Mbps vs. Gbps: Do You Need Gigabit Internet?

Q: Why is a gigabit a lot for Wi-Fi but not very much for a phone?

It’s confusing, but a gigabit (Gb) is different from a gigabyte (GB) , which is what you use to measure phone storage. A gigabit is smaller than a gigabyte by far, but Wi-Fi speed is measured in gigabits per second, while phone data is measured in plain old gigabytes. That means that with a gigabit internet connection, you have an entire gig of data at your disposal every second. But with a gigabyte of phone data, that single GB is the sum of media available to you over your billing period. So in the long run, a gigabit internet connection provides way more data than a gigabyte phone plan. We think phone data limits are bogus, so we recommend an unlimited plan if you can swing it. But if that’s not in the (sim) cards, connecting your phone to your gig internet will help you save on data!

By Brianne Sandorf

Sep 23, 2025

2 min read

Do you need gigabit internet?

No. Roll credits.

Okay, the answer is more complicated than that. Few people need a full gigabit, but some do. And folks who don't strictly need it may still want it, and that's okay.

Let’s dive into the details.

Our guide to gigabit internet:

Who needs gigabit internet?
Who needs high-speed internet?
What internet speed is right for you
FAQ

If you want gigabit internet (or any internet), we can help you find it in your area.

Who needs gigabit internet?

Most people do not need gigabit internet, but if you have a large family, an excessive number of smart home devices (especially cameras), or a media-rich profession or hobby (think videography or high-resolution video games), it might be worth it to you.

Even if you can justify gigabit download speeds, you probably don't need gigabit upload speeds—which is good, because most internet plans won't offer them. (Although some will, in the name of symmetrical speeds.)

But even if gigabit internet isn’t strictly a need for you, you may have reasons to want it. With gigabit internet, you’re all but guaranteed to have constant fast internet service, even if you’re watching a continuous stream of 4K content on the TV while your spouse takes an hour-long video call and your kids play online games. And if you entertain large crowds, gigabit speed may guarantee that everyone can use your home network without causing a lag.

If gigabit internet suits your needs or calls your name, here are a few of the top providers we recommend.

Best gigabit internet providers

Service	Price	Download speed	Connection type	Details
Xfinity Internet National	$40-$115	300-2000 Mbps	Cable	View Plans
AT&T Fiber	$55–$225*	300-5000 Mbps	Fiber	View Plans
Verizon Fios Home Internet	$49.99-$109.99†	300-2300 Mbps	Fiber	View Plans
Spectrum Internet�	$50-$70	500-1000 Mbps‡	Cable	View Plans
Optimum Internet	$40-$280^	300-8000 Mbps	Cable/Fiber	View Plans

Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.

* Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.

† Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees

‡ Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

^ Prices w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

Who needs high-speed internet?

If you don’t need a gigabit internet connection, how about high-speed internet? We think nearly everyone needs high speed.

Before you decry us for our extravagance, understand that high-speed internet is 100Mbps or more. That’s not that fast (and, therefore, not that expensive).

However, 100Mbps alone may or may not suit your needs. If you live with more than one other person, work from home, are a smart-home fiend, or love to consume high-res media, you probably need more. More on that in a minute.

Even if you signed up for fast speeds, you may not be getting them—not all providers and plans deliver on the promised maximum speed (or, sadly, minimum speed). Luckily, we have an easy way to check how fast your internet plan really is: a speed test.

Click here to start your speed test and learn how fast your Wi-Fi really is.

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Your speed is faster than of our speed test results

Done with the test? If you got a slower speed than expected, it might be time to switch.

Need more info before you take that leap? Don’t worry; here are the deets on some of the best high-speed internet service providers.

Best high-speed internet providers

Service	Price	Download speed	Connection type	Details
Xfinity Internet National	$40-$115	300-2000 Mbps	Cable	View Plans
Google Fiber	$70-$150°	1000-8000 Mbps	Fiber	View Plans
Verizon Fios Home Internet	$49.99-$109.99†	300-2300 Mbps	Fiber	View Plans
Cox Internet	$50-$150**	100-2000 Mbps	Cable	View Plans
Spectrum Internet�	$50-$70	500-1000 Mbps‡	Cable	View Plans

Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.

° Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.

† Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees

** Prices exclude taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges, certain equipment, and other fees or charges, which are subject to change.

Need some help with the numbers in the table? 1,000Mbps is the equivalent of 1Gbps. So for instance, Verizon Fios Home Internet speeds go up to 2,300Mbps, which is 2.3Gbps.

You’ll notice some of these internet solutions, like Google Fiber and Verizon Fios, offer fiber. A fiber connection is one of the easiest ways to get a crazy-fast internet speed. However, fiber internet is more difficult to find since it requires previously installed fiber optic cable in your area.

What internet speed is right for you?

Still undecided on whether you need a gig? What about whether you need more than 100Mbps?

Here’s a chart from our internet speed guide to help you figure things out.

Internet speed capabilities

Internet speed	Recommended # of people	Recommended # of devices	Activities
5–25 Mbps	1–2	1–5	Casual web browsing, emails, social media, streaming SD video, streaming music
25–50 Mbps	2–4	4–7	Streaming HD and 4K video, streaming music, online gaming, light working from home
50–100 Mbps	4–6	7–10	Streaming 4K video, online gaming, working from home, using home security devices
100–500 Mbps	6+	10+	Streaming 4K video, online gaming, running a home office, using home security and smart home devices
500–1,000 Mbps	10+	15+	Running a home office or creative profession, streaming in 4K, live streaming, online gaming, using home security and smart home devices

FAQ

Still have a question? Maybe we can answer it here.

We see no problem with using an Ethernet connection with your gigabit internet service. That undroppable wired connection guarantees you’ll get maximum speed.

But part of the charm of gigabit is using multiple devices at once, and not all devices can realistically plug into an Ethernet port. You don’t want to camp next to the modem when using your phone or tablet, and it’s unlikely that your internet hardware will be situated to allow security cameras to plug in.

In summary, you can enjoy fast Ethernet through gigabit internet service, just in moderation.

It’s confusing, but a gigabit (Gb) is different from a gigabyte (GB), which is what you use to measure phone storage.

A gigabit is smaller than a gigabyte by far, but Wi-Fi speed is measured in gigabits per second, while phone data is measured in plain old gigabytes. That means that with a gigabit internet connection, you have an entire gig of data at your disposal every second. But with a gigabyte of phone data, that single GB is the sum of media available to you over your billing period. So in the long run, a gigabit internet connection provides way more data than a gigabyte phone plan.

We think phone data limits are bogus, so we recommend an unlimited plan if you can swing it. But if that’s not in the (sim) cards, connecting your phone to your gig internet will help you save on data!

Written by

Brianne Sandorf

After five years with Reviews.org, Brianne can and will tell you which internet or mobile provider you should sign up for. She’s talked with internet customers across the U.S. and beyond and addresses their real-life concerns in every piece she writes. Brianne also created the ratings system for the Reviews.org internet service provider reviews and wrote most of them. Brianne channels her lifelong interest in detective work by hunting for obscure, need-to-know information about internet service providers. She’s always learning so that she can pass her knowledge on to Reviews.org readers. Her writing and expertise have appeared in numerous other publications, including Move.org, Parents.com, and the Stanford student blog. Her work for Reviews.org is also cited in a research paper about smart home assistants titled “Expert-Generated Privacy Q&A Dataset for Conversational AI and User Study Insights.” Brianne is a homegrown Utahn who loves to travel and see new places. She graduated from Westminster College with a double major in honors and creative writing. After 20 years in a 8,000-person city, she now lives in Murray, a bustling metropolis of 50,000 where she and her husband raise their two little girls.