How Many Smart Devices Can Your Internet Handle?
The average American home now has 22 connected devices, up from 11 in 2019. Thermostats, doorbells, cameras, speakers, lights, locks, appliances -- they all need bandwidth. Here is how to make sure your internet keeps up.
How Much Bandwidth Smart Devices Actually Use
Most smart home devices use very little bandwidth individually. But collectively, they add up fast:
| Device | Bandwidth | Upload-Heavy? |
|---|---|---|
| Smart speaker (Alexa, Google) | 0.5-2 Mbps | No |
| Smart thermostat | Under 1 Mbps | No |
| Smart light bulb | Under 0.5 Mbps | No |
| Video doorbell (Ring, Nest) | 2-5 Mbps | Yes |
| Security camera (per camera) | 2-5 Mbps | Yes |
| Robot vacuum | Under 1 Mbps | No |
Security Cameras: The Hidden Bandwidth Hog
Security cameras are the biggest bandwidth consumers in a smart home because they continuously upload video to the cloud. A single 1080p camera uses 2-5 Mbps upload constantly. Four cameras means 8-20 Mbps of continuous upload traffic. On a cable plan with 10-20 Mbps total upload, your cameras alone can consume most of your upload capacity, degrading everything else.
This is where fiber's symmetrical speeds become essential. A 500 Mbps fiber plan gives you 500 Mbps upload -- more than enough for cameras, video calls, and cloud backups simultaneously.
The WiFi Bottleneck
Your internet plan might be fast enough, but your WiFi router can only handle so many simultaneous connections before performance degrades. Older routers may struggle with 20+ devices. Solutions:
- Upgrade to a WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E router, which handles more simultaneous connections efficiently.
- Use a mesh WiFi system for larger homes to ensure coverage in every room.
- Connect bandwidth-heavy devices (TVs, gaming consoles) via Ethernet when possible.
Bottom Line
Smart homes need more upload bandwidth than most cable plans provide. If you have or plan to install security cameras, a fiber connection with symmetrical speeds is the most practical choice. A 500 Mbps fiber plan comfortably supports 30+ smart devices alongside normal household internet use.