If your internet has been buffering recently or you’re worried you’re not getting the speed you’re paying for, you’ve probably been advised to run a speed test.You can find out your download speed, upload speed and ping time — but what does this data mean, and how can you use it to improve your internet? Download speed – How quickly data or content can be transferred to your device over the network, measured in Mbps.An example is streaming a TV show or movie on Netflix Upload speed – How quickly your device can upload data or content over the network, measured in Mbps.
An example is posting a photo on Instagram or publishing a video on YouTube Ping – A signal sent to measure latency, or the time it takes for data to travel from a device on one network to a device on another network, measured in milliseconds What internet speed do you really need? Use this equation to mathematically figure out how much speed your household needs.Keep in mind, these are the speeds recommended for one device.So always multiply that speed by the number of devices you have (e.g., for four devices you’d need at least 4 Mbps for browsing).
Browsing, email: 1 Mbps Streaming: 3 to 40 Mbps Online learning: 25 Mbps Working from home: 25 Mbps Which speed test is best for me? Ookla is our top pick for the best internet speed test because its extensive server network and transparent testing deliver reliable results.Plus, Ookla saves your test results so you can compare how consistently your internet performs over time.Our best online speed test picks: Best overall: Ookla’s Speedtest.net Best for accuracy: TestMy.net Easiest to use: Fast.com Best for mobile: Opensignal for iOS and Android Best ISP speed test: Xfnity app Best for gaming: Cloudflare Best open-source: Measurement Lab Allconnect expert tip: How to interpret your speed test results A speed test is an online tool to measure your internet download and upload speeds.
If you have a fast internet plan but are getting slow speed test results, you can determine if you’re overpaying for your service or if you simply need to troubleshoot your home Wi-Fi network.If you’re not sure what counts as “fast” or what you should be aiming for, check out our guide on what is a good internet speed to better understand the ideal Mbps for your household size and online habits.Ready to find fast internet at your address? Internet speed test comparison Browse this curated list of free internet speed tests and try one (or several) to test the high speed internet connection at your home. Speed testWho should use it?What it measuresBest forFeatures Ookla’s Speedtest.netAnyone can get solid results from this internet speed test Download speed Upload speed Ping timeComparing your speed test results over timeSaves data for historical comparison; Compares state + city-wide speed test results TestMy.netUse this one if you want the most accurate internet speed test Download speed Upload speed LatencyViewing accurate results in graph formatUses HTML5 for the most accurate results Fast.comEntertainment-heavy households will find this is the best speed test for streamingDownload speed Upload speed LatencyA no-frills test with quick resultsNetflix-owned test ensures speeds support max-resolution streaming Opensignal for iOS and AndroidMobile-first internet usersDownload speed Upload speed LatencyMobile users + finding cell tower strength by providerGet a quick read on your mobile’s Wi-Fi readiness + find the nearest cell towers CloudflareGamers agree this is the best speed test for gamingDownload speed Upload speed Ping time Jitter Packet loss A comprehensive network checkHighly specific performance metrics let you pinpoint gaps in speed quality M-LabUsers who support open source programsDownload speed Upload speed Latency Retransmission Straightforward speed analysisProvides retransmission rate, a measure of an unreceived acknowledgement of sent data (an indicator of packet loss) Xfinity AppXfinity internet customersDownload speed Upload speed LatencyUnderstanding what online tasks you can do with your current speedXfinity offers helpful ways to boost your internet if you don’t get the results you were expecting Does it matter which speed test I use? We recommend testing with more than one site to get an average measurement of your speed.
It’s easy to get caught up comparing Speedtest.net vs.Fast.com, but if you’re looking at download and upload speed, which speed test you use won’t make too much of a difference.That’s because various speed tests will give you slightly different results based on a number of factors. To test this claim, we ran all six of our top-recommended speed tests within the same time frame, using the same device (except for Opensignal, which used a mobile phone connected to the same network).
The results show a difference of about 55 Mbps in download speed and a range of 59 Mbps in upload speed.Speed testDownload/upload speed Ookla’s Speedtest.net205/148 Mbps TestMy.net251/99 Mbps Fast.com190/110 Mbps Opensignal for iOS227/110 Mbps Cloudflare196/143 Mbps Measurement Lab235/169 Mbps Average speed217/126 Mbps What factors affect my speed test results? It’s best practice to run your speed test at different times of day to get the most accurate representation of your home internet speed, since a number of things can affect your speed test results.Factors that affect speed tests: Which server the speed test is using The speed test’s algorithm Time of day you are running the test, or network congestion The overall number of devices connected to your internet Whether you are connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet The health of your device and how many tabs you have running What should I do with my speed test results? If your speed test results closely match your plan’s advertised speeds, then you’re good.
Your plan is delivering the speeds it’s supposed to.But if your results display speeds are much lower than expected, we have a few tips to improve your internet performance: Double-check who’s accessing your network – There’s always a possibility that a neighbor is piggybacking off of your network.If you suspect this is the case or can monitor access on an app and see authorized devices, change your password and review all of your security settings Restart your modem and router – As any IT person will tell you, turning it off and turning it back on is a good first step.
In fact, some internet service providers (ISPs) actually recommend rebooting your router every few months Download any software or firmware updates – If your modem or router hasn’t been updated recently, it may be the case that your equipment needs the latest software to operate properly.Refer to your user guide on how to check for updates Make sure there’s no clutter – If anything is blocking your router, it may not be able to transmit the signal as strong as it has in the past.Clear any clutter to ensure your router has open space around it View results View results View results View results View results View results View results Allconnect expert tip: Wi-Fi vs.
wired speeds Keep in mind that your wireless speeds (the speeds you’re getting over Wi-Fi) are going to be lower than your internet plan’s advertised speeds because those speeds reflect performance under a wired connection.Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you Internet speed test FAQs Why should I test my internet speed? Testing your internet speed can help you learn about your internet plan and help you determine if you are getting the internet speeds you pay for.No one wants to overpay for internet, so test your speed to ensure your connection is working as it should.
How do I use a speed test? Online speed tests are very easy to use.Visit any of the speed tests we listed above, or use Allconnect’s own speed test and click “Go” or a similar prompt to test your speed.What is the best free online speed test? Ookla’s Speedtest.net is our pick for the best overall online speed test.
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