Do you know how much you should be paying for internet speeds?, one easy way to find out is by conducting an internet speed test. An internet speed test is quick, easy and free. All things we want to hear. As home internet users, we’ve all had that moment where we realized that we were paying for more than we should on internet speeds we didn’t need. Avoiding this mistake can help you save hundreds of dollars off your internet bill.
Whether your Wi-Fi has been lagging during gaming, streaming or in Zoom calls, you’re testing the connection strength in different rooms or you’re unsure just how fast (or slow) your internet really is, a speed test can give you answers in minutes. Internet speed is measured in megabits per second, or Mbps. We use this measure to determine how fast your internet download and upload speeds are. There are several different speed tests available, each offering unique features and metrics that can provide insights to your internet speeds.
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What’s the best internet speed test overall?
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CNET’s pick for the best speed test overall is Ookla, a tool we’ve been using to determine broadband speeds from internet service providers for a while now. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Even with the use of FCC-mandated broadband labels, our daily speeds are not always what our ISP advertises. Ookla, which has been used for 55 billion tests to date, can report the speeds you’re getting at your address in a user-friendly manner. Plus, Ookla’s speed test data compiles national and global internet speed averages for a comprehensive research index.
To help you decide which test is best for you, we evaluated multiple tests based on speed, consistency, accessibility and browser compatibility. Here are our top picks.
Best internet speed tests
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET
There’s a reason why Ookla’s speed test is our top choice, we’re big fans of the consistency it delivers and has been recognized as one of the very first speed tests to hit the web.
Ookla offers everything you need in a speed test: accuracy, access to your speed test history (with an account), a wide selection of servers to connect to and a convenient app for testing speeds on your Android or iOS device. Ookla’s speed test is also what we rely on to test Wi-Fi routers.
As of today, Ookla has performed over 55 billion speed tests. Moreover, it keeps up with digital trends by frequently adding new features and capabilities. Two years ago, the service released a video-specific speed test that measures your network’s ability to handle 4K video streams. It also offers its own VPN service. In addition to the website and smartphone apps, Ookla has apps you can run on Windows or Mac and even on an Apple TV.
Things to look out for: Ookla displays banner ads while you run basic speed tests. This is minor, although it might slightly impact your results, depending on the strength of your connection at the time of the test.
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET
What makes Fast.com so great? Well, to start, it’s program is very simple to use. If your household loves to stream your favorite shows and movies, this speed test could prove to be useful. Netflix owns it, making this test check to see if your connection has the capacity to stream Netflix in maximum resolution without any disruptions. Ever better, you don’t need to be subscribed to Netflix to utilize its features. Unlike Ookla, the interface is free of ads, so you don’t have to worry about those pesky pop-ups interrupting your speed test.
Remember when I said that the interface is very simple to use, that makes Fast.com is a great tool for some, but it won’t be useful for those that are looking for comprehensive testing. The basic features is easy to use but lacks some advanced settings and metrics you’ll find with most speed tests.
Things to look out for: Netflix highlights that this speed test only measures download speeds since it is the most conducive to streaming video. A big chunk of information is missing in that equation, and that’s your upload speeds which are more important than you might think. Finally, you can’t specify which server you’d like to connect with for your test.
Screenshot by CNET
Similar to Fast.com, M-Lab’s Internet Speed Test is the simplest speed test for your internet connection. However, unlike Fast.com, M-Lab leads with simplicity but without taking out important info you need to know. After agreeing to the data policy, simply click the “Begin” button to see your download speed, upload speed and latency within seconds. There are no ads and the information is simplified.
Short for Measurement Lab, the open-source M-Lab test was developed by a collection of computer scientists and academic researchers with Google’s backing.
Things to look out for: M-Lab collects and publishes your data (the IP address used during the test), which some users may prefer to keep private. In addition, M-Lab doesn’t let you pick which server you’ll use during the test and is designed for internet speeds of only up to 700Mbps. You’ll need to turn elsewhere if you’re trying to speed-test a gigabit connection.
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET
If you’re looking for a test that looks at speed and consistency, Speedof.me is the way to go. Like Ookla, the test interface shows fluctuations in your upload and download speeds. Over time, that can make it easier to spot when something is amiss with your connection, especially since Speedof.me lets you compare your results with previous tests. Its mobile-friendly website is also great for running tests on your phone, allowing you to do a quick speed test on the go without downloading an app.
Speedof.me is far from perfect. For starters, there’s no option to manually select which server you connect with. If home networking isn’t your forte, the visualized data might seem more confusing or overwhelming than something like Fast.com, which gives you a number.
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET
Did you know you can also run an internet speed test for your browser? Testmy.net will be your best bet for that. What we like: it runs entirely on HTML5 and PHP, meaning it doesn’t require third-party software like Java or Flash to run your test, which can produce more accurate results. That also makes it a useful tool for comparing performance between different browsers. You can also create an account to track your internet speed for future reference or comparison.
If you can get past it’s not so aesthetically pleasing design, Testmy.net can provide the accurate results you seek for your browser’s internet speed.
Things to look out for: It’s not the most user-friendly tool, with an overwhelming amount of in-depth data and individualized tests for your download speeds, uploads and latency. In other words, you’ll have a lot of confusing information to look through that might not be relevant to you. In addition, it takes a few clicks before you begin a test, which isn’t as streamlined as other speed tests that feature big “Go” buttons as soon as you load the page.
Quick tips before you run an internet speed test
Running a speed test is usually as simple as finding the test and hitting the go button. However, I recommend taking some extra measures you can take to get more accurate and informative data about your internet connection. Here are a few tips to consider when taking an internet speed test:
How many members of your household use the internet?
Test using both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Because of how Wi-Fi works, a wired Ethernet connection is almost always faster since you’re directly connected to your router and not subject to interference. Testing over an Ethernet connection will give you a better look at the actual speeds you’re getting from your provider and you can often run such tests straight through your equipment via the router’s accompanying app. Test the speed difference connected wirelessly through Wi-Fi and then compare it to the speed of your Ethernet connection. If your speeds over Wi-Fi are considerably slower, you can optimize your Wi-Fi connection with a few simple steps.
Test at varying distances from your router. The further away you are from your router, the slower your Wi-Fi speeds will be. Try running a few speed tests at varying distances from the router and in different rooms to gauge the router’s range and identify any dead zones. Note that Wi-Fi extenders and mesh Wi-Fi systems are great ways to improve connectivity around the house.
Test using different devices. You can run a speed test on your computer, phone, smart TV, gaming console, etc. If speeds drastically differ between devices, you may need to adjust device or router settings to improve performance across all devices.
Test at different times of the day. Depending on your internet connection type, peak usage times (typically weeknight evenings when everyone is streaming simultaneously) can hinder your speeds. Try running a few speed tests throughout the day for an idea of when your connection is at its peak performance. Keep those times in mind when you’re scheduling downloads of large files like video games or movies.
What are the four different internet test types?
There are many types of speed tests that can help you better understand your internet speed.
Download and upload speed tests refer to how quickly you can receive and send data to the internet. Surfing the web or streaming videos uses download speed while sending emails or uploading photos and videos online uses upload speed. To learn more, read our guide on download vs. upload speeds.
A ping or latency speed test shows how long it takes for your device to receive a response after sending a signal to the server. Think of it this way: When you press a button on a video game controller, you trigger an action on the screen. A ping test measures the time between the command and the outcome, so a higher latency speed means a slower reaction time. Here’s how you can lower your ping for a smooth gaming experience.
Jitter speed tests describe how data flows between all network devices. Data is transmitted between devices at a set interval, but the connection can become laggy as a network becomes more congested — this is jitter.
Streaming speed tests check if your internet connection is strong enough to stream in maximum resolution with little to no buffering. Since streaming videos requires more bandwidth, the download speed must be high enough to support the action. Check out our top picks of the best ISPs for streaming.
How CNET chose these internet speed tests
For over 20 years, we have used respectable sources, expert opinions and a hands-on approach to review data. We strive to personally test products and services to give insight to readers and offer them multiple options for what they’re looking for. Our team has approved these internet speed tests through several factors, including speed, consistency, accessibility and browser compatibility. Ookla’s speed test is the one we use when testing Wi-Fi routers, so we know from firsthand experience that it’s reliable.
Internet speed test FAQs
What’s a good internet speed?
The FCC defines broadband speeds as having downloads of at least 100 megabits per second and uploads of at least 20Mbps.
Internet plans with multi-gig speeds as high as 2, 3, 5, 10 or even 50 gigabits per second (that’s 50,000Mbps) are starting to emerge from many providers, including AT&T, Comcast, Frontier, Verizon Fios, Ziply Fiber and more. Plans like those are overkill for most homes, at least for now. The ideal is a symmetrical internet connection with uploads that are just as fast as the downloads. Speeds of 100Mbps would be perfectly fine for most homes.
Read our guide to find out how much speed your household actually needs.
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Why are my internet speeds so slow?
A few things may affect your speeds, but using a Wi-Fi connection is the most likely cause of tested speeds being lower than the speeds your ISP runs to the home.
Wi-Fi will almost always be slower than an Ethernet connection. Moving away from your router can further hinder your speeds. If there are walls or other obstructions between your router and the device you’re using, this could cause your internet speed to fall.
In other instances, your internet speed can fluctuate depending on peak usage hours. Possibly worst of all, if your internet provider enforces data caps or throttles connections to help maintain overall network performance, you’ll experience noticeable hits to your internet speed.
Keep this in mind when running a speed test and take measures to mitigate potential speed disruptions. For example, moving closer to the router can help get more accurate results. If possible, try testing over an Ethernet connection for the best result. Also, consider running a few speed tests throughout the day to see how your speeds fluctuate at different times.
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Do some ISPs offer their own speed tests?
Many nationwide internet providers, like Google Fiber, Spectrum, Verizon and Xfinity, offer speed tests on their site. Using their service-specific tests is convenient, but we recommend using one separate from your provider for a greater sense of objectivity.
Fast.com vs. Speedtest.net: Which is better?
Both internet speed tests are good options to determine your connection’s strength, but each has pros and cons. Since Fast.com is owned and operated by Netflix, it’s a great test for online streamers relying on decent bandwidth. It’s not as in-depth as Speedtest.net for providing analytics and doesn’t let users specify which server they’d like to connect with. Ookla, on the other hand, has a strong reputation for consistency, but it has banner ads that may slightly affect its test results.
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Can speed tests help improve my internet speeds?
No, speed tests won’t do anything to change the speed of your home’s Wi-Fi network. They’re simply a diagnostic tool, a quick way to check how your network performs in various spots around your home.
The best way to put speed tests to use is to run them on your phone or laptop in various rooms throughout your house. If you find a dead zone where speeds come crashing down, you might want to consider putting a range extender in the closest room to that dead zone where speeds are strong. CNET’s Trisha Jandoc tested by troubleshooting her lagging gigabit speeds at home. From there, it’ll rebroadcast your Wi-Fi signal and potentially speed things up.
If you find multiple dead zones in places where you’d like to connect, it might be time to upgrade your router. For the best whole-home Wi-Fi coverage, consider going with a mesh router that uses multiple devices. Finally, upgrading your plan is also an option, but if you want to avoid paying more, you can negotiate with your ISP for a lower monthly cost.