What Internet Service is Best for Streaming?

Download Speeds

When you begin researching Internet plans, you’ll likely notice two speeds mentioned – download speeds and upload speeds. Typically, the speed displayed most prominently is the download speed. This is put front and center because it is the speed that will most significantly impact your everyday Internet usage, whether you’re checking your email, or checking out the latest movie offerings.
 
The download speed tells you how many megabits per second (Mbps) can be retrieved from the server to display the requested content on your device. The higher the Mbps, the more information you’ll be able to download instantly, which provides the most seamless entertainment experience without constantly being interrupted by buffering or a poor connection warning on your screen. 
 
While some single-person households may get along just fine with up to 25 Mbps, we recommend a range of at least 100 Mbps if you plan to run 3 or more devices at any given time, or if you’ll be engaging in high-bandwidth activities like gaming. Larger households may require up to 200 Mbps or more to keep connection hiccups at bay.

Current Cable & Internet Bundles

Remember – the Internet itself is just the gas. You still have the buy the cars! And in this case, the cars are the streaming providers you plan to subscribe to. Now that you’ve calculated how much additional bandwidth – or speed – your plan will have to provide to keep up with your streaming needs, tally up the below:
 

• The increased cost from your current Internet plan (ie. Will you have to switch from a $50 plan to a $90 plan, resulting in a $40 additional Internet cost?)

• The total monthly costs of streaming service subscriptions (ie. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc.)

 
Now consider how much your total bill is if you’re currently bundling cable and Internet. Which one comes out higher? Does the option with the higher cost come with additional benefits that justify the price difference, like increased reliability, more channels, or a better sports package? Making a quick list of pros and cons, and what you’ll gain and lose with each, can help you decide if cutting the cord is the best choice for your home.