Cheap Netflix: Is The Non-HD Netflix Basic Plan Worth It?

UPDATE (October 2022): As of November 2022, Netflix is updating its Basic plan to offer up to 720p streaming. This change arrives alongside a new, cheaper ad-supported plan. For more information, check out Netflix's updated pricing page here:

With Netflix recently upping the pricing on all its plans, it's worth revisiting that Basic Plan.

I've generally dismissed the Netflix Basic Plan as too low-quality for my tastes. But the recent Netflix price hike has me rethinking how I spend my streaming dollars. And so, for the past few weeks, we've been trying out the non-HD Netflix Basic Plan to see if it's a good fit for us.

In this video, we explore the features, limitations, and our own opinions on the overall video quality (or lack thereof).

And if you're considering similar moves to save a bit of cash each month, we hope you find this video useful.

It's worth remembering, though: non-HD may not be cutting-edge video quality anymore, but what's really important is your tastes and whether or not those financial savings outweigh the drop in quality and other features. That's a personal call, naturally, but we hope we've at least got you thinking about new ways to save some dough each month.

0:00 Intro
0:57 What Is The Netflix Basic Plan?
1:58 Why Would I Downgrade to the Netflix Basic Plan?
3:12 What's It Like to Use Netflix's Basic Plan?
5:41 Sidebar: NVIDIA's Shield TV and AI Upscaling
6:44 When Does the Basic Netflix Plan Make Sense?
7:19 Who Should Avoid the Netflix Basic Plan?
7:50 Wrapping It All Up...

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UPDATE: As of November 2022, Netflix is updating its Basic plan to offer up to 720p streaming. This change arrives alongside a new, cheaper ad-supported plan. For more information, check out Netflix's updated pricing page here:

[richardgusztaw]

You should not be charged extra for 4K or 1080 resolutions. This is 2022 and we still have low resolution video! Netflix is way over priced in my opinion.

[Bleys]

I honestly feel like Netflix is ripping me off.

[chadwickmccarty]

Netflix should be having 720p for their Basic for today's standard not 480p. I think Netflix does that simply for cutting cost & as a deterrence.

[tamikam.murray]

I just downgraded my plan too. There was no way I was paying over $15.00 for Netflix! My next step is getting rid of it and relying on Cinema HD to watch Netflix shows.

[RScottDuncan]

Thanks for this informative take. I subscribe to Netflix a couple times a year and binge-watch for a month or two annually. I'd probably keep an annual subscription if they had the option for 1 screen in UHD for less cash. I only need one screen at a time here.

[stitchergary]

That $2.00 increase to $9.99 was too much for me....Been a customer since receiving DVDs in the mail....Cancelled my service last week... Plenty on Amazon Prime, Roku, & Tubi for me...thanks for the video

[harryballsak]

It's 2022 and $10 for a non-HD shouldn't exist. It should be at least 720p. Netflix wonders why people get the 4 login plan then share the passwords. 4 people splitting $20 and getting 4K for $5 each vs paying $10 and getting 480p. Gee wonder why password sharing is an issue. And continually raising the price isn't helping people will just stop subbing until their favorite show is on then binge for a month then unsub

[keithjohnson]

I had the basic plan back when it was 7.99 and thought the service was perfect for my needs, watching shows on an old laptop. Worked fine.

[dakkon]

As a single person household, I have wondered if the standard plan would work for me. I didn't realize it was slightly better than 480p. I don't notice much difference going to 4k, but I do seem to notice going from 1080 to 720, so I suspect I may have issues with the stadard plan, depending on which room I watch in. Would be nice if netflix bumped up to 720p

[theoblongbox]

I have always been on the basic plan and never felt uncomfortable or felt like the video quality was bad. I am not a technology snob by any means. The basic is fine for me. The only issue I see with the details of the plan is for people with spouses or kids because the 1 device at a time aspect would not be manageable with multiple people. It's a great plan for single people like me though. I also don't like that they have raised the price of the basic plan. If it ever goes up to be like $13 - $15 a month, I am definitely cancelling.

[thebaccathatchews]

What I do is I don't pay for Netflix every month. I get a 20-25 dollar gift card twice a year. It lasts about 6 weeks.

[MM-femz]

They are now discontinuing Basic in Canada so it will be gone in the US soon. Hate how they are forcing the ads plan by upping it to 1080p. After basic suffered at being practically unwatchable at 480p, it finally got 720p last fall.

[rayk]

Netflix finally went to
far for me. Service has been cancelled. They’re gonna lose the streaming wars anyway.

[MichaelSaves]

Great video and level of detail. I think I could definitely get by with the Basic plan after watching your review.

[williammac]

I say fight against their corporate greed! Drop them like a rock! And for those of you that say impossible and that are addicted to this service I offer a three night a week class. It's called Netflix anonymous. Each individual discusses how the service has affected him or her and their families. On average individuals are helped anywhere from 3 months to a year and a half. After which shock treatments can be provided with an extra charge, like $19.99.

[Pip]

480p is standard
720p is high
1080p is high
It's standerd not bad that's why it's called SD

[TexasScout]

As soon as I got the notice of Netflix going up, I cancel

[filipepereira]

I feel completely fine with the 720p. Nothing is lost in the watching experience for most stuff. IMO, the only downside is the number of screens allowed.

[danielrenemauriciomontielp]

Downgrade or leave people its the only way to make them see their mistakes