Best internet speed tests
CNET
By CNET.COM (TNS) Are you paying for internet speeds you don’t need? How do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Taking an online internet speed test could be an easy way to _nd out. An internet speed test is quick, easy and free – all things we want to hear.
As home internet users, we’ve all had that moment where we realized that we were paying for more than we should for speeds we didn’t need. Avoiding this mistake can help you save a lot of money on your internet bill.
Whether you’re experiencing lag during gaming, streaming or in 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.
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. There are several different speed tests available, each offering unique features and metrics that can provide insights into your internet speeds.
To help you decide which test is best for you, we evaluated multiple tests based on speed, consistency, accessibility and browser compatibility. Here are three of CNET’s top picks to help you gauge your megabits per second.
Ookla
Best internet speed test overall
CNET TAKE: There’s a reason why Ookla’s speed test is our top choice. We are big fans of the consistency it delivers, and it has also been recognized as one of the very _rst speed tests to hit the web. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Ookla offers everything you need in a speed test: accuracy, access to your speed test history (if you have an account), a wide selection of servers to connect to and a convenient app for testing speeds on your Android or iOS device. Ookla’s speed test is also what we rely on to test Wi-Fi routers.
As of today, Ookla has performed more than 55 billion speed tests. Moreover, it keeps up with digital trends by frequently adding new features and capabilities. A few years ago, Ookla released a video-speci_c speed test that measures your network’s ability to handle 4K video streams. It also offers its own VPN service. In addition to the website and smartphone apps, Ookla has apps you can run on Windows, Mac and even on an Apple TV.
Things to look out for: Ookla displays banner ads while you run basic speed tests. This is minor, although it might slightly impact your results, depending on the strength of your connection at the time of the test.
Fast.com
Best internet speed test for streamers
CNET TAKE: Fast.com is easy to use and can measure your internet’s performance when it comes to streaming. If you love streaming your favorite shows and movies, this speed test could prove to be useful. Netix owns Fast, and this test can determine if your connection has the capacity to stream Netix in maximum resolution without any disruptions. Even better, you don’t need to be subscribed to Netix to utilize its features. Unlike Ookla, the interface is free of ads, so you don’t have to worry about those pesky pop-ups interrupting your speed test.
Remember when we said that the interface is very simple to use? That makes Fast.com a great tool for some, but it won’t be useful for those looking for comprehensive testing. The basic features are easy to use, but they lack some advanced settings and metrics you’ll _nd with most speed tests.
Things to look out for: Netix highlights that this speed test only measures download speeds, since it is the most conducive to streaming video. A big chunk of information is missing in that equation, and that’s your upload speeds, which are more important than you might think. Finally, you can’t specify which server you’d like to connect with for your test.
Speedof.me
Best internet speed test for consistency
CNET TAKE: 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 uctuations 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.
Things to look out for: 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 simply gives you a number.
The following CNET staff contributed to this story: contributor Kristen Hollis, CNET associate editor Trisha Jandoc and Copy Editor Jim Hoffman. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com. Photos by Ry Crist / CNET / TNS.
