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Which WiFi speed test to believe
- Thread starter tl01
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Network speed is dependent on each hop in the network. First your wireless link (phone to access point) needs to be tested. Then there's the link from the access point to router (if you have separate devices for that). Next there's the link from the router to the modem, then modem to ISP local network, then ISP local network to the rest of the Internet. That could actually be different links depending on the route as well. Any one of those could be slow or having issues, and are dependent on other people who might also be using the link at the time. Your ISP might be only testing the link through the modem to their local network, which is technically correct, however if they have slow Internet uplinks it's a bit of false advertising, which pretty much all ISPs are doing now.
There's also the difference between bandwidth and throughput. They're not the same thing.
Ideally, you need to plug your computer into your modem directly and test it.
If that works well, then you know your ISP connection is working and can then diagnose the wifi.
If it doesn't work well, you know it's not solely a wifi issue, it's an Internet issue (or Internet AND wifi).
Ideally, you need to plug your computer into your modem directly and test it.
If that works well, then you know your ISP connection is working and can then diagnose the wifi.
If it doesn't work well, you know it's not solely a wifi issue, it's an Internet issue (or Internet AND wifi).
I used to use speedof.me, but I've found it is consistently showing slower results. I think an HTML-5 based engine just can't saturate my pipes.
I use fast.com most of the time. I like that because it connects to Netflix servers, it can't be tricked by your ISP as easily.
Also, my ISP provides an in-house speed test website (speedtest.rcn.net) that gives me information such as my modem's signal strength which I find useful. Also, if I ever need to call and complain about speed, they seem to respect the results you get using their own speed test more than an outside test such as Ookla.
I use fast.com most of the time. I like that because it connects to Netflix servers, it can't be tricked by your ISP as easily.
Also, my ISP provides an in-house speed test website (speedtest.rcn.net) that gives me information such as my modem's signal strength which I find useful. Also, if I ever need to call and complain about speed, they seem to respect the results you get using their own speed test more than an outside test such as Ookla.
If you plugged the computer into the router with Ethernet cable you'd get the speed you paid for.
Using an iPhone X. To get the higher speeds it is on the 5ghz connection. There weren’t many devices on...maybe 5 when I first reset it as not many of the devices had been reconnected yet.
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Right. But the WiFi speeds se to be an issue. They were faster and more stable previously. Sometimes it goes as low as 40 down. But then other sites will show higher speeds.
I am going to replace the Ethernet cable tomorrow to see if they helps.
Do you have a macbook or something MacOS based? If so, what is it? And what is the PHY rate you’re getting?
