What Internet Speed Do You Need for Streaming?
Streaming is the biggest bandwidth user in most homes. Here's exactly how much speed you need, per service and per household.
Per-service requirements
- Netflix: 3 Mbps SD, 5 Mbps HD, 15–25 Mbps 4K
- YouTube: 2.5 Mbps HD, ~20 Mbps for 4K
- Disney+ / Prime 4K: ~25 Mbps
- Twitch / live: 4–6 Mbps for source-quality HD
Household math
Add up simultaneous streams. Two 4K TVs plus a phone on HD ≈ 55 Mbps just for video — so a 100 Mbps plan gives comfortable headroom for a streaming household.
Key takeaway: Buffering on a fast plan is usually bufferbloat or WiFi, not raw speed. Check your bufferbloat grade and stability, not just the download number.
Why fast plans still buffer
If you have 200 Mbps and still get the spinning wheel, the cause is almost always WiFi distance, an overloaded connection, or bufferbloat. Run our test to see all of these at once and find the real culprit.
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