50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps- Which Should You Pick In 2023? 

Picking the right bandwidth internet package is a tough decision, especially if you choose between 50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps. 

However, if you can analyze your usage properly then it can become easy. But how do you do it? 

Don’t worry. I am here to save the day. Because of my years of experience as a network professional, I can help you choose between 50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps. 

So, in this article on 50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps, I am going to compare 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps in terms of general use, gaming, and streaming. Moreover, I am going to provide two of the best routers for 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps speed. So, stay tuned.    

50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps Comparison

Let’s have a look at the quick comparison chart

Comparison Factor50 Mbps100 Mbps
Web BrowingEnough for any type of browsing. More than enough for browsing and regular tasks. 
Home OfficeGood for multiple zoom calls at the same time.   Enough for supporting network-intensive tasks and online meetings. 
Number of Optimum Users2-4 persons4-7 persons 
Number of Devices5-7 devices8-10 devices
Streming UHD for single userUHD for multiple users
Gaming Suitable for mobile and regular console gamesSuitable for competitive gaming.
Router TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi RouterNETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700 

Now let’s dive deep into the comparison.

50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps General Use

For general usage the internet speed does not matter much. Because web browsing and social media apps can be used with as little as 1 Mbps speed. So, both 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps are more than enough. 

However, between 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps which one will you need for general usage largely depends on how many people will use your internet. Because nowadays every person has multiple devices and each device eats up a certain percentage of your internet bandwidth.  

Moreover, smart home devices also need an internet connection and these devices constantly send and receive data from servers. So, they will eat up your bandwidth too. 

As a result, if you have more than 4 family members with multiple devices and a few smart home devices then 100 Mbps will provide a seamless experience. On the other hand, if you have less than 4 persons in your family with moderate usage then 50 Mbps is more than enough for you.  

50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps Gaming

Wheather you will require 50 Mbps or 100 Mbps will largely depend on which type of game you will be playing and if multiple players are -playing using the same connection or not. So, let’s have a look at both of the bandwidths and which one is suitable for what.

Is 50 Mbps good for gaming?

Actually, it depends on which type of gaming you are referring to. Generally,  50 Mbps is good enough for regular gaming. But not enough for competitive gaming.

Most online video games require a minimum bandwidth of around 25 Mbps in order to function correctly. So if you are looking to game online, then you will need a connection that is at least 50 Mbps. There are also a few things you should keep in mind.

  1. First, not all games are created equal. Some games require more bandwidth than others. For example, games that require a lot of online interaction, like MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games), may need a higher Mbps speed to run smoothly.
  • Second, your internet connection also depends on your device. Some devices, like gaming consoles, are more bandwidth-hungry than others.
  • Finally, your location can also affect your internet speed. If you’re in a rural area, you may not have access to the same high-speed internet as someone who lives in a city.

Moreover, what type of gaming you are interested in will also define your bandwidth needs.

If you are a casual gamer who is just looking to play some games online or offline with friends, then 50 Mbps is more than enough bandwidth for you. However, if you are a more serious gamer who wants to play the latest high-end video games online, you may need a higher bandwidth connection.

Now let’s look at a 100 Mbps connection. 

Is 100 Mbps good for gaming?

In general, a 100 Mbps internet connection should be more than adequate for both casual and competitive gaming.

In the gaming world, there are two main types of gamers – those that are content with a good frame rate on their console or PC, and those that need the best possible graphics and gaming experience, no matter the cost. For the latter, even 100 Mbps is not good enough.

For a console gamer, 100 Mbps is more than enough. In fact, most consoles can’t even take advantage of speeds that fast. Sony’s PlayStation 4, for example, has a download speed of up to 8 Mbps, while Microsoft’s Xbox One can reach speeds of up to 15 Mbps. Nintendo’s latest console, the Switch, caps out at a download speed of 5.2 Mbps.

PC gamers, on the other hand, need faster speeds. A good frame rate for a PC gamer is around 60 fps, and at 100 Mbps, you can expect to get around that.

Moreover, if you are playing a fast-paced, multiplayer online game, you will likely need a higher upload speed to ensure smooth gameplay. For games that require a lot of data to be downloaded, such as huge open-world games, a higher download speed will also be beneficial. So, 100 Mbps would be a better choice for these types of gamers. 

Lastly, A 100 Mbps internet connection should be more than enough for most gaming needs, but it is always a good idea to check your specific game’s requirements before making a purchase.

At this time, let’s look at video streaming. 

50 Mbps vs 100mbps Video Streaming 

For single-use HD video streaming 50 Mbps is sufficient. On the other hand for streaming on multiple devices 100 Mbps is better. Moreover, 100 Mbps also enables you to stream at 4k. 

As Netflix is the most popular streaming platform with the largest streaming library. So, let’s talk about which one is good for streaming on Netflix. 

Is 50 Mbps fast enough for Netflix?

Netflix recommends a broadband speed of at least 5 Mbps for streaming standard definition video and 25 Mbps for streaming HD video. So, is 50 Mbps fast enough for Netflix?

The answer is, it depends. If you are only streaming standard definition video, then 50 Mbps is more than enough. However, if you are streaming HD video, then you may experience some buffering or lagging. Moreover, 50 Mbps does not provide a better experience at streaming on multiple devices. 

Lastly, if you want the best 4k experience then 50 Mbps is not enough.  

Is 100 Mbps fast enough for Netflix?

A 100 Mbps connection is more than enough for streaming HD video and single-screen 4k streaming.  As Netflix recommends a broadband connection speed of 5 Mbps for streaming standard-definition video and 25 Mbps for streaming high-definition video. 

That said, a 100 Mbps connection is more than enough for most Netflix users. The average Netflix user consumes about 1.5 GB of data per hour, so a 100 Mbps connection can support up to 67 hours of streaming HD video per month.

So, if you want to stream on multiple devices with 4k then you must choose 100 Mbps. 

Now let’s look at my verdict. 

Verdict

As both 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps is good enough and between 50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps, it’s hard to choose without being sure about the usage. So, instead of suggesting one, I would answer the below questions which will help you choose one.  

50 Mbps speed is good or bad?

50 Mbps is a good speed because it is the average speed of most Americans. It is also fast enough to allow high-quality streaming, casual gaming, and other online activities. Additionally, 50 Mbps is enough to support several devices at once without buffering or lag. However, if you are using a very high-resolution streaming service, such as 4K Ultra HD, you may need a faster speed to avoid buffering.

So, if you have a small family with a few devices or do not play AAA-rated online games or stream at 4k then 100 Mbps is more than enough for you. 

Is it worth getting 100 Mbps internet?

Yes, 100 Mbps is totally worth taking. However, the answer to this question largely depends on your internet usage habits. If you play competitive online games, and stream 4k content then 100 Mbps will provide a better service. 

However, if you primarily use the internet for activities that do not require   high bandwidth, such as browsing the web or checking email, then you may not see a significant difference in speed with a 100 Mbps connection.

So, if you are the latter type of user then 100 Mbps would be an overkill for you. Otherwise, it’s totally worth it. 

No matter how good your internet connection is, you will require a great router for the best experience. Here are my two suggested routers for 50 Mbps vs 100 Mbps. 

Both of them are great routers. For a deep review and user experience of them check our article on Tp Link Ac1750 Vs Netgear Ac1750

Lastly, whether you should choose 50 Mbps or 100 Mbps completely depend on the size of your family and usage. However, as devices are getting more bandwidth-hungry day by day, so I would suggest you get a 100 Mbps connection if you can afford it. 

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