Best Internet Providers for Streaming in 2023 – CNET [CNET]
- Prices from $55 – $180 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 5,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $40 – $100 per month
- Speeds from 25 – 940Mbps
- 1.25TB monthly data allowance
Frontier Fiber – Best low-cost fiber plan, $10 off YouTube TV per month for one year
- Prices from $50 – $155 per month
- Speeds from 500 – 5,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
Kinetic by Windstream – Best rural internet provider for streaming
- Prices from $40 – $70 per month
- Speeds from 100 – 1,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
Spectrum – Best live TV streaming add-on with stand-alone internet
- Prices from $50 – $90 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 940Mbps
- Unlimited data
Between all of the streaming subscriptions in my house — Netflix, ESPN Plus, Max (formerly HBO Max), Prime Video, a cable TV streaming service, plus probably a half dozen others — I rely heavily on my internet connection for my entertainment. Chances are you do too, so you’ll want to make sure your internet provider and plan is up to the task.
What internet speeds do you need for streaming? It depends on the streaming service and video quality you want to stream in. Below, you’ll find the minimum recommended speeds for some of the most popular streaming services, so you can find options and get the best internet for streaming all your favorite content.
Streaming service | Minimum recommended speed for streaming |
---|---|
Apple TV Plus | 3-25Mbps |
Amazon Prime Video | 1-5Mbps |
DirecTV Stream | 8Mbps per streaming device |
Disney Plus | 5-25Mbps |
ESPN Plus | 2Mbps or higher |
Hulu | 3-16Mbps |
Netflix | 5Mbps or higher |
Max | 5-50Mbps |
Spotify | 1Mbps |
YouTube TV | 3-25Mbps |
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As you can see, streaming, whether it be TV or music, doesn’t require a ton of speed. It’s important to note, however, that the recommended speeds reflect actual, not advertised, speeds. So, if your internet plan advertises “speeds up to 50Mbps,” the actual speeds to your streaming device are likely to be much slower, especially when using Wi-Fi and connecting multiple devices.
Ideally, you’ll want an internet service provider and plan with advertised speeds well above the recommended speeds for the best streaming experience. Some internet providers are better suited than others, but all providers listed below offer speeds of at least 100Mbps or higher, which should be ample speed for streaming of any quality. The providers on our list of the best ISP for streaming are chosen as particularly good options due to their exceptionally fast speeds, cheap internet pricing or extra streaming-specific perks.
AT&T Fiber
Best for streaming in larger households
Product details
Price range $55 – $180 per month Speed range 300 – 5,000Mbps Connection Fiber Highlights Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
Fiber internet is generally faster and more reliable than any other internet type, making it the ideal internet connection type for streaming. Fiber service can be tough to find and somewhat pricey, but AT&T boasts the highest fiber availability in the US and some of the most budget-friendly plans.
Along with high availability, AT&T offers the most plan options of just about any fiber provider. Select areas will have the speed options of 300Mbps, 500Mbps, 1Gbps, 2Gbps and 5Gbps. Multigigabit speeds are ideal for larger households that may stream content on 15 or more devices across streaming devices, smart TVs, tablets, phones and more.
Multigigabit service will cost you a bit more than other plans — AT&T starts at $110 per month for 2Gbps and $180 per month for 5Gpbs — but you may find the ability for everyone to stream in HD quality or better on a virtually unlimited number of devices to be worth the premium price.