iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For a quick free check of a public page, start with Google PageSpeed Insights. It reports mobile and desktop results, combining Lighthouse lab diagnostics with Chrome UX Report (CrUX) data about real users when enough data is available. Use Lighthouse to find potential improvements, Chrome DevTools to investigate what happens during loading, Search Console to spot patterns across groups of pages, and GTmetrix for another view of page composition and loading sequence.
Which free website speed tool should you use?
Choose a tool based on the question you need answered. Their scores and results are not directly interchangeable: tools can use different data sources, devices, locations, and network conditions.
| Tool | Best for | What it shows | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PageSpeed Insights | A quick check of a public page on mobile and desktop | Lighthouse lab diagnostics and, when enough data exists, CrUX field data | A URL may not have field data; lab and field results can differ. |
| Lighthouse | Auditing a page and finding possible improvements | Automated performance, accessibility, best-practices, and SEO audits | A simulated audit does not fully represent real-user experience. |
| Chrome DevTools | Investigating runtime behavior and the loading process | Rendering, layout, JavaScript execution, and network activity | It requires more hands-on inspection than entering a URL in a hosted test. |
| Search Console Core Web Vitals report | Finding issues affecting groups of site pages | Aggregated site reporting and issue tracking | It is not intended to determine the status of one specific URL. |
| GTmetrix | Inspecting another performance report and loading timeline | Web Vitals, Lighthouse-powered performance scoring, structure audits, page composition, waterfall, and visual-load views | Test setup and free-plan features can differ; check current plan details. |
How to run a useful first test with PageSpeed Insights
- Open PageSpeed Insights and enter the public URL you want to check.
- Review the mobile and desktop results separately. Record the Lighthouse lab result and whether field data appears.
- Use the lab audits as a shortlist of things to investigate, not as proof of how every visitor experiences the page.
- After making changes, test again under consistent conditions. Check field experience over time rather than assuming it will immediately reflect a change.
Why PageSpeed Insights lab and field results differ
Lab data is a simulated test
PageSpeed Insights uses Lighthouse to run diagnostics in a simulated environment. Google describes the current simulation as a mid-tier device for mobile and an emulated desktop with a wired connection for desktop. The test runs from a datacenter whose location can vary among North America, Europe, and Asia. Those conditions make lab tests useful for debugging, but they are not a promise that visitors will have the same device, connection, or experience.
Field data reflects real users
PageSpeed Insights gets field data from CrUX, Google’s Chrome user experience dataset. Its field data uses a trailing 28-day collection window, and the report’s data updates daily. When there are enough samples, the report can show experience for the tested URL. If there are not enough URL-level samples, it may show aggregated origin-level data instead. If the origin also lacks sufficient samples, the report may show no field data.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Field and lab results can disagree without either being wrong. Field data summarizes past experience across real users and varied devices and networks; a lab result is a simulated run. Use lab diagnostics to investigate possible causes and field data to understand how users have experienced the site.
What the Lighthouse score bands mean
Google for Developers labels Lighthouse lab scores of 90 or above as good, 50–89 as needing improvement, and below 50 as poor. These are score bands for the lab audit, not a direct measurement of every visitor’s experience or a guarantee of search ranking or business results.
Rank #2
- Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router - Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time(6 GHz: 2402 Mbps;5 GHz: 2402 Mbps;2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)
- WiFi 6E Unleashed – The 6 GHz band brings more bandwidth, faster speeds, and near-zero latency; Enables more responsive gaming and video chatting
- Connect More Devices—True Tri-Band and OFDMA technology increase capacity by 4 times to enable simultaneous transmission to more devices
- Unique Design, More RAM, Better Processing - A unique housing design provides optimal heat dissipation, combined with a 1.0 GHz dual-core CPU and 512 MB High-Speed Memory, the AXE75 is designed for long-term reliability and performance.
- EasyMesh-compatible - Extend network range even more by adding EasyMesh-compatible routers, extenders, or wireless powerline adapters for a seamless, whole-home connection. Eliminate dead zones, drops, and lag as you move across your home.
When to move from a report to a diagnostic tool
Use Lighthouse for repeatable audits
Lighthouse provides automated audits for performance, accessibility, best practices, and SEO. It can run in Chrome DevTools, through PageSpeed Insights, from the command line, or as a Node module. Treat its findings as leads for improvement rather than a complete account of real-user experience.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Use Chrome DevTools to trace what happens during loading
If you need to understand a specific interaction, rendering behavior, layout issue, JavaScript execution, or network request sequence, inspect the page in Chrome DevTools. It provides more direct evidence about runtime activity than a hosted summary, but requires you to investigate the page yourself. Google’s overview of Chrome DevTools describes its available inspection tools.
Rank #3
- Wave 2 Wireless Internet Router: Achieve up to 600 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. Dual-band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- OneMesh Compatible Router- Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders.
- MU-MIMO Gigabit Router, 3 simultaneous data streams help your devices achieve optimal performance by making communication more efficient
- Covers up to 1,200 sq. ft. with beamforming technology for a more efficient, focused wireless connection.
- Full Gigabit Ports: Create fast, reliable wired connections for your PCs, Smart TVs and gaming console with 4 x Gigabit LAN and 1 x Gigabit WAN. No USB Port
Use Search Console for patterns across pages
The Core Web Vitals report in Search Console helps identify issue groups affecting multiple pages. When you need to check or debug one particular URL, Google’s guidance recommends using an external test instead of treating the group-level report as that URL’s diagnosis. See Google’s Core Web Vitals report documentation.
Use GTmetrix for another loading view
GTmetrix provides Web Vitals, Lighthouse-powered performance scoring, page-composition details, a waterfall, and visual-load views. It advertises free access alongside paid offerings. Check the live service for current free-tier limits, and note its test configuration before comparing results with another tool.
Rank #4
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
How to compare results without drawing the wrong conclusion
Before deciding that a page improved or worsened, check whether the tests used comparable conditions and whether they answer the same question.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Device: Compare mobile with mobile and desktop with desktop.
- Data type: Keep simulated lab diagnostics separate from field experience collected from real users.
- Test conditions: Note the test location, device, and network when a tool exposes them; unlike conditions can produce unlike results.
- Scope: Distinguish a single-page result from origin-level field data or a report about groups of pages.
- Evidence: Look at the specific audit, request, or loading stage behind a score instead of treating the number alone as a diagnosis.
A practical workflow for improving a slow page
- Run the target public URL through PageSpeed Insights. Note its mobile and desktop results, and whether the field section contains URL-level data, origin-level data, or none.
- Use Lighthouse lab findings to identify candidate issues to investigate.
- Open Chrome DevTools when you need to trace a runtime interaction or see the sequence of network requests.
- For a site with many pages, review Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report for broader issue groups, then test affected URLs individually.
- Optionally use GTmetrix to inspect a loading timeline or page composition. Record the configuration and compare only tests with relevantly similar conditions.
- After changes, repeat the tests under consistent conditions. Use lab results to assess the simulated run and allow field data to reflect real-user experience over its collection window.
Tool interfaces, locations, account requirements, and free-tier features can change. Check the current service details before relying on a particular option.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
