Network Speed Tester : Check your internet speed test
Is your home internet making you want to tear your hair out? Do videos buffer endlessly, websites take ages to load, and downloads crawl at a snail's pace? Don't put up with sluggish internet - it's time to take control of your connection speed!
The best way to do that is by using an internet speed test. These simple tests measure your network's download and upload speeds. So you can check if your internet provider is really delivering what you pay for. Armed with the results, you can take steps to boost your internet performance and enjoy faster surfing, streaming, and downloading.
There are a few key reasons why it pays to regularly test your internet speed:
A speed test quickly reveals if your internet is underperforming so you can pinpoint issues. Slow download or upload speeds typically mean there's a glitch somewhere.
Internet service providers advertise certain download and upload speeds. But you may not be getting those maximum Mbps (megabits per second). A test checks if your provider is delivering the speeds promised.
When shopping for a new internet service, running speed tests helps compare plans and pick the optimal one for your household's needs.
If your internet is fine on some devices but not others, a test can help uncover device-specific problems. You can test wired and WiFi connections.
Check speeds to ensure you have enough bandwidth for activities like HD streaming, gaming, video calls or operating multiple connected devices at once.
So don't just accept slow internet, use broadband service. Run speed tests to take control and make your web connection as fast as possible for how you use it.
Testing your internet speed is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Go to a trusted speed test website like Circularguru speed test. These tools measure both download and upload speeds.
2. Make sure other bandwidth-hogging apps are closed so they don't interfere with results.
3. For the most accurate test, connect your computer or mobile device directly to your router via ethernet cable. This option isn't always available for phones and tablets though.
4. Click "Go" or "Begin Test" to start the speed check. The tool will first test your download speed by sending data from the test server to your device.
5. It then checks the upload speed by transferring data from your device back to the test server.
6. When finished, your speeds will be displayed in Mbps (megabits per second). Compare them to what your internet service provider claims to deliver.
7. Run tests a few times if your speeds seem off and write down the results. Check speeds on multiple household devices too.
The two key metrics a speed test checks are your download speed and upload speed:
Download speed is how fast you can pull data like web pages, streaming video, music, or other content from the internet to view on your device. Faster is better for activities like streaming HD video.
Upload speed measures how quickly you can transfer data from your device to the internet, like when uploading photos or videos. Fast upload speeds enable snappier syncing across cloud services.
Speeds are shown in Mbps (megabits per second). So for example, a download speed of 100 Mbps means your device can download 100 megabits of data from the internet every second.
Typical household download speeds range from 25-100+ Mbps, while upload speeds are usually 5-50 Mbps. Compare your test results to these ranges and your provider's advertised speeds. Major inconsistencies state an issue.
If your speed test reveals a consistently slow connection, don't panic. There are various ways you can try boosting those sluggish internet connections yourself:
Relocate your router to a central spot away from objects that block WiFi signals. This improves WiFi speeds.
Upgrade to a faster router if yours is outdated. Newer models have better speed capabilities.
Use ethernet cables to connect devices directly to your router whenever possible, bypassing slower WiFi.
Contact your provider to check equipment and connections. A technician can troubleshoot problems.
Consider a plan upgrade if your household needs more bandwidth for multiple users and devices using bandwidth-heavy apps.
Reduce the number of devices simultaneously connecting to WiFi which can congest your home network.
In a pinch, close extraneous apps and browser tabs to maximize your available bandwidth for important activities.
Check router firmware and update it if needed. Old firmware can slow things down.
Don't settle for a molasses-like internet. Take action to analyze your network speeds and implement tweaks for better performance.
When picking an internet service plan, you want to select optimal web speeds for your household's needs and budget. But how much is enough? Here are some tips for choosing the right internet speeds:
Light use (email, social media, web browsing): 25 Mbps download speed should suffice for one or two users.
Streaming HD video: At least 25-50 Mbps download speed for lag-free streaming on a few devices.
Online gaming: 50+ Mbps download and 5-10 Mbps upload speeds ensure low latency for competitive gaming.
Large households: More users means you need faster speeds. 100 Mbps or higher keeps things running smoothly.
4K streaming/multiple devices: For top-quality 4K streams and operating multiple smartphones, PCs, and internet-enabled devices, aim for download speeds above 100 Mbps.
In short, match your internet plan's speeds to your household's size and web activities. When in doubt, go a tier higher than the minimum speed advertised for an activity to allow extra headroom.
The more members in your home simultaneously using bandwidth-heavy apps, the more download and upload speed you need for snappy performance. Test different provider plans to see which delivery speeds suit your reality.
Here are some other important pointers about measuring internet speeds:
Test wired and WiFi speeds separately to pinpoint issues. Ethernet cable tests assess your overall internet speeds, while WiFi tests check your wireless router's performance.
Run tests a few times at different times of the day. Speeds vary based on web traffic volumes. Comparing results provides useful context.
Check your internet speeds on all your household's internet-connected devices. Your router may have compatibility issues impacting speeds for some gadgets and not others.
Ignore spikes up and down during the test. Focus on the final average result which gauges your consistent speed capability over time.
If your plan advertises speeds “up to 100 Mbps”, your actual speeds will normally be lower, so don’t be alarmed. However significant shortfalls indicate a problem.
Powerline network adapters that use your electrical wiring can extend your network speeds when WiFi won't reach them.
By regularly testing and, if needed, taking steps to boost your internet speeds. You can optimize your web connection for activities like video streaming, conference calls, and gaming. Enjoy the perks of speedy internet!
