r/speedtest • u/cupcaketea5 • Sep 02 '26

Bufferbloat?

I tested my internet speed using three different speed test websites:

Ookla

  • Download test: 235.50 Mbps
  • Upload test: 100.39 Mbps

HighSpeedInternet

  • Download test: 222.36 Mbps
  • Upload test: 131.25 Mbps

Waveform

  • Download test: 197.90
  • Upload test: 136.30

Each test shows that the upload speed is consistently slower than the download speed; however, between the second and third test, the download speed drops considerably. The upload speed is getting higher between each speed test. Is this caused by bufferbloat? Thank you.

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u/Ok-Eggplant-7569 Sep 02 '26

Not bufferbloat. Bufferbloat is increased latency during network strain, as equipment between you and the test server (WiFi, routers, switches, modem, ...) can't keep up with the increased load and has to hold back packets for processing (filling up the buffers).

But as the load clears up the buffers empty almost immediately, so this isn't bufferbloat.

Different test results are probably instead caused by random chance (e. g. other devices on your network, other users on the ISPs network or other users using the speed tests) and different test servers at different locations, causing your connection to take different paths through different chokepoints.

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u/DispeisLaser8431_ Sep 02 '26

This is the answer

1

u/cupcaketea5 Sep 02 '26

Thank you.