Skip to main content

Netflix speed test: how to check if you can stream 4K Ultra HD

Nothing puts a damper on a nice Netflix movie- or show-watching session more than a cruddy, blurry image, especially when you’re paying that extra cash for the Premium Netflix plan with that sweet 4K UHD resolution. But just like gas is to a fast car, your internet connection is the fuel that powers your Netflix, and it will stream faster with premium gas in the tank (sorry for the metaphor, we’ve been watching a lot of Formula 1: Drive to Survive)

So, if you’re trying to stream something and it isn’t quite the high-definition or 4K Ultra HD resolution you were expecting, it could be your internet connection that’s to blame.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. There’s a simple experiment in the form of a broadband speed test that any internet user can carry out to see whether their connection is at fault. If it is, chances are it’s because you’re trying to watch something during peak hours when everyone in your neighborhood is firing up their preferred streaming service. Here’s how to see if your internet is up to snuff to help you avoid Netflix streaming woes.

The Netgear Nighthawk AXE11000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router on a table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The lowdown on Netflix streaming speed

Before we run through the steps required to execute a Netflix speed test, we first need to touch on the sort of results you can expect to see. In a nutshell, the average fixed broadband download speed in the U.S. as of June 2023 is 202.40 Mbps, according to Ookla — more than double the global average. That’s more than enough pull to stream four 4K Ultra HD shows at once over the same Wi-Fi network, with each requiring around 15Mbps to run smoothly.

Here are the download speeds Netflix recommends (again, for one stream), starting with the minimum download speed.

  • HD (720p) — 3 Mbps or higher
  • Full HD (1080p) — 5Mbps of higher
  • 4K Ultra HD (4K) — 15Mbps or higher

How to test your Netflix speed

After discovering how much broadband speed you need to smoothly stream Netflix’s movies and shows, you want to make sure your network speed is up to par. To do this, navigate to Fast.com, which is Netflix’s speed test tool, on your mobile or desktop device. After the page loads, it will check your device and Wi-Fi and compute how fast Netflix runs on your computer. It only takes a few seconds for the results of the speed test to show up on your screen. If it’s a few Mbps (no more than 10) less than what you’re paying for, there’s no immediate cause for concern — the speed fluctuates frequently.

Fast.com speed test screen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Make sure you know your internet speed because if Fast.com shows that your browser or Netflix app is streaming more than 10Mbps slower than your advertised speed, something’s wrong. A decrease like that in your speed will affect how your shows stream. Fortunately, we have an in-depth look at everything you can do to get Netflix back to serving up piping-hot bowls of 4K Ultra HD content in no time. If you’re streaming during high-traffic times, then it’s only natural that you’ll get a slower speed. If your stream is constantly rebuffering or pausing, you’ll need to call your internet service provider and report the problem.

Editors' Recommendations

Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm is a Toronto-based technology journalist, editor, and content specialist whose work has appeared in…
This 50-inch 4K TV can be yours for under $200
An onn. 32-inch Roku Smart TV on a cabinet in a living room.

It's summer. While you'll want to spend more time outside, there's also a good chance you'll be global warming'd into the house a time or two. And the kids are off of school and want to see the best Disney+ shows in between bouts of playing on the swing set. In other words, your smaller TV is looking extra small and the thought of upgrading it grows. Why not spring at the chance to get the Onn. 50-inch Class 4K Roku Smart TV now that it has gotten under the $200 mark? If you haven't had a larger TV yet, this is the perfect time to see how you like one. At just $198, the Onn. 50-inch Class 4K Roku Smart TV is $40 off of the typical $238 price, so now is a great time to buy.

Why you should buy the Onn. 50-inch Class 4K TV
For a large quantity of people, the Onn. 50-inch Class 4K Roku Smart TV will work and look like the TVs they are used to, just bigger, smarter, and with a better resolution. That is to say this is a standard LED TV and not one of the QLED or OLED TVs that populate most deal pages today. However, if you're a bargain shopper now and have been a bargain shopper for awhile now, this upgrade should feel like magic to you. And, at under $200, it basically is.

Read more
Netflix free trial: Can you stream for free in 2023?
A hand points a remote at a TV display a Netflix logo screen.

Netflix is the godfather of streaming. It basically started the entire movie streaming concept and reinvented it when it launched its first original program, House of Cards. The streaming market is a bit more crowded now, but Netflix still has some unbeatable programming. Netflix prices have risen over the last few years, and there are some hints that it might keep rising. If you're thinking about joining or rejoining the streaming giant, but aren't quite sure, you're probably looking for a free trial. We've collected all the information you need to know on how to save some money with a new Netflix account.
Is there a Netflix free trial?

Just as there's no Disney Plus free trial, you're out of luck if you're hoping to find a Netflix free trial on offer right now. There was a 30-day free trial in the past but Netflix scuttled it a couple of years ago, and we don't anticipate it coming back any time soon. Unlike some other streaming services (the excellent 30-day Hulu free trial comes to mind), Netflix doesn't appear to feel obliged to run free-trial offers. That's a tough break for the "try before you buy" crowd, but the sad truth is that, like Disney+, Netflix has a pretty captive audience and doesn't really need to do much to entice people to sign up. The good news is that Netflix has flexible plans, allowing you to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time with no punitive fees. There are no contracts or commitments to worry about if you decide the service isn't for you, or just want to take a break for awhile.

Read more
You can buy a 65-inch QLED 4K TV for under $500 right now
vizio 65 inch m series p quantum 4k tv amazon deal 55 2 768x768

Ten years ago, 4K was all the rage. These days, every TV on the market is 4K. The next step up is QLED, and that technology is quickly becoming cheaper too. Of course, awesome 4K TV deals help, like this price cut at Walmart that brings the 65-inch Vizio M6 down to $498 from its usual $678. If you want a large QLED TV from a respected brand, this is your chance to get one for cheap. Don't let this deal pass you by.

Why you should buy the 65-inch Vizio M6 QLED 4K TV
If you're not familiar with Vizio smart TVs and soundbars, the M-Series is its mid-tier offering which still manages to hit relatively budget-oriented pricing by using cheap tech smartly. For example, if you aren't familiar with QLED vs. OLED, where QLED shines is being able to light each individual pixel very brightly, allowing it to recreate colors better. On the other hand, OLED TVs can switch their pixels off completely, letting you get deeper blacks, which helps with the overall contrast. While both pieces of tech have their own advantages, and while OLED might come out slightly on top for image reproduction, QLED TVs are much cheaper and offer a close enough experience that you likely won't notice unless you have the two different panels side by side.

Read more