Is 100 Mbps Fast?

Trevor Wheelwright
Trevor Wheelwright
Researcher & Writer
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Jun 13, 2019

By US standards, 100 Mbps is fast. A 25 Mbps minimum download speed qualifies as high-speed internet. If your internet service seems slow, you can always try a speed test to see how it stacks up.

What does Mbps mean?

Mbps stands for megabits per second, which is a measurement of speed used for both download and upload speeds.

If your internet service plan advertises 100 Mbps, you can handle most things the internet throws at you while avoiding lag or buffering issues. In the US, 100 Mbps is the average total speed for internet users, but a lot of cable and satellite speeds are still lower than that.

To put it in perspective, minimum requirements for 4K HD streaming on services like Netflix usually recommend at least 25 Mbps, which is also the standard download speed for internet to be considered “high speed.” Most online activity like web surfing and social media will run smoothly with 25 Mbps.

But since that’s for a single device, you’ll likely want more than that if you’re the type to live-tweet your binge-watching party for The Office while browsing social media on a laptop.

How fast is 100 Mbps internet speed?

A single user with 100 Mbps internet speeds will be enough for streaming Netflix, YouTube TV, Hulu, and other streaming services. It’s also enough for online gaming, downloading HD video and photos, and doing basic internet stuff like surfing the web and checking email.

Multiple users with multiple devices running on 100 Mbps download speeds should still experience fast internet. But you need to consider your bandwidth for handling all that data.

If everyone’s using the internet at peak traffic hours, you may experience slower speeds—especially if you all want to stream movies in 4K, download large files, or play online games.

Heads Up icon
What if my 100 Mbps internet doesn’t feel fast?
You’ll want a decent modem and router (or both) to provide a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of faster speeds. And you might want to upgrade to a different cable or fiber-optic internet service provider too.

Most broadband providers sell packages that advertise the download speed in megabits per second (Mbps), but you’ll also want to see if they have unlimited data or if there’s a data cap.

Best 100 Mbps speed internet plans
PlanPriceDownload speedDetails
High Speed Internet 500 Mbps$39.99/mo.*100 MbpsView Plan
Simply FiOS 100/100$39.99/mo.100 MbpsView Plan
Internet 100$50/mo.†100 MbpsView Plan
Performance Pro$54.99/mo.†150 MbpsView Plan
High Speed Internet 200 Mbps$150/mo.‡100 MbpsView Plan
Data effective 11/19/18. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* With Auto Pay for 1 year plus taxes, equipment charges, & other fees.
† For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
‡ For the first 3 months.

Is 100 Mbps fast enough for you?

For most people, 100 Mbps is fast enough for web browsing, checking social media, and watching YouTube videos. It’s even fast enough for a whole family to watch a few different streaming shows, even in HD quality. But fast is relative to how many people and devices are using your Wi-Fi network.

So if you need to upgrade to a cable or fiber-optic provider, or get a better idea of speeds and data, we’re here to help.

You know that 100 Mbps is fast, now what?

Still looking? Check out the fastest internet service providers.

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Trevor Wheelwright
Written by
Trevor Wheelwright
Trevor's three years deep at Reviews.org, where he writes about the things that make your home hip and cozy. Prior to that, he worked seven years in retail and e-commerce, testing and reviewing products ranging from world-class guitars and amps to designer handbags and shoes to everyday furnishings and gizmos. Influenced by art and philosophy, he views everything as part of a story and an expression of our transcendent experience.
Trevor's three years deep at Reviews.org, where he writes about the things that make your home hip and cozy. Prior to that, he worked seven years in retail and e-commerce, testing and reviewing products ranging from world-class guitars and amps to designer handbags and shoes to everyday furnishings and gizmos. Influenced by art and philosophy, he views everything as part of a story and an expression of our transcendent experience.