The internet is one of the most powerful and useful tools that we currently have at our everyday disposal, but we often take it for granted. Until it starts to act up or stop working entirely, that is.

When that happens, the first and best diagnostic tool to run is an internet speed test. Normally, this might mean navigating to a webpage and running a test, but if your internet is having problems, then this can often be more difficult than it would initially seem.

Luckily, there are a wide variety of different Chrome extensions that allow you to test quickly and easily from within your very browser. Here are five of the best.

1. Speedtest by Ookla

A Screenshot of Speedtest by Ookla Chrome Extension in Use

First up on this list comes Speedtest by Ookla. If you’re at all familiar with internet speed tests, then there’s a good chance that you’ve encountered Speedtest by Ookla in the past.

This speed test is one of the most popular online ones available, and for good reason. Ookla provides a no-nonsense test that is quick and accurate without too much in the way of feature bloat.

To use this extension is super easy, too. All you have to do is install the extensions from the Chrome Web Store, and then navigate up to the extension bar in your browser. From there, it’s just one click, and you’re off.

This will open up Speedtest by Ookla for you. All you have to do is click the big pulsing Go button, and the extension will begin to do the work for you.

The test is pretty quick, all things considered, and shows you the basic information that you likely want to see such as ping, download rate, and upload rate.

Once you’ve got your results, you can share them using either a link or to Facebook and Twitter directly, and you can even create an account in order to store your test history. This can be a great way to determine if your internet quality is declining or even improving.

2. Speedtest Pro

Speedtest-Pro-Chrome-Extension-Screenshot

Next up, we have Speedtest Pro. If you’re looking for something a little more in-depth and with a little more to it than some of the other entries onto this list, then Speedtest Pro is a great place to dip your toe in. If you want to use Speedtest Pro, all you have to do is install the extension from the Chrome Web Store and then access it from your extension bar.

The test can be a little slower than some of the other options on this list, but the upside to this is that you can be more confident in the end result. The longer spent testing your internet connection, the more accurate the result, after all.

The speed test will show you your ping, download speed, and upload speed once it finishes, but where Speedtest Pro really shines is in the extra information that you can get out of it.

When you visit a page, for instance, Speedtest Pro shows you how long it took to load that page, as well as how many network requests were sent to do so. This can be the first step in figuring out how to improve your internet speed.

This can be adjusted in the Speedtest Pro settings, as well, so if you’re looking for a bit of customizability, then you can get there here as well.

3. Simple SpeedTest

If you’re a little less computer savvy or are just looking for something that can give you a little more in-depth understanding of what these numbers actually mean, then Simple SpeedTest is a great place to start.

Simple SpeedTest behaves pretty much as you’d expect from an internet speed testing extension for chrome. You install it in the Chrome Web Store and access it much as you would any other extension.

When you first open it, you’ll be given the option to run a test of your internet speed, which Simple SpeedTest will be able to do quite quickly and reliably.

Where Simple SpeedTest starts to really shine, however, is in how it helps you to understand what exactly these numbers mean. For example, if your internet connection is good, then Simple SpeedTest will light up green and tell you that your internet connection is suitable for use across the web.

There’s even a section across the bottom of the extension which tells you what your internet connection is capable of supporting on a list of different commonly used functions such as video conferencing, voice conferencing, web browsing, and file sharing.

There are good options here for you to access, as well, such as the ability to auto-test new connections, detect internet outages, and to run daily tests on internet speed. Your internet test history is also built into the extension.

4. Speed Test

Next up we have the simply named Speed Test. If you’re looking for something that is straightforward and without frills, then Speed Test is a great little extension to quickly get your internet speed tested and then move on.

It’s super easy to run Speed Test. All you have to do is install and open it like normal, then click the start button. This will start an automatic test that will run through your download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter metrics, which can be a great way to figure out if your Wi-Fi speed drops and how to fix it.

The results come in pretty quickly with Speed Test, and with a decent level of reliability. There’s nothing more to this extension, really, no bells or whistles, but that can be a good thing if you’re just looking for something to get the job done.

5. Speed Test Internet

A Screenshot of Speed Test Internet Chrome Extension in Use

Finally, we have Speed Test Internet. Speed Test Internet is great if you’re looking for something with a little more transparency in its testing.

As with the other entries on this list, Speed Test Internet is super easy to install and then run. Once you do, you’ll see a pretty familiar-looking layout of dials and numbers. The tests run automatically, so all you need to do is wait.

What sets Speed Test Internet apart from its competitors is that it tells you exactly what it’s doing as it’s doing it. For example, many internet speed tests check your speed using different-sized uploads and downloads, but Speed Test Internet will tell you exactly what size it’s currently testing and the result.

Testing Your Internet Speed Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

As you can see, there is a wide variety of different internet speed testers available for you to try from within your very browser. There’s no need to navigate away to an external site just to test your internet anymore.