Most people run a speed test when their internet feels slow or when they want to check if they're getting the performance they were promised. It's quick, simple, and gives you an instant number, but that number doesn't always tell the full story.
A typical speed test measures the connection between your device and a single test server. It doesn’t measure the performance of your entire internet route, and depending on where that test server sits, the result can vary a lot.
If you want results that actually reflect how your connection performs day to day, you need to understand what’s being measured — and how to test properly.
When you press Go, the test automatically picks what it thinks is the "best" server — usually the nearest one with the lowest latency. Sometimes that server is hosted by your internet provider, sometimes by an independent company in a nearby data centre.
The route your traffic takes to reach that server might be short and direct, or it might weave through congested parts of the network. Even two tests from the same location can follow different routes, giving different speeds.
Some providers also operate their own test servers inside their network. These can give flattering results because your traffic never leaves their system. It’s not dishonest, but it doesn’t tell you how well the connection performs to the wider internet — where your customers, suppliers, and cloud services actually live.
A reliable test removes as many of those unknowns as possible.
Start by clearing the decks. Pause any ongoing downloads or software updates, and close applications that sync data in the background. Cloud storage clients, backup software, video calls, even idle smart displays can quietly use bandwidth and distort your results.
If you’re using a VPN or proxy, turn it off. Tools like Apple Private Relay, AdGuard, or PiHole redirect your traffic through extra servers, sometimes in other countries, which adds latency and skews your results.
Whenever possible, connect directly by cable rather than Wi-Fi. Wireless networks introduce interference and signal drop-offs that can easily halve your real speed. If your wired tests are much faster, the problem isn’t your internet service — it’s your Wi-Fi.
In short, you’re aiming to isolate your connection so the test measures the line itself, not everything attached to it.
A single result doesn’t prove much. Different devices, times of day, and testing services can all produce different outcomes.
Start by testing on more than one device — a laptop, a desktop, maybe even a phone — but only one at a time. Computers with low memory, background apps, or even malware can drag results down. Comparing results across multiple systems helps rule out those local issues.
Next, test at different times. On shared broadband services, speeds often drop when nearby homes or offices are busy — mid-morning, lunchtime, early evening. Running tests at several points in the day reveals whether your slowdowns are random or linked to peak demand.
Finally, use more than one testing platform. Each service uses different servers and measurement techniques. Some handle high-speed fibre connections better than others. Using a mix of tools gives you a more balanced view.
If you’re not sure which ones to trust, we’ve listed several reliable options, along with a simple results sheet to help you log and compare data.
It’s easy to forget individual test numbers, so keep a simple spreadsheet or note. Log the time, device, test tool, download speed, upload speed, and ping. Over a few days, patterns will start to emerge.
For example:
These trends are far more useful than any single number. They help you pinpoint whether performance issues are internal, provider-related, or purely time-based.
Speed tests focus on throughput — how much data can be transferred per second. What they don’t show is latency (the time it takes for data to begin moving) and packet loss (whether data actually arrives).
Those two factors matter more than raw speed for many business tasks. A line with high throughput but poor latency can make video calls stutter, cause lag in cloud applications, and create jitter on voice systems.
A 200 Mb connection with good latency will feel faster in real use than a 500 Mb connection with unstable routing. That’s why engineers often look beyond download and upload numbers when diagnosing performance problems.
Treat your results as indicators, not absolutes. They tell you how the connection behaved at that moment, not a full picture of your network health.
If your results seem erratic, or your connection still feels slow despite decent numbers, it might be time to dig deeper.
Routing issues, local network misconfiguration, or even a poorly performing switch can all affect performance.
Specialist tools like traceroute or continuous latency monitors (such as MTR) can help identify where the delay sits — whether it’s within your premises, your provider’s network, or somewhere further along the route.
At that stage, it’s worth speaking to someone who understands how traffic moves across networks, not just how fast it goes. They can tell you whether the problem is something you can fix internally or something your ISP needs to address.
Speed tests are simple but powerful diagnostic tools when used correctly. They can confirm that you’re getting the service you’re paying for, highlight problems within your local setup, and help you track performance over time.
The key is consistency: test under controlled conditions, use multiple devices and tools, record your results, and focus on patterns rather than peaks.
Over time, those insights will tell you far more about your connection than any single "megabit per second" figure. And if you need help interpreting them, our team at Enlink Networks can help you dig deeper into the real performance of your connectivity — because a stable, low-latency link will always beat a fast one that isn’t consistent.
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