When packet loss is the bigger issue
- Calls cut out or sound robotic
- Video streams freeze or buffer
- Online games skip events or drop sessions
- Cloud apps fail to load or sync correctly
Network Quality Guide
Packet loss vs jitter
Packet loss and jitter can both make a connection feel bad, but they are not the same problem. One is about missing data. The other is about unstable timing.
| Metric | What it means | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Packet loss | Some data never arrives. | Broken voice, buffering, freezing, missed game updates. |
| Jitter | Latency keeps changing from moment to moment. | Uneven responsiveness, stutter, unstable call timing, inconsistent gameplay. |
When jitter is the bigger issue
- Connection feels inconsistent instead of fully broken
- Games feel uneven even when average ping looks okay
- Calls sound choppy at random moments
- Problems come and go rapidly
How to tell which one matters more
- Run repeated tests instead of relying on one result.
- If packet loss is above zero and symptoms are severe, treat that first.
- If packet loss stays at zero but the connection still feels uneven, investigate jitter.
- Compare results near the router and in the problem location.
Use LizSpeedTest to compare both
LizSpeedTest shows packet loss and jitter in the same test so you can separate dropped data from unstable latency and make better troubleshooting decisions.