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Many internet users assume that the speed in their home internet package is what they get on a daily basis, but this is not always the case. Speeds typically vary throughout the day and may decrease during peak usage times. What if your provider imposes data limits or acceleration connections to maintain the overall performance of the network, their speeds may also drop.
There is an easy way to keep an eye on the Internet speed in your home: an Internet speed test. You have many free online options to choose from and you can even run one from the same application you used to configure your router. In most cases, running a test is as easy as pressing “Go”.
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A good speed test will make it easier to see current download speeds, upload speeds and latency (or ping) for any device you’re running the test on – but with so many options promising to do just that, which one should you trust? Glad you asked – here are the ones we looked for first and why:
Screenshot of Ry Crist / CNET
One of our favorites is the Ookla speed test, which has a strong reputation for consistency and for being one of the first speed tests on the web. Popularity aside, we like Ookla for having everything a basic user needs for a speed test: accuracy, the ability to view your speed test history (when you create an account), a wide variety of servers to connect to and even a useful speed test app on your Android or iOS device.
Ookla has also done a good job of keeping up with the times, adding new features and capabilities over the years. The service recently launched a specific video speed test that measures your network’s ability to handle 4K video streams. It also has applications that you can run on Windows and an Apple TV.
That said, Ookla displays banner ads while you run basic speed tests. This is not surprising, but it can have a slight impact on your results, depending on the strength of your connection at the time of testing.
Screenshot of Ry Crist / CNET
Fast.com is another excellent broadband test, and the interface is as simple and straightforward as possible. However, one of its biggest advantages is that it is owned by Netflix. This may seem strange at first, but it is actually what makes it a great choice for online streamers, because the test is structured to verify that your connection is strong enough to stream Netflix at full resolution without buffer.
Although Fast.com is a great tool for some, it will not be the most useful test for all users. The basic interface is easy to use, yes, but it also lacks some of the advanced settings and metrics you’ll find in other speed tests. Most notably, you cannot specify which server you would like to connect to for your test.
Screenshot of Ry Crist / CNET
If you are looking for a test that offers a view not only of speed, but of consistency, Speedof.me is the way to go. Similar to Ookla, the test interface does a great job of showing fluctuations in upload and download speeds. Over time, this can make it easier to detect when something is wrong with your connection, especially as Speedof.me allows you to compare your results with previous tests. Its mobile-optimized website is also great for running tests on your phone, allowing you to do a quick speed test on the go, without having to download an app.
Speedof.me is not a perfect option, however. For starters, there is no option to manually select which server you connect to. And if the home network isn’t your forte, the data you see may seem more confusing or oppressive than something like Fast.com, which provides just a number.
Screenshot of Ry Crist / CNET
Testmy.net is an Internet speed test that runs entirely on HTML5 and PHP. What this means is that it does not require third-party software like Java or Flash to run the test, which can yield more accurate results. This also makes it a useful tool for comparing performance across different browsers. You can also create an account to track Internet speed for future reference or comparison.
However, it is not the friendliest tool. With a large amount of detailed data, you will have a lot of information to examine, much of which may not be relevant to you. The design is also a little ugly by speed test standards and takes a few clicks before you actually start a test, which is obviously not as simplified as other speed tests that feature big “Go” buttons as soon as you load the page .