Cable (DOCSIS 3.1)
Spectrum Speed Test
Spectrum (Charter) offers cable internet with no data caps, with plans commonly at 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 Mbps depending on market. Spectrum advertises 'speeds up to' your tier — this test shows what you're actually getting right now, on the device and connection you actually use.
What speeds should Spectrum deliver?
Over ethernet, Spectrum download speeds typically come in at or slightly above the advertised tier. Uploads are asymmetric like all cable — expect roughly 10 Mbps on the base tier and up to 35 Mbps on gigabit plans, which matters if you upload video or work with cloud backups.
Spectrum's included WiFi router is adequate for smaller homes, but a single router rarely covers a large or multi-story home at full speed. If your wired result is fine and WiFi results drop by half or more in some rooms, coverage — not the plan — is your problem.
Slow Spectrum speeds? Try this first
- 1Unplug your Spectrum modem for 60 seconds, then restart it — this forces it to renegotiate channels and often restores lost speed.
- 2Spectrum's advanced WiFi router costs a monthly fee; using your own router can pay for itself and often performs better.
- 3Check the Spectrum app's outage map before troubleshooting — regional slowdowns are common during storms and maintenance windows.
- 4On gigabit plans, make sure your device's ethernet port and cable are gigabit-capable (Cat5e or better) — an old Cat5 cable silently caps you at 100 Mbps.