Many families are spending more on internet for internet speeds they never actually need.
But it’s hard to know what internet plan & speed is right, it’s best to play it safe and get the larger or a middle of the road plan right? Well, maybe no.
What internet speed do you really need anyway?
How Much Data do Things Need?
Take a guess how many concurrent Netflix Streams you can have running on 150Mbps or 1Gbps connection. Maybe 2? Or maybe 50? What about Zoom or Teams? Video games, I hear they take a lot right?
Let’s take a look
| Usage Type | Avg Usage per Device | Devices Supported @ 50 Mbps | Devices Supported @ 150 Mbps | Devices Supported @ 500 Mbps | Devices Supported @ 1 Gbps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio streaming (Spotify, Apple Music) | 0.3–0.6 Mbps | 40–60 | 100–200 | 300–400 | 500+ |
| Web browsing / social media | 1–2 Mbps | 20–30 | 60–100 | 150–300 | 300+ |
| Video calls (Zoom, Teams) | 2–3 Mbps | 6–10 | 20–30 | 50–75 | 100–150 |
| 1080p video streaming (Netflix, YouTube HD) | 5 Mbps | 6–10 | 20–30 | 60–90 | 100+ |
| 4K video streaming (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video UHD) | 15–25 Mbps | 1–2 | 5–7 | 15–25 | 30–40 |
| Online multiplayer gaming | 0.5–3 Mbps | 15–20 | 40–60 | 150+ | 200+ |
| Large downloads / uploads (Steam download, updates, Video uploads) | 25–100+ Mbps (bursty) | 1 | 2–3 | 10–15 | 20+ |
| Cloud backups / file sync (Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive) | 10–30 Mbps (bursty) | 5–10 | 15–30 | 50–75 | 100+ |
| Smart home cameras (Nest, Ring, Arlo) | 2–10 Mbps (variable) | 3–5 | 10–20 | 30–40 | 75–100 |
| Smart devices (lights, plugs, thermostats) | 0.1–0.5 Mbps | 30–50 | 75–100 | 200–300 | 300–400+ |
Even 4K streaming, one of the most demanding uses, only needs 15–25 Mbps per stream.
How crazy is that? 10+ Netflix streams on 150 Mbps no problem, and and in theory 60+ on 1 Gbps!
So what Speed do you actually need?
A good safe rule of thumb (2025) is ~25Mbs per person to give plenty of flexibility. If you have a super heavy user, maybe doubling their share to be even more generous.
For a 4-person household in 2025, sustained internet use is typically floats around 15–30 Mbps when everyone is active, and it’s rare to exceed ~50 Mbps outside short bursts. A few HD video running ~5 Mbps, video calls ~2–3 Mbps, maybe a camera or two, and most homes only have a few concurrent heavy activities. Which is why a 100 Mbps plan easily exceeds real demand for most families.
| # People | Sufficient Mbps |
|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Mbps |
| 2 | 50 Mbps |
| 3–4 | 75–100 Mbps |
| 5–8 | 125–200 Mbps |
Costs Saving Potential
Let’s look at Xfinity’s plans in IL in 2025.
Most households would be well served by 100–150 Mbps. Xfinity’s 150 Mbps plan is often less visible than higher tiers, and many families end up on 300 or 500 Mbps plans instead. As shown above, that extra speed is rarely used and can cost $300 per year or more.
| Speed (Down) | Price/mo | Yearly Cost | Yearly Cost vs 150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 Mbps | $69 | $828 | — |
| 300 Mbps | $80 | $960 | +$132 |
| 500 Mbps | $95 | $1,140 | +$312 |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gig) | $110 | $1,320 | +$492 |
| 2000 Mbps (2 Gig) | $140 | $1,680 | +$852 |
Many internet providers don’t mention their smaller plans. Xfinity’s 150 Mbps plan isn’t advertised online and typically only comes up if you ask for it.
How to Downgrade and Save
They will gladly upgrade you back anytime. 😉 So try the smallest for a bit.
Script to ask for it
The simplest approach is also the safest: start with the smallest plan and only upgrade if you actually hit limits. ISPs can upgrade your speed instantly, but they’re happy to let you overpay indefinitely.
When calling or chatting with support, keep it boring and firm:
“I’m looking for the cheapest, lowest-speed plan you offer. I don’t need anything fancy. I can always upgrade later.”
They will often ask how many devices you have. This question is used to upsell, not to size your plan accurately. As shown above, most devices use very little bandwidth, and even multiple video streams or video calls fit comfortably within lower tiers.
If pressed, repeat:
“I really just want the smallest plan right now. If I have issues, I’ll upgrade.”
That’s it. No debate required.
For many households, 50 Mbps would already work fine if it’s available. Where it isn’t, 100–150 Mbps still exceeds real-world usage by several multiples. Higher tiers mostly buy unused headroom. Trying the smallest plan first is low risk, easy to reverse, and often saves hundreds of dollars per year.