Best Internet Speed Tests [CNET]

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024 Kristen Hollis technology

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See at Fast

Fast.com

Best internet speed test for streamers

See at M-Lab

M-Lab Internet Speed Test

Easiest internet speed test to use

Do you know how fast your internet speed is right now? If the answer is no, there’s a simple way to change that in the next five minutes. A quick internet speed test will tell you exactly how fast your connection is and how it compares to your internet service provider’s advertised speeds.

There are many speed tests out there that can do this simple job. Which one should you trust?

What’s the best internet speed test overall?

Using a good speed test, such as Ookla’s, CNET’s pick for the best speed test overall, will help you determine what speeds you’re getting at your address. You might be surprised to find they’re lower than the advertised speeds from your provider.

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 for 2024

Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Fast.com is another great broadband test, and the interface is very simple. Plus, one of its biggest advantages is that Netflix owns it. That makes it a great pick for online streamers, because 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.

While Fast.com is a great tool for some, 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 other speed tests. Most notably, you can’t specify which server you’d like to connect with for your test.

Screenshot by CNET

Easy and simple is what you can expect with M-Lab’s Internet Speed Test. 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. The test pops up whenever you type “internet speed test” into the Google search bar. After agreeing to the data policy, click the “Begin” button to see your download speed, upload speed and latency within seconds.

That’s about as simple as it gets, because you won’t need to bookmark it or remember what it’s called. There are no ads while you run the test. However, M-Lab collects and publishes your data (the IP address used during the test). In addition, know that the M-Lab test 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.

Tips for 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 results. Here are a few tips to consider when taking an internet speed test.

Test using both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. 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 for a look at the speed difference of a Wi-Fi versus wired connection.

Test at varying distances from your router. Distance from the router can affect your Wi-Fi speeds. Try running a few speed tests at varying distances from the router and perhaps other rooms or floors of your home to gauge your router’s range and identify any dead zones. Read how CNET’s Trisha Jandoc boosted her gigabit speeds at home.

Test using different devices. 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 many stream their entertainment) 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; they are ideal for scheduling downloads of large files such as 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.

How many members of your household use the internet?

Download and upload speed tests refer to how quickly you can receive and send data to the internet. Actions such as surfing the web or streaming videos fall under downloading speed while sending emails or uploading photos and videos online fall under 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 a button on a video game controller is pressed, an action is triggered 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 the data flows between all the network devices. Data is transmitted between devices at a set interval, but the connection can turn 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. While using their service-specific tests is convenient, we recommend using one separate from your provider for a greater sense of objectivity.

Fast.com vs. Speedtest.net: Which is better?

While both internet speed tests are good options to determine your connection’s strength, 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?

Speed tests won’t do anything to change the speed of your home’s Wi-Fi network, but 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.

What’s the best internet speed test overall?

Best internet speed tests for 2024

Tips for taking an internet speed test

What are the four different test types?

How CNET chose these internet speed tests

Internet speed test FAQs

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