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Which Browser Should I Use for Watching Movies?
The best browsers for Netflix and other video streaming sites
By Scott Orgera Scott Orgera Writer Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 15, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Browsers for Streaming in HD Browsers for Fast Internet Streaming Best Browsers for Battery Life Best Browsers for Watching Movies Extra: Tips for Better Browser Streaming Some web browsers are better equipped for streaming movies online than others. Determining the best browser for streaming depends on which factors are most important to you, such as speed, battery usage, and support for high-definition (HD). To watch movies online, your device and internet connection must meet the minimum requirements for streaming video. Best Browsers for Streaming in HD
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer on Windows and Safari on Mac (Yosemite or later) are the only browsers that support 1080p resolution. Interestingly, Google Chrome does not qualify here, although it is by far the most popular browser. Chrome, Firefox, and Opera all stream at 720p. To display HD, you also need a strong internet connection. Netflix recommends 5.0 megabits-per-second for HD quality. If you're viewing videos on a laptop, choosing between HD vs standard definition might not make much of a difference. However, if you have an HD monitor, then you will want to use Edge, Explorer, or Safari. Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version. Best Browsers for Fast Internet Streaming
Google Chrome has long been considered the speed king of browsers and has always emphasized performance. It dominates the browser market, largely because of its minimalist design and superior speed in loading web pages. That said, Microsoft Edge matches or beats Chrome in some performance tests, while Firefox and Opera lag far behind. Many factors outside the browser itself affect video performance including the amount of RAM in your computer, processor speed, and the speed of your internet connection. Best Browsers for Battery Life
To promote the Edge browser, Microsoft conducted several web browser tests on battery usage. If you can believe the results, Edge came out on top, followed by Opera, Firefox, and then Chrome. For the record, Opera disagreed with the results, stating that the test's methods were not revealed. Chrome didn't challenge its last-place finis; the browser is well-known to be highly CPU-intensive. You can test this yourself by viewing several browsers in the Task Manager in Windows or the Activity Monitor on Mac. They will no doubt reveal Chrome uses the most RAM. Chrome continues to address this problem in updated releases, but its resource usage directly contributes to the speed of its browser, so tweaking Chrome's use of resources is a balancing act for the company. Battery usage is important only if you are watching on a laptop with no connected power source. Which Is the Best Browser for Watching Movies
When it comes to streaming movies in HD, it's hard to go wrong with Edge on Windows or Safari on Mac. However, because all browsers continually roll out new updates, a new version could up-end previous benchmarks at any point. Since browsers are free, you can easily switch from one to another for different purposes. Tips for Better Browser Streaming
Whichever browser you use, here are some tips you can follow for better streaming: Close other applications and browser tabs. This decreases the load on memory so that your computer can focus on streaming. Use a 5 GHz frequency if your router supports it. Household appliances use the common 2.4 GHz frequency, so it is more crowded. Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi if possible. If you're viewing a movie on your computer's large monitor, connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi. Monitor your internet connection. If your ISP has promised you 5 MBps and you are getting only 1 MBps, make sure you're getting the internet speed you are paying for. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Clear Cookies for a Specific Site How to Delete Cookies in Every Major Browser How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Your Browser The 10 Best Ways to Watch Movies With Friends Online How to Watch Movies on YouTube How to View Internet Explorer Sites on a Mac The Top 10 Internet Browsers for 2022 How to Stop Autoplay Videos What Is Microsoft Internet Explorer? How to Set the Home Page to Your Favorite Website How to Clear Your Search Bar History How to Allow Pop-Ups on Your PC Allow or Deny Access to Your Physical Location Settings Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome How to Make Google Your Default Search Engine Search History: How to View or Delete It Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies