Is your home getting enough internet speed? There's nothing more annoying than discovering that you aren't getting the internet speeds you've been paying for. And on the flip side, it doesn't make sense to pay for speeds you don't really need -- avoiding that mistake can help you save hundreds of dollars on your internet bill.
Let's face it, home internet is expensive. In a CNET broadband survey, 63% of US adults paying for home internet said their price increased last year. With those rising costs, it can be easy to get stuck paying too much for an internet service that doesn't meet your home broadband needs, especially if you're tied down to a long-term contract.
Here's a quick way to determine whether you're getting your money's worth: Take an internet speed test. Whether you're experiencing lag during gaming, streaming or Zoom calls; you're testing the connection strength in different rooms; or you're unsure just how fast (or slow) your internet really is, a speed test can give you answers in minutes. These tests are quick, easy and free.
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second or Mbps. We use this measure to determine how fast your internet download and upload speeds are. Several different speed tests are available, each offering unique features and metrics that can provide insights into your internet speeds. So, let's get into it.
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What's the best internet speed test overall?
Getty Images/Tharon Green/CNET
There are plenty of online speed tests available, most of which are easy to use and don't require you to be an expert. However, among all speed tests, 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. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Even with the use of FCC-mandated broadband labels, our daily speeds are not always what our ISP advertises. CNET broadband expert Amanda Kooser writes that sometimes it's not your ISP's fault. Multiple factors can impact your speeds, such as network congestion, outdated equipment and the number of devices on your network. Regardless of what contributes to your slow speeds, determining what internet speeds your network is pulling is the first step to deciding if you should switch internet providers or upgrade your plan. Ookla, which has been used for 55 billion tests to date, can report the 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.
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To help you decide which test is best for you, we evaluated multiple tests based on speed, consistency, accessibility and browser compatibility. Here are our top picks.
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Best internet speed tests
Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET Testmy.net Best internet speed test for your browser Did you know you can also run an internet speed test for your browser? Testmy.net will be your best bet for that. What we like: 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. If you can get past it's not so aesthetically pleasing design, Testmy.net can provide the accurate results you seek for your browser's internet speed. Things to look out for: It's not the most user-friendly tool, with an overwhelming amount of in-depth data and individualized tests for your download speeds, uploads and latency. In other words, you'll have a lot of confusing information to look through that might not be relevant to you. In addition, 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. See at Testmy.net
Honorable mention: Orb internet speed test
Screenshot/Orb
In April, the creators of Ookla launched Orb, a new internet speed test that measures the overall health of your home network holistically. Users must download the program to their chosen device. Just recently, CNET broadband expert Cierra Nofke reviewed this program, writing, "speed tests are nothing new in the home internet space, but then again, I've never used a speed test quite like Orb before."
Beyond measuring your download and upload speeds, Orb uses multiple metrics and continuous speed tests. It measures your lag, latency, jitter and packet loss, providing you with a comprehensive overview of your home internet connection. Orb also comes with a peak speed function, which essentially tests your network's capacity.
Quick tips before you run an internet speed test
Running a speed test is usually as simple as finding the test and hitting the go button. However, I recommend taking some extra measures to get more accurate and informative data about your internet connection. Here are a few tips to consider when taking an internet speed test:
What are the four different internet 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. Most home internet users focus on download speeds, but your upload speeds are just as important. For example, surfing the web or streaming videos uses download speed, while sending emails or uploading photos and videos online depends on upload speed. To learn more, read our guide on download vs. upload speeds.
refer to how quickly you can receive and send data to the internet. Most home internet users focus on download speeds, but your upload speeds are just as important. For example, surfing the web or streaming videos uses download speed, while sending emails or uploading photos and videos online depends on upload speed. To learn more, read our guide on download vs. upload speeds. 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. Here's how you can lower your ping for a smooth gaming experience.
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. Here's how you can lower your ping for a smooth gaming experience. 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.
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. Check out our top picks of the best ISPs for streaming.
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 testing Wi-Fi routers, so we know from firsthand experience that it's reliable.
Internet speed test FAQs
Do some ISPs offer their own speed tests? Many nationwide internet providers such as Google Fiber, Spectrum, Verizon and Xfinity offer speed tests on their sites. Using their service-specific tests is convenient, but we recommend using one separate from your provider for greater 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. Show more