[franharris89]

I have done a couple of different internet speed test, and even if I do them right after one another, the results seem to have a lot of variance.

How accurate are these type of tests?

[chabig]

They are very accurate. But think about what you are measuring. It's a momentary snapshot, subject to the instantaneous conditions on the net and all of the devices between you and the server. Nothing else.

Imagine that you're a passenger in a car. If you check the speedometer every few minutes you'll find a range of measurements depending upon traffic, road conditions, red lights, green light, corners, etc. Despite the varied readings, your speedometer may be very accurate.

[MacNNUK]

I use Speedtest, and find it very accurate and consistent.

Do two tests one after the other, second often slightly faster results !

Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

Copper, in UK



On Sunday, I posted this reading !

[ghporter]

As chabig notes, the tests are accurate but are a mere snapshot. Snapshots are useful, but with the huge number of variables involved, you'll only get a basic range of typical speeds, not some sort of "etched in stone" number that is exactly repeatable.

[mduell]

erp

[franharris89]

Thank you so much for the replies, very helpful.

It is just so strange to see such a variance in the speeds, all the advertising the ISP do seems so misleading.