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An internet speed test is an easy way to make sure you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for. Whether your Wi-Fi has been slow lately, you’re testing the Wi-Fi strength in different rooms or you’re just not sure how fast (or slow) your internet is, you can take a simple speed test to figure it out in a matter of minutes.
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second or Mbps. We use this measure to determine how fast your internet download speeds and upload speeds are. There are a few different speed tests you can use to figure out what your download and upload speeds are.
Read more: Improve your online privacy with one of the best VPNs as tested by our CNET experts.
What’s the best internet speed test overall?
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. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Even with the use of FCC-mandated broadband labels, our daily speeds may not be what our ISP advertises. Ookla, which has been used for 55 billion tests to date, can report what 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. Check out our top picks.
Best internet speed tests
Ookla’s speed test lands as our top pick due to its strong reputation for consistency and the fact that it’s one of the first speed tests to hit the web. Ookla has everything you need from a speed test: accuracy, the ability to view your speed test history (when you create an account), a wide array of servers to connect to and even a handy app for speed testing from your Android or iOS device. Ookla’s speed test is also the one we use when we’re testing Wi-Fi routers. If you’re curious about how much speed you actually need, the FCC legally defines an internet connection as at least 100Mbps in download speed and 20Mbps in upload, which can get you a decent performance from streaming services and multiple connected devices. If you’re struggling with a laggy internet connection, check out my colleague’s tips for optimizing your Wi-Fi and consider potentially switching to a better-performing router.
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.
One minor downside: Ookla displays banner ads while you run basic speed tests. It’s not a huge deal, although it might slightly impact your results, depending on the strength of your connection at the time of the test.
Fast.com is another great broadband test, and the interface is very simple. One of its biggest advantages is that Netflix owns it, making it a great pick for online streamers. You don’t need to be subscribed to Netflix to utilize its features. The test is structured to see if your connection is strong enough to stream Netflix in maximum resolution without buffering. Unlike Ookla, the interface is free of ads, so you don’t have to worry about pesky pop-ups interrupting your speed test.
Fast.com is a great tool for some, but it won’t be the most helpful test for all users. The basic interface is easy to use but lacks some advanced settings and metrics you’ll find with most speed tests. For instance, Netflix highlights that this speed test only measures download speeds since it is the most conducive to streaming video. Most notably, you can’t specify which server you’d like to connect with for your test.
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.
If you’re looking to test your browser’s internet speed, Testmy.net is your best bet. 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.
It’s not the most user-friendly tool, featuring a swath of in-depth data and individualized tests for your download speeds, uploads and latency. In other words, you’ll have a lot of information to look through that might not be relevant to you. The design is also a little ugly by speed test standards. 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 taking an internet speed test
Running a speed test is usually as simple as finding the test and clicking the start prompt, but there are 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:
- Test using both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. A wired Ethernet connection is always faster than a wireless connection. Testing over an Ethernet connection will give you a better look at the actual speeds you’re getting from your provider. Often, you can run such tests straight through your router via the router’s accompanying app. Follow the Ethernet test with a test over Wi-Fi to look at the speed difference between a Wi-Fi versus a wired 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. Read how CNET’s Trisha Jandoc boosted her gigabit speeds at home. 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 we’re 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 Federal Communications Commission 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.
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.
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.
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 a great diagnostic tool, a quick way to check how your network is performing 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. 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.
