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

Catherine McNally
Nov 10, 2023
Icon Time To Read2 min read

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You’ll need a download speed of at least 3 Mbps to play games on the new 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. 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:

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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?
Heads Up

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:

Quick look: PlayStation 5 specs
Console
Price
Disc drive
Storage
Backward compatibility
Virtual reality
4K display
8k display
Learn more
PlayStation 5 Console$1,019.004K UHD Blu-ray drive825 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"

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.

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.

Got your internet speed squared away for the PS5? You might want to check this out next:
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Don’t rely on RNG—these are the best ISPs in the US.

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

Catherine McNally
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.

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