Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
For many people, network and PC speed are easily taken for granted. Most modern computers are powerful, and network speeds far surpass those in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, that is not always the case.
Upgrading to a more powerful computer can be expensive. And in some rural locations, there is little competition for internet connectivity, and the available options tend to be slower.
Also: I've used nearly every browser available and these are my top 4 (spoiler: Chrome is out)
If that sounds like your daily web experience, a few web browsers can help alleviate your issues. Some of these browsers are lightweight, but more importantly, they also work well with slower network connections. Let's take a look at these browsers.
1. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge does a great job of managing memory. In fact, the approximate memory usage of this browser (with 10 open tabs) is around 790 MB.
It's no surprise that Edge makes this list, as it is built using the Blink rendering engine (think Chromium). However, given Microsoft's record of building slow, resource-consuming apps, its inclusion may come as a surprise to those who have battled Microsoft apps on their systems for decades.
Even so, Edge does a wonderful job of keeping resource usage down while still performing at a high level. The way Edge handles resources makes it a great candidate for slower network connections. Edge also includes several features to help with slow connections, such as data throttling, resource limiting, web rendering, ad blocking, webpage compression, and fast tab switching.
Also: The best VPN services (and how to choose the right one for you)
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