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How We Test Ping Boosters

Our method for measuring ping, jitter and packet loss with and without a booster — and how the ratings on this site are calculated.

First test round in progressBy PingDeals Editorial Team

Our test setup

Same server, same time

Each booster is tested on the same game server and at a similar time of day as the run without it, so the comparison is fair.

Wired connection

All tests use Ethernet to remove Wi-Fi interference. The location and connection type are listed with every result.

Several matches

At least three matches without the booster and three with it. One lucky match doesn't count.

Peak hours included

At least one run happens in the evening, when ISP links are busiest and boosters matter most.

What we measure

Average pingRound-trip time to the game server in milliseconds, from the game's own network stats.
JitterHow much ping varies — the main cause of "inconsistent" feel and rubber-banding.
Packet lossPercentage of lost packets. Anything above 0% hurts hit registration.
RouteWhere needed, a traceroute (WinMTR / PingPlotter) shows where latency or loss starts.

New to these terms? See the ping & lag glossary.

How ratings are calculated

CriterionWeightWhat we look at
Ping & stability40%Average ping, jitter and packet loss compared with a direct connection on the same server, at the same time of day.
Game & server coverage20%How many games are supported and how many regions have nodes close to players.
Price & value20%Monthly cost on the longest plan, free trial or free tier, refund policy and available discounts.
Ease of use10%Install and setup time, one-click mode, clarity of the interface.
Extras & platforms10%Router / console support, mobile apps, FPS tools and other useful features.

Test results

Our first round of measured tests is in progress. Until results for a booster are published here, its rating is an editorial score based on features, server coverage, pricing and public information — not on our own ping measurements.

Independence

Some links on PingDeals are affiliate links (disclosure). Commissions never change test results: numbers are published as measured, including runs where a booster made no difference or made ping worse. A booster can't beat physics — if your route is already direct, the honest result is "no improvement".

0 of 10 boosters have published measurements so far. Results get a date, a location and screenshots so you can check them.

FAQ

Why might my results differ from yours?

Ping depends on your city, ISP, the game server and time of day. A booster that helps on one route may do nothing on another — always run the free trial on your own setup.

Do you get paid for good ratings?

No. Ratings follow the weights above; affiliate commissions do not change scores or published measurements.

How often are tests updated?

We re-test when a booster or game changes noticeably, and add new games and regions over time. Each result shows its test date.