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Is 100 Mbps fast in 2023?

We'll take a close look at how fast a 100 Mbps connection actually is!

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

Last Updated on December 30, 2023
Is 100 Mbps fast?
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A 100 Mbps connection is a common choice among people who are looking for a balance between price and speed. But is 100 Mbps fast? Let’s find out.

A 100Mbps connection means you can transfer data at 100 megabits per second. Those are quite impressive upload speeds/download speeds. In today’s digital world, we rely heavily on the internet for various activities like streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and downloading files. 

In this guide, we’ll go over how fast 100 Mbps actually is and whether it is right for you or not.


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Is 100 Mbps fast?

Absolutely! A 100 Mbps connection is pretty fast and is a great choice for households or businesses with multiple users. With it, you can enjoy buffer-free streaming, lag-free online gaming, and fast upload and download speeds.

What activities can you do with 100 Mbps?

A 100 Mbps connection can let you perform any online activity smoothly. But with this speed, you’ll be able to do more tasks in less time. Here are some of the activities you can perform with a 100 Mbps connection.

  • 4K video streaming without buffering.
  • Downloading and uploading large files quickly.
  • Playing online games.
  • Conduct video conferences.
  • Host multiple users.

How fast is 100 Mbps?

When it comes to downloading, a 100 Mbps connection is pretty amazing. Here are the download speeds you can expect from such a connection.

File typeThe time it will take to download 
25 MB file3 seconds
500 MB file40 seconds
3GB HD movie4 minutes 
40 GB game1 hour

Is 100 Mbps good for streaming?

For streaming HD videos, you need a 5 Mbps connection. On the other hand, 4K streaming requires at least a 25 Mbps connection. So, with a 100 Mbps connection, you can enjoy a buffer-free streaming experience. The best part is that in households with multiple users and devices connected to the internet simultaneously, a 100 Mbps connection provides ample bandwidth for everyone to stream content without experiencing slowdowns or interruptions.

Is 100 Mbps good for gaming?

A 100 Mbps is more than enough for gaming. This is because online gaming normally requires a connection with a speed of around 25 Mbps. So, a 100 Mbps connection can provide a seamless online gaming experience, and you won’t have to worry about any lags. On top of that, you won’t have to worry about performance issues even if multiple users are connected to the network. 

When it comes to downloading, a 100 Mbps connection can download a game with a file size of 115 GB in around 2 and a half hours. Considering most AAA games these days have a large file size, you’ll benefit greatly from the speeds.

Is 100 Mbps good for working from home?

If you’re always working from home, a 100 Mbps connection will be more than enough. Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Skype typically require around 1-3 Mbps for high-quality video calls. With a 100 Mbps connection, you can easily support multiple simultaneous video calls in high definition without any lag or quality degradation.

However, if you’re not sending or downloading large files daily and are only doing basic tasks like sending emails, creating documents, and browsing the web, then a 100 Mbps connection may be overkill. Instead, you’ll be fine with a 25 Mbps or 50 Mbps connection.

How to choose an internet speed for your home or office

Here are a few factors to consider while selecting an internet speed for your home or office.

Number of users

For homes or offices with several people, you need to consider a high internet speed. A 100 Mbps connection will be enough for around 8 to 10 devices. For anything lower, you need to opt for a low-speed plan, preferably 50 Mbps.

Usage

If you need something only for basic web browsing, sending emails, uploading small files, and other similar tasks, you don’t really need a 100 Mbps connection. Instead, you’ll be fine with a 40 Mbps connection, as it offers decent speed and can support around two to four devices. But for sending large files, playing online competitive games, and streaming 4K content without any buffering, you will be better off with a 100 Mbps plan.

Price

While faster speeds are desirable, they often come at a higher cost. Strike a balance between your internet needs and your budget to find a plan that offers the best value for your money. After all, you don’t want to end up paying a high price for a speed you don’t really need.

Can I stream 4K videos with a 100Mbps connection?

Yes, you can. A 100Mbps connection provides enough bandwidth to stream high-quality 4K videos without buffering issues. In fact, you won’t face any buffering even when multiple devices are connected to the network.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the perfect balance between price and speed, a 100 Mbps connection is a good choice. It allows you to stream, game, video conference, download files, and browse the web freely without any noticeable slowdown. While faster options may be available, 100Mbps provides most users with a reliable and enjoyable online experience. But make sure to pair it with one of the best cable modems to get the most out of it.

Sean is a tech enthusiast who contributes predominantly to networking content on PC Guide - using his knowledge and love of routers and modems to give expert advice to beginners and enthusiasts alike.