Which Type of Internet Speed is Best for You?

These days, it seems like every aspect of our lives is connected to the internet. We use it to pay our bills, catch up with old friends, access entertainment, get an education, and, in the last year, work our jobs. Having the right internet connection at our houses can make a big difference in our day-to-day lives. 

So how do you know what type of internet speed is right for you? Read on to learn more about different internet speeds and decide which one meets your needs.

Basics of Internet Speed

Before we dive into how much internet speed you need, let’s talk some about the basics of internet speed. There are two basic metrics to measure internet speed: upload speed and download speed. Both of these metrics are measured in bits per second (bps); you may also see megabits per second (Mbps).

In general, 25 Mbps is considered a slow internet speed, while 100 Mbps is considered average. 200 Mbps is a fast internet service, and 500 Mbps is extraordinary. Your internet speed will also determine how many people can reasonably use the internet at once; with 25 Mbps, you may only be able to have one or two people on at a time.

How Much Different Activities Require 

Now that we know a little about how internet speed works, let’s talk some about how much speed different activities require. If you want to check your email or do basic web browsing (social media, online shopping, research, etc.), you’ll need a minimum of 1 to 5 Mbps. But if you want to stream HD content, such as Netflix shows, you’ll need at least 15 to 25 Mbps. 

If you plan to play competitive online games, such as Destiny or World of Warcraft, you’ll need somewhere between 40 and 100 Mbps. If you want to download very large files, such as movies or large graphics files, you’ll want 200 Mbps or more. And if you want to do any or all of the above all at one time in your household, you may need to consider an internet speed above 200 Mbps.

Picking the Right Speed for You

The biggest two factors in determining what types of internet speed you need will be your household size and your activities. If you live alone or with a partner and you only use the internet to respond to emails and check Facebook, 25 to 50 Mbps should be plenty to meet your needs. But if you live in a household of five or more, you’ll need faster internet to be able to keep up.

Find the Right Type of Internet 

Picking the right type of internet speed for you is a matter of deciding what your particular needs are. If you’re a gamer or you want to be able to stream high-definition movies, you may want to look into getting a faster internet speed. If you only use the internet for basic browsing, you should be fine with a slower internet service.

If you’d like to get faster internet for less, check out the rest of our site at CenturyLink. We have high-speed internet packages starting at less than $50 a month. Request a quote today and start making your online life more accessible, more affordable, and less complicated.