How to Watch HBO Max on PS4 in The UK (Jan. 2021 Updated)

The best thing about using PS4/PS3 is that they are not only popular gaming consoles, they can also be used for other entertainment stuff like streaming purposes as well. PS4 and PS3 support various renowned streaming platforms like HBO, Netflix, Hulu and others.

First of all, it needs to be understood that if you are outside the US and want to stream your favorite HBO Max shows including superhits like Chernobyl and Watchmen miniseries from the US library in the UK on PS4, you need to have a working VPN subscription to bypass geo-restrictions and content limitations.

NOW TV in the UK serves as an option to catch up HBO titles and programming and with cheaper costs too, however, it does not have access to the complete HBO Max library from the US.

👉In this guide, I will tell you on how to maximize your entertainment opportunities at home with your PS4/PS3 console using a VPN.

5 Best VPN to Watch HBO on PS4 in the UK [Overview]

1. PureVPN: Best VPN for HBO Max on PlayStation®. Preconfigured routers available. 168 servers across the UK mainly located in Maidenhead, London, and Manchester. 7-Day trial for a minimal £0.76. Starts at £2.23/mo on a 2-year plan.
2. Surfshark: Cheap VPN for HBO Max on PS4/PS3. Preconfigured routers available. 52 servers across London, Glasgow and Manchester. 7-Day free trial for Android and iOS. Unlimited multilogins. Starts at £1.67/mo on a 2-year plan + 3 months free.
3. NordVPN: Quality Streaming for HBO on PlayStation®. Preconfigured routers available. 690 servers in 5 different cities in the United Kingdom. 7-Day free trial and also a 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee. Starts at £2.86/mo on a 2-year plan.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast Streaming for HBO on PS4/PS3. Dedicated router application. 50 servers across the UK located in Docklands, East London, London and Wembley. 7-Day free trial on Android and iOS. Starts at £5.21/mo on a 1-year plan.
5. IPVanish: Optimized Servers for HBO on PlayStation®. Preconfigured routers available. 89 servers located in different cities in the United Kingdom. 30-Days Money-Back Guarantee available. No leak issues. Starts at £2.45/mo on a 1-year plan.

How to Watch HBO Max on PS4/PS3 in the UK

For watching your favorite HBO Max content from the US library on PS4/PS3 in the UK requires a little bit of creativity and technical skills. This is because these platforms do not support VPN applications and hence you have to look for some alternate ways to get it done.

I will now take you along with a bit of technical stuff to help you set up VPN connections on your PS4/PS3 console using different options. You may use any of the following options to establish a VPN connection on your PS4/PS3 gaming console:

1. Get a Pre-Configured Router.
2. Manually Configure a VPN on Routers.

1. Get a Pre-Configured Router

If you are not an expert or a techno geek, probably getting a pre-configured router will be the best option for you. Contact FlashRouters and they can surely help you get a pre-configured router that supports DD-WRT and Tomato firmware.

You can easily find routers that are already pre-configured with the leading VPN service providers. Based upon your requirements and especially the purposes of use, you can choose whatever option satisfies your need.

2. Manually Configure a VPN on Routers

First of all, you need to identify if your Wi-Fi router is VPN supported or not? To identify this, Open the web portal on your PC or Laptop and access your router dashboard by entering the IP Address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 and enter your login details.

You can easily find these details either from the router’s manual at home or online, or from the router’s manufacturer webpage or simply by contacting your internet service provider company. As soon as you access the dashboard, search for ‘Setting up a VPN connection’ option.

In case you don’t find any such option, then you have to upgrade the current firmware with an improved Open source firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato. Those who have their routers supported with VPN connection, simply jump to the next heading.

Upgrading Router Firmware

• Enter the URL: https://dd-wrt.com/support/router-database/
• Look for your existing router model.
• Once found the router model, Download the listed firmware files.
• Tap the “Administration” tab on your router dashboard.
• Tap “Firmware Update”.
• Tap “Select File” and upload the firmware files that you downloaded.

How to Set Up VPN on DD-WRT Firmware

• Download the VPN configuration files from whatever the VPN service you choose.
• Access the router dashboard (VPN supported) by entering the IP Address as above.
• Tap “Services” and select the “VPN” tab.
• Check “Start OpenVPN Client” from the protocol list.

Configuring VPN Client Settings

• Server IP / Name: Enter the .ovpn file from your specific VPN service.
• Port: Will be provided by your VPN provider.
• Tunnel Device: Keep “TUN” option.
• Tunnel Protocol: UDP/TCP.
• Encryption Cipher: AES-256-CBC
• Hash Algorithm: SHA256.
• Advanced Options: Enabled.
• TLS Cipher: None.
• LZO Compression: Adaptive.
• NAT: Disable.
• Firewall Protection: Enable.
• IP Address: Leave it blank.
• Subnet Mask: Leave it blank.
• Tunnel MTU setting: 1500.
• UDP Fragment:1450.
• Tunnel UDP MSS-Fix: Enable.
• nsCertType verification: ✔

Connect Your PS4/PS3 With VPN Enabled Router

• Turn on PS4/PS3 console and Open XMB Menu.
• Tap Settings > Tap Networking Settings.
• Select ‘Set Up Internet Connection’.
• Select the “Use WiFi” option.
• Select the connection method “Easy”.
• Let it scan the available networks.
• Select your laptop’s mobile hotspot.
• Continue to Test Connection.
• Launch HBO Max app and enjoy!

5 Best VPN to Watch HBO on PS4/PS3 in the UK [In-Depth Analysis]

Below is a detailed analysis and comparison of 5 best VPNs based upon servers strength, ability to unblock and stream, device compatibility, maximum simultaneous connections, security and privacy and most importantly router compatibility.

1. PureVPN: Best VPN for HBO Max on PlayStation®

Total Servers: 6,500+ | Countries: 140+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.8 | Maximum Devices Supported: 10 | Price: £2.23/month on a 2-year plan

PureVPN is simply the best option for streaming HBO Max on PS4/PS3 in the UK. Connecting your PS4/PS3 console to the pre-configured router with PureVPN, enhances your streaming experience by taking your favorite videos and content to the much bigger size screens. It is is highly compatible with Apple TV too and you can watch HBO Max on Apple TV hassle-free.

PureVPN has a well-defined No-Logs policy and has been audited and accredited by well-known international firms like Forbes. They have very good global coverage with over 6,500+ servers in more than 140+ countries and also offer Split Tunneling and Dedicated IPs.

PureVPN ensures data security and privacy for PS4/PS3 users through NAT Firewall. It lets private networks connect to the internet using unregistered IP addresses. By doing so, it gives extra security as it completely hides the actual private network behind that address.

PureVPN unblocks the infamous ‘Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn’ on HBO through their US servers easily on PS4/Ps3 gaming consoles. 

Pros

• Highly compatible with PlayStation consoles.
• Connectivity with 10 devices at the same time.
• NAT Firewall, Split Tunneling and Dedicated IPs.
• Attractive global coverage with over 6,500+ servers in more than 140+ countries.
• Improved privacy through Military Grade Encryption standard AES-256 bit keys.

Cons

• 100% free trial not available.

2. Surfshark: Cheap VPN for HBO Max on Ps4/PS3

Number of Servers: 3,200+ | Countries: 65+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.3 | Maximum Devices Supported: Unlimited | Price: £1.67/month on a 2-year plan

If you are thinking about reliably streaming HBO Max on PS4 with cost-effectiveness, surfshark is the name that will appear to your mind. Like PureVPN, it is also highly compatible with the PS4 console and offers connectivity with the VPN server through a pre-configured router.

Out of many attractive features, Surfshark’s best feature is providing unlimited numbers of simultaneous connections/devices. Along with cost-effectiveness, they also ensure high security, data protection and smooth streaming through implementing Obfuscation technology.

Using this technology, the VPN traffic is converted into the regular HTTPs traffic, that ensures quick and easy access to HBO Max on PS4 consoles and even without any error or related issues. They offer pretty good connectivity with over 3,200 servers in more than 65+ countries.

Using the “United States – Los Angeles” server, Surfshark successfully manages to unblock “The Haunting” on PlayStation!

Pros

• Cost-Effectiveness.
• Compatible with PS4 and PS3 both.
• Connectivity with over 3,200+ servers in more than 65+ countries.
• Unlimited number of simultaneous connections is a real catch for addicted streamers.
• Secure and reliable streaming through Obfuscation technology.

Cons

• Missing detailed audit from a recognized firm.

3. NordVPN: Quality Streaming for HBO on PlayStation®

Number of Servers: 5,400+ | Countries: 59+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 | Maximum Devices Supported: 6 | Price: £2.86/month on a 2-year plan

With respect to coverage, streaming quality of the network and security of the user’s privacy, no competitor offers services and features like NordVPN. With a massive global coverage of over 5400 servers in more than 59 countries, NordVPN is recommended for binge-viewers.

Since PS4 do not support VPN applications, connect your PS4 console to a pre-configured router with NordVPN. Using the Wi-Fi, you can now enjoy your favorite HBO Max US library in the UK on a PlayStation.

Although it is a little bit tricky connecting with these devices, NordVPN does so efficiently with PS4 and watching HBO Max on Firestick and Roku devices is equally worth experiencing.

NordVPN ensures the security and data protection of highly confidential data like bank details etc. through implementing Military Grade Encryption that uses Advanced Encryption Standards with 256 bit keys. Through CyberSec feature, they provide security from ads and malwares etc.

By connecting to the #3097 server, NordVPN successfully unblocks the American comedy “Young Sheldon” on PlayStation!

Pros

• 7-Day free trial on iOS platform.
• Compatibility with PS4 console.
• Enhanced security through Military Grade Encryption.
• CyberSec features protection against ads, malwares and other threats.
• Massive global coverage with over 5400 servers in more than 59 countries.

Cons

• Ineffective Customer Support.

4. ExpressVPN: Fast Streaming for HBO on PS4/PS3

Number of Servers: 3,000+ | Countries: 94+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 | Maximum Devices Supported: 5 | Price: £5.21/month on a Yearly Plan

ExpressVPN is focused on fast connectivity and providing speedy streaming solutions. They are reputed to be one of the fastest options for HBO Max on PS4. Along with a pre-configured router, they have a distinctive router application.

ExpressVPNs fast streaming and enhanced security comes through their TrustedServer Technology which they implement on all their servers globally. It ensures No-Logs and fast uninterrupted streaming experience with over 3,000 servers.

ExpressVPN offers a maximum of 5 simultaneous connections in addition to your PlayStation console. Internationally recognized security companies like Cure52 and PwC Switzerland have audited and approved ExpressVPN for their security and data protection.

Using the US servers of ExpressVPN, the Famous American Sitcom on HBO ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ on PS4/PS3 gaming consoles!

Pros

• Audited and approved by Cure52 and PwC Switzerland.
• Pre-configured router and a separate router application.
• 5 Simultaneous connection other than PlayStation console.
• Global coverage with over 3000 servers in more than 94 countries.
• Fast, secure and reliable streaming experience through TrustedServer Technology.

Cons

• Costly as compared to other VPN services.

5. IPVanish: Optimized Servers for HBO on  PlayStation

No. of Servers: 1,600+ | Countries: 75+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 | Maximum Devices Supported: 10 | Price: £2.51/mo on a Yearly plan

The last VPN competitor for HBO Max on PlayStation console, IPVanish offers the best combination of price and value for PS4 users in the UK. Just like others, it offers a pre-configured router that can be connected to PS4 consoles for streaming purposes.

For a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience, IPVanish uses improved and enhanced servers exclusively for PS4 and PS3 consoles in the UK. They offer non-stop services through their excellent coverage with over 1500 servers in more than 75 countries.

Another attractive feature is the connectivity to 10 devices simultaneously on one subscription. Through their privatized servers, they not only ensure user’s online privacy but also provide optimized file sharing services as well.

Using IPVanish’s US servers, the famous American Drama ‘Joker’ on HBO can be unblocked in the UK on PlayStation.

Pros

• Compatibility with both the PS4 and PS3.
• The best combination of price and value.
• Improved and enhanced servers for PS4 and PS3.
• 10 simultaneous connections on one subscription.
• Excellent global coverage with over 1,600+ servers in more than 75 countries.

Cons

• Inefficient technical support.

How to Get HBO Max on PS4 in The UK: FAQs

When it comes to accessing content that has been either geo-restricted or demands a little bit of technical expertise for integrating a couple of devices simultaneously, you will end up having multiple questions to ask. So, here are some answers to common questions:

Wrapping Up

PlayStation consoles are not limited to playing games only as their streaming options open up a whole new entertainment opportunity. However, the only hurdle is the regional restrictions and non-availability of the content due to related issues.

This guide explains in detail how to unblock and watch your favorite HBO Max content using a VPN on PlayStation in the UK. It also highlights the detailed comparative analysis of the best 5 VPNs compatible with PlayStation consoles along with their best features, pros and cons.

Although the content in this guide is a little bit technical and difficult to absorb if you do not happen to be a techno geek. However, I am hopeful that it will surely help you to develop an understanding on how to use various devices and integrate them to obtain a desired solution!!!