Do you need fast internet speeds for your Smarthome devices?

Many SmartHome devices require an internet connection for advanced features to work properly, but does that internet connection need to be very fast? Here’s what you need to know.

Quick Internet Speed Tutorial

We measure internet speed in megabits per second (Mbps), so when you’re choosing an ISP or testing your internet speed, everything is measured in Mbps — the higher the number, the faster your internet speed. ,

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«Fast» internet speed means different things to different people. When it comes down to it, though, certain activities require a certain amount of bandwidth (that is, how much data you can send and receive in a certain amount of time), regardless of what you consider «fast». The higher the internet speed, the more bandwidth you have.

For example, sending or receiving email does not require as much bandwidth as streaming a movie from Netflix. This also applies to various SmartHome features.

So which Smarthome devices require fast internet speeds?

If your internet connection isn’t very fast, you’re out of luck if your SmartHome devices are running smoothly. In other words, it takes very little bandwidth to send commands to things like smart lights or smart locks, since it’s just a tiny piece of data sent over a network or cloud.

However, certain devices absolutely need good bandwidth and high enough internet speeds for them to work adequately. It has to do with anything with a camera.

Wi-Fi cameras and video intercoms are quickly becoming the most popular SmartHome devices on the market as they are arguably one of the most useful devices in the home. However, it’s a double-edged sword, as these camera-equipped gadgets require ample bandwidth to the point that not just any internet connection will do.

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For example, the Nest Cam IQ can reach 4 Mbps download bandwidth. If your internet speed is much higher then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you have a slow DSL at speeds of, say, 7Mbps, the Nest Cam IQ can do most of that without issue, creating slowdowns in other parts of your network.

The good news is that Wi-Fi cameras and other smart cameras can record at lower quality if you have a slow connection. For example, a regular Nest camera can record at up to 360p, which is a pretty terrible resolution, but can consume as little as 0.15Mbps of your internet bandwidth.