What internet speed do I need for gaming?
Each person gaming online needs at least 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps upload speeds. The game type, the number of players and devices involved, and internet latency will be your greatest concerns when selecting an internet speed for gaming.
For the best experience, we recommend Gigabit internet on a cable or fiber connection with a gaming router to prioritize network traffic.
In this article, we’ll look at the different speeds available to help you determine the best speed for your gaming needs.
What you'll learn:
- What is the best internet for gaming?
- What is a good download and upload speed for gaming?
- What is a good internet speed for gaming?
- Gaming in an apartment vs a house
- Best WiFi experience for gaming
- Optimize your wireless speeds
- Secure your home internet
- Frequently asked questions
- Looking for more topics?
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What is the best internet for gaming?
Your internet service provider’s internet connection type impacts your internet speeds and online experience. The following internet connections are available for gaming online:
1. Cable and fiber-powered
Cable and fiber are wired broadband technologies that provide fast, reliable and consistent internet speeds.
Cable uses cable infrastructure to transmit internet data, while fiber uses fiber optic cables to transmit data as light pulses. Both offer high-speed connections with faster download and upload speeds, lower latency and less data disruption, making them ideal for gaming.
2. 5G home internet
5G home internet is a wireless connection transmitted through high-frequency signals by 5G cell towers.
While 5G home internet provides high speeds and will handle most gaming activities, it introduces latency and high ping rates, significantly affecting online gameplay.
Other factors that can affect 5G’s speeds include:
- Increased distance between devices and 5G cell towers.
- Physical barriers between devices and cell towers.
- Network congestion during peak hours.
- Weather events like storms.
- Data caps on 5G internet plans
If you are a competitive gamer, consider broadband options like cable or fiber internet for a better gaming experience.
Learn more: What causes 5G home internet to slow down?
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5G Home Internet Fixed Wireless Access uses radio waves which are impacted by obstacles like buildings and trees, resulting in reduced reliability.
3. Mobile hotspot
A mobile hotspot on your phone lets you share your mobile data connection with other devices when your home WiFi is down or when you need connectivity while on the move.
Like 5G home internet, a mobile hotspot relies on cellular networks to transmit wireless signals, which also introduces latency, high ping counts and lag during gameplay.
Limitations of mobile hotspots include slower speeds than wired connections, strict data caps on mobile plans and reduced reliability since performance depends on your location and signal strength. A hotspot can also drain your phone’s battery quickly and restrict the number of devices you can connect at once. While tethering may work for casual gaming, competitive gamers will notice the difference in stability and speed.
4. Satellite
Satellite internet is a viable internet option for people living in rural or remote areas where other internet connections like cable, fiber and 5G internet are not available.
However, satellite internet comes with limitations:
- Higher latency and ping rates
- Data caps issued by internet service providers
- Interruptions due to adverse weather conditions
Gamers can use satellite internet for casual gaming or role-playing games (RPGs). Still, it might not be the best option for fast-paced or competitive multiplayer games.
5. ISP + Mobile carrier
Bundling home internet and mobile carrier services into a single plan provides both reliable home connectivity for gaming and mobile connectivity to play while on the go. This option works well for households that want the convenience of a single bill and the flexibility of multiple services.
Save on your internet costs by bundling Astound’s Gig internet with cell phone plans to get the reliable internet speeds you need for gaming on one of the nation’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G networks at an affordable price.
What is a good download and upload speed for gaming?
Having a good internet speed is essential for online gaming. Download speeds, upload speeds and data usage all play a role in your gaming experience. According to Ookla’s 2025 Speedtest Global Index Report, the average fixed broadband speed in the U.S. is 287.59 Mbps download and 51.83 Mbps upload, more than enough to handle casual and competitive gaming and HD and 4K gameplay streaming. Let’s explore what each factor means and why it matters for gaming.
Download speed
Download speed is the rate at which your device receives data from the internet in Megabits per second (Mbps).
The minimum download speed required for gaming determines how quickly your device can receive data from game servers. Fast download speeds allow you to download game files and updates faster, access content quickly and enjoy smoother online gameplay.
Upload speed
Upload speed is the rate at which data is transmitted from your device to the internet in Megabits per second.
Does upload speed affect gaming? Yes, upload speed is critical for online gaming, especially multiplayer games and live streaming gameplay on Twitch or YouTube in 1080p or 4K resolution. It ensures real-time responses for the in-game actions and determines the video quality of the content you are streaming.
Keep in mind, your ISP’s advertised upload speed may differ from the actual rate you experience due to factors like network congestion, speed throttling or equipment issues.
Data
Data refers to the amount of information transferred over your internet connection. It is measured in Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB) and Terabytes (TB).
So, how much internet data do I need for gaming? It depends on the type of game, how long you play and your platform. For example, downloading large game files or streaming gameplay in 1080p and 4K consumes far more data than mobile gaming.
Gamers on plans with strict data caps, common with 5G home internet, satellite and mobile hotspot plans, need to pay attention to their data usage as exceeding limits can throttle their speeds, causing lags, buffering and shortened gaming sessions.
On the other hand, most wired internet connections, including cable and fiber, offer plans with unlimited or higher data allowances, so you don’t have to worry about what happens when you exceed your data allowance.
Find your speed
What speed do you need?
Maybe you just need the essentials—or maybe you need to unleash the ultimate internet speed. Explore your options to get the best experience for every device in your home.
What is a good internet speed for gaming?
A good internet speed that is ideal for your gaming needs depends on the type of game, the gaming platform and the gaming device used.
The minimum internet speeds for different gaming devices include:
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Gaming in an apartment vs. a house
Deciding on which speed to choose depends not only on your gaming requirements but also on where you live. The internet connection type, bandwidth demands and WiFi coverage can differ between staying in an apartment or a house.
In an apartment
Apartment setups are smaller, with one to four users, making WiFi coverage more accessible. Choosing the best internet speed for your gaming needs in an apartment is dependent on a few factors, including:
- Number of users and devices: For one to four users, a 300 to 600 Mbps internet speed is usually sufficient. If you have multiple devices per person and frequently have guests, higher speed tiers may be necessary.
- Distance from the router: Place your WiFi setup centrally to ensure every room has even coverage.
- Available provider options: Options may include cable, fiber or 5G home internet for fast speeds, though some apartment buildings may still be limited to older DSL lines. Always confirm with the property owner and local providers to understand which internet options are available.
- Network congestion: Apartments often share broadband infrastructure within the same building, which can lead to congestion and slower speeds during peak hours.
If you are moving to a new apartment, check out Astound’s guide on how to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment
In a house
Houses generally hold more users and devices connected to the internet at once, increasing demand on the network. Consider the following factors when selecting an ideal speed:
- Number of users and devices connected: Consider a high speed Gigabit internet plan to handle multiple users sufficiently.
- Home size and layout: Large houses may have WiFi dead zones with poor internet coverage. Consider introducing a mesh WiFi router to expand your WiFi coverage and improve access across every room.
- Available provider options: In urban and suburban areas, you may have access to faster fiber, cable or fixed wireless internet. Rural homes, however, often rely more on satellite for connectivity. Reviewing provider availability in your area ensures you choose the best option for speed and reliability.
If you’re moving into a house, check out Astound’s guide on how to set up internet and WiFi in your house.
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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.
Best WiFi experience for gaming
Having fast internet speeds alone isn’t enough. You also need the right setup to get the best gaming experience. Below are our recommendations to help you optimize your WiFi and gaming equipment for a smoother, more reliable online gameplay.
Gaming router
To get the best out of your internet connection, use a gaming router which provides performance advantages over standard routers for dedicated gamers.
These advantages include:
-
- Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes gaming traffic to minimize latency and lag.
- Port forwarding: Directs traffic to specific devices, reducing packet loss and improving connectivity.
- Customizable settings: Allows you to fine-tune performance for different online games.
- Enhanced security: Many models include built-in VPN support to guard against DDoS attacks and provide additional protection.
- User-friendly interface: A graphical control panel makes it easier for non-technical users to adjust QoS and troubleshooting settings.
For a full comparison between router types, check out Astound’s guide on gaming routers vs. normal routers.
For the best performance, ensure your router or modem supports modern WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 standards and regularly update its firmware.
Keep in mind that the actual speeds you receive depend on the model of the gaming device (laptop, cell phone, tablet or console) and the router’s throughput capabilities.
Configure your router for gaming
Configuring your gaming router can significantly improve your gaming performance and the overall quality of service.
The three key settings you can configure on your gaming router include:
- Quality of Service options (QoS): QoS settings allow you to prioritize gaming data over other internet activities through bandwidth allocation or traffic prioritization to minimize ping spikes.
- Ping heat maps: Ping heat maps are a visual representation of latency (ping) that provides real-time data on the ping rates between your gaming device and various gaming servers. It helps you optimize your experience by allowing you to choose the closest servers with the lowest ping.
- Port forwarding: Routes incoming and outgoing game data packets to the correct gaming device to improve connectivity and reduce potential disconnections between your gaming device and game servers.
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Optimize your internet speed
Is WiFi interference slowing your internet speeds? Here are a few tips to optimize and maximize your home’s high speed internet performance.
Optimize your internet speed
Is WiFi interference slowing your internet speeds? Here are a few tips to optimize and maximize your home’s high speed internet performance.
Optimize your wireless speeds
A slow internet speed can cause less responsive character movements or poor stream quality when gaming and streaming online. Fortunately, there are several ways you can optimize your WiFi speeds to improve your internet speeds for gaming.
Three ways to optimize your WiFi speeds include:
-
- Position your router strategically
Place your router centrally in your home to improve WiFi coverage and reduce dead zones. For larger homes, consider Astound’s eero mesh WiFi system, which uses nodes strategically placed across your home for a Whole Home WiFi experience. - Upgrade to faster internet
If multiple users are online simultaneously, upgrading to a Gigabit internet plan ensures you have enough bandwidth and faster download and upload speeds to handle gaming and other bandwidth-heavy activities simultaneously. Faster speeds reduce packet loss and lag spikes, keeping your gameplay consistent. - Power cycle your internet equipment
Restarting your modem and router regularly clears blocked channels and helps reduce internet traffic issues. Power cycling resets the connection between your devices and the network, lowering latency and troubleshooting common performance problems.
- Position your router strategically
Explore eero Plus
Advanced security doesn’t have to feel advanced. eero Plus provides:
- Antivirus
- Ad blocking
- VPN protection
- Password management
Secure your home internet
In competitive gaming, opponents may try to gain an edge to win through tactics like DDoS attacks, stealing gaming credentials and identity theft. Protecting your home network is necessary to ensure safer communication, smoother gameplay and peace of mind.
When you subscribe to Astound’s Gig internet plans, you’ll receive an eero mesh WiFi system, which includes eero Secure with the option to upgrade to eero Plus. These tools offer several features that enhance your home network security and provide a safer online gaming experience.
eero Plus offers features such as:
-
- VPN protection: A secure virtual private network shields your connection during online gaming sessions and helps prevent DDoS attacks.
- Threat detection: Malware and virus scanning stop harmful software from reaching your devices.
- Password manager: Store and protect your gaming account credentials securely.
- Ad blocking: Eliminate distractions for a smoother, lag-free gaming experience.
- Content filters: Restrict inappropriate content and ensure a safer online environment for younger players.
Gaming internet
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How you game is up to you. One thing is clear–you need fast and ultra-reliable internet. Get fiber‑powered internet that delivers Gig speeds no matter what high-bandwidth activity you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good internet speed?
A good internet speed depends on your specific internet needs. For mobile gaming and streaming on one to two devices, 25 to 100 Mbps is sufficient. However, heavy usage like competitive online gaming and 4K streaming on multiple devices requires 100 Mbps to gigabit speeds.
Is 1 Gig internet good for gaming online?
Yes, a Gigabit internet connection provides high download and upload speeds and sufficient bandwidth to facilitate online gaming. It can handle data-heavy tasks such as downloading large game files and streaming high-quality gameplay to audiences.
What's the difference between a gaming router vs a normal router?
The main difference between the two routers is that a gaming router is primarily designed to enhance the gaming experience. It provides additional benefits, such as:
- Prioritization of gaming network traffic.
- Lower latency and game packet prioritization.
- Fast WiFi standards.
- Customization of QoS settings.
- Advanced security features.
Is WiFi 6 good for gaming?
Yes, WiFi 6 provides several advantages that can enhance your gaming experience. These advantages include:
- Faster speeds.
- Improved capacity to handle more devices.
- Backward compatibility for older device models.
- Lower latency and reduced ping.
- Better WiFi coverage and range.
Is 100 Mbps fast enough for gaming?
A 100 Mbps internet connection can handle some gaming activities for one or two users in a household. You can play games on mobile devices or play moderate-paced online multiplayer and RPG games on PC and console.
Is 300 Mbps good for gaming?
Yes, 300 Mbps is good for gaming across multiple devices. It provides enough bandwidth and speeds to play competitive multiplayer games, quick downloads for game files and updates and hosting game servers.
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*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. Limited time offer, subject to change without notice. Advertised promotional price valid for duration of the stated promotional period from time of service activation. Regular rates apply after promotional period ends. Equipment not included and is extra. Modem required for Internet service. Enhanced Wi-Fi or Whole Home Wi-Fi (eero) not included and is add’l. Offer includes a monthly discount for enrollment in both automatic payments (autopay) & paperless billing (e-bill). Discount of $10 applies with automated bank account deduction or a discount of $5 applies with automated credit/debit card payment. Valid email address required. Must complete enrollment in autopay and e-bill within 30-days of placing the order. Without enrollment, the discount does not apply. Discount appears on bill within 3 bill cycles after enrolling. If either autopay or e-bill is canceled, services are changed, or the account is not in good standing, then the monthly discount will be discontinued. Offer valid only for new residential Astound customers or previous customers with an account in good standing who have not had Astound service within the last 60 days. Any add’l services, equipment, premium channels & other tiers of service are subject to an add’l charge & regular increases. A one-time activation fee of $14.99 (in addition to any installation fees) will be charged & is subject to change. Add’l fees apply for taxes & surcharges, and are subject to change. WA RESIDENTS: unless otherwise specified, price does not include a 2% Regulatory Administration Fee. For details about taxes, fees & surcharges visit astound.com/fees. No early termination fees apply in the event service is terminated in advance of the promotional end date. Customer is responsible for any accrued service charges in the event service is canceled. Subject to credit check. Not all services & speeds are available in all areas. A multi-product discount may be available to qualifying addresses with a subscription to mobile, TV, and 600 Mbps Internet or higher. Discounts will be reflected in your order cart at time of purchase, if available. Other restrictions may apply. All services are governed by the Astound Customer Terms & Conditions that can be found at astound.com/policies-disclaimers. © 2025 Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband. All rights reserved.
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eero Plus is available for an additional $9.99/month and requires subscription to whole home WiFi powered by eero.