Sick of slow internet? How to check you’re getting what you pay for
We all know the pain of “slow” internet: videos buffer, downloads take ages, and a single page can take forever to load. We wonder whether it’s our browser, our device, or the website we’re visiting.
It could be your Wi-Fi signal. Wireless networks are notorious for connection problems. Tap or click for ways to boost your Wi-Fi coverage for good, including changing the router’s channel, which hardly anyone does.
Speaking of, your router or modem also be the culprit. You may be tempted to unplug yours and plug it right back in, but that’s a mistake. Tap or click here for the way tech pros reboot their routers where patience can pay off in a more reliable signal.
Beyond that, how can you pinpoint the issue? Your first step is to check your connection speed. Afterward, compare the results of the test to the speed advertised by your internet provider.
Note: Before you test your internet speed, make sure no one in your home network is doing bandwidth-hogging tasks like downloading or sharing files, streaming videos, gaming, etc. You don’t want any activity skewing results.
Measuring internet speed
Internet speed is typically measured in “megabits per second” or Mbps. Every provider promises different tiers of internet speed rates. In general, the pricier the plan, the faster your internet should be.
1-3 Mbps – Good enough for web surfing, email, social, casual online gaming (if you don’t mind some latency) and email. However, this is not ideal for video streaming.
3-4 Mbps – This is the minimum speed for standard video streaming from services like Netflix. This speed may be enough for a one-computer household, but with all the HD content available on the web right now, you should expect constant video buffering.
5-10 Mbps – Netflix recommends at least 5 Mbps for a single HD stream, and you’ll double that for two simultaneous HD streams. Although this is the baseline speed required for HD content, it could still lead to buffering, especially if you have multiple connected gadgets.
10-20 Mbps – This is the minimum speed for a consistent and reliable internet experience. If you continuously download files from the web and cloud storage services, get a plan with this advertised speed at the very least.
20 Mbps and higher – Now we’re talking. Households with multiple computers and gadgets, video streaming services, smart appliances, and simultaneous users should aim for at least a 20 Mbps plan.
Best way to spend $20, $30, or $50 per month for streaming shows, sports and movies
What’s the most expensive video streaming service? College. You might think otherwise looking at your credit card statements. Streaming entertainment services are experiencing unprecedented profits as the pandemic continues to force us to sit at home on the couch.
Looking for something to watch? Easiest way to search all the streaming services
Now that we’re spending more time at home streaming services are more important than ever. But, with all the video streaming options out there, are you struggling to find all the worthwhile content to watch?
If you want to keep up with all your favorite movies and TV shows as they come and go you may need a little help. Don’t worry, here’s a cool site we found just for you!