Internet providers would simply love for you to sign up for their fastest plan available. But let’s get real here, folks: You don’t need Gigabit internet if all you do is check email and post pictures of your latest culinary efforts on social media. Heck, you definitely don’t need it in a household of five. Gigabit internet and faster is best for running a public web server, transferring large files to and from a remote network, or livestreaming gameplay to Twitch.

So, what’s the difference between megabits and gigabits? Is one internet speed faster than the other? We’ll break down the technical details as simply as possible so you can determine if you need gigabit internet speeds or a slower connection.

Is your current internet speed in the megabit or gigabit range?

Mbps vs. Gbps: What’s the difference?

The difference between megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps) is the number of bits you can send and receive each second.

In the days of dial-up, modem speeds were usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), like 28.8k and 56k. Modern-day broadband speeds are now measured in Mbps or Gbps. Here’s how the bits stack up:

• 1,000 bits = 1 kilobit
• 1,000 kilobits = 1 megabit (or 1 million bits)
• 1,000 megabits = 1 gigabit (or 1 billion bits)

Internet speed in Mbps or Gbps doesn’t mean data travels at specific speeds like cars zooming down a freeway—all data on the same type of connection travels at the same speed. Internet speed is more about the amount of data sent along the line in any given second. The higher the bit count per second, the faster you can download a file.

Look at it this way. Imagine your internet connection is a faucet, and your provider cranks down on the knob. The water (data) trickles in a thin stream (1Mbps) into your sink. When your sink finally fills, you swear an entire decade has passed. That’s your slow-as-snails internet connection.

Now your provider has turned up the knob, and your data flows like a waterfall (1,000Mbps). You’re using the same faucet, only the sink fills up faster with more water (data) going in, so you’ve only aged a few seconds versus ten long, agonizing years. That translates to a fast internet connection.

Your need for gigabit internet speeds squarely depends on what you do online and how many devices you have accessing the internet at one time.

For now, Gigabit internet is probably overkill for most homes because the chances of all five family members streaming Netflix in 4K to their devices simultaneously—which adds up to only 125Mbps anyway—is rare at best. You definitely don’t need Gigabit internet if all you do is check email and browse the internet.

If anything, Gigabit internet is nice to have if you need to download large files fast, like full digital games and their chunky updates. The type of internet connection matters, too, as livestreamers get more upload bandwidth using fiber than they do with cable internet.

Here are some online activities where you won’t notice much of a difference with Gigabit internet and some where you will.

Streaming video

Streaming high-resolution video is one of the most bandwidth-intensive things you can do online. If you have people streaming on multiple devices in your home, the speed requirements can add up fast. Take a look:

To help, video services like Netflix and Hulu have a lot of tricks for keeping your viewing experience smooth, such as preloading (buffering) video in the background and lowering the video quality if your connection can’t handle the load. But even Netflix can’t help much if too many people try to stream at the same time.

Theoretically, Gigabit internet has enough bandwidth for 20 people to stream 4K content at the same time—and use only half of the available bandwidth. This is why Gigabit internet is overkill for most homes until 8K content streaming becomes the norm.

If you want to know the nitty-gritty details of speed requirements for video services, see how much speed you need to stream video.

Video chat

Video chat requires a decent amount of speed, just like streaming any video (though you can get by with less if you don’t mind lower quality). The big difference is that while Netflix needs a fast download speed, video chat needs both its upload and download speeds to be fast. This is where the type of connection becomes more important.

Gigabit cable internet has enough upload speed for a stable video call, but a Gigabit fiber connection runs at gigabit speeds both ways. This makes it ideal for video chat like Zoom and Skype, as well as livestreaming on sites like Twitch.

If you want to find out more, check out what makes a good download and upload speed.

Gaming online

Gaming online doesn’t require a lot of bandwidth. Speed is still important for having your game play smoothly, but it’s latency, rather than bandwidth, that really impacts your experiece. The higher your latency, the more lag you will experience when playing. Most gigabit connections (especially fiber) have really low latency—but you can often get the low-latency connection you need for online games without splurging on the fastest plan available.

Streaming games

Game streaming is different from online gaming. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna stream games to your devices from the cloud, similar to how movies and TV shows stream from Netflix and Hulu. However, because games are interactive, you need good download and upload speeds for smooth gameplay.

Xbox Cloud Gaming, for instance, requires a constant download speed of at least 10Mbps on smartphones and 20Mbps on tablets, consoles, and computers. That’s less than what you need to stream Netflix on 4K, but you’ll probably see issues on a 100Mbps connection if other household members are using the internet, too.

To find out more about Gigabit internet, check out the consumer’s guide to internet speed.

Which providers offer Gigabit internet and faster?

“Gigabit” internet plans are 940Mbps or 1,000Mbps, depending on the provider and the hardware they use. Nearly all cable and fiber internet providers offer gigabit speeds.

There’s no official name for speeds between 1,001–1,999Mbps (Intel calls it Gig+), although these speeds are generally associated with multi-gig internet. For now, the fastest cable internet plan you can get today is 1,500Mbps and upload speeds typically reach up to 50Mbps.

The fastest fiber internet plan you can get is 10,000Mbps, but some major internet providers like Google Fiber and Optimum only top out at 8,000Mbps for now—AT&T at 5,000Mbps. Fiber connections generally have identical download and upload speeds, although we’ve seen a few instances where providers are still working to match their upload speeds with their downloads.

Plans up to 1,000Mbps

Bits vs. Bytes: What’s the difference?

Although internet speed is generally measured in bits per second, you might also see terms like “megabytes” and “gigabytes.” Bits and bytes are both units of data, but they’re used in different circumstances.

• 1 bit = a single unit of data that is either a “1” or a “0”
• 1 byte = 8 bits

The term “bit” is typically associated with hardware and software. For instance, a 64-bit processor can handle a single data unit containing 64 bits. The term “byte” is typically associated with file size and storage because 100GB is easier to remember and shorter to write than 800,000Mb.

The bottom line is:

• Internet speed is measured in bits: megabits (Mb) and gigabits (Gb)
• Storage and file size are measured in bytes: megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB).

Note the use of the lower-case “b” for speed and the upper-case “B” for size.

If you want to know more, check out our article on the difference between bits and bytes.

How to convert between Mbps and Gbps

Because data rates are metric, converting between data rates is pretty easy. To move from one metric prefix to the next, you multiply or divide by 1,000. In other words, you just have to add or remove three zeros at the end of the number (or shift the decimal point by three places).

For example, to find how fast a 1,200Mbps internet connection is in kbps, you would multiply by 1,000:

1,200 × 1,000 = 1,200,000kbps

To convert this same speed to gigabits per second, you would divide by 1,000:

1,200 ÷ 1,000 = 1.2Gbps

You don’t normally have to convert between bits and bytes (unless you’re trying to manually estimate how long a download would take), but to do so, just multiply the number of bytes by eight or divide the number of bytes by eight.

150MB × 8 = 1,200Mb

1,200Mb ÷ 8 = 150MB

The verdict: Gigabit internet is overkill for most homes

You don’t need a gigabit connection if all you do is surf the internet, check your email, and stream low-quality music. Gigabit plans aren’t exactly cheap, so there’s no need for the added expense if you’ll never utilize the boost in speed.

Consider your online activities before taking the gigabit plunge. Livestreaming and lossless audio streaming require a wider data pipeline than watching cat videos on YouTube. Knowing the difference between megabits and gigabits is a great tool for gauging what you need against all the hype surrounding gigabit connectivity—now that you know, you can pay for gigabit internet only if you truly need it.

Related content

• Cable vs. Fiber: Which Internet Type Is Right for You?
• Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Is It Really Better to Go Wireless?
• Is My Wi-Fi Slow Because of My Router or My ISP?
• What Is a Good Download and Upload Speed?
• How to Choose an Internet Service Provider

FAQ about Gigabit internet

Yes, if the plan you signed up for doesn’t offer as much download speed as you want. But there are a lot of other possible causes, as well. If your Wi-Fi is slow, there are two likely bottlenecks: your internet service provider (ISP) or your router. Let’s take a look at how to deal with each type of problem.

How fast is my Wi-Fi?

The first step is figuring out how fast your Wi-Fi is compared to the advertised speed of your internet plan. To do this, download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results, and see how fast your internet is on your phone.

If your test result is slower than the speeds promised by your internet plan, try plugging a computer directly into the router using an Ethernet cable. If this fixes your problem, the issue is probably with your router. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase the speed of your router.

If you’re still getting low speeds, or if the speed you’re paying for just isn’t enough, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan or switch to a more reliable provider.

The first step is figuring out how fast your Wi-Fi is compared to the advertised speed of your internet plan. To do this, set up your computer where you normally work and take an internet speed test.

If your test result is slower than the speeds promised by your internet plan, try plugging your device directly into the router using an Ethernet cable. If this fixes your problem, the issue is probably with your router. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase the speed of your router.

If you’re still getting low speeds, or if the speed you’re paying for just isn’t enough, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan or switch to a more reliable provider.

How to speed up your Wi-Fi router

If you’ve determined that the problem is most likely your router, the first thing to do is simply turn it off and on again, also known as power cycling, which will often fix your Wi-Fi problems.

The next easiest thing to do is to try moving your router or your other Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi signals can be blocked by thick walls or floors, so moving devices around so that they have the most direct line of sight to the router can improve signal quality. If line of sight and dead zones are a constant problem, you can also set up a mesh router system to ensure strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.

You can also adjust your router’s settings to improve its performance. Many routers have apps that will allow you to monitor and control the devices on your wireless network. For more information, check out our article on how to improve your Wi-Fi speed.

It’s also worth noting that even if your router is working perfectly but its top speed is slower than the internet you’re paying for, you’re not going to be able to take advantage of that speed over Wi-Fi. If this is the case, check out our list of the fastest routers for gigabit internet to make sure you’re able to use the speeds you’re paying for.

Troubleshooting a slow connection

If your router isn’t the problem but you’re still getting lower speeds than you expect, there might be a problem with your internet connection. Before you start looking for a new ISP, it’s worth checking to see if this problem has an easy fix like one of these:

• Replacing a damaged cable
• Updating your devices
• Avoiding peak hours

There are also more involved fixes that can improve your speed. Different types of connections can slow down for different reasons. Follow our troubleshooting guide to see if it’s an issue that you can fix yourself.

How to upgrade your internet connection

If your internet connection suffers from problems you can’t fix yourself or it’s working correctly but you still need more speed, it’s probably time to upgrade.

Before you crack open your piggy bank, know that faster internet doesn’t always mean paying more. Often simply switching from a slower type of connection to a faster one (like switching from satellite to DSL or from cable to fiber) will give you faster speeds and more stable connections for the same price you were paying before (or sometimes less).

Before you make a decision, be sure to check out all the ISPs in your area with our zip tool above and see which ones offer the speeds you want for the best value.

Popular internet providers with fast speeds

Make sure your router can keep up with your new connection

If you do upgrade your internet plan, make sure your Wi-Fi router is at least as fast as your new download speed. If you got your router from your ISP, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if you bought your own, make sure that it can keep up with the new connection speed or you’ll be back at square one. For example, if you have a gigabit internet connection, you need a gigabit router to take advantage of that speed.

FAQ about Wi-Fi speed

Disclaimers

HighSpeedInternet.com’s internet speed test data for last year shows the national average internet speed in 2025 was 172Mbps. That’s about a 20% decrease compared to the previous year’s 214Mbps.

Internet performance didn’t improve year-over-year as it typically has, and our Fastest Internet Providers Report shows the pace of improvement has been slowing down over the last two years. As noted in our report, a decrease doesn’t directly indicate internet providers are getting worse, but rather could be an indication of household internet needs changing and customers opting for cheaper and slower plans.

We’ll go over the fastest and slowest internet speeds across the U.S. and what the national average speed decrease could indicate.

Internet speeds across America

The average download speed in the U.S. fell to 172Mbps, demonstrating a 20% decrease year-over-year compared to 2024’s 214Mbps.

Although the national average download speed decreased, the fastest speeds are still found in densely populated states, and the slowest speeds are still in more rural states.

The fastest internet speeds are found in West Virginia (216.96Mbps), Florida (216.14Mbps), and Maryland (213.63Mbps), keeping the fastest speeds concentrated on the East Coast of the U.S.

The slowest speeds are found in Hawaii (90.9Mbps), Alaska (102.09Mbps), and Montana (122.62Mbps), where there are more limitations to high-speed options.

States with the fastest and slowest internet speeds

Every year, we rank states by speed to get a clear picture of national internet access. In 2025, 25 states fall below the national average, and 25 states (plus the District of Columbia) have download speeds above the national average.

There are fewer states that fall below the national average in 2025 compared to 2024’s 36 states. In 2024, there were 15 states above the national average, while in 2025, we see that number jump up to 25 states (plus the District of Columbia) with download speeds higher than the national average.

Top 10 states with the fastest internet speeds

The states with the fastest internet speeds are found mainly in the Northeast and Southeast of the U.S. Higher population density typically results in better infrastructure and more high-speed plan and provider options.

West Virginia sits at the top spot with average download speeds of 216.96Mbps, but the top ten states all boast download speeds of 198Mbps or faster.

Top 10 states with the slowest internet speeds

There’s a larger variance in speeds with the slowest states compared to the fastest states. There’s only about an 18Mbps difference in speeds with the fastest states, but a 64Mbps gap between the ten slowest states. The slowest state, Hawaii, averages download speeds of 90.9Mbps—almost half the national average.

Region, demographics, and internet speed variance

In general, more densely populated cities have more options for fast internet plans and providers. With higher demand, typically comes more infrastructure investments from providers, leading to better average speeds.

In the last few years, there has been a bigger focus on rural areas from satellite internet providers like Starlink. But in comparison to metro areas, rural regions don’t see anywhere near as much expansion from national internet providers.

Speed averages shift with customer needs and demands, not just provider offerings. If most households are opting for the cheapest and slowest plans, this will decrease the overall average speeds.

Every household’s internet needs will vary depending on the online activities and how many devices will be connected. See our full guide to internet speeds for more information on what your household needs.

Investments could lead to faster internet speeds

Federal initiatives like the BEAD program aim to improve and build infrastructure to support high-speed internet for every American. Many national cable internet providers have rolled out DOCSIS 4.0 to bring multi-gigabit speeds to customers, while fiber providers continue to expand networks.

On the satellite internet side, providers like Starlink are continually growing satellite constellations to improve speeds and expand connectivity, especially in more rural regions. Next-gen technologies will continue to raise overall speeds and broaden accessibility to high-speed internet. Internet performance across the U.S. can continue to become more reliable and connect more Americans, even when average speeds decrease year-over-year.

Average internet download speeds of all states

Consult our methodology for more information about the data we used for this article.

The terms “bandwidth” and “latency” describe an amount. Bandwidth is the amount of data you can send and receive in one second. Latency is the amount of time used by data to reach its destination and come back.

That’s the simplified version of their differences, but we’ll dive deeper into the two terms so you can better troubleshoot connection issues and get the most out of your internet service.

Bandwidth vs. latency: A deeper explanation

What is bandwidth?

Here’s the quick answer: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data you can transfer between two points on a network (such as the internet).

Picture a faucet and a sink. Your bandwidth is the amount of water pouring down into your sink. Crank down on the faucet, and you get a trickle of bandwidth—you grow a head full of gray hair waiting for the sink to fill. Open the faucet all the way, and the sink fills so fast the water spills onto the floor.

As you can see, we perceive bandwidth as “speed.” The more megabits we can push through a connection in a second, the faster a file downloads or a page loads. The sink fills more quickly with the faucet wide open than when it is barely open.

Theoretically, a single cable or fiber internet connection to a home—your data faucet—supports a 10,000Mbps (10Gbps) bandwidth. But your internet provider controls that bandwidth, as does the modem and fiber optical network terminal (ONT). To get more bandwidth, you’ll want to upgrade to a “faster” plan.

What is latency?

Here’s the quick answer: Latency is the amount of time data takes to reach a remote server and return to you.

For latency, we’ll toss out the faucet analogy and imagine a road with toll booths instead. The duration of your trip squarely depends on the distance, the number of booths you must pass through, and the congestion you face along the way.

For example, there are 10 “toll booths” along the virtual road between Google and us one way, half of which are within our internet provider’s internal network. The trip is another 10 hops (toll booths) back to our device when Google replies. The completed trip to Google and back takes at least 24 milliseconds.

10 hops out + 10 hops back = 24 milliseconds. This is good latency.

Now, let’s look at satellite internet. On a good day, your data takes around 120 milliseconds to reach a satellite in space and then another 120 milliseconds to reach Google’s server here on Earth. Add another 240 milliseconds to receive Google’s response.

120 milliseconds out to space + 120 milliseconds back to Earth (Google) + 120 milliseconds out to space + 120 milliseconds back to Earth (you) = 480 milliseconds. This is bad latency.

With those two examples in mind, you’ll see a delayed action on your screen if you press a game controller button and your latency is 480 milliseconds. That’s just unplayable. But your gameplay is near flawless if the latency is only 28 milliseconds.

Latency isn’t just a gaming issue. It applies to everything you do online. Web browsers send requests to website servers every time you load a page, and the server uploads the page to your browser cache. The higher the latency, the less responsive the webpage feels.

How bandwidth and latency affect you

Here are a few scenarios to show how bandwidth and latency affect you daily.

Gaming

• Bandwidth: Low impact
• Latency: High impact

You don’t need a lot of bandwidth to play games online. We recommend 5Mbps or more per device for downloads and 3Mbps for uploads. If you have five people playing online simultaneously, your combined download bandwidth is around 25Mbps. However, depending on the service, you need more bandwidth to stream cloud-based games to each device—up to 25Mbps each.

Latency is vital to a good experience when you play games online—especially in fast-paced games like Fortnite and Overwatch 2. High latency manifests as lag and can cause significant delays between your input and your character’s on-screen action. In other words, you could already be dead while you’re still trying to get off a shot, but you won’t know it until your connection catches up.

Streaming

• Bandwidth: Medium impact
• Latency: Medium impact

The bandwidth you need depends on the content’s resolution and the number of devices streaming the content simultaneously. A single 4K stream averages around 25Mbps, so four devices streaming a 4K movie need at least 100Mbps of bandwidth. Plus, you’ll need extra bandwidth for all your other devices that are not streaming video.

Low bandwidth causes buffering—when the video or audio player pauses playback and waits to receive more pieces of the file before it can resume. You may also experience pixelation, as the service adjusts the stream to compensate for the narrow bandwidth (aka slow download speed).

Latency rears its head during livestreams. Your actions captured on camera appear delayed to your viewers. Latency can result from an incorrect bitrate, a longer-than-usual route to the host server, and so on.

Video chat

• Bandwidth: High impact
• Latency: High impact

Video chatting, like FaceTime or Skype, can be negatively impacted by low bandwidth and high latency. Low bandwidth affects the quality of your chat, making things hard to see. Latency causes sync issues and freezing.

Browsing

• Bandwidth: High impact
• Latency: High impact

You don’t need a lot of bandwidth to browse the internet. Web pages are mostly lightweight, so you may download around 3MB per site. However, website servers need a lot of bandwidth to upload page files to every connected device. Pages feel dial-up slow if the server is overloaded or your connection has issues.

Latency causes long page load times and makes websites feel unresponsive.

Tips for improving your connection speed

Got the internet speed blues? Here are a few things to brighten up your sad connection.

Restart your network

Sometimes you need to restart (power cycle) your network devices to refresh connections. Start by unplugging the power on your modem, gateway, or ONT. Wait 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Do the same with a standalone router or mesh system when the modem, gateway, or ONT comes back online.

Check your wired connections

A loose coax or Ethernet cable lowers your bandwidth and increases latency. Make sure coax cables are tight, and Ethernet cables have secure connections in their ports. Also, swap out damaged cables if you can—they cause speed bottlenecks and high latency too.

Check your router settings

Wi-Fi adds latency and bandwidth bottlenecks because it’s an extra translation step between you and the destination. However, a crowded channel, an incorrect channel width, and incorrect quality of service (QoS) settings are a few factors that cause unwanted slowdowns.

Check out our guide on how to improve your Wi-Fi speed for more details on what to do.

Purge unused devices

Remember that laptop you no longer use, but it’s still plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi? Chances are it’s quietly eating your precious bandwidth with a smirk as it downloads Godzilla-sized updates. Kick it off your network along with all the other data leeches you never intend to use again.

Upgrade your router

Your internet connection has a set bandwidth, but a Wi-Fi router sets the wireless bandwidth on your home network. For example, an AX1800 Wi-Fi router has less bandwidth than an AX11000 one—1,800Mbps vs. 11,000Mbps combined, respectively. Plus, you should upgrade periodically to take advantage of new technologies and higher bandwidths, especially if you upgrade smartphones every few years.

Reset your devices

The speeds you get partially depend on server-client communication. Your speed woes may have nothing to do with the internet, your modem, or your router but with the devices (clients) you use. For example, corrupted network settings will cause Wi-Fi slowdowns. The fix ranges from something simple like restarting your device to extreme measures: resetting your device back to its factory defaults.

Upgrade your internet plan

Your internet provider controls your connection’s bandwidth even if you swapped out the modem and Wi-Fi router for newer, faster models. You can’t force 1,000Mbps speeds out of a 500Mbps internet plan. To get more bandwidth, you must upgrade to a faster plan.

Not sure how much speed you need? Check out our handy speed recommendation tool to help with that.

Find a new provider

Find a new internet provider if you’ve tried everything to improve your connection, and bandwidth and latency are still an issue. Competition is fierce, and most areas have at least two great provider options.

We provide a roundup of the fastest internet providers if you’re unsure where to start. Are you a gamer? We list the best internet for gaming too, based on latency.

Our verdict: Bandwidth and latency are crucial

Bandwidth and latency have an impact on everything you do online. High bandwidth and low latency translate to the best speeds and the fastest response times—that’s what you want for your internet connection. Low bandwidth and high latency mean slow downloads, choppy streams, and delayed responses. Nobody wants that.

If you need more bandwidth than you have right now, go with a faster internet plan and a high-capacity router like an AX11000 model. Both should help keep high latencies at bay, but your total bandwidth and latency depend on the connections between the remote servers and all your devices.

If you want to know more about how internet speed works, check out our comprehensive guide to internet speed.

• Fastest Internet Providers
• How to Stream on Twitch: Everything You Need to Know
• How Do I Connect My Router to My Computer?
• Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps

Peacock TV says you need internet speeds of 3–8Mbps to stream shows and games on its platform, but you’re better off with about 25Mbps of speed for every device streaming at the same time.

I stand by my recommendation whether you’re binging The Office on weekends, catching live games on Sunday Night Football, or letting your kids loose on The Croods franchise.

Check your internet speeds now

The first step in finding out whether your internet is fast enough to stream Peacock is to find out what speeds you’re getting now. Click below to check on your current device and browser.

If you’re planning to stream Peacock from a mobile device, check out our free speed test app for Apple devices or Android devices. When you log in to the app, tap Start Video Test for a recommendation of the resolution your connection can handle.

Peacock TV speed basics

The secret to streaming Peacock is, well, no secret at all. The speeds you need to stream Peacock are the same speeds you need to stream video on any platform.

Understanding some basics will make it all more clear.

The golden rules of streaming

• Most platforms (including Peacock) adjust resolution automatically based on your device and your internet speed
• The more devices streaming at once, the more speed you need
• For streaming live TV or 4K (ultra-high definition), cable or fiber internet will work best

Minimum speeds for Peacock

The official word from Peacock is that you need a minimum speed of 3Mbps to stream in standard definition and a minimum speed of 8Mbps to stream “certain high-quality live events and ultra-high definition premium content,” which is Peacok’s fancy way of saying 4K.

There’s no way to control your Peacock resolution, but you can watch live events with only the Premium option. Here are the two plan options and our speed recommendations for each.

Why do you need a bandwidth buffer for streaming?

You might be wondering why we suggest 25Mbps per device for streaming when Peacock itself says you need just 3Mbps or 8Mbps. It’s a fair question!​​ There are a few reasons.

1. There are probably other devices on your network (or other apps on your device) using your bandwidth at the same time you’re trying to stream. Cell phones, smart appliances, security cameras, and gaming consoles are common culprits.
2. Your actual speeds may be slower than the max speeds on your plan. Slower-than-promised speeds are most common on cable, DSL, and 5G internet.
3. Speeds can degrade between your networking gear (router or gateway) and your device, especially if you are using Wi-Fi and the gear is in another room or on another floor.
4. Older devices can’t handle speeds as fast as what modern internet providers dish out, so your weakest link may be that 12-year-old Samsung TV in your basement or that Roku device you bought in 2017.

What do you need to stream Peacock in 4K Ultra HD?

Peacock TV offers some shows and movies in what it calls 4K Ultra HD, but not all devices are supported, and there’s no official list of 4K programming. There’s also no way to opt out of 4K resolution if the show you choose is available in 4K and your device and internet speed support it.

This setup is a little unusual among streaming platforms. YouTube TV, Netflix, and Disney+ all let you set your resolution manually if you’re trying to save on data or bandwidth.

Even though 4K is hard to come by on Peacock, streaming expert Bill Frost says he loves the service.

Frost agrees with HighSpeedInternet.com that you need a bare minimum of 25Mbps per device to stream Peacock (or any video) without running into problems. He says he had only minimal problems when he had a 25Mbps DSL plan for his home internet, and almost no problems when he had a 100Mbps fiber plan. He now has a gigabit fiber plan, but says he sees virtually no difference in streaming quality since he upgraded.

Get a fiber internet or cable plan to watch in high definition

If you go with my speed recommendation for streaming, you would need speeds of about 75Mbps to take full advantage of your Peacock subscription. That’s because you can watch three streams at one time.

Lucky for you, it’s pretty easy to get a plan with download speeds of at least 75Mbps from cable and fiber internet providers, no matter where you live. You can also get those speeds from 5G home internet.

If you have to rely on satellite or DSL, you may have trouble getting 75Mbps speeds.

Best internet plans for streaming Peacock in high definition

If you’re already paying for streaming services, it makes sense to get the best internet service you can. Below are top options with speeds fast enough to stream Peacock in high-definition.

How to watch Peacock with slow internet

You can watch Peacock with internet that’s slower than our recommendation, but you might run into buffering delays or poor picture quality. If that’s happening to you, try kicking other devices off your Wi-Fi network by logging into your router.

You can also try skipping the Wi-Fi by plugging your TV, console, or PC directly into your gateway or router with an Ethernet cable.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to save on data if you have a strict data cap on your internet plan. If you have Peacock Premium with Plus, you can download some shows to watch later, but it won’t help much. The other common way to save on data is to manually downgrade your resolution, but, as mentioned above, that’s not an option with this streaming service.

Best internet plans for budget Peacock viewers

How to adjust video resolution on Peacock

The Peacock Help Center doesn’t list any way to adjust your resolution manually, no matter which streaming device you’re using. But I didn’t stop there. Instead, I checked for options on Chrome and Safari browsers, an Apple TV 4K, a Vizio smart TV and even a Chromecast device from 2020. Sure enough, Peacock just autoplayed without resolution options on every device.

How to troubleshoot problems with Peacock streaming

If you’re having trouble with Peacock or run into that dreaded “something went wrong” screen, try a few standard tricks.

How to troubleshoot Peacock on a computer:

• Close other tabs
• Exit and restart the browser
• Clear your cache
• Switch browsers
• Restart your computer
• Try a different device
• Check your internet connection

How to troubleshoot Peacock on a TV:

• Close and restart the app
• Close other apps
• Close and restart your streaming device or smart TV
• Uninstall and reinstall the app

Simultaneous screens error

You may run into a Peacock screen that says you’ve reached the simultaneous screen limit. It means you or someone with your login is trying to watch on too many screens at the same time. Even though you can have up to six profiles on a single Peacock account, you can watch on only three screens at once.

To solve the problem, close Peacock on every device except the one you’re trying to use at the moment or change your password to stop the moochers in their tracks.

How to choose the best internet and Peacock plan for family viewing

Peacock offers only two plans, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium with the Plus add-on. With the cheaper plan, you get access to most of Peacock’s library, but you have to suffer through ads. With the Plus add-on, you can skip (most of) the ads and you get perks like live TV and the ability to download shows to watch later.

Many of Peacock’s other features, such as the ability to create multiple profiles and watch in 4K, are the same whether or not you have Plus.

If my household is already paying for Peacock, it makes sense for us to pay the $6 extra per month to skip ads and download shows.

Peacock parental controls

We don’t have young kiddos in the house these days, but we occasionally have younger family and friends visit. For them, we’ve set up a few profiles based on their ages. Here are the standard options for profiles, with allowed ratings per profile:

It’s nice that you can lock the profiles with a 4-digit PIN, but we wish there were more options such as the ability to ban specific shows. It’s yet another example of Peacock’s “what you see is what you get” philosophy.

Can you clear watch history on Peacock?

Imagine a scenario where you accidentally binge watch something a little racy or potentially embarrassing—say, Love Island or The Big D on your preteen’s profile. When you discover your error, of course you want to remove the show from the profile so your kiddo doesn’t see it as a suggestion.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to clear your watch history or to remove a show from the Continue Watching section on Peacock. The only workaround we know is to go to the last episode of the show, fast forward to the end, and let it finish. Sadly, this won’t work on shows that air new episodes.

In other words, be very careful which profile you use on Peacock. And if you really want to watch something that might be embarrassing later, make sure your profile lock PIN is set and secure (or pay for a separate account altogether).

FAQs about Peacock

Disclaimers

Find out your internet speed, find fast internet providers, and more

What does internet speed mean?

Internet speed is the measure of how much time it takes a certain amount of data to transfer from a server to your device and vice versa.

Whether you’re streaming videos on Netflix, posting on Twitter, or attending a Zoom meeting, you’re using your device to download and upload packets of data. The rate at which you can transfer all of this data depends on your internet connection’s bandwidth, measured in Mbps.

On a home Wi-Fi network, your internet provider determines your Wi-Fi speed. What you can get depends on the provider’s technical capabilities and how much you’re willing to pay for higher speeds. Naturally, faster connections come with a higher monthly bill in most cases.

What is a good internet speed?

According to the latest proposals from the Federal Communications Commission, a good internet speed is a connection that gives you downloads of at least 100Mbps and uploads of at least 20Mbps. That’s the new benchmark that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel plans to set for broadband internet providers, customers, and policymakers.

An internet speed of 100 Mbps is enough to let four or five Wi-Fi users play online games, stream video in HD, and attend Zoom meetings with minimal slowdowns or buffering. It’s great for most people, although some users may prefer a slower plan with a cheaper price, while others need faster speeds to handle heavier internet usage.

Of course, different households can have drastically different internet needs. Someone who lives alone and uses the internet for only small things like social media and web browsing doesn’t need as much internet speed as a family of five streaming Netflix in every room. But a faster connection is often better, especially if you spend a lot of time on the internet or share Wi-Fi with multiple users (or both).

Speed requirements taken from HighSpeedInternet.com’s How Much Internet Speed Do I Need? guidelines.

What is the best internet speed for you?

Use our “How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?” tool to figure out the best internet speed for you, based on what you do online and how many people you share Wi-Fi with.

How fast does your internet need to be?

Your internet speed needs to be at least 25Mbps to work smoothly. That is the FCC’s current standard for minimum download speeds, although the commission is currently working to upgrade this minimum standard to 100Mbps.

Generally, you need internet that’s fast enough to support all of the activities that you tackle during your daily Wi-Fi usage. You also need internet with enough bandwidth to support other users on your Wi-Fi network. That ideal speed varies depending on the size of your household and what you do online, but if we’re talking in terms of speed needs, anywhere from 25Mbps to 100Mbps should be considered a baseline for you to use the internet smoothly.

What types of internet are there—and how fast are they?

There are several types of internet connections, and the type of connection you have plays a huge part in the speeds you can get.

Fiber and cable are the fastest and most popular types of internet connections, but many customers have also embraced 5G home internet in recent years thanks to its low prices.

In rural areas, satellite and fixed wireless internet are common picks. They’re slower and more expensive, but get you Wi-Fi in areas where networking infrastructure is limited.

Data as of 7/28/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Percentages are based on internet availability data from the Federal Communications Commission.

Fiber internet provides the fastest plans you can get, ranging from 100Mbps to a whopping 50,000Mbps (50Gbps). It’s the most reliable connection, too, by using a passive technology that has less downtime than cable and DSL. Plus, your speeds are typically symmetrical, meaning your upload speed is just as fast as your download.

Cable internet uses the same coaxial copper cables that transmit cable TV services. Currently, it can reach download speeds up to 2,000Mbps and is more widely available than fiber, making it an excellent option for most customers looking to have high-speed internet in their homes. Cable internet plans often include bundle deals that let you pair Wi-Fi with a TV package.

DSL, short for digital subscriber line, uses the same wiring as landline telephone networks. It’s relatively slow (maxing out at 140Mbps) and is becoming somewhat obsolete, since most DSL providers also offer fiber and have focused more on expanding their fiber services in recent years.

5G home internet is a relatively new internet type that provides internet over a fixed wireless connection. This type’s speeds range from 30–1,000Mbps. 5G networks are still in the process of coming together, so 5G home internet isn’t widely available yet. The technology works best in densely populated areas, so 5G is mostly available in towns and cities—for now at least.

4G LTE home internet uses similar technology as 5G internet, but over 4G networks. It delivers slower speeds, usually dependent on what kind of cell service is available in the area. But it’s a great option for rural users whose other options might be limited to satellite internet.

Fixed wireless is a wireless, cellular–based type of internet connection. Most fixed wireless plans give you max speeds of 25–50Mbps, making it a solid fallback option if you can’t find something faster or cheaper.

Satellite internet is available almost anywhere in the United States, but it’s the slowest kind of internet you can get. Most satellite customers live in rural areas where you can’t get any other type of internet connection.

How can you improve your internet speed?

You can improve your internet speed by upgrading to a faster plan, updating your equipment, or taking simpler measures like closing out apps and browser windows.

Internet can be slow for all sorts of reasons—and not just because you have a slow plan. So read on for common solutions and home remedies to put some pep in your Wi-Fi’s step. You can find more detailed explanations in our 10-step guide to improving internet speeds.

Update your modem and router. Outdated equipment can impede your Wi-Fi speeds, keeping you from hitting the speeds you’re paying for. To stay up to date, get a modem and router that meet wireless standards for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). And if you have a cable gigabit plan, make sure you have a DOCSIS 3.1 gigabit modem.

Move your router to a better location. Your router dispatches a Wi-Fi signal to all the connected devices in your home, so make sure it’s in a centralized location (like your living room) and away from any obvious obstructions. Bulky furniture or electronic appliances like microwaves can block its signal.

Plug your computer directly into your router. Use an Ethernet cable to give your computer a more direct line to your home network. Wired connections improve your speeds and reduce the chance of signal interference.

Regulate other users’ online activity. If you have an important Zoom meeting, ask your kids to switch off the Xbox to free up more bandwidth. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that let you put limits on certain users and online activities.

Close out unnecessary tabs and apps. Got two dozen tabs open on your browser? Clear the air by closing the ones you’re not using.

Upgrade your internet. If all else fails, you can always look into upgrading your internet speed. You may even consider switching providers if the service you have now just doesn’t cut it.

Download speed vs. upload speed—what’s the difference?

There are two types of internet speeds you should know: downloads and uploads.

Download speed is the speed at which information travels from various servers on the internet to your own, internet-connected device. Upload speed is the rate at which information travels from your internet-connected device to the internet.

Most internet connections have faster download speeds than upload speeds. But fiber internet gives you “symmetrical” internet speeds, meaning your uploads are just as fast as your downloads.

Activities that require download bandwidth:

• Streaming videos or music
• Reading an article or blog post
• Scrolling through your social media feed
• Downloading files

Activities that require upload bandwidth:

• Participating in a Zoom call
• Writing an article or blog post on Google Docs
• Posting to social media
• Hosting a livestream

Most internet users download much more information than they upload, so internet providers have traditionally allocated less bandwidth to uploads.

But upload speeds are still important, especially as more people depend on Zoom, Google Docs, and other interactive applications to work from home. Video conferencing, online gaming, social media, and sharing large files all require upload bandwidth—and fast upload speeds reduce the chance of choppy video calls and long load times. To get fast upload speeds, look for a fiber internet provider.

What is latency?

*Data from the Federal Communications Commission’s “Measuring Fixed Broadband—Eleventh Report.”

Latency (or ping rate) is the time required for a signal to travel from your computer to a remote server and back.

It’s a different measure of internet speed, and it’s just as important for the performance of your home network. High latency can lead to choppy video over Zoom, audio/video delays in livestreams, and laggy gameplay. Having low latency is particularly crucial in fast-paced online gaming because it enables quick response times and instantaneous action.

Get fiber internet for low latency—and faster online gaming

Out of all internet connection types, fiber internet has the lowest latency. Fiber-optic light signals work more efficiently than the electrical signals more commonly used with cable and DSL internet, which both have higher ping rates.

Cable has higher latency rates than fiber, while DSL’s latency is higher than cable. But the highest by far is satellite internet—which makes sense, considering its signal must travel all the way to a satellite orbiting dozens of miles above Earth and back.

Why is internet speed important?

Internet speed matters because it sets the parameters for what you can do online. Internet service providers sell plans that range anywhere from less than 1 Mbps (incredibly slow) to 5,000 Mbps (insanely fast), but most netizens would be happy with 100 Mbps download speeds.

Having a sufficiently fast internet or Wi-Fi speed makes it easier to do high-bandwidth activities (like streaming in 4K or downloading a large video game file) without worrying about long load times, buffering, or a dropped connection.

Fast internet also ensures you can multitask over Wi-Fi on the same device or use multiple Wi-Fi devices at the same time. In that way, a faster internet connection isn’t just about speed—it’s also about capacity. More bandwidth can efficiently support a variety of users and tasks at the same time.

Benefits of high-speed internet:

• Quick downloads
• Fast load times
• Lower chance of buffering or dropped connections
• Smoother connection on Zoom calls and livestreams
• Better support for multiple users on the same Wi-Fi network

Think of having fast Wi-Fi as using a pickup truck or SUV instead of a two-door sedan when you’re moving to a new apartment. With a larger vehicle, you can move more stuff to your place in fewer trips, saving you time and energy.

How is internet speed measured?

Internet speeds are measured in bits per second. A bit (short for binary digit) is the most basic unit of digital data. Internet service providers (ISPs) usually advertise their services using three metric bit measurements: Kbps, Mbps, or Gbps.

• Kbps means kilobits per second (1,000 bits per second)
• Mbps means megabits per second (1,000,000 bits per second)
• Gbps means gigabits per second (1,000,000,000 bits per second)

Mbps is the most common term you’ll see—most internet plans range in speed from 1–1,000 Mbps. A Wi-Fi speed represented in Kbps is usually super slow because it means it’s less than 1 Mbps.

Internet that reaches Gbps is often referred to as gigabit internet. While it’s not crucial for everybody to have gigabit internet speeds, it might benefit you if you live with a lot of people or regularly do high-bandwidth activities like streaming movies in 4K.

Is Wi-Fi speed the same as internet speed?

We’re splitting hairs a little bit here, but Wi-Fi speed is a slightly different thing than internet speed.

Wi-Fi as a term is often used interchangeably with internet (in fact, we do so on this very page). Technically, though, Wi-Fi refers specifically to a wireless internet connection carried over a router or mobile hotspot. Wi-Fi speeds can be slightly slower than a wired internet speed directly from your modem because a Wi-Fi signal can face interference over the airwaves, even in a contained area such as your home.

FAQ about internet speed

Sources

1. Molly Wood, Marketplace, “There’s a New Boss at the FCC. Let’s Talk About the Internet, Shall We?” May 5, 2021. Accessed February 8, 2022.
2. Federal Communications Commission, “Fixed Broadband Deployment: Area Summary,” June 2020. Accessed February 9, 2022.
3. David Pogue, Scientific American, “What WI-FI Stands For—and Other Wireless Questions Answered,” May 1, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2022.

An internet speed of 100Mbps is the equivalent of four devices streaming 4K content simultaneously. It’s also the bare minimum download speed for broadband internet as defined by the Federal Communications Commission.

Whether or not 100Mbps is “fast” depends squarely on your internet needs. The more devices you tack onto your home network, whether they’re active or passive, the more bandwidth you need. Speed is now more about supporting all the devices that access a single internet connection, not the number of people using them.

See below for tips on how broadband internet speed works and what internet speed you need.

What is a good internet speed?

Speed requirements taken from HighSpeedInternet.com’s How Much Internet Speed Do I Need? guidelines.

A good internet speed is about 100–200Mbps. That’s enough bandwidth to let you stream videos, play games online, and participate in video chat meetings on a range of devices. And it will promise fast internet even when there are several people on your Wi-Fi.

Granted, you won’t always need internet that fast, especially if you mostly go online to check email, read headlines, and do a bit of streaming in HD. The Federal Communications Commission defines broadband internet as anything that can achieve a minimum of 100Mbps download speeds and 20Mbps upload speeds—which is more speed than most low-key internet surfers will use.

On the other hand, 100–200Mbps is hardly the max connection speed you can get from an internet package. These days the fastest internet plans frequently top out at 1,000Mbps. Xfinity even has a fiber plan that delivers 6,000Mbps download speeds, which is not necessary for most people (and is  ridiculously expensive).

Still, plans in the range of 500–1,000Mbps are useful if you live with a lot of people and everyone is on the internet at the same time. You’ll require a ton more bandwidth as you have more users doing speed-intensive stuff like streaming movies, playing online games, and/or making calls on video-chat apps.

Is 100Mbps fast enough for you?

*We calculated these download speeds using the download calculator from OmniCalculator.com.

A connection speed of 100Mbps will be fast enough for you to download small files quickly, stream movies in HD, play online games on a handful of devices, and operate a few smart-home devices.

But 100Mbps won’t be fast enough if you live in a large household and a lot of people are using your Wi-Fi to do high-bandwidth activities at the same time. Also, 100Mbps speeds will require longer wait times to download large files.

To make sure your internet speeds are fast enough, consider ordering an internet package that sets aside 25Mbps for each person living in your household. If you’re living alone, then 25Mbps may be enough. But if you’re living with three others, then 100Mbps will be right on the money. However, any more roommates than that and you may want to upgrade to 200Mbps, 500Mbps, or even 1,000Mbps speeds, depending on what you use your internet for.

What you can do with 100Mbps:

• Stream 4K video on four devices
• Play multiplayer games online with two or three devices
• Run three to five smart-home devices
• Participate in group Zoom meetings with HD video switched on

What you can do with speeds faster than 100Mbps:

• Stream 4K video on half a dozen devices or more
• Play multiplayer games online with four to ten devices
• Run five or more smart-home devices
• Participate in group Zoom meetings while three or four housemates also do any of these activities

What’s the best 100Mbps internet plan?

Plenty of internet service providers have 100Mbps plans, or plans that hit speeds in the ballpark of 100Mbps. We like T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet plan because it’s cheap and runs over a fast 5G connection, which means you’ll have solid speeds and performance. T-Mobile has top-tier price and customer service ratings and it folds the usual extra prices (for equipment and installation) into the overall bill, so you’re getting a straight deal.

What’s the best router for fast internet?

The best router for fast internet is the TP-Link Archer AX11000. It’s a supercharged, tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router packing eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, multigig internet support, 12 streams, and loads of extras like free security and parental controls. It offers great W-Fi speeds at a great price that just can’t be beat.

If you don’t have a multigig connection (1.1Gbps+), don’t fret—any router with a Gigabit Ethernet internet port will do. We suggest going with a Wi-Fi 6 router since it’s newer, supports more devices, faster speeds, and better data management. But there are still plenty of great Wi-Fi 5 routers you can get.

For more router recommendations, check out these lists:

• Best Gigabit Routers for Superfast Wi-Fi
• Best Long-Range Routers for Extended Wi-Fi
• Best Routers for Gaming
• Best Routers for Streaming

Amazon.com Price (as of 12/19/25 10:15 MST). See full disclaimer.

What are the fastest internet providers?

Based on results from millions of internet customers who’ve used our speed test, Google Fiber has the fastest internet speeds in America. Although Google Fiber’s fastest-possible plans hit much higher speeds, the average customer gets upload and download speeds of around 167.1Mbps.

Verizon Fios, Xfinity, and Astound all come in close behind Google Fiber. Customers of these providers get average download speeds of well over 100Mbps—and they each sell internet packages with much faster, gigabit speeds. These speed test results suggest that 100Mbps (or slightly faster) is a solid speed for most internet users nationwide.

How does internet speed work?

Internet speed is commonly measured in terms of megabits per second, or Mbps.

A “bit” is the smallest unit of data in digital networking, equal to a single 1 or 0 in binary code. Websites, emails, videos, and other online things typically travel over an internet connection in large packets of bits—and a megabit equals one million individual bits.

Most internet connections typically fall in the range of 1–1,000Mbps, making Mbps the most common measurement you’ll see advertised by internet service providers (ISP). But there’s a pretty wide gulf between 1Mbps (really slow) and 1,000Mbps (way fast).

You may notice some other terms too:

• Kilobits per second, or kbps.

These are the slowest internet speeds possible, covering everything under 1Mbps. You’ll see kbps only in reference to the slowest DSL connections and older systems like dial-up.

• Gigabits per second, or Gbps.

These are extremely fast speeds, covering 1,000Mbps and up. The fastest internet plans, which run over cable and fiber networks, usually top out at 1Gbps. Internet experts often refer to 1,000Mbps–plus speeds as “gigabit internet.”

What’s the difference between upload and download speeds?

Upload and download speeds refer to different types of internet activities you do and how fast you can do them.

A download is data you receive from the internet, while an upload is data you send to the internet. Here’s a quick breakdown of examples:

Downloads

• Reading articles on news websites
• Downloading files from the cloud
• Streaming movies from Netflix

Uploads

• Posting on social media
• Uploading files to the cloud
• Sharing your screen over Zoom

In almost all cases, download speeds are a lot faster than upload speeds. Most of what we do online involves downloading data, so cable, DSL, and satellite internet providers have put a lot more effort into boosting download speeds while upload speeds have straggled far behind. Sometimes your upload speed could be as much as 10 times slower than your download speed.

The one exception is with fiber internet service providers like AT&T and Google Fiber , which deliver symmetrical speeds. That means your upload speed will be just as fast as your download speed, making it an ideal choice if you depend heavily on using things like Google Drive and Zoom, post a lot of stuff on TikTok and YouTube, or frequently host livestreams.

What is a good download speed?

Anything in the range of 100–200Mbps is a good download speed.

A slower download speed than 100Mbps can still be good. But a faster speed might be necessary if you live with a lot of people and everyone frequently uses the internet on multiple devices all at once—a common occurrence in this day and age.

What is a good upload speed?

A good upload speed is 5Mbps or faster.

Since most of what we do online involves downloading data, you don’t need to worry too much about whether you have adequate upload speeds. Many DSL internet plans give you a max of just 1.5Mbps for uploads, which is enough to support activities like Zoom group calls with your video switched on.

However, consider upgrading your upload speed if you struggle with long loading times or disconnections while you’re uploading files, attending a Zoom meeting, or hosting a livestream. You can also switch to a fiber package, if it’s available, which will give your uploads a Superman–style speed boost.

You can see what kinds of speeds internet providers offer in your area by searching with your zip code below.

Is 100Mbps good for gaming?

Yes, 100Mbps is a solid speed for gaming online. But you may need faster speeds depending on how often you play and what else you do online between runs on games like Fortnite and Overwatch.

A lot of games you can play online still work well even when you have relatively slow internet speeds. But having a plan that’s 100Mbps or faster leaves enough bandwidth for downloading big video game files, chatting on gamer-friendly apps like Discord, and doing other tasks while you’re playing games.

Gaming and latency

*Data from the Federal Communications Commission’s “Ninth Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report.”

While speed is important for online gamers, low latency is also central to having a good gaming experience.

Latency refers to the slight delay (measured in milliseconds) when a signal is sent back and forth between a device to the network’s servers. Higher rates of latency lead to lag, which will cause headaches in fast-paced games like Call of Duty or Halo, slowing your controller’s response time as you fire weapons and maneuver your player.

Having a faster internet speed also often correlates to lower latency, but the best way to really reduce your latency is to get a fiber internet plan. A fiber-optic connection reduces the amount of interference you can get over a connection, bringing down your latency significantly.

FAQ about 100Mbps speeds

You need download speeds of at least 5Mbps to watch Disney+ in HD, but that requirement jumps to 25Mbps if you want to watch in 4K.

In the U.S., most internet providers offer plans that are fast enough for Disney+ and other streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube TV. Data limits can be a much bigger (and more expensive) problem for binge-happy homes.

We’ll get into the speed and equipment you need to stream Disney+ and give you some options for internet providers that make it possible. Then, we’ll offer ideas for what to do if you have limited monthly data and show you how to make manual adjustments.

Disney+ speed basics

It’s important to understand the basics of video streaming when you’re shopping for internet plans that can support Disney+. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. You need faster speeds the more devices you have on your home Wi-Fi.
2. Streaming in 4K uses a lot of data, but you can adjust your resolution manually if you’re on a data budget.
3. Cable and fiber internet are your best options for streaming because of their speed, reliability, and generous data limits.

Does your Wi-Fi have what it takes?

Run our speed test to see if your internet is fast enough for Disney+.

Is the minimum Disney+ recommendation fast enough?

Disney+ is transparent about the speeds you need to stream on the service. Lucky for you, these are on the low end compared to what other streaming services require.

Speed requirements from Disney+

As you can see, streaming just one show at a time on Disney+ doesn’t take much speed. However, you’re probably using your Wi-Fi for many other tasks at the same time. You’ll need additional speed for the following:

• Browsing on other devices
• Checking email
• Scrolling on social media
• Simultaneous streaming on any other TVs and tablets
• Security cams (especially if they have cloud storage)

For most households, we recommend about 100Mbps of speed per person. But every household is different. Click below and answer six quick questions for a personalized speed recommendation.

What happens when your internet is too slow to stream Disney+?

Disney+ automatically adjusts to the best possible resolution based on the device you’re using and your internet speed. If you don’t have enough speed to stream smoothly, here’s what you’ll see:

• Stuttering audio
• Poor picture quality
• Frequent pauses for buffering
• Videos that won’t play

If this happens to you, try the time-tested trick of restarting your streaming device and your router. If that doesn’t help, log in to your router interface to disconnect bandwidth-hogging devices you aren’t using. If that still doesn’t work, you might need to upgrade your internet speed or switch providers.

Watch your data budget while streaming Disney+

Internet speed is only half the equation when it comes to choosing a great internet plan for streaming Disney+. Streaming also eats up data.

If you’re streaming on a cell phone, this can be a huge issue. We’ve seen plans with limits of 100GB per month on the high end, but some cheap plans offer as little as 10GB.  Satellite internet usually caps high-speed data too.

Home internet providers usually offer much bigger buckets of data. The standard cap for cable providers and fixed 5G home internet is 1.2TB, but you may find truly unlimited data from some cable providers. If you have fiber or DSL internet, you’re in luck! Data limits are rare.

If your plan has strict data limits—whether you’re on a cell network or home Wi-Fi—you need to either adjust your Disney+ resolution manually or limit your viewing hours so you don’t run out of data.

Here’s a look at how long you can stream on Disney+ by resolution and data cap.

Data usage for Disney+

It’s important to remember that you use data for a lot of things other than streaming—think file uploads, photo editing in the cloud, browsing, app updates, and more. Your max data allocations won’t be available for streaming, so budget accordingly.

Learn more about managing data usage in our expert resource library.

Device requirements for streaming Disney+

Disney+ works on a wide variety of mobile devices, streaming sticks, smart TVs, and browsers, plus HDMI and AirPlay. If you’re having trouble with your stream, make sure all your apps and devices have the latest software updates.

If that doesn’t work, check the list of supported devices from Disney+, and consider trying a different device or browser if yours isn’t listed.

What do you need to stream Disney+ in 4K?

All Disney+ plans include 4K streaming, and it’s great! You can watch in Disney’s version of Ultra HD 4K (with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision) plus Dolby Atmos and IMAX Enhanced without paying extra.

However, you need the right devices to stream in 4K. First, you need a 4K-capable TV. Next, you need a streaming device capable of handling 4K. Our top picks for the price are the Apple TV 4K (for Apple fans) and the Chromecast with Google TV (for Android users).

If you want to enjoy IMAX Enhanced, you’ll need a suitable Android TV.

Learn more about how to stream any video in 4K in our expert resource library.

Best internet plans for streaming Disney+

You need fast, reliable internet for streaming video. If fiber internet is an option where you live, that’s your best bet. Otherwise, look for your local cable internet provider or give a 5G home internet provider a try.

Here’s a look at some of the most affordable internet plans with speeds fast enough to stream Disney+.

If you can’t get these providers where you live, don’t sweat it! Look for plans with speeds of at least 100Mbps from any providers that reach your front door.

What if you have slow internet?

Having slow internet or a low data cap doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Disney+. The service will automatically adjust resolution based on your device and your internet connection, but you can dive into the settings to make manual adjustments as needed.

You can even watch Disney+ without an internet connection if you don’t have Wi-Fi and you’re running out of mobile data on your device. Let’s get into the details.

Can you watch Disney+ without internet?

You need an internet connection to access Disney+ content. However, you can download Disney+ shows onto your devices and watch them later without a connection as long as you subscribe to the Disney+ Premium, Disney Bundle Trio Premium, or Legacy Disney Bundle. Unfortunately, ad-supported plans don’t allow downloads.

You can download shows on up to 10 devices on a single plan. To manage how much storage space each download takes up, you can choose among low, medium, and high resolutions. Your recordings will work unless you fail to connect to the internet for a 30-day stretch.

Learn more about downloading Hulu and Disney+ shows on your mobile device.

How to restrict Disney+ streaming to Wi-Fi connections

If you have a low data limit on your cellular plan, you might want to prevent Disney+ from streaming unless your device is connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s how:

Step 1: In the Disney+ app, tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap App Settings in the list of options.

Step 3: Under Video Playback, tap the gray toggle next to Stream over Wi-Fi only. The toggle turns blue when active.

How to put Disney+ on a data diet

You might need to adjust your resolutions on Disney+ to save on data. Here’s where to find the settings on all the ways you can watch.

How to manually adjust the resolution on Disney+ on mobile

To adjust the resolution of the Disney+ app for mobile, do the following:

Step 1: In the Disney+ app, tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap App Settings in the list of options.

Step 3: Tap on Wi-Fi Data Usage and select Automatic (up to HD) or Save Data (SD only).

Step 4: Tap on Cellular Data Usage and select Automatic or Save Data.

How to manually adjust Disney+ resolution on your browser

To adjust the video setting of Disney+ in a desktop browser, do the following:

Step 1: Navigate to disneyplus.com and enter your login credentials.

Step 2: Select the profile you want to edit.

Step 3: Hover the cursor over your profile icon in the top right corner.

Step 4: Click the App Settings link on the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Choose a setting: Automatic (up to 4K UHD), Moderate (up to HD), or Save Data (SD only).

How to manually adjust Disney+ resolution on your TV

To adjust the resolution of the Disney+ app for Smart TVs and streamers, do the following:

Step 1: Open the Disney+ app on your Smart TV, streamer, or game console.

Step 2: Select the profile you want to edit.

Step 3: Select Settings (the gear icon) listed on the rollout menu on the left.

Step 4: Select App Settings.

Step 5: Choose a setting: Automatic (up to 4K UHD), Moderate (up to HD), or Save Data (SD only).

Disney+ FAQ

Disclaimers

You don’t need fast speeds for social media—but it certainly helps.

Text- and image-based apps like Facebook work great even when you have a connection as slow as 5Mbps. However, you need much faster speeds (anywhere from 10Mbps to 100Mbps) to accommodate video-centered apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. You also need to make sure you have enough bandwidth to support other users on your Wi-Fi, who may be scrolling as well.

Curious to know how much internet speed you need to maintain your social media accounts? Take a look at our guide below for the deets.

Pro tip: Test your internet speeds

Not sure what speeds you’re getting on your current connection? Run our speed test to find out.

Slow speeds are fine for text and pics, but not for video

You can scroll and post on social media with internet speeds as slow as 5Mbps. Most social media applications don’t take up a whole lot of bandwidth, especially if you’re just posting text and pictures.

But video has become an increasingly central part of the social-media experience, thanks primarily to TikTok as well as offshoots like Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels. And you need relatively fast speeds (upwards of 10Mbps and ideally much faster) if you want to scroll rapid-fire without dealing with long load times or a frozen feed.

Social-media speed requirements

Fiber and cable internet work best

Fiber internet is the way to go for posting online, especially if you’re a power user or influencer. A fiber connection gets you the fastest speeds possible. More importantly, it’s the only internet connection that comes with symmetrical upload and download speeds.

As we discuss below, upload speeds are central to social media posting because you upload data any time you fire off a tweet, send a DM, or post online. Symmetrical speeds mean you get uploads that are just as fast as downloads—letting you post to your heart’s content with much less concern about slow upload times.

Fiber internet isn’t available everywhere—and for most people, a cable internet plan is just as solid a pick. Cable internet can get you download speeds up to 1,000Mbps and uploads usually anywhere from 10Mbps to 50Mbps. That’s plenty for everyday social posting.

Best internet plans for social media

Reliable upload speeds are important for posting online

Most of what you do on social media revolves around downloading content—for example, by scrolling TikTok or clicking through your friends’ Instagram Stories. But if you’re a regular poster, you also need to think about upload speeds.

Whether you’re sending a video to a friend on Snapchat or firing off a tweet on Twitter—er, sorry, X—you’re uploading data to the internet. You don’t necessarily need fast upload speeds, but you do want a reliable upstream connection to make sure you can post regularly without long load times or failed uploads.

Get 5G for posting on the phone

We recommend getting a 5G phone if you do most of your social media posts while on the phone.

Of course, it’s common to be on your phone when you’re posting TikTok, Instagram, and other apps. A 4G phone can certainly get the job done, but a 5G phone ensures you get the fastest speeds possible. 5G networks operate over higher radio frequencies than 4G networks, giving them a much higher capacity to carry data.

4G vs. 5G speeds

Faster data speeds make for much easier and smoother social media posting. You don’t have to worry as much about slow uploads or posts that fail to send. Having access to 5G is also very useful when you’re in a crowded place—such as a music festival or a sports event—where a congested network can make it difficult to even send DMs.

Disclaimers

More reading

• How Much Internet Speed Do You Need to Work From Home?
• Is Your Internet Good Enough for Working From Home?
• 13 Working from Home Stats You Should Know
• How to Set Up a Home Wi-Fi Network

How much speed do you need to play online games? Video games might require a fast CPU, a fancy graphics card, and tons of RAM, but they don’t actually require a lot of download speed. You might be surprised to learn that all you really need is a 5Mbps connection or faster, even for the latest consoles.

But this doesn’t mean that any old internet connection is good for online games. What you really need is a connection with low latency, as no amount of speed will eliminate laggy gameplay if your latency ranges into hundreds of milliseconds.

Latency doesn’t get nearly as much attention in internet ads as download speed, which can make finding a good plan for online gaming more difficult. We’ve boiled down the most important points so you know exactly what kind of connection you need to get the most out of your online gameplay.

Our recommended connections for gaming online

Fiber internet from providers like AT&T , Google Fiber, and Verizon Home Internet is the best connection for playing games online. It has symmetrical speeds—great for livestreaming—and super-low latency.

Cable internet from Spectrum, Xfinity, and similar providers comes in at a close second. Go with cable before any other internet connection if fiber isn’t available to you.

DSL internet is your next best option if you can’t get fiber or cable. It uses telephone lines and generally introduces more latency, but is better for gaming than wireless connections.

Don’t have access to wired internet? 5G Home Internet is your next best option. It’s a new fixed wireless service boasting lower latency than any other wireless connection. The fastest plan you can get right now is 1,000Mbps, although the technology is capable of higher speeds.

Your carrier’s 5G mobile service would be your backup connection if 5G Home Internet isn’t available to you. The top speed is also 1,000Mbps, but your average real-world speed may be around 200Mbps if you’re lucky.

Finally, 4G and 4G LTE connections (mobile and fixed wireless) generally have much more lag than wired connections but are capable of reaching our recommended latency of below 100 ms.

So how much speed do you need for online gaming?

Games and game systems often don’t give specific recommendations since the actual speed requirements are so low. In fact, very little information passes between games like Halo Infinite and Fortnite and their remote servers.

How is it that today’s cutting-edge videogames can get by on such meager connections when other forms of media require ever increasing amounts of bandwidth to offer viewers the latest entertainment experience? It’s because most of the heavy lifting is done by your own computer or console. If you’re watching a Netflix movie in 4K resolution, Netflix has to send a constant stream of high-resolution images from its servers to your screen. If you’re playing Overwatch, you just have to pass a few numbers back and forth between your home and Blizzard’s servers and your console’s processor handles the job of handling input, calculating the game’s physics, and displaying everything correctly on screen.

Here’s what both sides exchange during the session:

• Keyboard input
• Mouse input
• Controller input
• Player location (you and everyone else)
• The current world state
• Player communication
• Server notifications (like in-game announcements)

Out of the items on the list, player location can introduce slowdowns, especially in massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. These games can have more real on-screen players than the typical online gaming scenario, causing frame rate drops and “teleporting” players.

As the list implies, communications between you and the remote server travel along a two-way street. Games are interactive, so you need some upload speed to keep you in the game. Even a poor connection can usually meet your gaming needs, which is why upload speed often takes a backseat to more important factors.

Here are the minimum speed requirements across most gaming platforms:

You can play games online as long as your internet connection meets these requirements. But if you want a consistent online experience, you need a slightly better connection.

Here’s what we recommend to play a single game online:

Now let’s look at why latency is also an important issue when playing games online.

What is Latency in Gaming

Latency can be downright evil. Latency can make the greatest gamer on the planet feel like a sloth at the controls. Chances are, you already know exactly what latency does to your elite skills. But if you’re new to the game, here’s why latency can be bad news.

So, what is latency exactly? Picture a racquetball bouncing off a wall—how long does that ball take to come back to you?

To answer this question, the ping utility throws a ball of data at a specific destination and records how long the data takes to bounce back. In other words, it pings the server. A low duration is good. A high duration causes delays in your gameplay. Not cool.

For example, you move a mouse and your game reports that movement to a remote server. The server acknowledges the movement and sends a response showing your movements along with all the other player movements. Your game renders the response, but because your latency is high, your movement appears delayed compared to the other players.

Latency is also referred to as ping rate. A low ping rate is good. A high ping rate is bad.

Factors that impact latency

Several factors impact latency. Here are a few:

Physical distance

Games with co-op and competitive multiplayer modes use regional servers because geolocation does matter, even if a server is just a few states away.

So, why does geolocation matter? Because your gaming data moves through multiple “hops” as it travels between you and the server. The more hops your data must traverse, the longer its journey takes—which translates to higher latency. Traffic congestion between you and the remote server can cause a slowdown, too, delaying your controller input.

Connection type

Some internet connections inherently have more latency than others.

For example, satellite internet has the highest latency because wireless transmissions travel up into space and back to reach a remote server. Insulated cable connections have lower latency than uninsulated phone lines, while fiber optic cables have lower latency than both.

Keep in mind that the speed at which your game and the remote server exchange data is different from your download speed. A movie downloads at a slower rate over a 5Mbps DSL connection than it does over a 50Mbps satellite connection.

But when you play games online, the DSL connection is much more responsive than satellite because the gaming data doesn’t launch into space and back. The high latency of the satellite connection causes so much lag that most fast-paced games aren’t even playable online.

How to reduce latency

If high latency causes lag when you play games online, you can take a few steps to help reduce latency and keep your online gameplay responsive and victorious.

Don’t use Wi-Fi if you can avoid it

Wi-Fi is convenient but finicky. It adds an extra translation step between your gaming devices and your internet connection, so there’s a bit more delay in your connection. Plus, you have all these other factors that can make Wi-Fi less than ideal for gameplay: radio noise, fluctuating speeds, local network congestion, your distance from the router—sometimes you’ll think the evil Wi-Fi wants you to lose.

To bypass all the wireless chaos, use an Ethernet cable to connect your gaming device to your router. You won’t see the latencies associated with Wi-Fi or the dramatic speed fluctuations, making your connection that much more responsive.

With the Nintendo Switch, we recommend you dock it and use a USB-based Ethernet adapter to connect it to your network. The Nintendo-approved Dual USB Playstand works with the Switch and Switch Lite.

You can use a similar adapter on a notebook or desktop that doesn’t have an Ethernet port.

If you absolutely positively must use Wi-Fi

Connect your wireless device to the 5 GHz band. In fact, use the higher, less used channels (149–161) if you can because everyone in your neighborhood is likely saturating the lower ones (36–48) right this moment. Also, use an 80 MHz channel width too, if possible—don’t bother with a 160 MHz wide channel unless you live far, far away from radar.

Use the 6 GHz band if it’s available to you and your gaming device supports it.

In both cases, be sure to stay close to your Wi-Fi router—within 30 feet or so, depending on the router. Also, keep a clear line of sight to the router with as few obstructions as possible for a better connection.

Power cycle network devices

You can power cycle your router and modem to improve their performance. Since very small differences in latency can make a big impact on your gameplay, it’s worth restarting your equipment.

To power cycle, press the Power button or unplug your modem or wireless gateway. After that, wait 30 seconds and then plug it back in. Do the same with a standalone router when your modem comes back online.

Update drivers and firmware

Hardware manufacturers release updates to improve device performance. Updates typically include security fixes, code optimizations, improved device compatibility, and increased stability. You should always keep your firmware and drivers current to prevent issues that can slam the brakes on your internet connection. Be sure to do the following:

• Update your computer’s drivers and operating system, especially the graphics drivers
• Update your console’s operating system
• Update the firmware for all controllers and peripherals
• Update your router’s firmware

Turn off unnecessary applications and devices

If your connection still struggles while you play games online, try to reduce the amount of traffic on your home network. Make sure someone isn’t streaming 4K video in another room when you’re about to start a new match.

You can also turn off smart devices and pause software and OS updates, so they don’t bog down your network while you play. Just remember to reactivate everything when you’re done.

Use the closest server

Distance is one of the biggest factors in latency. Even if every device on your connection runs at peak efficiency, it still takes time for a signal to travel to a remote location and back.

Games almost always connect you to the nearest server, but if you experience unexplained latency issues, double-check that you’re not connected to the European server if you play in North America. You may need to switch servers if the current one has issues causing lag.

Some gaming routers include tools that can filter out servers with a high ping. For example, NETGEAR’S Nighthawk XR1000 and Nighthawk XR500 routers have the Geo-Filter utility that filters out game servers based on location and ping.

Use port forwarding

Game networks like Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network encourage you to assign “static” IP addresses to your gaming devices and route incoming and outgoing traffic to those addresses. While routers typically assign dynamic addresses to your devices which change over time, a static address never changes.

When you assign a static IP address, you can tell the router to forward data to that address through specific ports. A port is merely a “dock” that handles a specific type of “ship” (data) arriving to and leaving from your router. Gaming networks typically send and receive internet data through specific ports.

To create a static IP address and open ports to that address, you must make the changes in your router or wireless gateway. Port forwarding works with any device—not just gaming consoles.

Use Quality of Service (QoS) controls if available

You may be able to adjust the QoS settings in your router or wireless gateway to allocate more bandwidth to your gaming devices. The router will consider this traffic as “critical” and will prioritize your gaming data over other applications, like Netflix and YouTube. Many routers include a gaming QoS mode you can assign to specific devices on your network.

On some routers, you can only establish one specific bandwidth amount and list the devices that can use that bandwidth. There are no means to prioritize specific traffic, like gaming or streaming.

Avoid peak hours

You may see a slowdown during peak hours when everyone in your home accesses the internet at the same time. Plus, a router is limited to how many wireless devices it can handle simultaneously before slowdowns occur. This heavy load is why we always suggest a router with four or more streams to better handle busy homes.

Peak hours are also associated with cable internet, but it’s no longer the case now that providers like Spectrum and Xfinity use fiber as their network backbone. Rural areas that are still 100% cable may continue to experience peak hour slowdowns, however.

We suggest that you play games later in the evening, or upgrade your router if it has less than four streams.

Check your connections

A slow or bad Ethernet cable can lead to gaming lag woes, whether it’s the cable connecting your router to your modem or fiber ONT, or the one tethering your wired gaming device to the network. Be sure that you have the right Ethernet cable for your plan—you don’t want a CAT 5 cable if your internet connection is faster than 100Mbps.

Also, check your modem’s internet connection, as a loose cable will cause lag-inducing instability.

Other factors to consider for gaming online

Online gameplay pushes the limits of your internet connection more than any other internet activity, but it’s not the only way games put a strain on your connection. We’ll go over more about other things you should consider, like downloads and livestreaming.

Downloads

Many modern games take up a lot of storage space on your computer or console. Game downloads from online distributors like Steam or the Microsoft Store can take a long time. They can also eat through monthly data caps in no time flat.

Game updates can be data hogs too. For example, Bethesda’s Atlantic City—Boardwalk Paradise update for Fallout 76 weighs a hefty 28.3GB when you download it on the Xbox consoles and 36.8GB when you get it through Steam. It’s a smaller update than The Pitt, but it’s still a sizable download.

Latency should still be your number one priority when you shop for internet, but a plan with unlimited data saves you a lot of headaches. Fast download speeds also help with those big new games. After all, extremely long download times on Day One aren’t much fun.

Livestreaming

Your internet needs become a bit more complicated if you stream games to Twitch or YouTube. Streaming has all the normal requirements for a low-latency connection for playing games online, plus the additional upload speed you need to keep a steady bitrate on your livestream.

For more information on what to look for in an internet connection for livestreaming, check out our guide to internet speed for live video game streaming. We also provide a guide on how to stream on Twitch that offers all the information you need.

Game streaming

From the cloud

Game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming have servers dedicated to creating and streaming virtual machines (VMs) to your devices. Games install and play on these VMs in the cloud, eliminating all the hardware bottlenecks that prevent games from running at their highest quality on the devices you own.

In other words, you don’t need a $4,000 desktop or the latest console to play high-end games you can stream from the cloud. Instead, all you need is a browser or an app, depending on the platform, and a good Wi-Fi connection.

But there’s a dark, evil downside. Remote servers render these games and then stream them in HD to 4K resolution across the internet. And because these experiences are interactive and not passive (like Netflix and Hulu), input latency can be problematic.

To play these services without any major issues, you need a good internet connection. Here are the internet speed requirements for the three major game streaming services:

From a local device

You can also stream games directly from a game console or gaming PC to a compatible app or web browser, whether you’re on the local network or not. The internet speed requirements are mostly the same, but we highly suggest you connect your console or gaming PC to your network using a wired connection to give you the best performance when playing them remotely.

Note that Microsoft suggests an upload speed of at least 4.5Mbps for Xbox Remote Play. An upload speed of 9Mbps or more is ideal.

What about Steam Remote Play Together?

Steam Remote Play Together allows one Steam gamer to run a purchased multiplayer game locally on a PC and then invite four or more Steam friends to play remotely from outside the local network. It’s optimized to stream games to four other players at 1080p and 60 frames per second, so Valve suggests a connection of 10–30Mbps at the least.

A note about online games vs. playing games online

We spend a lot of time discussing games you can play online, which are games that target the single-player experience first and include secondary multiplayer components. These games include Doom Eternal, Pokemon Sapphire and Violet, Far Cry 6, and Halo Infinite. They can experience latency when you play them in co-op and multiplayer modes, especially when more than a few players move across the screen.

Online games, however, can be highly susceptible to latency. These include The Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft, Destiny 2, and similar MMOs. The player count is typically high, which means both the server and the client (your game) must keep track of every player. This can be a huge processing load even if you have the best connection available. Your frame rate may drop, and your input may feel slow.

The bottom line: keep your latency low

You don’t need a lot of speed to play games online. If anything, you need a decent upload speed to livestream your gameplay on Twitch or YouTube.

Your biggest concern is latency. You can have the fastest internet plan on the planet, but a high latency feels like you’re running through mud and makes the game unplayable online. No one wants to sit at the bottom of the scoreboard because mouse clicks and button presses become unresponsive.

We list the best internet providers for gaming based on latency to help you decide what’s best for your online gameplay needs. But you should also consider all your other non-gaming devices and online activities before you select a plan, like downloads, streaming services, at-home office work, schoolwork, and so on.

That said, we recommend one of the best gaming routers—paired with a great internet provider—to balance that load and keep your online gameplay lag-free.

Streaming video from any given platform takes up only a few megabits per second, up to about 25Mbps for 4K. However, we recommend choosing an internet plan with at least 100Mbps of download speed for most households.

So why, exactly, do you need 100Mbps of speed when streaming requires only 25Mbps?

It’s because most of the time, home internet connections are doing more than just streaming a single show. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for kids to be streaming Phineas and Ferb on their iPads downstairs while their parents are upstairs watching Squid Game or watching live sports.

We’ll start by listing the minimum speeds needs for streaming on all the big platforms. To make sure your internet connection can keep up, just add up all the different services that could be running at the same time. Just don’t forget to budget a few megabits for people who might be trying to work while everyone else is streaming.

How much speed do you need for your streaming service?

Select a button to find out what you need to stream your favorite service(s).

What speed do I need to stream video?

Everybody eats, everybody sleeps, and everybody streams video. Services like YouTube, Netflix ,and Disney+ are everywhere. But how can you ensure a great experience?

First, you need a good internet connection. Look for speeds of at least 100Mbps on an internet plan with unlimited data.

The next thing you need is a streaming service. Most services provide TV shows and movies on demand, but there are also some—like YouTube TV—that offer live TV channels, just like cable TV. Many of these services offer free trials, and some—like Crackle and YouTube—are completely free.

If you don’t know which service to sign up for, try a few. If you’re looking for more information, check out these other articles:

• Disney+ vs. Netflix
• Netflix vs. Hulu
• Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video
• HBO Max vs. Netflix
• 4K Streaming Guide

How much speed you need for Netflix

Netflix has clear recommendations for speed based on the quality of video you want. Just know that the speeds listed are for streaming on a single device, so if multiple devices on your network are watching Netflix at the same time, you need enough speed to handle all those streams at once.

How much speed you need for Apple TV+

Apple doesn’t give official requirements for download speeds on its Apple TV+ streaming service. Like most streaming services, it will adjust the quality of the video automatically to match your download speed. It streams at higher bitrates than most competitors, often exceeding 25Mbps for 4K.

We recommend speeds of at least a 25Mbps  per device if you want to watch in 4K quality. To take full advantage of all the features Apple offers—4K HDR video with Dolby Vision—you’ll need an Apple TV 4K as well as a broadband connection of at least 25Mbps.

How much speed you need for Hulu

Hulu’s speed recommendations are based on picture quality and the type of content you’re watching. Similar to other streaming providers, Hulu automatically adjusts the video quality based on internet speed. It also recommends higher speeds for live content than library content. These recommendations are also the bare minimum, so we suggest a slightly faster connection to make sure you always get the video quality you want.

How much speed you need for Amazon Prime Video

Like many services, Amazon automatically adjusts the quality of your videos to serve you the highest quality picture possible based on your speed. It doesn’t have much in the way of speed recommendations, but it does warn that even if you’re watching on a supported device, you may experience issues below a certain connection speed. Since these are minimum requirements, we would recommend having a faster connection if possible.

How much speed you need for YouTube

Like Netflix, YouTube does a great job of making its internet speed recommendations easy to understand. YouTube also points out that even if your connection can hit these numbers on a speed test, there are other factors like Wi-Fi performance, the type of connection, and the number of other devices on your network that can reduce your actual speed. We’ll talk more about other factors that affect buffering below.

How much speed you need for YouTube TV

Although it does offer recommended speeds for reliable streaming, YouTube TV notes that you can still use the service with slow internet speeds. For example, you can stream an HD video with a 7Mbps download speed, but you’re more likely to run into buffering issues. You can also watch with speeds slower than 3Mbps, but any content may load slowly or rebuffer when you try to watch.

How much speed you need for Disney+

Disney+ has speed recommendations that are on par with other streaming video services. If your connection is fast enough for 4K UHD video but you still find yourself being served low-quality video instead, it’s worth noting that some titles aren’t available in 4K.

How much speed you need for Sling TV

Sling TV issues its speed recommendations based on the type and number of devices you plan to use, recommending at least a 25Mbps connection if you’re going to be streaming on multiple devices. It also notes that these recommendations are for constant speeds. If you had a cable connection that slows during peak-use times, for instance, make sure that your speed never dips below these requirements for Sling to run properly.

How much speed you need for HBO Max

HBO Max offers troubleshooting advice based on which device you’re using to stream. You need at least 5Mbps of speed to watch in HD and at least 50Mbps for watching in 4K.

How much speed you need for Paramount+ Premium Streaming Service

Paramount+ suggests minimum speeds of at least 25Mbps to watch in 4K, but you can get away with speeds that are much slower if you’re watching live TV or shows on demand. Get a list of full system requirements from Paramount+.

How much speed you need for Peacock

Peacock recommends a minimum speed of 3Mbps, but says that to enjoy certain high-quality live events and ultra-high definition premium content, you’ll need at least 8Mbps. That’s a decent speed for standard HD streaming, but it should be noted that ultra-high definition is usually synonymous with 4k resolution, which needs much more bandwidth. We recommend a connection with at least 25Mbps to get the bes-quality video.

When watching live events, it’s also important to use a low-latency connection like fiber for the best real-time experience.

How much speed you need for STARZ

STARZ has some of the lowest speed requirements we’ve seen among premium streaming services, recommending speeds up to just 12Mbps for streaming on a TV. You’ll still be happiest with speeds of at least 25Mbps, though.

How much speed you need for VUDU

VUDU offers streaming in HDX, which is a format developed by VUDU that claims a better movie experience by preserving a film’s native 24 frames per second frame rate. If your internet connection can’t maintain the required minimum speed, you can use the VUDU app to download the video in HDX format.

How much speed you need for Crackle

Crackle is an ad-supported streaming service, so in addition to playback issues related to your internet speed, ad blockers might interfere with your video. If you’ve checked your speed but are still having issues, try disabling your ad blocker and see if it makes a difference.

Acorn TV cites only a minimum speed requirement. This minimum is also fairly low compared to other streaming services. For higher-quality streams, especially on multiple devices, you’ll want more speed.

What if you meet the minimum speed requirements and still have problems?

Keep in mind that even if your internet speed meets the recommended speed of the streaming service you’re using, you could still have trouble with the quality of your video. If someone is downloading a large file or on a video chat while you’re trying to stream video, your bandwidth is going to be split between all these activities.

Some types of internet connections can experience slowdown at peak-use hours. Fast internet connections also need fast Wi-Fi routers that can handle multiple devices streaming at the same time. Watching a movie on Netflix uses more bandwidth than surfing the web, Voice over IP, or even online gaming. As such, one of the most basic reasons to upgrade your internet service is to make sure that the video you stream has a crisp, clear picture and buttery-smooth playback.

What download speed do I need to watch YouTube?

YouTube has been around since 2005, and while it has kept up with the times by continually offering higher quality video for those with newer devices, it still also offers lower resolutions made for the days of dial-up internet.

To watch YouTube in 8K, you will want an internet plan with download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and unlimited data. To watch in 4K, get speeds of at least 20Mbps per device. For en even smoother viewing experience, though, we recommend having a slightly higher speed than is required for the resolution you’re watching. That will let the video stream buffer so you never have to wait.

Although faster internet connections are very helpful in watching online video, YouTube can deliver good quality, even on relatively slow connections. For example, you can watch HD video in 720p with a bandwidth of just 2.5Mbps. Even the slowest DSL and satellite internet connections shouldn’t have a problem with that.

If you don’t have a fast connection, no worries. While YouTube offers resolution up to 4K, you can reduce the resolution of your videos all the way down to 144p. For reference, that’s smaller than the resolution of the original Nintendo.

YouTube doesn’t give specific speed recommendations for its lowest resolutions (they’re pretty low quality), but it lists 500Kbps as the minimum speed requirement for using the site. It also previously listed these lower resolutions as good options for 56Kbps dial-up connections (though it admits that you might have to wait a bit for the video to load). That means no matter how slow your connection is, there’s probably a way to make YouTube videos work on your device.

How do I control my resolution?

By default, YouTube sets your resolution to Auto, which automatically uses the highest resolution that it can playback smoothly. The Auto setting will also change the resolution of the video on the fly if the speed of your connection fluctuates, so most of the time, you don’t have to do anything to get the highest quality video possible.

If you want to see a video in a specific resolution, or if you just don’t like your video quality going up and down, you can select the playback resolution by opening the video’s settings.

To open the video’s settings, click on the gear icon in the bottom right of the video. Then select Quality to see the available video resolutions. Just remember that if you select a resolution that requires a higher download speed than your internet connection can maintain, your video will have to pause to buffer anytime your bandwidth can’t keep up.

Are you getting enough speed from your connection to watch high-quality video?

Find out how much speed your connection actually has by taking our speed test.

Download speed is fairly consistent across devices, which means that it doesn’t matter if you’re watching on a TV, a smartphone, or a computer—you still need the same speed to watch higher quality videos. If some of your devices are having trouble at higher resolutions and others aren’t, it might be a problem with the device or a problem with your Wi-Fi network.

What else do I need to watch YouTube?

Download speed is the most important requirement for watching YouTube videos, but there are also software and operating system requirements for using the site. If you’re watching YouTube on a mobile device or a smart TV, the easiest way to watch is to simply use the appropriate YouTube app on your device. You can also watch YouTube using a mobile browser, though the app usually works better.

Officially, the site supports the following browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari

This will allow you to watch most content on the site; however, YouTube notes that some “premium” videos like movies, TV shows, and livestreams require faster connections and have additional requirements, such as specific operating systems:

• Windows 7 or higher
• Mac OS X 10.7 or higher
• Ubuntu 10 or higher

The Opera browser is notably absent from the list of browsers required for premium content.

One other important note is that if you’re watching YouTube videos in a browser, 4K and 8K playback is unavailable unless you’re using Google Chrome. YouTube officially says that Chrome is required for watching all HD content in a browser, but we were able to watch 1080p in Firefox without any issues, so it seems that only 4K and 8K require Chrome. Both YouTube and the Chrome browser are owned by Google.

What upload speed do I need to make YouTube content?

If you’re a content creator, you have to worry about your upload speed in addition to your download speed. If you plan on livestreaming on YouTube, you probably want upload speeds of at least 20Mbps.

Fortunately, you have a lot more flexibility if you’re not streaming live. The site has lots of handy tools for uploading, so while a faster upload speed will get your videos on YouTube faster, you can still be a YouTube creator with a slow upload speed.

If your uploads are taking too long, you can try the following:

• Reduce the file size of your video by using a different video format.
• Upload during off hours when there’s less internet traffic.
• Choose a lower resolution for your video.
• Upgrade your internet connection to get more upload speed.

If you want to upgrade your internet connection to get more upload speed, the easiest way is to choose an internet connection that has symmetrical upload and download speeds, like fiber.