With increasing demands for speed from streaming and gaming platforms, answering the question, “What is a Good Internet Speed” is not easy. Numerous factors need to be taken into account to find the ideal internet plan that efficiently fulfills all your online requirements. If you are confused regarding internet speeds, then you have come to the right place because, in this article, we will enlighten you about everything that you need to know about internet speeds.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need?
According to Netflix, you need around 5 Mbps of internet speed to stream content in HD resolution. Nonetheless, if you are planning to watch a movie or show in 4K, then you will need around 25 Mbps of internet speed. Talking about speeds, it is worth mentioning the fact that multiple devices demand greater bandwidth. Therefore, if two to three users will be connecting their devices to the World Wide Web, you should get at least 100 Mbps of internet speeds.
Do not go for the fastest internet plan that your local internet provider has to offer because they cost a lot. Instead, evaluate your speed requirement and then compare plans offered by different companies. This way, you will end up buying the right internet plan without wasting your precious resources.
How to Check the Speed of Your Connection?
Before upgrading your internet plan, run a speed test on your connection to make sure that you are getting the speeds for which you pay. In case you are not receiving the promised speeds, lodge a complaint with your provider and inform them about the problem. Chances are that you will get the desired speeds from your current internet plan.
How Much Internet Speed Do We Recommend?
Being the experts of the industry, we have surveyed several users and internet companies. According to our findings, an average internet user needs the following speeds:
Number of Devices | Online Activities | Recommended Download Speeds |
1 to 2 | Basic Web Surfing, Emailing, Social Networking, and Moderate Streaming | Up to 25 Mbps |
3 to 5 | Online Gaming, HD and 4K Video Streaming, and Downloading | 100 to 200 Mbps |
More Than 5 | Online Streaming, Multiplayer Gaming, Live Streaming, and File Sharing | 400 to 940 Mbps |
How fast is 25 Mbps?
25 Mbps is neither too fast nor too slow. You can say it is the Goldilocks of network speeds. For a small household with moderate internet speeds, 25 Mbps is more than enough. Here are a couple of activities that you can easily perform online with 25 Mbps of internet speeds:
- Stream movies and shows on Netflix at 1080p resolution on one or two internet-enabled devices.
- Play online games with minimal latency and ping rates.
- Enjoy almost zero wait time when loading web pages.
Therefore, as you can see, three to four individuals can easily get their work down with 25 Mbps of internet speeds. Most companies do not charge more than $40 for such moderate plans with 25 Mbps speeds. Take advantage of this affordable price and avoid getting higher speeds if you do not need them.
Which Internet Providers Offer Commendable Speeds at an Affordable Price?
Numerous internet providers offer admirable speeds at economical rates. Some of them are:
1. Comcast Xfinity
Xfinity is the largest cable service provider in the country with availability across 40 states including Florida, Illinois, and California. With its HFC Network Infrastructure, the company offers the fastest internet speeds in the nation that go up to 2000 Mbps in select areas. If you are looking for an economical internet package, we highly recommend you check out Xfinity packages that offer economy and quality, all in one.
2. Charter Spectrum
Spectrum is the second-largest cable service provider in the US with wide coverage across 44 states including New York, California, and Texas. The key distinctive feature that separates Spectrum from the rest of the providers is its easy-to-understand pricing system. The provider charges the same price for similar plans in different states. Hence, if you are planning to move to another state, you do not have to worry about any price hikes with Spectrum. Another interesting factor about Spectrum Internet is that it comes loaded with additional benefits like unlimited data, super-steady speeds of up to 200 Mbps, 24/7 customer support, and most importantly, a complete security suite to keep you protected at all times – all for $49.99 per month.
3. AT&T
AT&T is one of the leading internet providers in the nation with wide accessibility in 21 states including Illinois, Texas, and California. The company primarily provides two types of internet services, which are DSL and Fiber. AT&T’s fiber internet plans are some of the best internet deals in the country starting from $35 per month for 300 Mbps and going up to $60 per month for 1000 Mbps of internet speeds.