Who doesn’t want fast internet for gaming, streaming, and working from home? Internet companies have mastered the art of upselling high-speed plans, convincing consumers to pay more than they truly need. The result? Millions of people are overspending on premium speed tiers, doubling their monthly bills without seeing any improvement in their internet experience.
What Are You Really Buying?
Let's start by showing you a lineup of speed options from a popular provider:
When you look at internet plans, like the ones in the example image above, you’re essentially choosing the maximum bandwidth your internet connection can handle, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Here we see three common plan options: 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gig (equal to 1,000 Mbps). In theory, the higher the Mbps, the more devices your network can handle at once without slowing down, but for the vast majority of users this choice will make no difference for their experience.
Many internet companies work hard to upsell premium “Gig” plans because they’re the most profitable. In fact, one major provider sells over 60% of its customers into gig-speed plans. But here’s the truth: most households don’t need gig speeds.
How Much Speed Do You Really Need?
Despite what internet companies want you to believe, most families can comfortably get by with speeds as low as 50–100 Mbps. To put things into perspective:
- Streaming Netflix in HD: Requires just 5 Mbps per device.
- Zoom video calls: Use around 3 Mbps for a smooth connection.
- Online gaming (e.g., Call of Duty): Needs about 3–5 Mbps per device.
- General browsing and social media: Use less than 1 Mbps per device.
Even if you’re streaming 4K content or gaming on multiple devices, a 200–300 Mbps plan is more than enough for the average household. It’s no surprise that the government defines high-speed broadband as just 100 Mbps—because that’s sufficient for most families.
Why Gig Speeds Are Overkill
Gigabit plans (1,000 Mbps or more) might sound appealing, but let’s break it down:
- A gigabit plan is capable of powering 200 simultaneous Netflix streams in HD or handling over 300 Zoom calls at the same time. Unless you’re running a large corporate office out of your house, it’s more than you’ll ever need.
Gig speeds won’t make your streaming or gaming noticeably faster; they’ll just make your bill noticeably higher.
What to Do If Your Internet Feels Slow
If your internet feels sluggish, the problem might not be your speed—it could be your wifi signal. Before upgrading to a pricier plan, try these steps:
- Check your equipment: Outdated modems or routers can bottleneck your speed.
- Optimize placement: Keep your router in a central location to improve coverage.
- Invest in a whole-home mesh wifi system: These systems extend your signal across your home, solving dead zones without the need for more speed.
Save Money, Get the Right Plan
Our advice is simple: choose the lowest speed plan your provider offers—usually in the range of 200–300 Mbps. These plans are typically $30–50 cheaper than gig-speed options and are more than enough for the average household.
Don’t let internet companies upsell you into paying for something you don’t need. Stick with the right speed, improve your wifi coverage, and enjoy reliable internet while saving big on your monthly bill. For more tips, check out our shopping guide to learn how to save over $500 every year on home internet.
You Have More Wifi Options Than You Think
Visit Wifi Shark to explore the best internet plans available in your area. Compare options, save money, and take control of your internet experience today.
