Netflix uses about 1 GB of data per hour for each stream of standard definition video, and up to 3 GB per hour for HD video.
While there is a key account setting to reduce the amount of data Netflix uses, without actually resorting to watching less movies, as you'll find below - we also added some off-site tips to help maximize your Netflix experience without boring a hole in your pocket.
Adjust Netflix data usage settings
Data usage for your account can be adjusted to reduce the amount of bandwidth used while watching Netflix in either of these four settings estimated per stream: Low (0.3 GB per hour), Medium (SD: 0.7 GB per hour), High (up to 3 GB per hour for HD and 7 GB per hour for Ultra HD) or Auto (Adjusts automatically to deliver the highest possible quality based on connection speed).
The setting tab can be found under the Your Account link in the top-right corner of the Netflix website. Click the link, and find the “Instant Watching” section, then click “Manage video quality” under the “Settings” tab.
Note, the video quality setting you choose will also apply to other gadgets that you use to stream Netflix videos, including set-top boxes like Apple TV and portable devices like the iPad.
Use Opera Max to save data
Opera Max app can help you slurp up less data while streaming videos, shows and movies via Netflix. It can condense a 10MB video down to 3MB and significantly reduce instances of video buffering without loss of video quality.
The downside, however, is slowness in buffering speed which makes watching HD videos less enjoyable.
Utilize Web Browser to save Bandwidth
Start playing a video on Netflix via a browser, then hover your mouse over the HD icon near the bottom of the screen, and uncheck the “Allow HD” box.
