for download, and it all comes backed with a 30-day guarantee. The customer service support will help you tackle with any and every issue you come across, while the ability to spoof your location and access geo-restricted content is always a bonus.

Get the BulletVPN

NordVPN

Another giant in the VPN service industry that has skyrocketed in popularity by offering premium quality service at a fairly reasonable price, NordVPN is spread across all system platforms. Apart from offering an official app for the Amazon Fire TV devices, NordVPN is available for every major mobile and computer operating system.

There is a 30-day refund policy put in place by the company to make sure that your investment is always safe. While NordVPN may not have the gigantic amount of servers like ExpressVPN does, it successfully operates across more than 50 countries globally with multiple servers in high-traffic regions such as the United States to ensure optimum speeds.

Get the NordVPN

Final Words

The unprecedented freedom that users on the internet once enjoyed, has certainly been curbed over the past decade. In the wake of cybercrimes and cyber warfare waging across the world, federal agencies are more vigilant than ever in monitoring what goes on in the World Wide Web. This comes at a serious cost to the end-user, but virtual private network services surely help take the edge off.

When it comes to enjoying unfiltered access to the hundreds and thousands of hours of entertaining content out there that is blocked due to geo-restrictions, nothing comes close to what the best VPN for FireStick devices have to offer. We’ve tried and tested the best ones out there that not only offer decent transfer speeds, but also keep your browsing experience secure at all times.

Which VPN service have you commissioned to keep your Amazon Fire TV viewing experience better than ever? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section right down below.

Finding the Best Kodi Android Box to Buy Right Now

Last updated on April 10, 2019

Looking to update your home entertainment system with the best Kodi Android box that’s available in the market right now? We’re here to explain why you need an Android streaming box that can run Kodi media player on it, along with a list of offerings for you to choose from.

For the 90s kids out there, the earliest memories of the good old days still remain those Sundays when we woke up early to catch a run of our favorite cartoons shows on TV. We’ve come a long way from the days of cable TV, thanks to streaming services that are cutting the cord and bringing entertainment seamlessly into the 21^st century. Even before streaming services became the norm for modern entertainment, the community came together to bring a multi-platform media streamer, which we now know as Kodi.

Back when Kodi was first introduced, it was developed to become a media player for the original Xbox and was hence named XBMC. Over the years, the open-source nature of this media platform has garnered attention from Windows, Mac, and even Android OS users. Since Android OS has also been equipped to become the go-to software platform for smart TVs, the implementation of a Kodi Android Box is a match made in heaven, combining the power of two massively popular open-source software platforms to unleash entertainment.

Why do you need a Kodi Android Box?

Most of the popular streaming services out there like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Video support Google Cast right out of the box. Under such circumstances, how do you justify the need to get yourself an additional piece of technology that is designed specially to run Kodi media center? Here’s why the Kodi Android Box market is steaming with devices and all the reasons why the purchase is worth it:

All-in-one media platform

When it comes to multi-platform support, the Kodi media player is second to none, covering Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and even Raspberry Pi. This makes it easier for you to interconnect your Kodi Android TV Box with external devices and share content and media wirelessly across the network.

Kodi is a set top box replacement

Missing out on your favorite TV shows and movies because your cable operator does not offer the ability to pause or record live TV? If you’ve ever wanted the TiVo style functionality on your cable set top box, but want the ability to stream and record live TV, then Kodi is the modern replacement you need.

Big screen viewing

Any device that is able to run as a Kodi Android Box, automatically turns your HDTV into a Smart TV, bringing a sea of features with it. From giving you the ability to cast media content from your phone to the big screen, to enjoying apps and games that are specifically designed for Android TV, you get a lot more than just the Kodi media player.

Kodi Add-ons

While the mainframe structure of Kodi media center is robust and easy to move across, it is the collection of features through Kodi add-ons that make it viable. From allowing you to stream online radio for free, to scheduling and recording your favorite TV shows and movies from the Kodi media player itself, you can find a Kodi add-on to do anything and everything you need.

Buying Guide for the Best Kodi Android Box

There are plenty of official Android TV style devices out there which can be the ideal devices for you to run Kodi on the big screen. However, with a long list of Kodi Android Box devices available online, choosing the right one for you can be quite the hassle. We’ve sieved through the marketplace to list some of the best ones out there that vary over features and price point, so you can choose the one that suits your needs.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The latest iteration of the home entertainment device from Amazon has been upgraded to support Quad-HD 4K content. Offering its very own version of Android through Fire OS, installing Kodi on Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K may not be straightforward, but it is worth the few minutes it takes to set everything up.

Specs:

Size – 108 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
Processor – Quad-core 1.7 GHz
RAM – 2GB
Storage – 8GB
Operating System – Fire OS (Android 5.0 Lollipop variant)
4K Support – Yes

NVIDIA SHIELD TV

The flagship Android TV device from Google may not be the cheapest Android Kodi Box out there, but it certainly is the best. Packed with top of the line hardware, all of the latest software updates straight from Google, gaming-ready hardware and intuitive controls are what make the NVIDIA SHIELD TV the perfect Android gaming console/entertainment center.

Specs:

Size – 8.3 x 7.9 x 4.1 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, USB
Processor – NVIDIA Tegra X1
RAM – 3GB
Storage – 16GB (Expandable up to 500GB)
Operating System – Android 9 Pie
4K Support – Yes

Xiaomi Mi Box

If you’re looking for a Kodi Android Box that offers a streamlined user interface but without a hefty price tag, then the Xiaomi Mi Box is the one for you. Supporting 4K streaming right out of the box, you get voice control, solid hardware, along with all of the Android TV features such as Google Cast, Google Play Apps and more to keep you entertained.

Specs:

Size – 6.7 x 5 x 2 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB
Processor – Quad-core Cortex-A53 2.0GHz
RAM – 2GB
Storage – 8GB
Operating System – Android 6.0 Marshmallow
4K Support – Yes

MECOOL KM9

A relatively new entry to the world of Android TV Box devices, the MECOOL KM9 is quickly becoming a favorite among its users for the robust specs it offers. Running the latest version of Android OS along with hardware connectivity and apps support across the platform, you even get the ability to hook up more storage or other hardware through the 2x USB ports that are fitted on the MECOOL KM9.

Specs:

Size – 7.6 x 4.6 x 2.7 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Ethernet, USB
Processor – S905X2 Quad core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
RAM – 4GB
Storage – 32GB
Operating System – Android 9 Pie
4K Support – Yes

Matricom G-Box Q2

One of the most popular names in OEM Kodi Android Box devices that you can find in the market, the Matricom G-Box Q2 is 25% more powerful than its predecessor. Offering all-round connectivity to get maximum streaming speeds, you don’t get a remote included with the device, but thanks to the USB and wireless support, you can hook up a remote or physical mouse and keyboard for easy controls.

Specs:

Size – 4 x 4 x 1.5 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Ethernet, USB
Processor – Amlogic Quad Core S812 CPU
RAM – 2GB
Storage – 16GB
Operating System – Android 5.0 Lollipop
4K Support – Yes

Buy Matricom G-Box Q2

EVANPO T9

Offering you all of the features of Android Oreo, the EVANPO T9 comes equipped with enough firepower to run Kodi seamlessly on your TV. What makes the lower price point of this Android TV Box even more enticing is the wireless Bluetooth touch remote that is included in the box, making the fluidic to navigate across the user interface.

Specs:

Size – 8.6 x 6.2 x 3.6 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Ethernet, USB
Processor – RK3328 Quad-Core 64bit Cortex-A53
RAM – 4GB
Storage – 32GB
Operating System – Android 8.1 Oreo
4K Support – Yes

Buy EVANPO T9

Leelbox Q4 S

The highly affordable Leelbox Q4 S comes with the hardware that could match the most expensive Android TV devices on the market. Supporting HD and Ultra HD content right out of the box at 60FPS, you get wireless connectivity support along with a basic remote control that does the job of simplifying the navigation for you.

Specs:

Size – 3.94 x 3.94 x 0.67 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Ethernet, USB
Processor – RK3328 Quad-Core Cortex A53 64bit
RAM – 4GB
Storage – 32GB
Operating System – Android 8.1 Oreo
4K Support – Yes

Pendoo TX3 Mini

If you’re out looking for a cheap Android TV Box that has enough support from the customers through positive reviews, then the TX3 Mini is the one to choose. The basic hardware will not blow you away, but it is more than efficient in not just handling the entire Kodi media center platform, but plenty of other apps and games as well.

Specs:

Size – 4.1 x 4.1 x 0.59 in
Supported Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Ethernet, USB
Processor – Amlogic Quad Core Cortex A53 2.0GHz
RAM – 2GB
Storage – 16GB
Operating System – Android 6.0 Marshmallow
4K Support – Yes

Final Words

The sheer simplicity of the way Kodi media center works is what has helped it gain widespread support across a user base of millions. Adding the goodness of Kodi to the versatility of Android OS just makes it all better, allowing you to enjoy big screen entertainment like never before. We’ve handpicked the most highly rated and power-packed Kodi Android Box devices that you can find out there. Breaking them all down based on the features and the price point on which they are offered, you can make a smart and informed purchase to bring your home entertainment system to the modern standard.

How ExpressVPN Netflix Support Unlocks Everything

Last updated on April 8, 2019

Here to find out why the ExpressVPN Netflix combination is breaking the barriers of regional limitations for good? Here’s a complete guide on why ExpressVPN is the way to go when it comes to watching restricted regional content on Netflix.

As someone who grew up in the 90s, being glued to the television set with the limited number of channels is an imprinted memory. Back in the day, your cable company had an iron grip hold on the content that you could enjoy even after paying a fair price. The reign of terror enforced upon us by cable companies across the globe has been put to a dead stop by streaming services. With the leading names in the business such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and many others, entertainment has become widely available online.

However, none of the entertainment streaming services have found the widespread success that Netflix has, which is now present more than 100 countries around the globe. What makes the online streaming service Netflix so popular even in regions such as India where hundreds of different languages and dialects are spoken, is the personalized regional content that is offered. While such regions do receive plenty of regional content, they are also restricted from a large chunk of content that is offered on the Netflix USA platform.

The easiest way to counter this issue may seem like the use of a VPN service that are available by the dozens. But the problem lies with the fact that not all Netflix restricts the majority of VPN services out there

Netflix Blocks VPN Services

In a utopian world, you would be able to enjoy the content that Netflix offers across the world from your account, but that’s when reality kicks in. If you’ve ever tried to access Netflix content from other regions by logging into a VPN service, chances are that it didn’t work. Not only does Netflix not work with almost all of the free VPN services out there, but even some of the biggest names in the premium VPN market aren’t able to bypass the Netflix lockdown on content restrictions.

However, the online streaming company does not block your access to its regional content just for the fun of it. Since the content is licensed for viewing in only certain countries, Netflix needs to create an entry barrier based on it to avoid copyright infringement. However, only a select few in the VPN service market have been able to not only bypass the Netflix VPN block, but also offer high-speed access to the internet while streaming.

ExpressVPN Netflix – Perfect Match

Netflix USA has the largest library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and thousands of hours of content that is not available elsewhere. Bringing you access this hidden world of entertaining content is made possible thanks to ExpressVPN and its throttle-free ability to bring you access to Netflix USA from any part of the world. While ExpressVPN unlocks it all, it isn’t the only VPN to provide this ability, but it easily is the best one out there, and here’s why:

High Streaming Speed

A recurring issue with VPN services that do work with Netflix seems to be with the download speeds being too restrictive for a quality streaming experience. What’s different about ExpressVPN is the fact that you are able to check the latency, as well as the download speed of each available server before connecting to it. These two aspects allow you to choose the right U.S. server, providing you a quality viewing experience every time.

Multi-Platform Support

The online streaming service is not limited to the big screen, since it provides you the ability to watch entertaining content on the go using the Netflix mobile app. When you wish to access the Netflix USA catalog of content, it becomes easier thanks to the multi-platform support that ExpressVPN provides. Apart from running on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms, ExpressVPN Netflix support extends all the way to wireless routers as well.

Dedicated Support

For all of those times when you can’t seem to make Netflix USA catalog available even through a VPN service, all you can do is wait and try again. However, the people at ExpressVPN are focused towards helping you get the entertainment you need right when you need it. Hence, the VPN service provider offers a Live Chat feature that allows you to reach out the personnel right away and report any of the 1500+ servers in an instant.

Privacy Lockdown

Netflix is a premium subscription service and you don’t want to end up barring your account for breaking the company’s guidelines. This is why ExpressVPN Netflix browsing experience is maintained to be 100% anonymous, allowing you to fly under the radar without being detected. Since the servers are location in the British Virgin Islands where the data-retention laws are liberal, none of your browsing data is logged by the VPN service.

How to Unlock Netflix USA with ExpressVPN

Now that you’ve realized the potential of a Netflix USA account and the gigantic content catalog that it comes with, choosing ExpressVPN as the service provider is a no-brainer. With your Netflix membership up and ready and ExpressVPN account set up as well, here’s what you need to do to enjoy thousands of hours of entertaining movies and TV shows that Netflix does not offer in your region.

From your computer or your mobile device, log into your ExpressVPN account. If you don’t have an ExpressVPN account already, start off by signing up here.
Choose the best-rated USA server that is available for you to connect through the ExpressVPN service.
Now open a web browser tab to log into your Netflix account or launch the Netflix app.
Enter your Netflix username and password and press the “Sign In” button.
You will be redirected to the Netflix USA website which should include the entire catalog of content that includes thousands of movies and TV shows that are not available elsewhere.

Final Words

After testing the ExpressVPN Netflix combination to unlock content, we performed a series of speed tests to find out how severely was the network speed affected. Based on our in-house test results when Netflix USA was used through ExpressVPN, the speed dropped down from 100MB/s to around 70MB/s, which is fairly decent compared to the free VPN services out there. The network speed is ample enough for you to stream HD content without any annoying buffering to stop you. Hence, you should be able to enjoy an uninterrupted Netflix USA binge-watching experience every time you choose to hook it up to ExpressVPN servers.

Have you unlocked the unlimited potential of the streaming giant Netflix using the ExpressVPN service yet? If you have any questions regarding how to make ExpressVPN Netflix partnership work for you, just ask away in the comments section and we’ll be there to help you out.