How Much WiFi Speed is Good for Smart TV?

Smart TVs come equipped with integrated WiFi capabilities, allowing seamless connection to your home router. During the initial setup or via the network settings, you can tether your Smart TV to your home's wireless network. For those who prefer a wired connection, an ethernet cable can bridge the gap between your router and TV. Alternatively, if you're looking to enhance your TV's connectivity, plug in a USB WiFi adapter. These adapters, with their compact built-in antennas, ensure a robust and consistent connection to your wireless network.

WiFi speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the Mbps the faster the connection.

Speeds you’ll need for Smart TV Use: For the fastest loading times, web browsing on your Smart TV requires 5 Mbps. Music downloads require 10 Mbps. Streaming is all about the resolution quality. For Standard Definition (SD) you only need 3 Mbps but for HD you need 10 Mbps and you’ll want at the very least 25 Mbps for streaming in 4K Ultra HD. If others in your household will be online on different devices while you’re watching your TV you’ll want 100 Mbps of speed, and, if you want to stream 4K video on multiple devices then you will need 200 Mbps.

WiFi typically has two frequencies over which data can be transmitted, also known as the bandwidth: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Data travels in channels and the width of these channels determines how much data can be transmitted at once. Wider channels generally achieve faster data rates. 2.4 GHz frequency supports channel width of 20 MHz. The 5 GHz frequency adds channels in 80 MHz and 160 MHZ that tend to be less congested and faster. Some channels may not be available based on regulatory rules.

2.4 GHz WiFi will support up to 450 Mbps or 600 Mbps – enough for browsing, gaming, and streaming on your Smart TV; while 5 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 1300 Mbps.

Real-life speeds are affected by how far your TV is away from your router, physical obstructions and interference from other devices.

The workhorse 2.4 GHz frequency tends to get interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones and baby monitors because these devices operate in the 2.4 GHz range. But here’s what’s great about the 2.4 GHz frequency: it can penetrate walls and floors better than the 5 GHz frequency. If your router is right next to your Smart TV then go for the 5 GHz frequency in your router settings because there should be less interference. However, if your router is behind a wall or on another floor of your home the 2.4 GHz frequency is the better choice and gives you the speed you’ll need for using your Smart TV.