How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for the PlayStation 5?

By Catherine McNally

Sep 17, 2024

3 min read

You’ll need a download speed of at least 3 Mbps to play games on the brand new PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) or the PlayStation 5 (PS5). But you’ll want to grab an internet plan with faster speeds than that because you’ll have other people and other devices using your internet at the same time you are.

We recommend at least 50–100 Mbps to game on the PS5 or PS5 Pro. That covers you for new game downloads all the way to multiplayer online games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Curious about whether you need more internet speed for the PS5 digital edition or what internet speed you need to game with PlayStation Now? Let’s dig in.

Guide to internet speed and the PlayStation 5:

PS5 Digital Edition
PS5 Pro
PlayStation Now
PlayStation Specs

Need more speed? Compare high-speed internet services in your area.

How much internet speed do you need for the PS5 Digital Edition?

Since the PS5 Digital Edition relies on an internet connection to install and update new games, you’ll want internet speeds of at least 50–100 Mbps to keep that download time at a minimum. And those download speeds will give you a leg up in competitive co-op games too.

Sony decided to immediately release two editions of its new PlayStation 5 console: the PS5 Console and the PS5 Digital Edition Console. Both versions of the PlayStation 5 released on November 12, 2020 in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. The rest of the world, including the UK, can get their hands on the PS5 on November 19, 2020.

What’s the difference between PS5 Console and PS5 Digital Edition Console?

The Digital Edition doesn’t come with a disc drive. That means you won’t be able to buy a physical copy of a new game at GameStop, insert it into your PS5, and install it.

The black and white PlayStation 5 Console stands upright and comes with a disc drive

The black and white PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Console

^{Sony PlayStation 5 Console Image Source: PlayStation.com}

Instead, you’ll rely on your internet connection to jump into the latest and greatest games or get a nostalgia hit with your old favorites. (P.S. Almost all of your PS4 games are backward compatible with the PS5. Yay!)

But, heads up, you’ll still need an internet connection with decent download speeds if you grab the PS5 Console too.

Can't find a PS5 to buy?

You're not alone. Lots of folks have been left scrambling to find a store with the PlayStation 5 in stock.

If you can't find one on Amazon, other stores to check include:

Can you really game on 3 Mbps download speeds? We highly doubt your gaming experience will be fun or enjoyable if you have only 3 Mbps download speeds. That’s because your 3 Mbps will also get used by any other devices (cell phones, smart TVs, etc.) and people using your internet at the same time. But you’ll see the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and even Sony PlayStation itself recommend 3 Mbps download speeds. We say take that as the bare minimum and build up to at least 50–100 Mbps from there.

If you're worried your current internet plan won't be up to par with your gaming setup, check out the providers below.

After analyzing a year of Reviews.org's speed test data—which measures actual speeds, not advertised ones—these providers emerged as top performers.

Fastest internet providers in the US

Provider	Overall speed score (OSS)	Avg. download speeds	Advertised speeds	Prices	Learn more
Google Fiber	201.10	204.05Mbps	1000-8000Mbps	$70-$150*	View Plans
MetroNet	174.21	185.96Mbps	100-1000Mbps	$34.95-$109.95†	View Plans
Xfinity Internet	166.05	182.50Mbps	75-2000Mbps	$14.95-$90‡	Check Availability View Plans Find Other Providers
Verizon Fios Home Internet	154.78	163.00	300-2300Mbps	$49.99-$109.99^	Check Availability View Plans Find Other Providers
Optimum Internet	153.54	166.15Mbps	300-8000Mbps	$40-$280°	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.

† Offers available to new residential customers only and may not be combined with other offers. MetroNet reserves the right to revoke or modify offers at any time. Taxes, fees, and other terms apply.

‡ Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.

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

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

How much internet speed do you need for PlayStation 5 Pro?

The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to be released November 7, 2024.

PlayStation's release states the new console will offer an improved graphics processing unit (GPU), advanced ray training, and AI-driven upscaling of image quality. While the new PS5 Pro offers improved specs, at least 50 to 100Mbps download speeds are still sufficient.

How much internet speed do you need for PlayStation Now?

Sony recommends at least 5 Mbps to use PlayStation Now, but just like any gaming session, you’ll want to pad the meters with download speeds of at least 50–100 Mbps.

This lets you connect to PlayStation Now and access its on-demand library of games with no hassles, even if your mom’s streaming Outlander downstairs and your sibling is hanging out at their friend’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Can you game on satellite internet? The quick answer is yes. The full answer is maybe. Here are our tips for gaming with satellite internet without rage quitting.

Quick look: PlayStation 5 specs

Console	Price	Disc drive	Storage	Backward compatibility	Virtual reality	4K display	8k display
PlayStation 5 Console	$1,019.00	4K UHD Blu-ray drive	825 GB solid state drive (SSD)	99%+ of PS4 games supported	"Yes, PSVR"	"Yes, up to 2160p"	"Yes, up to 4320p"
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition	$979.00	None	825 GB solid state drive (SSD)	99%+ of PS4 games supported	"Yes, PSVR"	"Yes, up to 2160p"	"Yes, up to 4320p"
PlayStation 5 Pro	$699.99	None	2TB solid state drive (SSD)	99%+ of PS4 games supported	"Yes, PSVR"	"Yes, up to 2160p"	"Yes, up to 4320p"

Got your internet speed squared away for the PS5? You might want to check this out next:

Don’t rely on RNG—these are the best ISPs in the US.

6 Best Internet Providers

Go lag free with 10 easy tips to speed up your internet.

10 Ways to Speed Up Your Internet

Written by

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She’s been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.