How to Choose the Best Internet Providers for Your Home

Best Internet Providers

Let’s face it, browsing through all the internet providers to find the perfect one for your home can be frustrating. One promises fast speeds, and the other offers the best prices. But you want the one that offers it all, right?

Don’t worry, in this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to consider, from speeds to pricing, to find the best provider according to your needs and budget.

Calculate Speeds Against Usage – It’s All About the Balance

Each online activity requires its own level of internet speed. I’ve mentioned some of the common activities and their minimum speed requirements in the table below:

Activities	Speed Requirement (Per User)
Basic Browsing	10-20 Mbps
Video Streaming	5-25 Mbps
Online Gaming	15-25 Mbps
Downloading Files	50-200 Mbps

As an internet user, you need to know that the speed range is not only dependent on the number of activities, but is also affected by how many people are connected to the internet at one time. The trick is to add up all the activities that every user will perform. This will help you find an approximation of the internet speed you’ll need for your household.

The Speed Dilemma: Your download speed may be fast enough to stream a Netflix original series, but what about the upload speeds? If you are working from home, posting content on social media, attending Zoom calls, or taking an online university class, make sure to get a plan with an equally fast upload speed.

Check Availability in Your Area – Don’t Chase an Impossible Dream

Now that you have determined your speed requirements, the next step is to figure out the right connection type for your needs.

Finding your desired internet connection everywhere is not easy. Imagine you are somewhere in the snowy mountains of Alaska. At that point, satellite internet becomes your life savior. But if you are chilling in New York, there is a high chance that you will find fiber internet.

So, to stay on the safer side, it’s always a good idea to check which ISPs are available near you. You can do so by entering your zip code in a free search tool. Once you hit the ‘Find’ button, you will be shown internet providers along with their download and upload speeds, price ranges, connection types, and plans.

If you want to learn more about the different types of connections, refer to the table below.

Internet Connection Type	Characteristics
Fiber Internet	Very fast Low latency rate High bandwidth
Cable internet	Uses coaxial cables Speeds up to 50-1000Mbps High availability
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)	Internet access through telephone lines Cost-effective Speed up to 256Kbps-100Mbps
Satellite	Global coverage Sensitive to weather Relatively slow speed High latency
Fixed Wireless	Speed ranging from 100Mbps to 1Gbps Wide coverage Good Wi-Fi security

Inspect the Fine Print – The Devil Is in the Details

Every other provider advertises, “We are the fastest, we are unlimited, we are the internet Gods.” But before you sign up and get stuck in a situationship with your ISP, take a fine look at the following:

Data Caps: Internet service providers love to drop the word ‘Unlimited’ in their marketing. But have you ever wondered if the data really is unlimited? If you’re stuck with one of those ISPs, you might end up paying extra charges and experiencing slower speeds the moment you exceed their limit. So, always make sure to dig into their data caps policy before signing up.
Pricing: Promo deal? Sounds great until the 13th month hits, and your bill doubles without any disclaimer. Always ask about the terms agreement or binding contracts before subscribing, because no one wants surprise breakups, especially with their Wi-Fi.
Customer Service: Nothing’s worse than being ghosted by a customer service team right in the middle of a disconnection crisis. This is why you need to opt for an ISP with hands-on support, proactive agents, and representatives that actually care about your concerns.

Pro Tip: You can read the broadband labels, which include all the additional costs that an ISP might charge its customers beyond the advertised price.

Use Bundles to Your Advantage – Money Saved Is Money Earned

Internet providers often offer special bundles, with TV, internet, and phone all in one. But it doesn’t mean you cannot bargain. If there is something you don’t need, then simply skip it. Why pay $100 extra when the only thing you want to use is high-speed Wi-Fi?

Pro Tip: Always ask what’s in it for me and avoid settling. Don’t overpay for a high-tier plan if you don’t need it. Choose a bundle that meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between download and upload speed?

Download speed is how fast data is transferred from the internet to your device. Activities like streaming, browsing, and watching a movie depend on the download speed. Upload speed is how fast data is transferred from your device to the internet. It impacts video calls, online gaming, and posting something on Instagram, Facebook, etc.

What is the latency rate?

Latency rate is the delay in data transmission between two points. A low latency rate under 50ms provides a faster experience in activities like online gaming, heavy streaming, etc. Whereas a high latency of more than 100ms slows down the internet speed.

Is fiber internet fast?

Yes, fiber internet is very fast with a low latency rate and symmetrical speeds, which means you get an equal amount of download and upload speed.

What is throttling?

This is when an ISP slows down the download and upload speed, making tasks like browsing, online gaming, and streaming very slow.

What is the difference between a modem and a router?

A modem brings internet signals to your home, whereas a router helps to connect your devices to the internet. A modem can turn analog signals into digital signals and vice versa. A router converts data/digital signals into Wi-Fi signals.

What is the difference between MBps and Mbps?

The main difference between them is Bits and Bytes. MBps is megabytes per second, whereas Mbps is megabits per second. They are both used to measure the data transfer speed, but MBps is the rate at which a file is transferred, whereas Mbps measures the download and upload speed.

Samantha Kindler

Samantha Kindler is a world traveler, with four continents conquered and three remaining. She lives in Hawaii, where she enjoys hiking and has the beach available to her throughout the year. She recently got the opportunity to spend over ten months in Korea and fell in love with their minimalist way of life. She has driven to 49 states with her father, but upon visiting Hawaii, she just wanted to stay.