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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Test your internet speed often to keep your network running smoothly.
- Speed tests reveal issues with download, upload, latency, and jitter.
- Know what your speed results mean, and what to do if they’re not great.
Do you know what your internet speed is? Are you getting the service your ISP (internet service provider) promised when you signed that contract? Or are you dealing with slow internet?
These might seem like simple questions, but they’re important ones. Internet speeds affect nearly everything you do online: how smoothly your video calls run, how responsive your video games feel, and whether you can stream the latest season of “Stranger Things” without buffering. Understanding how your connection works is crucial in troubleshooting internet problems.
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In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to accurately test your home internet using Speedtest by Ookla, a highly trusted tool. I’ll instruct you on how to prepare for an accurate test, interpret those results, and what steps you should take to improve your home network.
Key terms to know
Charlie Osborne | ZDNET
Before you begin testing, it’s important to understand the terms you’ll likely encounter during your speed test.
- Mbps (megabits per second): This measures the speed at which data is transmitted over your connection. It is not to be confused with MBps (megabytes per second) with a capital “B”. This measures storage drive sizes.
- Download speed: The rate at which data is received from the internet to your device. A higher number means faster downloads and smoother streaming.
- Upload speed: The rate at which data is sent from your device to the internet. It affects how quickly you can upload files, back up photos, and how well you can connect to online matches while gaming.
- Bandwidth: The total capacity of your internet connection. It determines how much data can move at once and is measured in Mbps.
- Wi-Fi bands: At the time of this writing, Wi-Fi networks utilize three main frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, which offers long range but slow speeds; 6 GHz, providing the fastest speeds but the shortest range; and 5 GHz, sitting somewhere in the middle.
- Ping: Whenever an action is performed, your PC sends a small packet of data, known as a “ping,” to the receiving server. The amount of time it takes for the server to receive the ping and acknowledge it is called latency. Low latency means a more responsive connection.
- Jitter: The variation in latency over time. High jitter can cause performance issues.
- Packet loss: Whenever data packets don’t reach their destination. This also results in slow performance.
Preparing for an accurate test
Getting accurate results takes a bit of setup. You want to create an environment free from interference.
I recommend using a wired Ethernet connection. Testing over Wi-Fi can be affected by factors such as walls, distance, and other nearby devices. Ethernet connections ensure smoothness. If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, consider a laptop docking station, such as the Satechi 8-in-1 Multiport Adapter or the Belkin Universal Pro Dock.
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Next, close all unnecessary apps and stop any downloads or uploads running in the background.
Streaming services, photo backups, and game updates can mess with the results. And if possible, disconnect other devices, such as smart TVs, during the test. I would also consider restarting your router. Rebooting will clear out the router’s temporary memory and address any lingering performance issues.
How to test your internet speed
Once all the preparation is complete, head over to Speedtest by Ookla. This is a popular online tool that, as its name suggests, tests your internet speed. It works by locating the best testing server by pinging local options and selecting the one with the lowest latency (not necessarily the closest one) to ensure optimal accuracy.
(Full disclosure: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as ZDNET.)
Also: Ookla’s new Wi-Fi diagnostic tool offers one-tap troubleshooting (and fits on a phone)
Start by clicking the big “Go” button. The test may take a minute or two, maybe less, to measure your download speed, upload speed, and latency. When it finishes, you’ll see a summary showing how your connection performed as well as how much it excels or does not excel across multiple categories, including Browsing, Gaming, Streaming, and Video Calls.
For deeper insight, click “Results” at the top right corner to review your most recent test.
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
There are other options out there. Google has its own speed test accessible through Search. Cloudflare also offers its own tool, which provides advanced data, and your ISP likely has its own, as well. However, Ookla is still the best in my eyes. It’s highly reliable and more user-friendly, although it is littered with ads, as seen in the image above.
Understanding your results
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Now that you have the results and the numbers, it’s time to figure out whether your speeds are good or not. The answer to that question is: it depends on what you need. A download speed of 25 Mbps may be sufficient for a couple living in an apartment that only uses the internet for casual browsing or streaming movies, but it’s inadequate for a four-person family with multiple devices.
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If you want a good internet speed standard, Ookla lists out recommended specs for common activities on its website, but they’re on the conservative side. As someone who lives in a multi-story house with multiple people and a wide range of devices, I have a more realistic expectation of what most folks should aim for:
- Have download speeds of around 50 Mbps. This ensures 4K streaming and smooth performance. If you’re a big gamer like me, strive for 100mbps for stability.
- Have upload speeds of around 20 Mbps for fast transfers of large files. 30 Mbps offers a smoother experience for streaming, gaming, and work.
- Latency under 50 ms is solid; less than 20 ms is perfect. Latency times that go under 20 ms are excellent for gaming and live video.
As an example, you can see my speed test results in the image above. I get download speeds of roughly 788 Mbps, upload speeds of 40 Mbps, and 17 ms of latency. Those are excellent numbers for my household. It ensures that the others at home can stream 4K movies, download big files, and play online games with no lag simultaneously.
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Admittedly, my speeds are rather overkill. I don’t often use the entire bandwidth, but I am more than happy with my service. Stick primarily to my suggestions and you’ll enjoy great internet speeds all day, every day. I also want to mention that the advertised speeds from an ISP are theoretical maximums, not guarantees.
Small dips, like 100 Mbps to 85 Mbps, are normal, but if your speeds drop to half what you’re paying for, it’s time to troubleshoot.
How to improve your internet speed
If your results fall short or you want to prevent future problems, there are many ways to boost your connection.
My No. 1 recommend is to upgrade your hardware. A good extender will boost your signal strength to the far corners of your house. I published a brief guide a couple of months ago detailing the five best Wi-Fi accessories. I have the TP-Link Deco BE3600 Whole Mesh Wi-Fi 7 system, which I bought at the recommendation of my ISP technician, and I’ve loved it ever since.
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
A common suggestion you’ll see online is to relocate your router to a more centralized location in your house, away from obstacles that could interfere with the signal. I’m sure that works for some, but it didn’t for me. The previous owners had the internet connection in the living room, and I work upstairs. I can’t move the source, nor do I want a giant Ethernet cable snaking its way downstairs.
The Deco BE3600 easily solved my problems as the nodes carry the Wi-Fi signal well.
As for other simple solutions, here’s a list of things you can do:
- Replace the router every few years. Netgear recommends doing this every four to five years.
- Install the latest firmware updates. These patches up glitches that could’ve caused performance problems.
- Check for malware. A virus could be interrupting your service.
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- Remove unknown devices that may be leeching your Wi-Fi. Update your password to something stronger for better security.
- Switch Wi-Fi channels, if possible. If the 2.4 GHz channel is overcrowded, switch over to the 5 GHz channel for smoother performance.
- And if all else fails, contact your ISP. The issue may lie outside your control.
I’ve spent nearly a decade writing about software and consumer tech, testing many PCs, laptops, routers, and home network setups along the way. In that time, I’ve learned how home internet networks operate, why speeds fluctuate, and what people can do to fix shoddy connections.
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Much of the advice here comes from hands-on experiences. I’ve dealt with spotty Wi-Fi more times than I can count. The steps here reflect the same troubleshooting processes that I use in my own home. There are arguably more advanced methods that you can research, but this list consists of super-easy solutions anyone can follow.
Another thing: keep in mind that these aren’t rigid rules. Think of them as a foundation you can build upon based on your setup and needs.
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