Internet providers typically market their packages by highlighting the speed, but a variety of factors can influence actual speeds – for better or worse. Just because you buy a 500 Mbps home internet plan doesn’t mean you’re going to get 500 Mbps at all times. And how do you know that’s the speed you need? For some people, that’s too slow. For others, it’s too fast.
More speed isn’t always better, so before you start paying a fortune for the fastest internet you can find, use this guide to determine your home internet needs.
The speed myth
It’s a common misconception that getting the fastest internet possible is always the best option. While having a lot of speed doesn’t hurt, it can unnecessarily drain your wallet. A 2024 OpenVault Broadband Insights Report shows that the average download speed is 564 Mbps, but that just shows what people are paying for – not what they actually need.
The truth is, the average user doesn’t need download speeds higher than 200 Mbps. People who only use the internet to check email, browse social media, watch YouTube videos, stream Netflix, and play some Jewel Thief won’t need more than 100 Mbps. Throw in a few smart devices, like a TV, a security camera, and some speakers, and 150 Mbps will be plenty.
However, that’s not the case for everyone. Some people need the high speeds that only Gigabit internet can offer.
Who benefits from Gigabit internet?
Gigabit internet is a fiber optic broadband connection that starts at 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) and can be as fast as 8 Gbps. While it’s not for everyone, some groups of people benefit greatly from these speeds. For example, an 8GB fiber internet connection makes competitive online gaming smooth, supports lightning-fast file downloads, and supports ultra HD streaming. With Gigabit speeds, operating system updates complete in seconds, multiple users can stream HD movies at the same time, and backing up large quantities of data is a breeze.
If you have a household full of people who like to stream movies, play online games, or host group video conferences, Gigabit internet is ideal. Likewise, if you run any kind of business that requires backing up or transferring large quantities of data or large files, Gigabit internet will drastically speed up your workflow.
General speed recommendations
The following will give you an idea of where to start when determining which internet speed is right for you.
· 5 Mbps: Typically a DSL speed, this is enough to browse the web, check email, and watch some low-quality videos.
· 5-50 Mbps: A slightly smoother experience with video streaming and video conferencing.
· 50-100 Mbps: Standard media streaming, video conferencing, and basic gaming.
· 100-500 Mbps: A couple users can engage in activities that use a lot of bandwidth at the same time, like gaming and streaming.
· 500 Mbps-1 Gbps: 3+ users can engage in activities that consume a lot of bandwidth at the same time.
· 1 Gbps+: A whole household of people can engage in high-bandwidth activities at once.
How to determine how much speed you need
Whether you’re looking for Gigabit internet, or you just want a decently fast connection, here are three tips for choosing the right internet provider and package.
1. Understand what slows down a connection
There are plenty of factors that slow down high-speed internet connections. For example, using a VPN, multiple users streaming content at once, network congestion, and speed throttling based on data usage limits are all common causes for lagging speeds. If any of these apply to your household, start with a 150 Mbps plan and upgrade if needed.
2. Choose the right type of internet
The type of internet you choose will impact the speed you experience, but choosing between cable, fiber optic, satellite, and DSL isn’t straightforward. If your only two choices are DSL or satellite, both might give you the same speeds, but satellite is often more reliable than DSL. However, in rural areas, satellite connections can get congested during peak hours, cutting speed in half (or more). Cable connections are usually fast enough for most people. However, if you’re looking for Gigabit speeds that support gaming and heavy media use, you need fiber optic.
3. Consider the impact of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it reduces the speed of your connection. No matter how expensive your router or Wi-Fi extender is, wireless connections are slower. Wired connections are faster and more reliable. However, if you don’t want to hard-wire your house with Ethernet, get a plan with faster speeds than what you know you need.
Choose the right provider and you can always upgrade your plan
Getting the right internet plan can be confusing, and you don’t want to get stuck with the wrong speed. However, with the right provider, you should be able to start with a basic plan and upgrade if needed.
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