Should I purchase a Gigabit internet package for PlayStation 4?

Hero PS4 Pro DualShock
Hero PS4 Pro DualShock (Image credit: Android Central)

Best answer: If the option is available to you and you live in a large household that streams a lot of content simultaneously on multiple devices, a gigabit internet package is an excellent idea.

What is Gigabit internet?

When you purchase an internet package, you may notice a lot of numbers you aren't familiar with, like a package that is labeled as "100Mbps." This means 100 megabits per second and is a data-rate unit meant to convey how fast your internet speeds are. The higher the number, the faster it usually is.

Gigabit internet is a name given to internet speeds of 1,000Mpbs (1Gbps) or greater. These are typically delivered over fiber optic lines as opposed to cable, which tends to be less reliable and slower. They're also less available than slower packages.

What speeds do I need to play games online?

The minimum connection speeds you'll need to play online games on a PlayStation 4 is actually quite low, with Sony only requiring a download speed of 3Mbps and an upload speed of just 1Mbps. To put that into perspective, the American household average is around 19Mbps.

So why do I need Gigabit internet then?

The above numbers are only a small fraction of gigabit speeds, but the minimum doesn't mean recommended. While it is technically possible to play and download games at those speeds, your experience will suffer greatly, especially if your household streams a lot of content simultaneously. These are definitely not feasible speeds to reliably game online.

Each device connected to the internet, even if just for browsing the web or streaming Netflix, will only add to the amount of data you are using. The more devices you have, the faster you'll want your internet connection to be for an optimal experience.

What are my other options?

If you still want fast speeds but don't necessarily think Gigabit is for you, there are other ways to ensure that your connections are as fast and reliable as possible. Picking up mesh routers routers for whole home WiFi, using a wired Ethernet cable, or even going so far as buying a dedicated gaming router are ways to maintain the best speeds with whichever internet package you have.

What if my area does not have gigabit?

If your area does not support gigabit or fiber connections but you play online games or stream content frequently on several devices, you'll want a broadband package that offers upwards of 100Mbps. If you don't happen to stream a lot of content or are the only one using a PS4 in your household, you can get away with 30-50Mbps.

Should I worry about data caps?

Only if you're downloading a lot of content. While some internet providers allow users an unlimited amount of data, others have monthly data caps that can range up to 1TB (around 1,000GB). To put that into perspective, PlayStation 4 games usually average around 30-50GB each if you download them digitally, and they're only getting bigger as games get more advanced.

Jennifer Locke
Games Editor - PlayStation, Android, VR

Jennifer Locke has been playing video games nearly her entire life. You can find her posting pictures of her dog and obsessing over PlayStation and Xbox, Star Wars, and other geeky things.

Latest in Playstation
God of War Ragnarok Kratos reaching out to Atreus
God of War Ragnarök's best moments are commentary on masculinity
God of War Ragnarok Kratos and Atreus
God of War Ragnarök: Beginner's tips and tricks
Ps5 Hero
Sony Q2 financial results see 25 million PS5 units sold, PS Plus loses 1.9 million subscribers
God of War Ragnarok Thor choking Kratos
God of War Ragnarök for PS5 review: A strong adventure with a few loose ends
Silent Hill 2 remake car overview
Silent Hill 2 remake for PS5: Trailers, details, and everything you need to know
Silent Hill 2 remake key art
Silent Hill 2 remake announced, PS5 console exclusive for at least a year
Latest in How-to
Testing Google Pixel 9's camera
Your Pixel 9 lets you connect to remote cameras and film content from different angles. Here's how
Notification Cooldown on Google Pixel
How to enable Notification Cooldown on a Google Pixel
A Google Pixel 9 Pro XL in the bootloader recovery menu.
The March Pixel update has been causing lots of headaches, but going back isn't easy
The Modes menu on a Pixel 9 showing Do Not Disturb turned on
Modes have replaced Do Not Disturb on your Pixel. Here's how to use them
Google Messages blue logo
How to automatically delete OTPs in Google Messages
Weather and Calendar in Morning Brief on Galaxy S25 Ultra
How to set up and use Now Brief on the Galaxy S25