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If there were no issues like buffering and slow internet speeds, no one would be frustrated or sad, right?
If you are a movie and TV aficionado, video quality matters for you, but, a slow internet connection can haunt your dreams like anything.
If you want to stream your favorite TV shows and movies and slow speeds make you want to pull out your hair in frustration, then it would be ideal to go for a broadband connection that can handle streaming. A blazing-fast internet connection can make your lives buffer-free and stress-free.
But how exactly do you define blazing-fast? What is the ideal internet speed for streaming?
Whether you like to stream TV shows and movies on Netflix or jam out to the hottest hits on Spotify, you need to know that your internet speed matters.
To help you opt for the right internet plan, here’s a quick guide to the recommended internet speeds for streaming. Find the ideal bandwidth, determine the right upload speeds required for broadcasting, and choose the right speed and hence the right plan.
Before we jump right into explaining how much bandwidth you need, let us shed some light on what bandwidth is. Generally speaking, bandwidth refers to the maximum data transfer rate at which you can easily download and upload data to your computer or any other handheld device. Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), and the greater bandwidth you have, the faster your internet will be.
Remember, the bandwidth you are allotted by your internet service provider (ISP) is shared among all devices on your connection. So, how much bandwidth you need depends on the activities you choose to do online.
If you have a family member downloading a movie or video game, someone else is browsing through their Instagram or Facebook newsfeed and another family member streaming a movie or TV show, you will certainly need enough bandwidth to satisfy everyone’s online needs.
You have got popcorns and all your favorite snacks to munch on while catching up on the latest episode of your favorite TV series all snuggled up in bed, but all of a sudden, the video stops during the climax.
Oh, it’s just buffering; the video will start again in a while.
You may not take it seriously, but maybe it’s time to consider upgrading your internet plan or service. Waiting for your all-time favorite movie or series to buffer is doing nothing but putting a cramp on your binge-watching routine.
Therefore, it is crucial to have the right internet plan in place to watch what you love online without waiting in front of the screen and watching the buffer circle.
| Plan | Quality of the Video | Netflix’s Recommended Speed |
| Basic | SD | 3 Mbps |
| Standard | HD | 5 Mbps |
| Premium | Ultra HD/4K | 25 Mbps |
Netflix offers different plans with varying video resolution compared to other streaming services to cater to all sorts of customers. Different video resolutions require different speeds. Well, the best part is, you do not need a lot of speed for its basic plan.
When you subscribe to Netflix’s Basic plan that comes with SD video quality, the recommended speed is at least 3 Mbps. In case, you have opted for the Standard plan by Netflix, you will have to increase the speed to 5 Mbps. If you subscribe to Netflix’s Premium plan for streaming in 4K, you will need to invest in an internet connection that offers 25 Mbps speeds.
| Quality of the Video | Disney Plus’< Recommended Speed |
| SD | 1 Mbps |
| Ultra HD/4K | 25 Mbps |
Disney Plus launched its own video streaming service in November 2019. This platform is perfect for those who want to dive into the vast library of Disney content. If you want to stream in SD quality, then this service is not for you as at the time of writing, Disney Plus doesn’t offer any such plan.
When you are streaming content on Disney Plus, you will have to deal with buffering issues if your existing internet connection is less than 5 Mbps. For HD streaming, Disney recommends at least 5 Mbps. If you are all up for blasting your retinas with 4K Disney shows, you would need 25 Mbps- the same speed recommended by Netflix.
| Quality of the Video | Hulu’s Recommended Speed |
| SD | 1.5 Mbps |
| HD (720p) | 3 Mbps |
| HD (1080p) | 6 Mbps |
| Ultra HD/4K | 25 Mbps |
If you are considering signing up for Hulu’s video streaming plan, then here is good news for you: Hulu’s speed requirements are pretty much the same as Netflix’s. Yes, you read it right- you need to have 3 Mbps internet speed to watch anything in the streaming library.
If you want to access SD stream, you would require 1.5 Mbps, 3 Mbps for HD streaming in 720p and at least 6 Mbps for watching Hulu’s HD streaming in 1080p.
In case, you are more into watching lifelike video quality with 4K resolution, you will need to upgrade your internet speed to 16 Mbps.
| Quality of the Video | Amazon Prime’s Recommended Speed |
| SD Amazon Prime | 1 Mbps |
| HD | 3.5 Mbps |
| Ultra HD/4K | 15 Mbps |
Amazon Prime comes with three video quality options for its subscribers just like Netflix. If you have signed up for Amazon Prime’s SD streaming, then you only require 1 Mbps.
For HD streaming, its recommended speed is slightly higher i.e. 3.5 Mbps. Finally as per Amazon, for 4K Ultra HD streaming, you’ll only need 15 Mbps.
| Quality of the Video | HBO NOW’s Recommended Speed |
| SD | 5 Mbps |
HBO Now does not currently offer the option to stream 4K video. Hence, HBO’s speed requirements are pretty reasonable when compared to Disney Plus and Netflix.
Also with HBO you cannot stream in Standard Definition. So this leaves you with only one choice: High Definition, for which you require at least 5 Mbps so that you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming.
If you want live that ultra-high-definition life, know that you would need at least 25 Mbps to watch your all-time favorite movies on your favorite streaming platform in full 4K glory. For 4K Ultra HD streaming, different video streaming providers recommend anywhere between 15 and 25 Mbps.
We know you hate the buffering icon so it would be best to avoid completely and opt for a high-speed internet connection from a reliable internet service provider (ISP).
Remember, if more than three devices are connected to the internet at once, your bandwidth is going to be shared. With that being said, you need to at least have 25 Mbps to stream your 4K videos from the comfort of your oh-so-cozy couch.
Internet speed requirements differ if you want to broadcast a lot of videos. For that your emphasis should be on upload speeds rather than download speeds. So make sure you have enough upload speeds to get the job done!
This is important if you are a blogger. Reliable download and upload speeds can certainly pave the way for you to gain viewers on Mixer, Twitch, or whichever live streaming platform you prefer.
When you Stream on Twitch, you not only need dedicated download speed, but great upload speeds as well. In order to broadcast a live stream, 3-6 Mbps upload speeds is ideal. So, make sure you choose your internet plan accordingly.
YouTube’s upload and download speeds differ a bit from Twitch’s. If you want to broadcast a stream on YouTube Live, keep in mind that the upload speed requirements for the highest quality is around 51 Mbps. While on the other hand, the lowest needs as little as 1 Mbps.
Ultimately, determining the internet speeds you need is easier said than done. Before locking yourself with an internet plan, you need to take time to think about the number of devices that will connect to your network at the same time. If you are still confused about the internet speed you need to do different online activities, then reach out to the customer support to satisfy your queries.
Also, it is crucial to know what exactly you want to do with your internet connection. If you are more into web surfing and casual streaming, you don’t high-speed internet. On the other hand, if you are a hardcore gamer, connect multiple devices, and stream 4K video, you need more bandwidth. So choose wisely.
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