How to Choose the Best Bitrate for Online Radio Streaming
Bitrate affects audio quality, bandwidth use, and how reliable your station feels to listeners. Higher bitrates can sound better, but they use more data and may buffer for mobile listeners or people on slower connections. Common online radio bitrates include 64 kbps, 96 kbps, 128 kbps, and 192 kbps, depending on the format and audience. Speech stations can often use a lower bitrate, while music stations may prefer 128 kbps or higher if bandwidth allows. If your listeners are mostly mobile, a moderate bitrate can improve stability. Test your stream on Wi-Fi and mobile data before deciding. Avoid changing bitrate during live broadcasts unless necessary, because some players may need to reconnect. Keep your AutoDJ and live encoder settings consistent where possible.