We all know we want decent broadband - it's pretty essential for everything from TV streaming to working from home and using our mobiles!
However, understanding the different broadband speeds, what they mean, and how much you should expect to pay isn't always quite so obvious.
If you don't know your download speed from your fibre, not to worry (you're far from alone!) - we've summarised here what it's all about and how your broadband requirements impact your choice of provider.
Let's begin by running through a comparison of the download speeds available from some of the best home broadband providers on the market - as rated by our independent team of Best10 broadband reviewers!
Speed is measured in megabits per second, so if you see a figure followed by Mb or Mbps, that's what it means.
In order of fastest to slowest:
MB is important because if your broadband is painfully slow, you'll struggle to get anything done.
Likewise, superfast fibre broadband isn't worth paying the extra for if you aren't going to use it!
Lower-cost broadband is more than sufficient for many people and will ensure you balance your budget against your connectivity needs.
Standard broadband speeds are fine for uploading images, checking emails and online shopping - and can be suitable for TV streaming provided you use one device at a time.
If any of the following apply, you'll probably be better off with something a bit speedier:
Broadband speeds also depend on the area you live in - not everywhere has superfast broadband or fibre, so sometimes you might be limited depending on the average broadband speeds available nearby.
Fibre is ultimately a better option since it's more reliable and faster, but not a prerequisite to decent connections if you don't have a heavy usage household.
We're talking here primarily about broadband speeds, but bear in mind that the Mb available isn’t the be-all and end-all!
You can also select your home broadband package based on:
The quickest way to find the best broadband offers out there is to start with Best10 - we review and rate all of the top providers, saving you the leg work - and maybe a few pounds a month too!
Visit our latest rating to find which broadband service currently tips it to the top of the rankings.