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Many internet users assume that the speed of their home internet plan is what they get on a daily basis, but it’s not always the case. Speeds typically fluctuate throughout the day and may slow down during peak periods of use. What if your supplier enforce data limits or throttling connections To maintain overall network performance, your speeds may also drop.
There is an easy way to keep tabs on your home’s internet speeds, and that is with an internet speed test. There are plenty of free options to choose from online, and you might even be able to run one from the same app you used to set up 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 easy to see current download speeds, upload speeds, and latency (or ping) whatever device you run 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 turn to first and why:
Screenshot by Ry Crist / CNET
One of our favorites is the Ookla Speed Test, which has a solid reputation for consistency and being one of the first speed tests on the web. Popularity aside, we love Ookla for having everything a basic user needs from a speed test: accuracy, 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 has also done a good job of keeping pace with adding new features and capabilities over the years. Just recently, the service released a video-specific speed test that measures your network’s ability to handle 4K video streams. It also contains apps that you can run on Windows and on an Apple TV.
That said, Ookla displays banner ads while you run basic speed tests. This is not surprising, but it may have a slight impact on your results depending on the strength of your connection at the time of the test.
Screenshot by Ry Crist / CNET
Fast.com is another great broadband test, and the interface is about as simple and straightforward as it gets. However, one of its biggest advantages is that it is owned by Netflix. It might seem odd at first, but it’s actually what makes it a great choice for online streamers, as the test is structured around checking to see if your connection is strong enough to stream Netflix in full resolution without buffering.
While Fast.com is a great tool for some, it won’t 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 with other speed tests. Specifically, you cannot specify the server to which you want to connect for your test.
Screenshot by Ry Crist / CNET
If you’re looking for a test that offers insight into not just speeds, but consistency, Speedof.me is the way to go. Similar to Ookla, the test interface does a great job of showing fluctuations in your upload and download speeds. Over time, this can make it easier for you to spot when something is wrong with your connection, especially since Speedof.me allows you to compare your results with previous tests. Its mobile-friendly website is also great for running tests on your phone, letting you do a quick speed test on the go without downloading an app.
Speedof.me is not a perfect option, however. For starters, there is no option to manually select the server you are connecting to. And if home networking isn’t your strong suit, the data visualized can seem more confusing or overwhelming than something like Fast.com, which just gives you a number.
Screenshot by Ry Crist / CNET
Testmy.net is an Internet speed test that works entirely on HTML5 and PHP. This means that it does not require third party software like Java or Flash to run your test, which can give more accurate results. This 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 is not, however, the most user-friendly tool. With a lot of detailed data, you’ll have quite a bit of information to sift through, most of which might not interest you. The design is also a bit ugly by speed test standards, and it takes a few clicks before you start a test, which obviously isn’t as straightforward as other speed tests that feature big “Go” buttons. “as soon as you load the page.
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