Broadband speed checker
A broadband speed checker answers what you are actually getting now, not the headline on an advert. Use Pulse when you want download speed, latency, and jitter measured in real conditions—especially before you dispute bills or upgrades. Treat it as evidence gathering, not a single lucky number.
When to use a broadband speed checker
Use it when streaming stutters despite a fast package, when you are weighing an upgrade, or when you need dated notes before calling your provider. Skip it if you want a win in one tap without context—fair checks need repeats and notes.
What Pulse can confirm and what it cannot
Pulse reports download speed, latency, and jitter for your browser session. It does not measure upload. It does not store results server-side for this tool—save screenshots yourself. See methodology and privacy.
Common reasons results sit below the package
- Wi-Fi path: a laptop in an extension may not see the full line.
- Busy home: another device can saturate the router.
- Peak hours: networks and households get busier after work.
- Package wording: up-to speeds are not a constant at every second.
How to test fairly before contacting your provider
Run once on Ethernet if possible, then from the room you actually use on Wi-Fi. Pause big downloads. Note date and time. Example: in Sheffield a wired run hit 95 Mbps at teatime while kitchen Wi-Fi showed 41 Mbps—the gap was local wireless, not the cabinet.
When repeated low results justify escalation
When fair wired tests over several days stay clearly below what your paperwork suggests and you have ticket numbers, you are stronger than after one screenshot. In Plymouth a week of evening logs helped an ISP accept a fault.
Run the live checker
Open the Pulse speed test on the homepage. This page explains checking; the tool lives on the home page.
FAQ
Is one broadband speed check enough to prove a fault?
Rarely. Providers expect a pattern: several runs on a fair setup, often including at least one Ethernet test, across more than one day.
Should I use Wi-Fi or Ethernet when checking my package?
Ethernet shows what the line can do. Wi-Fi shows what the room gets. Compare both before blaming the street cabinet.
Can Pulse decide if my ISP broke a contract?
No. It helps you document speeds and stability; contract outcomes depend on your terms and their process.
Why are my evening checks slower than lunchtime?
Peak-time demand and busier home use both matter. Label tests with the time if you raise a case.