What’s the Best Way to Stream to Your TV?

Summary:  The best way to stream to your TV is through a dedicated streaming device (like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV), your smart TV’s built-in apps, or a gaming console, all connected to a home internet plan with enough speed for the resolution you want. For solo HD viewing, 10–15 Mbps is sufficient. For 4K or multi-device households, aim for 100 Mbps or more with no data cap. 

If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans, a number that grows every year as streaming services expand their libraries and live TV options, you might have wondered about the best way to stream to your TV.  Between the multitude of streaming services, the devices available, and the internet plan you need to support your binging habit — there’s a lot to consider. We’ve got the best way to stream to your TV and the internet speed you need.

What Are Most People Streaming? 

According to Statista: 

• Netflix remains the most popular streaming service in the U.S., with 83.8 million paid subscribers across the United States and Canada. 

• 54% of households subscribed to Amazon Prime Video 

• Disney+ is a subscription that 33% of households have 

• Hulu, including both the free and paid versions, is subscribed to by 56% of households 

• 36% of homes subscribe to HBO Max 

From there, it’s a mix of Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, Apple TV+, and some of the newer platforms. It’s safe to say that there’s tons of choice, so everyone can find what’s best for their household. 

Of course, there’s a good chance the best fit for you will be a combination of services. Roughly 60% of households subscribe to more than one of the top three services (Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime), a number that continues to steadily rise. 

When considering all available streaming services, the average U.S. household subscribes to approximately 4 streaming services  up significantly from just a few years ago. 

What Internet Speeds Do You Need to Stream? 

Unlike network television, your internet connection matters to your TV experience when streaming. Across streaming platforms, speed recommendations stay about the same. The download speed you need ultimately depends on the video quality you prefer. 

• To stream in standard definition (also known as SD or 480p), you’ll need at least 3 Mbps. 

• To stream in high definition (also known as HD or 720p–1080p), you’ll need at least 5 Mbps, though 10–15 Mbps gives you a more comfortable buffer if other devices are online. 

• If you prefer 4K or ultra-high definition (2160p), look for speeds of 25 Mbps or more per device. 

 But keep this in mind: these are the recommended minimum speeds for just one device. If you’re using multiple devices at once (like streaming a show while your laptop is open, and you’re also scrolling through social media on your phone), you’ll need more speed. And if multiple people in your household are streaming at the same time? Even more speed. 

To get a better idea of the speed you need to fit your life, you can use our bandwidth calculator. It accounts for the number of devices in your home and the activities you’re using them for. 

Want some room to grow? Get a speed a little bit higher than what you’re recommended (like going for 700 Mbps if your recommendation is 500 Mbps) since that will be a minimum speed. If you’re planning to add more devices to your home or want the option to use better graphics from time to time, bump your speed up. 

How Much Data Does Streaming Use? 

So, now you know how much speed you need. Do you have enough data? Some types of internet services have data limits, which are a restriction on how much you can do online in your billing period. If you’re a fiber internet customer, look for an internet service provider with no data caps. Unfortunately, data caps are extremely common for other types of connections, like satellite internet, wireless 5g home internet, and even cable internet. 

If you’re looking to reduce your data usage, one of the easiest ways is to stream less or to stream in a lower resolution. 

For example, streaming in standard definition on YouTube only takes up about 560 MB of data every hour, according to Make Use Of. But if you want to stream in 4K, it jumps to 16 GB every hour. That’s a lot of data! 

What’s the Easiest Way to Stream on a TV? 

 If you already own a gaming console (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch), you can download streaming apps directly from the console store and start watching immediately. No additional hardware is needed. 

For everyone else, dedicated streaming devices are the most affordable and flexible options. Here’s a quick comparison of the most popular choices: 

Device	Starting Price	Max Resolution	Best For
Roku Streaming Stick 4K	$50	4K HDR	Simplicity, broad app support
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K	$50	4K HDR	Prime Video households
Apple TV 4K	$130	4K HDR	iPhone/Mac users, Apple TV+
Google TV Streamer (4K)	$100	4K	Android/Google ecosystem users
Smart TV built-in apps	$0 (if you own one)	Up to 4K	Households that want zero extra devices

Most smart TVs manufactured after 2019 include built-in streaming apps from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and others. So, if your TV is relatively new, you may not need any additional hardware at all. 

Does Streaming on a Phone Use Less Data? 

You may be wondering if you can avoid worrying about data consumption by instead streaming on your phone. Well, let us remind you that mobile plans have data caps, too — and even unlimited plans typically slow down your speeds once you’ve hit a ceiling. 

We offer the same advice for streaming on your phone, tablet, or other devices: choosing a lower graphic resolution will save you data. As a bonus, you’re less likely to be bothered by lower clarity on a smaller screen. 

Pro tip: if you know you’ll be watching the same thing multiple times in a row (like if you’ve got someone who’s addicted to Encanto and is perfectly happy to stream it three times in one day), download it. Downloading and watching offline will only use data once. Streaming will use that same amount of data every single time you watch it. 

H2: The Right Internet Plan Makes All the Difference for Smooth Streaming 

Streaming doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does help to have the right setup. Choosing a lower resolution, downloading content ahead of time, and picking an internet plan with no data caps are all ways to keep the queue going without worrying about overage fees or slowdowns. 

EarthLink fiber offers unlimited data and symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps so you can stream 4K on multiple screens without thinking twice.

The Right Internet Plan Makes All the Difference for Smooth Streaming 

Streaming doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does help to have the right setup. Choosing a lower resolution, downloading content ahead of time, and picking an internet plan with no data caps are all ways to keep the queue going without worrying about overage fees or slowdowns.