How To Get Faster Download Speeds On Xbox One

How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for Xbox Series X?

Published on November 16, 2021

Internet speed in gaming can be the difference between winning and losing, literally. If your internet speed isn't fast enough, you won't see the shots fired at you until it's too late.

An internet speed of at least 25 Mbps is ideal for gaming if you're the only one using the internet. But if you have people calling in, or if you live in a home where lots of people use the internet, you'll want to shoot for 100 Mbps or more. If you're trying to download a game, or just play an online video game, you'll also want a good internet ping rate.

As technology constantly evolves, so do gaming consoles. So what's so new about Xbox Series X? The speed. Microsoft shared how this Xbox is a step ahead of other gaming systems. But in order for it to work like it's supposed to, it needs a strong internet connection and a fast internet speed.

Looking for ways to play Halo Infinite without interruption? Here's how you can play Xbox Series X without the hassle of slow internet.

Calculate the internet speed you need

Good internet speed is typically anywhere between 100 and 200 Mbps.1 You'll want to consider how many people or devices will be using your bandwidth at the same time you'll be gaming. While you don't need a ton of speed to game online, you do have to share your Wi-Fi speeds with anyone else on your internet.

Also consider the strain that downloading new games and files puts on your internet. If you want to download games on your Xbox Series X as quickly as possible, then faster internet really helps. Internet speed is impacted from a variety of factors, but it ultimately comes from your internet service provider (ISP).

Check your internet speed

Bullhorn

Before figuring out how fast you'll be able to download games on your Xbox Series X, you need to know the speed of your internet. Take this test to check your internet speed.2 This should give you a starting point for calculating the speed of the download.

Next, you'll want to pay attention to file size. There's one simple rule of thumb: the larger the file, the slower the download.1 You can either download the game you want quickly and then play without issues, or you can play when you have lots of speed and experience little to no problems. Increased internet speed helps multiplayer games run faster.

Game creators try to keep file sizes as small as possible, and they do change slightly with every update. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, for example, is known for its larger file size of around 200 GB. Others, such as Cyberpunk 2077, has a file size around 70 GB.

Once you know your internet speed and the file size of the game you want (let's use Fortnite as an example), you can estimate how long it'll take to download on your Xbox Series X. Here's a couple charts to help show this:

Time it takes to download games on Xbox Series X with 100 Mbps²

Internet speed	File size	Download time
100 Mbps	200 GB	4.5 hours
100 Mbps	100 GB	2.5 hours
100 Mbps	50 GB	1.2 hours
100 Mbps	25 GB	35 minutes

If you're going to download Fortnite (which has a file size around 25 GB) and your internet speed is roughly 100 Mbps, then it should take half an hour. Don't forget to pay attention to your internet speed. If you have faster internet, then the download will be a lot quicker.

Time it takes to download games on Xbox Series X with 200 Mbps²

Internet speed	File size	Download time
200 Mbps	200 GB	2.5 hours
200 Mbps	100 GB	1.2 hours
200 Mbps	50 GB	35 minutes
200 Mbps	25 GB	17 minutes

Say you download the same game (Fortnite) with twice the internet speed. Your download time will take half as long.

Pre-download your games

Pre-downloading games can end up saving you lots of time. The same was true with Xbox One, and you can also do so on Xbox Series X. Sounds crazy, right? This feature allows people to play the games they want as soon as their Xbox arrives. Not too bad. Now you don't really need to wait for long periods of time while your game is downloading.

While this feature might solve some problems when it comes to waiting for Apex Legends to download, you'll still need to wait for any additional games you choose after purchasing your Xbox Series X.

What's the difference between Xbox Series X and Xbox One?

When it comes down to it, Xbox Series X is more powerful, about four times faster, and includes a lot more storage. Both consoles support 4K games, although the Xbox Series X comes with an HDMI 2.1 (as opposed to HDMI 2.0).

Both Xbox series X and Xbox One include something called a fast resume feature: it allows you to switch quickly between different games. On Xbox Series X, the feature is more advanced and supports switching between multiple games at one time. There are some major updates to Xbox Series X that make the change much easier than on Xbox One.

Recommended internet plans

If your internet isn't going to be a team player while you snag loot in Borderlands 3, then it may be time to upgrade your plan. These plans will all have enough speeds and data caps to keep you connected without lag.

Recommended internet plans for Xbox Series X

Data effective 10/04/21. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.

† w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges.

Now that you know how much speed you need for Xbox Series X, check this out.

Find the best internet for gaming in your area.

See our recommended ISPs for gaming.

Catherine McNally

Written by

Catherine McNally

Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She's been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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