What is a Good Internet Speed?

Whether you're binging your favorite show, facing off against your friends in an online game, or jumping into a Zoom meeting while working from home, your internet speed can make or break your experience. 

The speed at which you browse, stream, game, or video chat is more important than ever, but what exactly is internet speed, and how do you figure out what is a good internet speed for you?

Here, we'll explain everything you need to know about internet speed, including what makes for a fast connection, how it's measured, and how you can enhance your current home internet experience in no time. 

What is Internet Speed?

Internet speed refers to how quickly data can be transferred over the internet to your device and vice versa. 

For instance, a higher internet speed can significantly reduce the time it takes for an email to arrive in someone else's inbox after you hit send, speed up the process of uploading your vacation video to social media apps, or shorten the time it takes to download a game to your console or smartphone.

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps or gig), indicating data transfer speed. A higher number means a faster connection, faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive online activities. 

However, this doesn't necessarily mean you should always opt for the fastest speeds available from internet plans. Doing so might mean paying for more speed than you need.  

What Are Internet Upload and Download Speeds?

Internet speed consists of download and upload speeds.

Download speed is the rate at which data is sent from the internet to your device and is essential for activities like streaming Netflix and browsing websites.

Upload speed, however, is when data moves from your device to the internet. This speed is important for file uploads and for ensuring you stay connected during video calls.

You can check an internet plan's speeds using Broadband Facts Labels, available on the Internet Service Provider's website, and required by the Federal Communications Commission.

The “Speeds Provided with Plan” section of the label will look something like this: 

• Typical Download Speed: 59 Mbps (or Gbps)
• Typical Upload Speed: 12.9 Mbps (or Gbps)

Another section, "Typical Latency," will measure the time it takes to send or receive data in milliseconds (ms). Latency is usually referred to as "lag," and the lower it is, the better. 

Types of Internet Connections

Understanding the types of broadband internet connections available can help you choose the right plan:

• Fiber-optic: Fiber internet generally offers the fastest and most reliable gigabit speeds. Most providers, like AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber, Xfinity, and Verizon Fios, offer speeds ranging from 1 Gbps to as much as 5 Gbps.
• Cable: Provides high-speed internet through a coaxial cable — the same connection used for cable TV. Cable internet speeds can vary depending on network congestion but can reach 1 Gbps. 
• Fixed Wireless Broadband: This is 5G Home Internet provided through radio waves and can reach up to 1 Gbps, depending on location and a variety of factors. While it can be fast, it can also be unpredictable.  
• DSL: This type of service uses telephone lines and offers speeds up to 100 Mbps. The speed of DSL will depend on the distance from the service provider.
• Satellite: Satellite internet is an excellent option for rural areas but is generally slower and has higher latency than other types. Options typically provide speeds up to 250 Mbps. 

How Many Mbps Do I Need?

No magic number works for everyone when determining their internet speed needs. Why? Because everyone uses the internet differently. 

Some people use the internet for simple tasks like checking emails and browsing the web. A gamer, however, can spend hours playing online or live-streaming videos on Twitch or YouTube. 

So, how much internet speed do you need? Here's a quick breakdown of the worst to best speeds:

• 0-5 Mbps: If your internet speed is in this range, it's pretty slow. You can manage simple tasks like sending emails, browsing social media, or streaming standard definition (SD) videos, but anything beyond that will feel sluggish.
• 5-20 Mbps: This is better but still slower than someone with many internet-connected devices would need. With this speed, you can watch HD videos (1080p) from streaming services and manage basic online activities without too much buffering.
• 20-40 Mbps: At this level, you can stream 4K videos, enjoy online gaming, and handle more demanding online tasks.
• 40-100 Mbps: These speeds should feel solid. You can stream HD games, watch 4K videos, and do many things online without hiccups.
• 100+ Mbps: This is fast. You're ready for multiplayer gaming, 4K streaming on multiple devices, and downloading large files without breaking a sweat. A 100 Mbps or higher speed is ideal for households with multiple users and devices that handle intensive tasks.
• 1 Gbps and up: With these speeds, you can do anything you want on as many devices as you wish—all simultaneously. But anything over 1 Gbps may be overkill for most people, and you'll likely pay a premium for these speeds.

When determining how many Mbps you need, it's also important to remember that internet usage is cumulative. The more devices you connect to your network, the more speed and bandwidth you'll need—we’ll explain what that is in the next section. 

What Other Factors Can Affect My Internet Speed?

Signing up for a plan with a fast internet speed is only one step in the process. Several variables can influence your internet speed, including:

• Type of Broadband Connection: The kind of connection you choose will affect the highest speeds you can experience. 
• Your Internet Service Provider (ISP): During peak hours, your ISP's network can become overloaded, affecting your speeds. 
• Bandwidth: This is the volume of information that can be transferred over an internet connection at any moment. Think of it like a city street — the more lanes (bandwidth) you have, the more cars (data) can travel down that street at the same time. Congestion in your home network can slow it all down. 
• Wi-Fi Signal: If you're using a Wi-Fi router, its performance will depend on your device's proximity to it and whether or not walls or other objects obstruct it. 
• Number of Connected Devices: The more devices connected to your network, the more bandwidth is needed. Each device uses a portion of your internet speed, whether connected through Wi-Fi or ethernet. Having multiple products connected, like active smart home devices and laptops, can slow down your overall connection.
• Older Hardware: The type and age of your hardware can affect the download and upload speed you experience. Your device's operating system, web browser, and network interface card can also affect your internet connection speed. 

How to Get the Best Internet Speeds From Your Current Plan

If you find yourself asking, "How fast is my internet?" here's how you can determine the current levels you're receiving and potentially improve it in just a few minutes. 

How to Check Your Internet Speed

It's a good idea to periodically perform an internet speed test to ensure you get what you pay for. 

You can use these online tools to check your speed:

• Speedtest by Ookla 
• Fast.com‍

If your internet speed is consistently lower than expected, contact your ISP to address the issue or follow some of the steps below.

Improve Your Internet Speed

If you're experiencing slow internet speeds, here are some tips to improve your connection:

• Reboot Your Equipment: Restart your modem and router to refresh your connection.
• Relocate Your Router: Place your router in a central location free from obstructions to ensure a strong signal.
• Reduce Device Load: Disconnect devices not in use to free up bandwidth. If 
• Use Wired Connections: For important tasks like uploading a 4K video, connect devices directly to the router or modem via an ethernet cable to receive a better connection. 
• Upgrade Your Plan: If you've added more devices or your internet usage has increased, your plan may not be cutting it anymore. Consider upgrading to a higher-speed option.

The Bottom Line

So, what is a good internet speed? In a nutshell, it depends on how you’re using the internet.  If you simply check email and browse websites, the slower options may be enough for your daily needs.  But if you do anything else, faster speeds will boost your online experience by reducing buffering, improving download times, and ensuring smooth streaming and gaming. 

The best approach is to balance the faster options against your actual usage and budget. While opting for the fastest available speed might be tempting, consider whether you genuinely need it based on your daily activities.

By understanding the factors that affect internet speed and evaluating your daily patterns, you can choose a plan that ensures a smooth online experience without overpaying for unnecessary speed. Just remember to occasionally check your speed and setup to get the most out of your internet connection.