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Wondering what’s the best internet speed for streaming? Look no further. HomeLinkd’s here to help you figure out why and how internet speed can affect your streaming experience.
We’re getting into the nitty gritty of what you can do to get better internet speeds, why it’s crucial for streaming, and where you can find the fastest connection for better streaming. Find out just what internet speeds you really need for streaming services.
First, you’re going to want to know what internet speed really is.
With all the technical terms out there like “bandwidth”, “megabits” “latency” and “line speed” —figuring out what internet speed is, and what it means for you, can feel unnecessarily complicated.
Don’t get caught up in the jargon —here’s Homelinkd’s simple explanation.
While you may think your internet speed is determined by how many megabits per second (Mbps) you’re paying for, the real speed of your connection is actually all about bandwidth and latency.
Bandwidth is the amount of data (usually measured in gigabits or megabits) that can be sent to you per second. Bandwidth is essentially how much data you can get at any given point in time. So, if you’re paying for a 5Mbps line, you can receive up to 5 megabits of data per second. Simple, right?
In real-world terms, if you want to view an image online, the image should appear faster, if your line can download more data per second. So, if you have a 5Mbps line and your neighbor has a 10Mbps line —they should be able to download twice as much data as you can, per second.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth take, Plug Things In has a detailed breakdown of internet speed.
So, now that you’re up to speed on bandwidth, let’s talk latency.
Latency is the expected time delay when transferring data from one point to another (think from a Netflix server to your home). It’s measured in milliseconds and is also called ping rate on speed tests. Latency is responsible for how quickly data gets to you.
The best way to understand how bandwidth and latency affect your speed is to use a pipe as an example:
Bandwidth —how wide the pipe is (how much can get to you at any point in time.)
Latency —how fast the contents of the pipe (data) can get from one point to another.
So, large bandwidth + short latency = fast internet speeds.
Quick tip: While most people think internet and wi-fi are the same thing, they’re actually a bit different. Read more on our blog about the difference between internet and wi-fi, here.
It should come as no surprise that superior speed results in a better streaming experience. The faster your connection, the quicker you’ll be able to download images or video content. And, in the context of streaming, bandwidth and latency are king.
But what is a good internet speed for streaming?
For most households, a line speed of 100 –200 Mbps is ideal.
This line speed can handle almost any demands for multiple devices ranging from 2 –5 users.
Here’s a breakdown of what most internet speeds can support.
Internet Speed: 25 Mbps
Users: 1 - 2
Evaluation: Adequate
Internet Speed: 100 Mbps
Users: 3 - 4
Evaluation: Average
Internet Speed: 200 Mbps
Users: 4 - 5
Evaluation: Fast
Internet Speed: 500 Mbps
Users: 5+
Evaluation: Very fast
Internet Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Users: 5+
Evaluation: Excellent
Is this speed going to be enough for you?
With the demands placed on internet connection today, and the major shift to online streaming services for our entertainment needs —internet speed has never been more important.d for streaming.
Is this speed going to be enough for you?
Our connection speed requirements are incredibly individual. While some households have light data requirements, households where streaming is the norm usually require better line speeds to get clearer content without the buffering.
Email and web browsing: 1 -5 Mbps minimum
Stream HD video content: 15 -25 Mbps minimum
Stream 4K content and play online games: 40 -100 Mbps minimum
Stream 4K video content, online games, and downloading large files: 200+ Mbps minimum
Online streaming service providers like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime also offer insights about the ideal internet speed for streaming.
Netflix, recommends a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps to watch their HD streaming services.
While Hulu is also available in a range of different video qualities —which you can adjust to suit your internet speed —they recommend 16 Mbps to stream their 4K content.
Amazon Prime recommends a minimum download speed of 1 Mbps for their standard definition (SD) content, and 5 Mbps for their high definition (HD) content.
For their internet TV service, Sling TV recommends 3 Mbps as a minimum download speed.
To watch YouTube videos in HD, you’ll need a download speed of 5 Mbps. For Ultra HD (4K) content, you’ll need a minimum of 25 Mbps.
While streaming experts like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime give you a range of anything between 1 Mbps -16Mbps to watch SD and 4K content online — we recommend a line speed of more than 3 Mbps if you’re streaming video content.
A line speed of 5 Mbps will usually give you an adequate streaming experience, but if you want to watch in HD, Ultra HD or 4K, your bandwidth should be about 25 Mbps.
The best way to know your internet speeds is to test it yourself.
You can find a range of internet speed tests online, which will show you what speeds you’re currently getting.
Once you have your results, you can compare them against the minimum internet speeds we’ve listed in this article.
While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dictates all Americans must have access to a minimum broadband line speed of 3 Mbps—your budget constraints can mean you’re only able to afford line speeds of 5Mbps or less. This can result in pixelated, blurry images, with loads of frustrating buffering.
Read how you can improve your internet speed for streaming on our blog.
Now that you know what kind of internet speeds you need to stream online, you’re ready to start looking at Internet Service Providers that offer great deals and speeds.
CenturyLink
Line Speed: Up to 200Mbps
Data Caps: Unlimited
Pricing: From $49
Extras: Priced for life
AT&T
Line Speed: Up to 1,000Mbps
Data Caps: 1TB Unlimited
Pricing: From $50 -$50
Extras: Free WiFi, equipment & installation
Frontier
Line Speed: From 6 -1,000Mbps
Data Caps: Unlimited
Pricing: From $29 -$200
Extras: 2-year price lock on a 2-year contact month-to-month, or 1-year price lock.
4K streaming is the latest in internet streaming quality, and refers to a horizontal resolution of around 4000 pixels. This results in a clearer, more defined picture — and is currently the highest internet streaming quality available.
You’ll need a lot of bandwidth to stream in 4K, which is why we recommend you have a higher speed of at least 25 Mbps.
If you’re looking for something to watch on your new internet-streaming service, we’ve got a few recommendations.
Movies
The Shawshank Redemption
Forrest Gump
The Dark Knight
TV Shows
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Stranger Things
While bandwidth and latency are important factors to consider when choosing your internet speed for streaming, affordability is also a crucial aspect of picking the right deal for your needs.
Today’s world has a bigger demand for online streaming services, so our need for larger bandwidth is changing too.
With Homelinkd, you can choose from our wide range of US service providers, comparing them by price, speed and location —so you can get the best deal to suit your streaming needs.
Compare our deals, here.
We have a wide selection of plans to choose from, so you can find and select the perfect one to suit your needs.
There's a deal for with fast, reliable and secure internet. With dozens of plans and bundle offer to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice.
CenturyLink is your trusted provider of internet, home phone, and TV services. Whether you're at home or on the go, CenturyLink offer fast and reliable internet.
Get fast speeds, more data, and bigger savings on Viasat's reliable home internet plans!
EarthLink offer high-speed internet that’ll always keep you connected whether you're streaming your favorite shows or video chatting with friends.
AT&T offer you a variety of options to get the high-quality services you require, including DSL, fiber optic and fixed wireless networks, streaming and satellite TV services, and extensive 5G coverage.
Frontier, a leading provider of high-speed internet, TV, and phone services, offer various plans to fit your needs and budget.