4K Streaming Guide

You need to watch TV and movies in 4K to get the ultimate experience, right? Or is it 8K now? What about UHD? Seriously, what a headache. With media companies racing to offer the best in online video, finding the highest quality picture is like aiming at a constantly moving target.

If you’re not up to speed with the cutting edge of online video, here’s what you need to know to stream 4K content from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and similar services.

What is 4K streaming?

You stream in 4K when you watch any video with a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution distributed by Netflix, YouTube, HBO Max, and similar services. The video downloads in small chunks that are played immediately and then deleted.

Most streaming services currently offer 4K as the highest resolution option. In fact, most original content from services like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ is available in 4K, and that trend is likely to continue.

But not all content is available in 4K. When streaming video, the resolution depends on the device, the service, your internet connection, and the video’s native resolution. There are a lot of different resolutions you’re likely to see, so take a look:

How much speed do you need for 4K streaming?

The internet speed you need to stream a 4K video depends on how it’s compressed and delivered across the internet—raw video is just huge, so it must be packed like a zip file before it’s sent to you. A rate of 25 Mbps is average for a single 4K stream, so if you have a 100 Mbps plan, the stream uses a quarter of your entire bandwidth.

But if three other household members decide to watch 4K content too, you’ll hit the plan’s 100 Mbps limit and leave nothing else for other devices and applications. We suggest a plan that’s faster than 100 Mbps if this scenario applies to you—a fast upload speed doesn’t matter in this case.

Bandwidth isn’t your only requirement, however.

How much data do you need for 4K streaming?

You download video data in small chunks each time you stream, so you can easily burn through a month’s worth of data if your internet provider enforces a monthly data cap, like Xfinity and Mediacom. You may end up with overage fees that cost more than the service you use to stream video.

So, how much data does a 4K stream use? Nearly 16 GB per hour if you stream from YouTube, but only 7 GB per hour if you stream from Netflix. Again, the amount of data you use depends on the platform, but you’ll use less data streaming a 4K movie than if you bought the movie and downloaded it to your device—Avengers: Endgame reaches up to a hefty 105 GB!

Here’s a chart with the average per-hour download amounts to give you an idea:

Satellite internet connections have especially restrictive data caps, so it’s often better to have a separate satellite TV provider to watch video. Most other connections give you enough data to stream on a fairly regular basis, but we suggest getting an unlimited data plan for true stress-free streaming.

For more information, see our guide to speed requirements for streaming services.

What else do you need for 4K streaming?

To stream 4K video, you need two things: a 4K device and a 4K streaming service.

4K streaming devices

First, you need devices that support 4K. We can split these devices into two groups: 4K output and 4K input.

4K input

You need a screen that supports a 4K resolution. It can be a smart TV, a desktop monitor, or a laptop screen. Most phones and tablets don’t have a resolution that high, but you can get a good 4K TV fairly cheap. Here are a few examples:

Once you have the equipment you need to stream and watch 4K video content, the next step is to get a compatible streaming service. Most have some 4K offerings, though these sometimes come at an extra cost.

For example, Netflix customers need the premium plan to watch 4K content. Amazon Prime Video has many 4K shows, but some are available only to rent or buy. Other services, such as Disney+, Hulu, and Starz, include their 4K content in standard monthly subscriptions.

Do you really need 4K?

You don’t need 4K, but it certainly looks a lot better than SD and HD resolutions. A 4K video has sharper edges, less noise, and better colors. If you want the ultimate viewing experience, 4K is the way to go—for now.

If you’re upgrading your TV or some other streaming device, you should definitely get something that supports 4K video. There’s enough 4K content out there already to make upgrading worth it, and most new TV shows and movies moving forward will be available in 4K.

On the other hand, if you’re on an internet plan with low data caps, you might not want to watch content in 4K, even if your device can handle it. Most streaming services automatically choose the highest resolution available based on your connection speed, but this can usually be manually set to a lower resolution, making your data last much longer.

What about 8K video?

4K video is still cutting-edge technology, but 8K is the next level. You can already find 8K televisions on the market, but there’s no need to upgrade just yet. Most streaming services don’t have 8K content, nor can you purchase and stream 8K content from Google Play and the iTunes Store.

However, YouTube does have some 8K content, but that’s mostly a handful of scenic landscape flyovers and peaceful nature videos. They’re great proof-of-concept videos but probably not worth shelling out several thousand dollars for new equipment.

Some newer game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X also support 8K content, but they’re similarly limited by the lack of available 8K games and video.

Do you have the speed you need for 4K streaming?

If you’re having issues with 4K streaming but you don’t know the speeds you’re currently getting, run our speed test from a wired device. If your tested speed matches your plan, you may need a plan with a faster speed.

FAQ about 4K streaming

• How Much Speed Do I Need to Stream Video
• How Much Speed Do You Need for Live Video Game Streaming?
• How Much Speed Do I Need to Stream Music?
• Best Routers for Streaming

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