Internet for Streaming: What Speeds Do You Need? Some days you can’t wait to go home from work and relax with your favorite show on TV and a slice of your favorite cheese pizza in your hand. However, the worst happens, and you’re stuck with a super slow internet connection that hardly lets you enjoy your time off in peace. It’s just one of those moments where you feel like hurling your router in the dumpster, but you choose the high road and search up ‘ways to fix your internet connection’ online so you can stream your favorite show in peace.
And this is where you end up! This brief write-up will help you understand the importance of a good internet speed for streaming as well as let you in on a few tricks to bump up your internet speed quickly. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Generally, a speed of 25 Mbps is recommended by the FCC for smooth streaming, browsing, and online connectivity. 25 Mbps is considered a benchmark for fast and suitable speed so whether it’s gaming, browsing, or streaming, 25 Mbps is good enough to fulfill all your internet speeds. But things vary due to the number of users and extent of internet activity in your household, so how much speed do you exactly need for seamless streaming?
Speed You Need For Streaming
When it comes to streaming a movie or episode on Netflix, a speed between 3 to 25 Mbps is usually preferred since It works exceptionally well for HD and 4K HD streaming. However, 25 Mbps works flawlessly only if you’re streaming HD movies and shows on a limited number of devices. If you wish to stream on more than 2 to 3 devices, maxing up to 50 Mbps of speed is the way to go.
Streaming on Netflix in HD requires up to 5 Mbps while 4K HD needs at least 25 Mbps of speed. The number of devices and resolution preference matters a lot. On the other hand, streaming on YouTube or IPTV service in standard definition will need at least 3 Mbps of speed, while high definition will need at least 7 to 8 Mbps.
Now that you know how much internet speed you need for streaming in SD, HD, and 4K HD, let’s learn how to amp up your internet speed in the easiest ways possible!
Double Up Your Internet Speed Instantly
- Get Rid Of Your Cache Regularly
The cache is like trash (bonus points for the rhyme) but seriously, you have to get rid of it before it starts piling up and taking all the space. The cache is made up of tiny bits of information that are stored in your browser because of online internet activities like browsing, surfing, emailing, and more. The more it stores, the slower your browser becomes. You have to clear up the cache regularly to improve the performance and speed of your internet connection.
You can either install a plug-in or allow it to automatically clear up the cache or do it manually from your browser settings.
- Connect an Ethernet Cable
A wired connection works better than a wireless one as the speed remains uninterrupted. Invest in a suitable Ethernet cable and connect the device directly to the router. You will notice a significant change in the quality and loading speed of the internet.
- Update the Router’s Firmware
Just like software, updating a device’s firmware is also important if necessary. After a certain time, technical devices tend to become slower in performance which is why a quick update is severely needed on a timely basis. Always be on the lookout for new updates for software and hardware on the router’s official site so you don’t have to suffer from slow internet performance.
Wrapping It Up
With these quick internet speed-boosting tips and helpful streaming knowledge, we hope your TV watching experience becomes even better. For faster internet speeds as offered by Spectrum gold package, sign up for a fiber optic internet package from your local ISP. Fiber-optic internet doesn’t lag or buffer like your regular internet connection.
