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How much internet speed do you need?

Feeling overwhelmed by the options and still unsure what speed is right for your needs? Don’t be! We answer all your toughest questions in these helpful internet speed guides.

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Unsure how much internet speed you need? Our detailed guide explores the various speed tiers available to help you determine the best internet speed for your online needs.

Understanding internet speeds

Internet speed refers to the data transfer rate between the internet and your device. It’s typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps).

Internet download speed Best for Ideal for
100 Mbps
  • Browsing the internet
  • Streaming videos
  • Playing some online games
  • Downloading files
1-2 people
300 Mbps
  • Browsing the internet
  • Playing some games online
  • Streaming HD video across multiple devices
  • Downloading files
2-6 people
600 Mbps
  • Connecting multiple devices simultaneously
  • Gaining access to cloud services and learning platforms
  • Linking smart devices and automating your home
  • Multiple users streaming HD and 4K content
  • Engaging in online gaming experiences like VR, AR, console and PC
  • Downloading large multimedia files
6-10 people
1 Gig
  • Connecting multiple devices and multiple users simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Linking smart devices and automating your home
  • Having multiple users stream HD, 4K and 8K content across multiple devices
  • Engaging in real-time MMORPG games or other gaming experiences like VR and AR for console, mobile and PC
11-15 people
1.5 Gig
  • Hosting and playing multiple gaming sessions simultaneously across PCs, consoles and other gaming devices
  • Playing competitive, fast-paced online games for quick, real-time responsiveness
  • Quickly downloading large game files and version updates
  • Streaming your high-resolution gameplay (4K or 8K) on platforms like Twitch or YouTube
  • Playing high-definition gaming on cloud platforms without noticeable latency or graphics degradation
21-25 people
2 Gig
  • Connecting many users and devices and performing high-bandwidth activities simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Creating a home network of smart devices or home automation
  • Streaming HD, 4K or 8K content across multiple devices or users
  • Playing MMORPG or other VR or AR games on console, mobile and PC
  • Downloading large files with more bandwidth than 600 or 1000 Mbps
26 - 30 people
5 Gig
  • Connecting multiple users and devices performing high-bandwidth activities simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Creating a home network of smart devices or home automation
  • Streaming HD, 4K or 8K content across multiple devices or users
  • Playing MMORPG or other VR or AR games on console, mobile and PC
  • Downloading large files with more bandwidth than 1 gig or 2 gig internet
  • Future-proofing your current internet network
31- 40 people
Internet download speed
100 Mbps
Best for
  • Browsing the internet
  • Streaming videos
  • Playing some online games
  • Downloading files
Ideal for
1-2 people
Internet download speed
300 Mbps
Best for
  • Browsing the internet
  • Playing some games online
  • Streaming HD video across multiple devices
  • Downloading files
Ideal for
2-6 people
Internet download speed
600 Mbps
Best for
  • Connecting multiple devices simultaneously
  • Gaining access to cloud services and learning platforms
  • Linking smart devices and automating your home
  • Multiple users streaming HD and 4K content
  • Engaging in online gaming experiences like VR, AR, console and PC
  • Downloading large multimedia files
Ideal for
6-10 people
Internet download speed
1 Gig
Best for
  • Connecting multiple devices and multiple users simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Linking smart devices and automating your home
  • Having multiple users stream HD, 4K and 8K content across multiple devices
  • Engaging in real-time MMORPG games or other gaming experiences like VR and AR for console, mobile and PC
Ideal for
11-15 people
Internet download speed
1.5 Gig
Best for
  • Hosting and playing multiple gaming sessions simultaneously across PCs, consoles and other gaming devices
  • Playing competitive, fast-paced online games for quick, real-time responsiveness
  • Quickly downloading large game files and version updates
  • Streaming your high-resolution gameplay (4K or 8K) on platforms like Twitch or YouTube
  • Playing high-definition gaming on cloud platforms without noticeable latency or graphics degradation
Ideal for
21-25 people
Internet download speed
2 Gig
Best for
  • Connecting many users and devices and performing high-bandwidth activities simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Creating a home network of smart devices or home automation
  • Streaming HD, 4K or 8K content across multiple devices or users
  • Playing MMORPG or other VR or AR games on console, mobile and PC
  • Downloading large files with more bandwidth than 600 or 1000 Mbps
Ideal for
26 - 30 people
Internet download speed
5 Gig
Best for
  • Connecting multiple users and devices performing high-bandwidth activities simultaneously
  • Accessing cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users
  • Creating a home network of smart devices or home automation
  • Streaming HD, 4K or 8K content across multiple devices or users
  • Playing MMORPG or other VR or AR games on console, mobile and PC
  • Downloading large files with more bandwidth than 1 gig or 2 gig internet
  • Future-proofing your current internet network
Ideal for
31- 40 people

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Upload speeds vs. download speeds

Upload speeds

Upload speeds are the rate at which data transfers from your devices to the internet. They measure how fast your internet connection can move files, such as photos, videos or other content, to a server or another device online. Upload speeds are typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

Upload speeds are essential for various online activities, including:

    • Uploading files to the internet
    • Uploading content to social media platforms
    • Sending emails with file attachments
    • Video calls and video conferences
    • Hosting online gaming sessions

Download speeds

Download speeds are the rate at which data transfers from the internet to your devices. Like upload speeds, download speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or, for higher-speed connections, gigabits per second (Gbps).

Download speeds are crucial for most online activities, including:

    • Downloading large files
    • Browsing the internet
    • Playing online games with frequent game updates
    • Streaming video content in HD/4K resolution
    • Accessing cloud-based applications

Most users consider download speeds over upload speeds because many online activities involve data downloads.
 
Remember that various factors, such as your internet connection type and network congestion, influence the actual download speeds you experience.

Symmetrical vs. asymmetrical speeds

Symmetrical and asymmetrical speeds define the relationship between upload and download speeds in an internet connection.

Symmetrical speeds

Symmetrical speeds are internet connections that provide equal upload and download speeds. They are ideal for data-intensive activities like live streaming, cloud computing and online gaming.

Plan Details Download Speed Upload Speed Order Now
Symmetric Gig Internet 1000 Mbps 1000 Mbps Check For Service
Plan Details
Symmetric Gig Internet
Download Speed
1000 Mbps
Upload Speed
1000 Mbps
Order Now
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Asymmetrical speeds

Asymmetrical speeds have different download and upload speeds, with higher download speeds than upload speeds. Asymmetrical internet plans are more common because they align with general internet usage patterns, where downloads are more frequent than uploading activities.

Download speed Upload speed Order now
300 Mbps 50 Mbps Check For Service
600 Mbps 50 Mbps Check For Service
1000 Mbps 50 Mbps Check For Service
Download speed
300 Mbps
Upload speed
50 Mbps
Order now
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Download speed
600 Mbps
Upload speed
50 Mbps
Order now
Check For Service
Download speed
1000 Mbps
Upload speed
50 Mbps
Order now
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WiFi that just works!

WiFi plans for any home

Tiny, large or somewhere in between; find WiFi coverage to fit any space. Blanket your entire home with a fast and ultra‑reliable connection.

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WiFi speeds vs. internet speeds

While WiFi and internet speeds are used interchangeably, they refer to different contexts of your online experience.

 
WiFi speeds refer to the rate at which data transfers over a WiFi network. They are influenced by factors such as router-to-device distance, network congestion and signal obstructions. By contrast, internet speed refers to the data transfer rate to and from the internet. Internet speeds are influenced by factors such as the provider’s internet plan and the type of internet connection used.

Types of internet connection

Fiber internet

Fiber internet is a wired internet connection type that transmits data using fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cables contain glass fibers that transmit data as light signals, providing high speed, lower latency and consistent connections over long distances. Fiber internet connections are less susceptible to signal interference, attenuation and physical degradation.

Fiber internet provides gigabit+ speeds and can also support symmetrical speeds. These features make them ideal for bandwidth-heavy activities like streaming high-quality videos, large file transfers and online gaming.

Cable internet

Cable internet is a wired connection that transmits data as electric signals using coaxial cables to provide high-speed internet. The internet infrastructure allows for data transmission over long distances with minimal loss of signal quality.

Cable internet provides adequate speeds for various online activities, ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 gigabit. However, its infrastructure emphasizes asymmetrical speeds. Furthermore, cable internet is widely available in urban and suburban areas because of the cable infrastructure laid out for cable TV.

DSL

A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is an internet connection type that uses telephone lines to transmit internet data and traffic. It uses a separate frequency band for data transmission, allowing you to access the internet and make phone calls on the same line without interfering with each other.
DSL provides download speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 400 Mbps, while upload speeds range from 384 Kbps to 8 Mbps.

The FWA technology gap

You deserve better internet

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) uses radio waves which are impacted by obstacles like buildings and trees, resulting in reduced reliability.

The FWA technology gap - You deserve better internet - fixed wireless icon

5G home internet

5G home internet is a wireless internet service that uses 5G radio-wave cellular technology to provide high-speed internet connections. This technology benefits from 5G developments such as higher data speeds, lower latency and expanded capacity than previous 4G/LTE cellular technology.

However, because 5G home internet uses a wireless channel, factors such as network congestion, proximity to 5G towers and interference from physical obstacles all influence performance. Furthermore, its accessibility is limited to select urban and suburban areas as its infrastructure is in its early stages of development.

Satellite internet

Satellite internet is a wireless internet service that uses satellite technology to provide internet access to remote regions. It is an alternative for users who do not have access to other internet connections, such as fiber and cable internet.

Satellite internet provides internet speeds slower than fiber and cable. Its speeds range from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps. However, satellite internet plans usually have data caps and higher latency and their performance is affected by adverse weather conditions.

Calculating your internet speed requirements

To calculate your internet speed requirements, you’ll need to understand your online activities and the number of users and devices in your home.

For example, streaming HD videos on platforms like Netflix and YouTube requires 5 to 25 Mbps. Competitive online gaming is best experienced with speeds of 100 Mbps, while remote work requires a baseline of 100 Mbps. The actual speeds you need for these activities can vary based on usage patterns, the quality of service you prefer and the number of devices and users connected.

The bandwidth requirements increase with the rise in the number of devices connected and the intensity of internet use. For example, a household with four users simultaneously streaming 4K content, gaming, video calling and browsing the internet will require more bandwidth capacity than a single user doing each activity at a time. Subscribing to an internet plan with higher speeds and bandwidth will enable you to handle multiple users and maintain a consistent connection.

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How many Mbps do you need?

Adding smart home devices to your home network increases your internet speed requirements. The cumulative access to bandwidth by all connected devices can impact your internet connection. To avoid network congestion and bandwidth strain, you must ensure consistent speeds across all devices.
 
In the following chart, typical speeds you can expect to need are shown per device for each of the common activities listed.

Activity Minimum Recommended
Email 1 Mbps 3 Mbps
Web browsing 3 Mbps 5 Mbps
Social media 3 Mbps 10 Mbps
Streaming SD video 3 Mbps 10 Mbps
Streaming HD video 5 Mbps 25 Mbps
Streaming 4K video 25 Mbps 100 Mbps
Online gaming 25 Mbps 100 Mbps
Streaming music 1 Mbps 5 Mbps
Video calls 1 Mbps 25 Mbps
Video conference calls 5 Mbps 50 Mbps
Activity
Email
Minimum
1 Mbps
Recommended
3 Mbps
Activity
Web browsing
Minimum
3 Mbps
Recommended
5 Mbps
Activity
Social media
Minimum
3 Mbps
Recommended
10 Mbps
Activity
Streaming SD video
Minimum
3 Mbps
Recommended
10 Mbps
Activity
Streaming HD video
Minimum
5 Mbps
Recommended
25 Mbps
Activity
Streaming 4K video
Minimum
25 Mbps
Recommended
100 Mbps
Activity
Online gaming
Minimum
25 Mbps
Recommended
100 Mbps
Activity
Streaming music
Minimum
1 Mbps
Recommended
5 Mbps
Activity
Video calls
Minimum
1 Mbps
Recommended
25 Mbps
Activity
Video conference calls
Minimum
5 Mbps
Recommended
50 Mbps
FPS gaming

What is a good internet speed?

An internet connection with at least 100 Mbps download speeds and 20 Mbps upload speeds is suitable for handling most internet activities.

However, this depends on the intensity of your activities and the number of connected devices and users in your home. Consider higher speeds if you have three or more users with multiple devices connected simultaneously.

What is a good internet speed for gaming?

For online gaming, you need at least 25 to 100 Mbps download speed and 5 to 20 Mbps upload speed.

However, you should consider higher speeds if you are a competitive gamer who plays multiplayer battle games, hosts gaming sessions and streams gameplay regularly. Aside from speed, ensure your connection has lower latency (less than 50 ms) to minimize lag and ensure a responsive gameplay experience.

What is a good internet speed for streaming?

An internet connection with at least 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speed is ideal for live streaming or watching HD/4K videos.

However, you’ll need higher speed tiers if you’re streaming from multiple devices or handling other bandwidth-intensive activities like gaming or large file transfers simultaneously to ensure minimal buffering.

What is a good internet speed for working from home?

You need at least 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed to work from home.

Tasks such as video conferences, file sharing and access to cloud services are bandwidth-intensive and require such speeds to run. If you have many users at home with multiple devices connected simultaneously, you may consider higher speeds to provide an efficient work-from-home experience.

What is a good internet speed for an apartment?

Consider the number of people and devices and the internet usage patterns before choosing an internet speed for your apartment.

A 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps internet speed connection is adequate for an apartment with two to four users and multiple devices connected.

However, if household members engage in data-intensive activities like competitive gaming, 4K video streaming and remote work, you should consider higher speed tiers to provide a consistent online experience.

What is a good internet speed for a house?

Typically, houses have more people and connected devices than apartments. Before choosing an internet speed, consider the number of users and devices connected and the size of the house.

A 300 Mbps internet speed is adequate for a household with two to six users, while a 600 Mbps internet speed can handle six to ten users.

Factors affecting internet speeds

Various factors can influence your internet connection speeds, affecting your bandwidth and overall online experience.

Some of these factors include:

Type of connection

The technology that transmits internet signals to your home influences internet speeds. Fiber and cable connections typically provide faster speeds and more consistent connections, while satellite internet suffers from the highest latency.

Network congestion

Network traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, can slow internet speeds. Network congestion is mainly common with cable and 5G home internet due to cable’s shared infrastructure and 5G cell towers in densely populated areas.

Unlike 5G internet providers, cable providers are better able to predict usage on their network and scale up services as needed to support customers.

Hardware limitations

The quality of your internet setup’s hardware, such as outdated or damaged routers, modems and devices, can also affect your speed. Older devices may not support higher-speed connections due to obsolete network cards.

Learn more: Bring your own modem (BYOM)

ISP throttling

Internet providers may intentionally slow down internet speeds during high-traffic periods or when you exceed allotted data caps. Many satellite internet plans come with data caps, which, when exceeded, can lead to throttled speeds.

5G home internet providers can also throttle speeds as part of network management to prioritize certain types of traffic, especially in densely populated areas or peak usage.

Distance from the ISP office

The distance between your home and the provider office can affect your internet speed for some connections, such as DSL. The further away you are from the central office, the slower the speeds

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eero Plus protects your family online with a password manager to safely create, store and share passwords, virus and malware protection and a VPN that lets you browse the web safely and securely.
 

How to improve your internet speed

A slow internet connection can negatively affect your experience while working, gaming, or streaming. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve your internet connection speed.

Here are several suggestions to optimize your internet connection speeds:

Upgrade your current plan

Consider upgrading to a higher speed tier if you are experiencing a slow internet connection with your current plan, especially if multiple users and devices are connected simultaneously.

Use an Ethernet connection

Using an Ethernet cable to connect your device to a router can significantly improve your internet speeds. The Ethernet cable reduces the potential interference or signal loss that occurs with wireless connections like WiFi. Ethernet cables also provide faster data transfer rates than wireless connections

Clean viruses/malware

Viruses and malware on your devices can slow down and impact your internet speeds when running in the background. Regularly scan and use anti-virus software to remove malicious programs from your devices.

Clear browser cache

After a while, your browser cache can accumulate a lot of data, slowing down browser speeds. Clearing your browser cache storage can free up memory space and improve browser performance.

Update systems/firmware

Regularly updating your routers, modems and devices’ software and firmware can improve security, fix bugs and enhance performance.

Close background applications

Close any unused background applications running on your devices. They slow down your internet speed and hinder the devices’ performance as well.

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Enhanced Whole Home WiFi enables multiple WiFi routers (or eeros®) to work as a team, resulting in improved range, speed and stability of your WiFi network. Plus, with eero Secure now included at no additional cost, it keeps your family safe with parental controls, ad blocking and internet backup so you’re always connected.
 

Improving WiFi speeds

You can increase your WiFi speed to improve your online experience in several ways:

    • Change your router’s position to a central location
    • Upgrade your router to a new model
    • Use a WiFi mesh or WiFi extender
    • Update your router’s firmware
    • Power cycle your router
    • Use an Ethernet connection

Mesh WiFi

A mesh WiFi system is a network setup of multiple nodes connected to a central router that expands the coverage area of a WiFi network in a home or space. The nodes are placed strategically around the house to broaden the coverage, provide a reliable connection and optimize WiFi performance.

Gaming router

If you are an avid gamer, consider purchasing a gaming router to enhance your internet connection for gaming sessions. It’s designed to optimize the online gaming experience by prioritizing internet traffic to and from gaming devices and reducing latency and lag.

How to test your internet speed

Running an internet speed test helps determine your current internet speeds and understand the performance of your internet connection.

Below is a step-by-step guide on testing your internet speed using online tools.

    1. Ensure no VPNs or other devices are connected to the internet. Pause any downloads, streaming or bandwidth-related activities.
    2. For best accuracy, connect your device to the router using an Ethernet cable or stay as close as possible to the router.
    3. Select a reliable internet speed test tool in your web browser.
    4. Run the test on the website you’ve chosen. The tool will test your connection’s download speed, upload speed and latency.
    5. Record the measurements provided.

To interpret the test results, consider the following tips:

    1. Download speed is the speed at which your device receives data from the internet.
    2. Upload speed is the speed at which your device sends data to the internet.
    3. Latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to be sent to and from the internet to your device. Latency is crucial for activities that require real-time responsiveness, such as video calls or online gaming.

 
If your internet speed test results are lower than your ISP advertised, contact them to identify any problems with your connection or to determine eligibility for a speed tier upgrade. Additionally, you can troubleshoot common issues affecting your connection or optimize your internet speeds.

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Frequently asked questions

According to Speedtest Global, the average internet speed for fixed broadband in the US is 242.38 Mbps download and 30.68 Mbps upload.

A good upload speed generally ranges between 20 and 50 Mbps. This range is sufficient for activities that involve uploading data, such as video calls and uploading files to the internet. However, if you have demanding requirements, such as streaming online gameplay or accessing cloud-based applications, symmetrical 1 gig or 2 gig speeds may be necessary to provide consistent connections.

Gigabit+ speeds are the fastest speed tiers available. They are ideal for handling demanding online activities like 4K/8K video streaming, competitive online gaming and multiple bandwidth-heavy tasks across various devices simultaneously.

Gigabit+ speeds are considered fast for WiFi. However, to achieve and fully use gigabit speeds, you must adopt newer WiFi standards, such as WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, or the latest WiFi 7. The newer standards support faster data rates, increased device capacity and improved power efficiency.

Additionally, you should ensure your devices are up to date and compatible with these WiFi standards to take advantage of your internet connection’s fast speeds.

5G home internet can deliver speeds up to 300 Mbps. However, its performance can be inconsistent compared to wired connections because of factors like distance from 5G cell towers, signal obstruction from obstacles like buildings and trees and network congestion.

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Disclaimers

*Internet speeds may vary & are not guaranteed. Certain equipment may be required to reach advertised speeds. DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 2.5GE physical LAN port is required for 1 Gigabit speeds and higher. See astound.com/yourspeed for why speeds may vary. To view Astound’s FCC Network Management Disclosure see astound.com/policies-disclaimers. Modem required for Internet service. No contract required. Subject to availability. We substantiate that the cable modem equipment provided, and the configuration of such cable modem, meets the broadband speeds advertised when attached to a wired connection based on SamKnows testing procedures.

Not all services, speeds, packages, equipment, channels, tiers, pricing, streaming services, product offerings and product features are available in all areas. Offers valid only for new residential customers or previous customers with account in good standing who have not had our service within the last 60 days. All names, logos, images and service marks are property of their respective owners. Other restrictions may apply.

While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site has been obtained from reliable sources, Astound Broadband is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Certain links in this site connect to other websites maintained by third parties over whom Astound Broadband has no control. Astound Broadband makes no representations as to the accuracy or any other aspect of information contained in other websites.

Availability of streaming content from third-party sources is subject to change and certain third-party fees may apply. Separate streaming membership is required for these services (and sold separately). Access to Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, FuboTV and other streaming services requires compatible TiVo equipment and RCNWaveGrandeenTouch Internet service.

Whole Home WiFi: Activation and installation not included. Up to $40/mo for Whole Home WiFi equipment. Additional eero devices available for an additional cost, per device. ©2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. eero and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com c/o eero LLC, 660 3rd St. San Francisco, CA.

eero Plus is available for an additional $9.99/month and requires subscription to whole home WiFi powered by eero.