Do you really need a VPN?

VPNs, or virtual private networks, are nothing new. They’re a tool that grants your devices a more secure connection to the internet and have become increasingly popular since the introduction of age-verification on some websites to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content. In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain what benefits a VPN can provide while you surf the web, and how you can decide how likely you are to benefit from using one. Plus, we reveal what we did to test some of the most popular VPNs to decide which ones are worthy of our coveted Best Buy. This episode is read by James Rowe and is based on an article written by Callum Pears, originally published in the April/May 2026 issue of Which? TechRead our reviews of the VPNs we’ve tested on our website & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter If you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership

Today marks a big day for both renters and private landlords as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force - a bill designed by the government to “secure a fairer future for 11 million private renters in England”. So is it just good news for tenants? Or are there any wins for landlords?In this episode of Which? Money, our property expert Sam Wilson explains some of the key changes that are being brought in to improve standards for renters, including the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, the introduction of rolling contracts as standard, and rent increases limited to once per year.Plus, property expert and developer Marta de Sousa discusses whether landlords will leave the market in protest, and whether this could ultimately push rents up by reducing available rental stock.Read more about the Renters' Rights Act on our website & sign up for our free weekly Money newsletterGet in touch with us via email - [email protected] listeners can get 50% off an annual Which? membershipBecome a Which? Money member to access 1-to-1 guidance and receive the Money magazine

Switching broadband might seem like a hassle, but it's possible to slash your monthly fees when you're out of contract without switching to a new company or haggling a new deal with your current provider. In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain how the new One Touch Switch system could make it easier than ever to change provider or even negotiate a better price without leaving.Plus, we share the results of our latest broadband survey of more than 5,000 customers, revealing which providers are delivering the best service and which of the biggest names are falling short. Find out the results of our broadband survey on our website & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter Use our free tool to compare broadband deals for your homeIf you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership

With big decisions to be made with your pension pots, preparing for retirement can feel complex, but understanding your options is key to making the most of your money. In this live episode of Which? Money, recorded in front of a live virtual audience, Joanne Padilla from the Which? Money Helpline answers your questions on some of the most important aspects of retirement planning including the pros and cons of annuities vs drawdown. Plus Steves Tait, investment and financial planning director at HUB Financial Solutions and Philip Brown, head of DC, investment and lifetime savings at Pensions UK share their expertise on how much you might need to retire comfortably. We also explore tax-free lump sums, tax planning, and how to track down and combine old pension pots. Read more about retirement planning on our website & sign up for our free weekly Money newsletter Listen to our four-part pensions podcast series to learn more about retirement planning & sign up for our free Retirement Planning newsletterGet in touch with us via email - [email protected] Podcast listeners can get 50% off an annual Which? membership Become a Which? Money member to access 1-to-1 guidance and receive the Money magazine

As we become an increasingly cashless society, could we become less reliant on bank cards altogether?In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain what Pay by Bank is, and how retailers online and on the high street are rolling this out as a new way for us to pay for goods and services.And while it works out cheaper for the retailer, given it bypasses the usual card processing fees sent to Visa and Mastercard, it's not without concerns. We tell you what you need to know before making an open banking payment.Find out more about Pay by Bank on our website & sign up for our free weekly Money newsletterIf you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership

It’s been 70 years since the then Chancellor of the UK, Harold MacMillan announced the launch of premium bonds. But after seven decades and over £40bn paid out in prizes, are they still a worthwhile element of your savings portfolio? In this episode, Which? Researcher Holly Lanyon explains the history of the savings product, how they’ve changed over the years, and how likely you are to win a prize. Holly shares some stories from Which? members who told us why they love premium bonds so much, and why people treat them differently to other types of savings accounts. Plus, we hear from Andrew Westhead, the retail director at NS&I, the company which runs the premium bond draws, who takes us inside their archive to show how big of a part they’ve played in British culture since the 1950s. Read more about premium bonds on our website & sign up for our free weekly Money newsletter Join us for a live episode of Which? Money on Tuesday 21 April - sign up to secure your space in our virtual audience Get in touch with us via email - [email protected] Podcast listeners can get 50% off an annual Which? membership Become a Which? Money member to access 1-to-1 guidance and receive the Money magazine

What did you do to your old phone when you upgraded to a new model? Too many of us are doing the wrong thing. In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain why buying a new piece of tech when the model you're upgrading from is still perfectly serviceable is doing more harm than good, especially when you don't dispose of them properly. In a recent survey of Which? members, more than 50% of smartphones and tablets that had been replaced over the previous five years were still in working order. So, how often should you actually upgrade? And what should you do with the devices you no longer need?Find out which laptops we recommend on our website & sign up for our free monthly Tech newsletter If you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership

Have you received a private parking fine that makes no sense? You might be a victim of an ANPR camera error. In this episode we talk about the Which? investigation that uncovered why Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology seems to be plagued by so many inaccuracies.While the industry boasts a 97% accuracy rate, the remaining 3% results in misreadings every day. We're joined by Which? writer Hannah Downes who discusses everything from double dipping, to criminals cloning number plates to avoid ULEZ fees and parking charges.Read more about the changes on our website & sign up for our free weekly scoop newsletterBecome a Which? member for 50% off the usual price

Last week, the price you pay for your gas and electricity went down. That’s despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East that caused wholesale prices to skyrocket. But what does the future hold for energy prices in the UK? In this episode, Which? Principal researcher and energy expert Sarah Ingrams joins us to explain what happened to the price cap that resulted in those on standard variable tariffs to see a reduction in their energy bills. It wasn’t just those on variable tariffs that saw a fall in the price they pay for gas and electricity this month. Households on fixed tariffs saw their bills fall after government support schemes were adjusted, reducing costs outside of the usual price cap changes. Plus, Tom Goswell, energy supply lead at Cornwall Insight, the company which predicts price cap changes, gets us up to speed on the Middle East crisis in a week which saw a ceasefire announced. Read more about what the Middle East crisis means for you energy bills on our website & sign up for our free weekly Money newsletter Get in touch with us via email - [email protected] Podcast listeners can get 50% off an annual Which? membership Become a Which? Money member to access 1-to-1 guidance and receive the Money magazine

You know what a hearing aid is. But hearing aid glasses could be gamechanging for those who need to hear more clearly. In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain what hearing glasses are. They’re a relatively new addition to the market, aimed at offering a more stylish alternative to hearing aids to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss hear and see more clearly, with just one product. But just how effective - and cost-effective - are they? Find out which hearing aid providers we recommend on our website & sign up for our free Healthy Living newsletter If you're not already a member, join Which? to instantly listen to member exclusive podcasts and gain access to all of our product reviews - all for 50% off your first year's membership