Internet Speed Tests: What Your Results Really Mean

Before you sign up for another Internet service provider or shell out more money to up your seemingly slow speeds, it’s a good idea to see how your current connection is performing. That’s where an Internet speed test comes in — a simple tool that delivers a snapshot of your connection’s true capabilities. By checking your download and upload speeds, latency, and overall connection quality, you can pinpoint whether your current plan is meeting your needs or if it’s actually time to upgrade or switch providers.

Not all Internet experiences are created equal, even if your plan promises "up to" a certain speed. What matters is how consistently and reliably it holds up in your home, in the devices and activities that matter most to you. In this article, we’ll walk you through how Internet speed tests work, what the results mean, and how to use SmartMove’s free tools to find the right plan for your lifestyle.

What Is an Internet Speed Test and Why Does It Matter

An Internet speed test is a quick and easy way to measure the performance of your Internet connection in real time. It evaluates how fast data is being uploaded and downloaded to and from your device, and how responsive your network is.

When you run a WiFi speed test, your device sends and receives small data packets to a test server. The tool measures how long it takes for that information to travel downstream (from the server to your device) and upstream (from your device to the server).

Most speed tests report three main metrics:

• Download speed: How quickly your network pulls data from the Internet to your device (important for streaming and web browsing).
• Upload speed: How fast your connection sends data from your device to the Internet (important for video calls, gaming, and cloud storage).
• Latency (ping): How long it takes in milliseconds to send a signal to a server and receive a response (important for responsiveness in online gaming and video conferencing).

How To Run a Speed Test at Home (and Get Accurate Results)

Running an Internet speed test at home is quick, simple, and one of the easiest ways to get a real-time understanding of how your connection is performing. In just a few clicks, you can find out if your network is living up to your provider’s promised speeds or if it’s time to troubleshoot or consider an upgrade.

Choose a Reliable Speed Test Tool

Use a third-party tool with no bias toward a particular Internet provider. Avoid using tests offered directly by ISPs that may optimize results in their favor. When in doubt, use multiple sources and compare the results.

Try the free SmartMove speed test — a fast, trustworthy way to check your current Internet speeds without any extra fluff or hidden agendas.

Eliminate Distractions for Clean Results

Before running your test, close out any apps or programs that could be using your connection. Active downloads, streaming apps, cloud backups, and even open browser tabs can mess up your results by consuming bandwidth in the background.

Doing this will allow your speed test results to reflect your true Internet capacity, and not the traffic created by other devices.

Run Speed Tests from Multiple Devices and Rooms

WiFi signals can vary in different parts of your home, so it’s best to run tests from both a phone and a laptop to see if there’s a difference in your Internet’s performance. Also, test in different rooms to check for WiFi dead zones or weak signal areas.

For the most accurate baseline, connect directly to your WiFi router with an Ethernet cable, then compare results via WiFi.

Interpreting Your Internet Speed Test Results

You’ve got your numbers — so now what? Whether you're trying to troubleshoot a sluggish connection or make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for, knowing how to interpret your results can help you make smarter decisions about your Internet setup.

If you’re not sure how much speed you need in the first place, use SmartMove’s Internet Speed Test Quiz to decide. This will help you accurately analyze your speed test results based on your needs.

What’s Considered Good Internet Speed?

How fast your Internet feels depends a lot on how you use it and the number of devices connected to it. Here are some general benchmarks to help you understand your results:

• 25 Mbps download speed: Solid for basic browsing, HD video streaming, and light social media scrolling. Great for 1–2 person households.
• 100+ Mbps download speed: Recommended for larger households with multiple users or devices streaming, gaming, working, or schooling at the same time.
• Upload Speeds over 10 Mbps: Great for Zoom meetings, video calls, and cloud storage.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers a guide on typical broadband speeds for various activities.

Why Your Internet Speed Might Be Slower Than Advertised

Seeing results that are lower than expected? You're not alone. There are several reasons why your actual speeds might not match the maximum advertised by your Internet provider:

• Throttling: Some providers slow down (“throttle”) speeds after you hit a certain data limit, even on “unlimited” plans.
• Network congestion: Speeds often dip during peak hours (like evenings) when lots of users in your neighborhood are online.
• ISP infrastructure: Depending on your location, your provider might have limited capacity or slower tech in place (hello, aging copper lines).
• WiFi limitations: Router placement, physical obstacles like walls, interference from other electronics, or an outdated router can reduce speed, especially on wireless connections.

When in doubt, try plugging directly into your modem with an Ethernet cable to compare wired connection vs. wireless performance.

Test More Than Once for Accurate Averages

You should run multiple tests at different times of day on different devices for the most accurate results. If your Internet speed test results are consistently below expectations, it might be time to upgrade your plan or equipment.

Real-World Speeds vs. Advertised Speeds: What’s the Difference?

Just about every Internet provider has used flashy ads promising high-speed Internet. But when you start using that connection, things might not feel as fast as you expected. That’s because there's often a gap between the speeds Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertise and the performance you experience day to day.

What ISPs Advertise Isn’t Always What You Get

When providers promote speeds “up to 300 megabits per second” or “up to 1 gigabit per second,” they’re typically referring to the maximum speed under ideal conditions, and usually over a wired connection. These numbers don’t always reflect the average speeds you’ll see on a normal day, especially when you're using your home WiFi or have multiple connected devices.

It's not technically false advertising, but it can be misleading. Actual performance can vary depending on network congestion, location, and even the time of day. That’s why running your network speed tests at home is an important reality check.

Factors That Affect Performance in Everyday Scenarios

Even with a great plan, there are a few factors that can still impact performance:

• Distance from the router: The farther you are, the weaker your signal will be, especially if walls, floors, or large furniture are in the way.
• Number of users and devices: If your whole household is online, you’ll be sharing those bandwidth resources.
• Smart home traffic: Devices like security cameras, voice assistants, smart TVs, and thermostats all use bandwidth too, sometimes without you noticing.
• Old or low-performance routers: Aging or budget-model routers may not deliver your full Internet speed, especially over WiFi.

Getting the Speed You Pay For

Your speed test results can be used to troubleshoot with your provider. If you’re not getting what you paid for, you may be eligible for a plan change, equipment upgrade, or even a discount.

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask.

When Should You Run a Speed Test?

Running a speed test isn’t just something you do when your Netflix stream starts buffering. But it can be a smart move in several everyday situations.

Before Switching Internet Providers

If you’re unhappy with your slow Internet speeds and are thinking about switching, running a speed test can help confirm if your connection is truly falling short of what you’re paying for. Testing helps you gather data to compare against your plan’s promised speeds, and gives you leverage when you start talking with potential providers.

After Moving to a New Home

If you just moved and are considering transferring your existing TV and Internet plan to your new home, you’ll still want to run a test and make sure your existing package works well at your new location. If you switched providers or upgraded your plan after moving, you should still run a WiFi speed test to check the baseline quality of your new connection.

Remember that moving is a great time to explore options for saving money, such as bundling your services.

When Upgrading or Downgrading Your Internet Plan

If you’re not sure if you really need that premium data package or are thinking of scaling back to save money, run a few speed tests first. Comparing your actual Internet usage with your current performance can help you make a decision about whether to upgrade, downgrade, or stick with your current plan.

How SmartMove Helps You Choose the Right Internet Plan

Speed tests are just the beginning. SmartMove takes things a step further by helping you match your Internet needs with the right local providers and plans. If you’re unsure what kinds of speeds or data caps your lifestyle really requires, SmartMove’s built-in tools make it easy to find answers.

With SmartMove, you can:

• Browse and compare providers that meet your download speed and upload speed needs.
• Find optimized plans based on how you use your WiFi every day.
• Make informed decisions about upgrades, downgrades, or switching providers.

Whether you’re working from home, gaming, or just want uninterrupted streaming, understanding your Internet speed test results helps you get the performance you’re paying for.

Test Your Speed Right Now

Ready to see how your current Internet measures up?

Run the free SmartMove Internet Speed Test to check your real-time upload and download speeds. From there, you can easily compare providers in your area, explore available plans, and find the perfect match based on your speed test results and usage patterns.