Do I need 400 Mbps internet? (and what is it good for?)

400 Mbps is sufficient for up to five people. Learn more about how 400 Mbps can handle various online activities, depending on the bandwidth each user and device needs.

With 400 Mbps, you’ll be able to access the internet to play games online. Compared to slower speeds like 150 Mbps or 50 Mbps, you’ll experience the following with a 400 Mbps connection:

• higher bandwidth, enabling you to play multiplayer games
• higher quality streaming for a gameplay audience on YouTube or Twitch
• quicker downloads for multiple games and game updates across multiple devices
• the ability to engage in simultaneous activities, such as gaming, streaming and downloading

If you’re a serious or competitive gamer, check out our higher speeds and dedicated gaming router. Our gaming router optimizes performance and provides high-quality streaming experiences.

Learn more: How to stream full-time as a college student

Streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube recommend a minimum of 3 Mbps and 5 Mbps, respectively. With 400 Mbps, up to five users should be able to:

• stream multiple HD or 4K videos on different devices
• stream high-quality videos to an online audience on YouTube or Twitch
• stream Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR)

The quality of your streams will depend on the number of people and devices in your home. If you’re concerned about bandwidth, consider looking into 600 Mbps or Gigabit speeds.

A 400 Mbps connection provides speed and bandwidth to do some work from home.

You’ll be able to do the following tasks:

• video call on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Slack or Teams—across multiple devices
• manage email and access the web—across multiple users
• download media files or large documents from cloud services
• manage data‑intensive activities, such as accessing large data sets, web‑based graphic design or development

Remember that your household’s internet habits while working from home may stress your connection. When deciding on an internet speed, determine how many concurrent users, platforms and devices will need to access your network.

Most homes have smart devices like TVs, locks, refrigerators, light bulbs and cameras. These smart home and IoT devices need at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. If you meet these requirements, your devices will:

• integrate seamlessly to create a smart environment within the home
• execute commands and receive real-time updates
• provide high-resolution security footage
• improve home automation as devices share data and respond

Smart devices, unlike personal devices, are always on and accessing your bandwidth. If you have multiple smart and personal devices connected, consider them when choosing your internet speed. Each additional smart home or IoT device may need up to 10 Mbps. If you’re concerned about bandwidth requirements, take an internet speed test and consider upgrading to a higher speed tier.

Determining whether an internet speed of 400 Mbps is enough for living in an apartment depends on a few factors: the number of individuals in the apartment, their internet habits and the number of devices in total.

400 Mbps could provide enough bandwidth for up to seven people. Keep in mind if your household engages in extensive online gaming, 4K content streaming or data-intensive tasks, you may want to consider a higher speed.

Learn more: How to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment

Larger homes typically house more people, each with individual devices. A home may also have connected smart devices. A 400 Mbps internet connection accommodates up to seven people with some online activities. However, smart devices and other unanticipated users—such as visitors or guests—may strain your internet speeds. If so, you may want to consider higher speeds like 600 Mbps or 1500 Mbps.

Internet speed is important for a homeowner, but so are reliability and coverage. If you’re worried about dead zones or an unreliable connection, consider introducing a mesh WiFi router into your home.

Mesh WiFi routers expand home WiFi coverage, reduce signal interference and optimize the performance of your wireless devices. Moreover, mesh WiFi routers are flexible, modular and moveable. If you want more coverage throughout your home, it’s as simple as placing a new device where you want a connection.

Learn more: How to set up your internet in a new home

You’ll need the following equipment to fully utilize the high-speed capabilities of a 400 Mbps connection:

• Fiber or DOCSIS compatible modem: A fiber or DOCSIS modem is required to convert optical signals from a fiber/COAX line into electrical signals so your router and devices can understand each other. Astound’s installation process includes a modem. But you can supply your own modem if it meets our compatibility requirements.
• A router: A high-quality router supporting high-speed connections is necessary to distribute the internet signal to your wired and wireless devices. Look for a router supporting Ethernet ports and modern WiFi standards like 802.11ac or 802.11ax (WiFi 6).

Generally, 400 Mbps will offer bandwidth to support users who may engage in concurrent activities such as HD or 4K streaming, online gaming or video conferencing.

For individuals with high internet usage, such as extensive online gamers or households with many people and multiple devices, higher speeds, like 600 Mbps, are recommended.