Lower speeds like 3–18 Mbps work for lower-quality video formats like SD (standard definition) or HD (high definition), while 25 Mbps is the bare minimum recommended download speed for 4K or ultra-high definition (UHD). If you have more than one user or device, though, you’ll want more than 25 Mbps—probably closer to 50 Mbps or more. So let’s dig in and figure out just how much internet speed you need to stream your favorite shows.
SD (480p): 3+ Mbps HD (720–1080p): 5–13+ Mbps 4K (UHD, 2160p): 16–25 Mbps
With Mbps, it’s important to know that even if your ISP lists download speeds that are fast, you may still run into buffering issues if you don’t have enough bandwidth for everyone’s devices to be on the Wi-Fi network. To get the best high-speed internet for streaming, you’ll need to account for multiple devices and users. You’ll also want to consider the types of media you need to play. 4K TV shows and online gaming require more Mbps than browsing the web or checking email. We tend to go higher than the recommended streaming speed minimum requirements listed by websites, mostly because you’ll need more speed to support multiple devices and people. You may want to upgrade your download speed plan to make sure your signal is strong enough to get good Wi-Fi for streaming if you work from home or have friends over to watch movies often so there is enough for every device and person. Sometimes, a simple little trick like repositioning or restarting your router can do wonders for your internet connection. But if you’ve tried all the tips in our guide and still have to give up couch space for that buffering bully, there are two more things you can try. And if your internet speed seems slow only when you stream movies, you should look into getting a Roku or another dedicated streaming device. That way, high-definition video streams won’t have to buffer because of other apps. However, 100 Mbps download speeds are enough for HD streaming for multiple devices and users. And upload speed isn’t as crucial for streaming unless you’re livestreaming from Twitch, playing online games, or uploading HD videos to YouTube or Facebook. Upload speeds also help if you download and upload large files or hi-def video through file-sharing programs. You can check your current internet speeds using a speed test to see if you have good Internet and Wi-Fi for streaming. If your speed test results don’t look as fast as what you need, see if you can get a deal on upgrading your download speed. Or check out our recommendations for the best internet service providers.
