How to choose the best internet for online gaming | digital trends (2023)

Online gaming can be a great way to relax and escape from reality. Offer many of the most popular gamesOnline multiplayer modesthat brings thousands and thousands of people together to play. And when you play online, whether you're a novice or a veteran, you won't have internet interruptions while you play.

A fast and reliable Internet connection can help minimize interference and reduce latency and lag times. A solid internet connection is all the more important the more complex the games become – for example in the case of fast-paced first-person shooters.

But how can you be sure that your internet is up to the task? It is important to choose the right provider, plan and connection type. This article provides the information you need to make a good choice.

Why internet speed is important for online gaming

Internet speed is measured using two factors: download speed and upload speed. The download speed indicates how long it takes for your game console (eg Xbox or PlayStation) or computer to receive information from the game server. Upload speed indicates how long it takes to upload information from your device to the server. Then there is a third factor: latency. This is the time from the initiation of an action on your gaming device until the Internet-connected service registers the action.

For example, when you click a button to fire a weapon or perform a strike, you want the action to register in the game as quickly as possible. A low latency can help ensure just that. However, if your internet connection is generally slow, this may not matter at all, as you will struggle to load enough data for the rest of the game to even play.

How much internet speed do you need for online gaming?

Most moderngaming consolesWe recommend internet speeds of at least 3 Mbps to ensure a user-friendly experience. But that's the bare minimum — and so are most home internet plansmuchat least faster. However, the decision is about much more than just looking at a single number.

A good rule of thumb is a connection of at least 25 Mbps. But if you want to maximize your gaming experience, look out for speeds of 100 Mbps and above, which allow for significantly faster uploads and downloads.

Mbps explained

Megabits per second (Mbps) is a standard measure of Internet bandwidth or connection speeds. The higher the Mbps number, the more bandwidth and the faster the internet connection.

With high Mbps, you can enjoy an optimized experience. Movies stream faster, it's easier to upload photos and other files online, and you can play uninterrupted.

It's important to note that most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) only advertise download speed - you also need to check the fine print to determine upload speed. While most internet services offer faster downloads than uploads, upload speeds are very important if you want to play games. You want to find a service that has good, reliable uploads.

What is fiber optic internet?

Fiber optic Internet (or simply "fiber optic") is the fastest type of commercially available Internet. It relies on fiber-optic cables made of electricity-resistant glass to transmit Internet data. This distinguishes it from DSL Internet (which uses copper cables in the telephone system) and cable Internet (which uses coaxial cables for television).

Most fiber internet plans on the market offer speeds from 200 to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps), but some offer speeds up to 2,000 Mbps (2 Gbps). Another advantage of fiber optic internet is that it is more resistant to disruptions caused by bad weather or power outages, as the systems are usually newer and completely underground, even in residential areas.

With fiber internet, the download and upload speeds in Mbit/s tend to be the same. DSL and cable typically offer competitive download speeds but much slower upload speeds.

Another big advantage of fiber internet for gaming is low latency. Fiber optic internet is typically a dedicated line directly to your home that is not shared with multiple households in the area, so your internet is delivered quickly and consistently. Low and consistent latency is ideal for multiplayer gaming.

Although it offers great benefits and offers the best online gaming experience, be aware that fiber optic internet is not even available in most US cities. It is especially difficult to get to in rural areas, as it requires a completely new built infrastructure, which is expensive to implement.

How to choose the best internet for online gaming

If you are a serious gamer, your choice of internet connection should not be taken lightly. Even if you're just playing for fun, you want to get the most out of your hobby with a decent internet plan that ensures a user-friendly experience and minimal frustrating interruptions.

So how can you choose the right internet plan to suit your needs?

Compare providers in your area

There are many ISPs on the market including Spectrum Internet, Frontier, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, Xfinity Internet and Cox to name a few. Many cities also have local providers or municipal internet services run by the local government. However, not all well-known providers are active in all areas - operators usually have a monopoly in one geographical area.

Especially if you live in a rural area, the range of available ISPs may be limited to just one. ONEquick online searchThis allows you to see which providers are in your area and thus create a list of possible options.

Once you have a list of suppliers, do your due diligence. Of course, start with the speeds. Check out these uploads! Then find out the general terms and conditions for the individual providers. Will they tie you to a contract? What are the termination fees? How difficult is the setup process (eg providing an optimized router and modem)? How is your customer service?

It's a good idea to read customer reviews to get a sense of what to expect. You can also ask friends, family, colleagues and others in your area for tips on the best ISPs.

Check the available providers' speeds and rates

After narrowing down your list and choosing a potential ISP, check what types of internet they offer. Most providers offer more than one option, e.g. B. DSL internet, cable internet, fiber optic internet etc.

Once you've decided on an internet type, start evaluating the different subscription options available. Most providers offer tariffs with different Mbit/s levels. There may also be a data limit for using multiplayer online gamesa lotof data and that can be a problem.

Again, be sure to read the fine print in each plan. For example, if your plan comes with a set data limit, you don't want to be surprised with unexpected overage fees when your monthly bill arrives.

Choose a plan you can afford

Finally, consider price when deciding on a home internet option. High speed internet is a big plus, but you don't want to break the bank for it.

The good news is that fast internet connections are becoming more and more available. While you may not be willing to spend a lot of money for the best internet service available (eg a high-quality fiber plan), you can still get a strong gaming experience with a lower plan - just make sure it covers the minimum level achieves requirements that you have made.

Think about your router and home access

Even the best Internet connection can go to waste if you don't think about how to get the Internet from your modem to your computer.

For the best gaming experience, you should use a wired connection. Ideally, you perform a routean Ethernet cablefrom your router directly to your PC or game console.

However, most people will want to stick with the simple wireless connection. If you depend on WiFi, make sure you get oneGreat router for gaming(or mesh WiFi system) with support for the data rates available to you. A typical budget router will not be able to support connections higher than 100 Mbps, and not even thatTop-of-the-line routereoften cannot handle more than 300 Mbit/s. So be sure to read a potential router's specs before buying something that won't work for your speeds.

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