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How Much Speed Do I Demand to Stream Video?

Jan 26, 2022 Share
FAQ, Internet Speed Guides, Streaming Guides

If you don't remember the final time you hooked up your Idiot box to an antenna, you're non alone. Streaming video is merely the norm now for almost folks. Simply it'southward also one of the most bandwidth-intensive—and frequent—activities nosotros practise online. Nowadays it's not uncommon for kids to exist streaming Sesame Street on their iPads downstairs while their parents are upstairs watching Tiger King, or to have your roommate binge-watching Game of Thrones while you're watching live sports.

How can your internet connection keep upwardly? We'll assistance you lot figure it out. When looking at the recommended speeds for each platform below, make sure to add upward all the different services that could be running at the same time. And don't forget to upkeep a few Mbps for people who might be trying to work while everyone else is streaming.

How much speed do you need for your streaming service?

Before we get started, you may want to test your net speed first so you tin can compare it to the recommended speeds.

What exercise I need to stream video?

With everyone spending more time at home over the last few years, streaming video services like Netflix and Disney+ have go a ubiquitous part of life. If you're a cable Tv customer thinking near cut the string one time and for all, this is the place to commencement.

The first thing yous need is a skillful internet connection. That not simply means an internet plan that can meet the bones speed requirements, but also one that'due south non going to run out of data. Streaming video is one of the almost data-intensive things you tin can exercise online, so look for a service that has a loftier data cap or, preferably, an cyberspace plan with unlimited information.

The adjacent matter you demand is a streaming service. Most services provide TV shows and movies on demand, only there are too some—like YouTube TV—that offering live TV channels, just like cable TV. Many of these services offer gratuitous trials, and some—like Crackle and YouTube—are completely free. Instead of charging you for a subscription, their revenue comes from ads.

If y'all don't know which service to sign up for, effort a few and see which ones accept the content you're looking for. If you're looking for more information check out these other manufactures:

Disney+ vs. Netflix
HBO vs. HBO Max
4K Streaming Guide

How much speed you need for Netflix

Netflix has very clear recommendations for speed based on the quality of video you want.ⁱ Merely know that the speeds listed are for streaming on a single device, so if multiple devices on your network are watching Netflix at the same time, y'all need enough speed to handle all those streams at one time.

How much speed you need for Apple TV+

Apple doesn't give official requirements for download speeds on its Apple Television set+ streaming service. Like well-nigh streaming services, it volition adjust the quality of the video automatically to match your download speed; however, users have measured the bitrate of a 4K stream at effectually 29 Mbps.²

We recommend at least a 25 Mbps download speed if you lot desire to spotter in 4K quality. The quality of video available for Apple TV+ or for movies rented or purchased through the Apple tree Telly app tin also vary a lot depending on the device you're using to stream. To take full reward of all the features Apple offers—4K HDR video with Dolby Atmos sound—you'll need an Apple TV 4K as well as a broadband connection of at least 25 Mbps.

How much speed you lot need for Hulu

Hulu'due south speed recommendations are based on picture quality and the type of content you lot're watching.^three Similar to other streaming providers, Hulu automatically adjusts the video quality based on internet speed. It as well recommends college speeds for live content than library content. These recommendations are too the bare minimum, so we advise a slightly faster connectedness to brand sure y'all ever get the video quality you want.

How much speed you need for Amazon Prime Video

Like many services, Amazon automatically adjusts the quality of your videos to serve you the highest quality picture possible based on your speed.⁴ It doesn't have much in the way of speed recommendations, merely it does warn that even if you're watching on a supported device, you may experience issues beneath a certain connection speed. Since these are minimum requirements, we would recommend having a faster connection if possible.

How much speed yous need for YouTube

Like Netflix, YouTube does a great job of making its internet speed recommendations easy to sympathize.⁵ YouTube also points out that even if your connection tin hit these numbers on a speed examination, in that location are other factors like Wi-Fi performance, the type of connection, and the number of other devices on your network that can reduce your actual speed. We'll talk more about other factors that affect buffering beneath.

How much speed you need for YouTube TV

YouTube TV Logo

*Available at an boosted charge. Device and content restrictions utilize.

Although information technology does offer recommended speeds for reliable streaming, YouTube Telly notes that you can all the same use the service with speeds that don't quite meet the bar.^fifteen For case you can stream an Hd video with a seven Mbps download speed, simply you're more likely to run into buffering issues. You lot can too watch with speeds slower than 3 Mbps, but any content may load slowly or rebuffer when yous try to lookout man.

How much speed y'all need for Disney+

Disney+ has speed recommendations that are on par with other streaming video services.⁶ If your connection is fast enough for 4K UHD video simply you nevertheless find yourself being served low-quality video instead, it's worth noting that some titles just aren't bachelor in this format.

In response to the COVID-nineteen outbreak, Disney+ has instituted measures to lower bandwidth utilization, which means potentially limiting Hd and UHD streaming.

How much speed y'all need for Sling Tv

Sling Television set problems its speed recommendations based on the type and number of devices you lot plan to utilise, recommending at least a 25 Mbps connection if yous're going to exist streaming on multiple devices.^seven It also notes that these recommendations are for "abiding speeds," so if, for example, you had a cablevision connection that slows during meridian-utilise times, you want to make certain that your speed never dips below these requirements for Sling to run properly.

How much speed you need for HBO GO

HBO GO doesn't requite many recommendations regarding connexion speed, only information technology does notation that for mobile devices, either a 3G connection or a connection to a Wi-Fi network that meets the minimum speed is required.⁸ Its minimum requirements are also fairly low, then we recommend having a higher speed for consistent Hard disk streaming.

How much speed you lot demand for SHOWTIME Streaming Service

Offset has just one recommendation for streaming, still, similar HBO Go, it strongly recommends that mobile devices utilize a Wi-Fi connection, though mobile devices tin also stream video with a 4G connectedness.⁹

How much speed you need for STARZ

STARZ doesn't pause downwards its speed recommendations for different video quality or different devices.¹⁰ In full general, it simply encourages viewers to use the latest devices and software for the all-time feel.

How much speed you need for AT&T TV NOW

AT&T gives u.s.a. ane speed that'south high enough to hands handle most streaming.¹¹ Unproblematic, correct? Distressing, but TV from AT&T isn't quite that straightforward. AT&T Telly At present is the streaming service formerly known every bit DIRECTV NOW. This is not to exist confused with the new streaming service AT&T TV, which is more like a traditional cable service, consummate with two-yr contracts and almanac price hikes. These two services should too non be confused with AT&T WatchTV, which is a third Tv set service provided by AT&T.

How much speed yous need for VUDU

VUDU offers streaming in HDX, which is a format developed by VUDU that claims a better movie experience past preserving a picture show's native 24 frames per 2d frame rate.¹² If your internet connection tin't maintain the required minimum speed, you can utilise the VUDU app to download the video in HDX format.

How much speed yous need for Crackle

Crepitation is an advertizement-supported streaming service, so in add-on to playback bug related to your internet speed, ad blockers might interfere with your video.^xiii If you've checked your speed but are nevertheless having issues, try disabling your advertising blocker and see if it makes a divergence.

How much speed yous need for Acorn Tv

Acorn TV cites simply a minimum speed requirement.¹⁴ This minimum is also adequately low compared to other streaming services. For college-quality streams, particularly on multiple devices, you'll want more speed.

What if you meet the minimum speed requirements and still accept problems?

Proceed in mind that even if your internet speed meets the recommended speed of the streaming service you're using, you could notwithstanding take trouble with the quality of your video. If someone is downloading a large file or on a video conversation while yous're trying to stream video, your bandwidth is going to be split between all these activities.

Some types of internet connections can experience slowdown at peak-utilize hours. Fast internet connections too need fast Wi-Fi routers that tin handle multiple devices streaming at the same time. Watching a flick on Netflix uses more than bandwidth than surfing the web, Voice over IP, or even online gaming. As such, one of the most basic reasons to upgrade your cyberspace service is to make sure that the video you lot stream has a well-baked, clear motion-picture show and buttery-smooth playback.

What should y'all do if your internet speed isn't fast plenty for streaming?

If your net service isn't fast enough for your streaming service, you're probably due for an upgrade. We'll help you detect the fastest internet service providers in your area by entering your Nil lawmaking in the box below.

Netflix. "Cyberspace Connection Speed Recommendations," Accessed March 5, 2021.
Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac, "Apple Television+ Praised for Its Loftier Bitrate Streaming Video Quality" November five, 2019. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Hulu. "Internet Speed Recommendations," May xi, 2020. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Prime Video. "Problems with Live Streams on Prime Video" Accessed March eight, 2021.
YouTube Help, "System Requirements" Accessed March viii, 2021.
Disney+ Help Eye, "What Are the Disney+ Internet Speed Recommendations?" Accessed March 8, 2021.
Sling, "Net Speed Recommendations," Accessed March eight, 2021.
HBO Become Assist Center, "Supported Devices" Accessed March 9, 2021.
Showtime Help Heart, "I'm Having Trouble Getting Programs to Play/Video Is Skipping," Accessed March 9, 2021.
STARZ, "Oftentimes Asked Questions about STARZ," Accessed March nine, 2021.
AT&T. "Go Internet Speed Suggestions for AT&T Television," Accessed March 9, 2021.
VUDU Customer Back up, "What Are My Bandwidth Requirements to Watch My Movies on the Web?" Accessed March 9, 2021.
Crackle Aid Center. "Common Video Playback Issues" Accessed March 9, 2021.
Acorn TV, "Acorn TV Videos Are Buffering,"Accessed March 9, 2021.
YouTube Television receiver Help, "Troubleshoot Video Streaming Issues." Accessed January 19, 2022.

Author - Peter Christiansen

Peter Christiansen writes well-nigh satellite internet, rural connectivity, livestreaming, and parental controls for HighSpeedInternet.com. Peter holds a PhD in communication from the Academy of Utah and has been working in tech for over 15 years as a computer programmer, game programmer, filmmaker, and author. His writing has been praised by outlets like Wired, Digital Humanities Now, and the New Statesman.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for vii years, and she'due south edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a small in editing from Brigham Young University. When she'due south not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a proficient internet connexion significantly extends your life span.