What internet speed do I need? That’s a question you might ask yourself time and again after looking at your internet bill.
Paying for the highest-tier plan just to scroll social media a few hours a day would be overkill. On the other hand, subscribing to the basic plan for streaming and playing in 4K to your heart’s content doesn’t add up.
The right speed for your home depends upon your internet usage and needs, and we’ll help you figure it out.
Understanding Internet Speeds
Internet speed has two variants:
- Download Speed: It represents how fast data travels from the World Wide Web to your computer or mobile device
- Upload Speed: It shows how fast data travels from your computer or mobile device to the World Wide Web.
Internet speed is typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and the highest-tier fiber internet plans offer speeds in gigabits per second (Gbps).
1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps
By modern standards, a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is the minimum for what can be considered good internet speed. However, many users make do with a lot less than that without complaints.
High-speed internet guarantees a smoother online experience, whereas slow internet may translate to video buffering, lags during gameplay, low-quality graphics, prolonged loading/downloading times, etc.
Internet Speed Recommendations by Usage
To determine the appropriate internet speed for home, you start by analyzing every member’s day-to-day online activities. The greater the number of users and connected devices, the higher your household’s speed needs.
Let’s look at some common online activities and the recommended speeds to carry them out painlessly:
| Online Activity | Required Speed | Recommended Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Emails/Texts | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps |
| Web/Social Media Browsing | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Music Streaming | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Online Gaming | 5 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Video Calling (one-on-one) | 5 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Video Conferencing | 10 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Streaming in SD | 3 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Streaming in HD | 5 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Streaming in 4k | 25 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
With multiple users in the house, several of these activities are being pursued at the same time. Moreover, if two or more people are engaged in like online gaming or HD streaming at the same time, the speed requirements naturally go up.
Speed Needs Based on Number of Users and Internet Usage
| Download Speed (Mbps) | Internet Usage | Number of Users |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5 | Emailing, general web browsing, streaming music on one device | 1 – 2 |
| 5 – 50 | Casual streaming, video calls, online gaming on one device | 3 - 4 |
| 50 – 100 | HD streaming, downloading large files, multiplayer gaming | 5 – 7 |
| 100 – 500 | 4K streaming, hardcore gaming, running heavy applications | 8 – 10 |
| 500 – 1000+ | Supports all kinds of high-bandwidth activities | 10+ |
Note: The provided values are approximate; actual speed needs may vary by individual or household.
Factors Affecting Internet Speed
You may have noticed that the recommended speeds are considerably higher than the required speeds mentioned above. The primary reason behind this is that advertised speeds are more or less exaggerated; the speeds a user receives are generally lower.
Furthermore, internet speeds are frequently affected by the following factors:
1. Connection Type
Your internet’s speed capacity is determined by the connection type. Fiber internet can deliver symmetrical download and upload speeds in the multi-gig range. Cable internet can also provide download speeds up to 1 Gbps, but the corresponding upload speeds are much lower.
Users living in rural or remote areas might have DSL, fixed wireless, or satellite internet – these types of connections offer relatively slow speeds.
2. Internet Plan
Most internet providers showcase a variety of plans to choose from. The cheapest or starter plan offers the lowest speeds, and the highest-tier plan offers the ultimate or supersonic speeds. To be precise, you pay more for faster internet.
When your chosen internet plan lacks the capacity to support your household’s speed needs, it can lead to poor performance and disappointing user experiences,
3. Quality and Age of Equipment
A top-tier internet plan is destined to underperform if your internet equipment isn’t up to the standards. For example, an old modem and router you have been using for a 100 Mbps speed plan for nearly five years is unlikely to be fit for an upgraded 1000 Mbps speed plan.
Most internet providers rent out the latest equipment that is best suited for their service; customers can claim a free upgrade when necessary. Customers who choose to use their own equipment must ensure top-notch quality and compatibility.
4. Network Congestion
Network congestion occurs due to excessive traffic and high-bandwidth activities. This means that too many users and/or devices are connected to the network, which thins out the bandwidth and everyone receives reduced speeds.
To overcome network congestion, you can disconnect idle devices, switch to an alternate WiFi channel, quit , or simply upgrade your internet plan.
5. Signal Interference
You may encounter slow or patchy WiFi due to signal interference, which can be caused by physical objects and electromagnetic waves in the surroundings. Placing your WiFi router in an elevated and unobstructed spot can help resolve the issue.
For good WiFi speed, keep your router away from electric appliances, bulky furniture, confined spaces, and other WiFi devices. You can also improve speeds by moving closer to the WiFi router or connecting via an ethernet cable.
6. Bandwidth Throttling
Your internet provider may throttle your connection during peak usage hours; this is to ensure that all users get their fair share of bandwidth when demand is high. Another common reason behind slowed-down speeds or bandwidth throttling is data overconsumption.
If your internet plan comes with a data cap, using up all the data before the end of the term/month can lead to a throttled or suspended connection. You may have to pay for extra data in order to restore usual speeds.
7. Network Security Issues
Malware/viruses, obsolete hardware/software, and outdated router firmware can impair your internet’s overall performance. Installing a competent antivirus program, replacing old hardware/software, and keeping your router’s firmware up-to-date helps optimize speeds.
Test Your Internet Speeds
What if the internet plan you signed up for was more than adequate for your speed needs, but your provider is guilty of holding back? A quick online speed test is the answer to all your concerns.
Bear in mind that the speeds you see in the test results are most likely to be somewhat lower than what is mentioned in the plan – the words “up to” are the telltale here. Nonetheless, a drastic divergence that remains constant during peak and off-peak usage hours is inexcusable.
Reach out to your internet provider and demand an explanation along with a solution. If it looks like it’s all in vain, consider switching to a more reliable internet provider.
Best Internet Plans Based on Speed Needs
Depending on your location, you may have a few or lots of internet options to choose from. Narrowing down to the top contenders for your unique speed requirements is the hard part. Luckily, we have exactly what you need to assess different providers side by side.
Still wondering which internet provider can offer you the best speeds for your home? We recommend checking out our top picks:
FAQs
What is a good internet speed for home?
A download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps are the minimum recommended internet speeds for the average household.
Is a 100 Mbps speed internet plan enough for my family?
100 Mbps is generally sufficient for a standard-sized family; however, it might fall short if multiple family members regularly engage in high-bandwidth online activities, such as 4K streaming and multiplayer gaming.
Do I need gig-speed internet?
Subscribing for gig-speed internet is a good idea if you have a large household and family. High-speed internet is recommended for streaming content in 4k/8k on multiple screens, gaming on several devices simultaneously, supporting a futuristic smart home and carrying out other data-extensive, real-time activities around the clock.