Hard Wired vs Wifi Speed tests

Hard Wired Ethernet computer to router has expected Gigabit speeds of over 800Mbps down and up.
Wife Speeds are significantly slower. Testing from 3 devices within 5 feet of the router are all about 400Mbps down and 150Mbps up.

All using SpeedTest.net App (Ookla) to Verizon server 4 miles away
Mac Studio 2022 Ethernet Cat 5e to the router is as expected.
800Mbps down and up

All using SpeedTest.net App
Mac Studio 2022 Wifi 6 and 5GHz
MBP 2020 Wifi 6 and 5GHz
iPhone 14 Pro Wifi 6 and 5GHz
all show about 400Mbps down and 150Mbps up

Using Verizon Home instead of SpeedTest.net
iPhone 14 Pro Wifi 6
about 940Mbps down and 910Mbps up

Why are Wifi speeds so slow compared to Verizon Home (wifi)?
I know the test methodologies are different but the results should be that far apart especially when my wifi tests are to a nearby Verizon server.

BTW I did use several other speed tests including CloudFare and several others and all have similar results.

Accepted answers

eric_b2

I'm going to start to sound like a shill for the Wi-Fi SweetSpots app, but you'll want to use an app like that to test the speed between your phone and your router first before you test the Internet speed. That will give you your maximum possible speed. If that number is low, you probably would want to check for interference in the environment. In that case, you could try shifting the Wi-Fi channel to a different channel. Also, you can try temporarily disabling the 2.4GHz network since that will max you out much lower than 5GHz. If that's the issue, that would mean that your devices are getting connected to the 2.4Ghz network and not joining the 5GHz network. You could leave the 2.4GHz network off but you won't have as good range (distance) from the router. Anyway, try it out and see what your connection between the device and the router is.

Capricorn1

I was going to try out Wi-Fi Sweetspots, but it's only available on older versions of Android. I have Android 14. I'm guessing the iOS version is current.

I use WiFiAnalyzer, which does tell me the current channel and max throughput for that channel. It doesn't seem to have a way to get a multi-channel estimate.

All comments

cseeman

No Responses?

Verizon sent me a new router. Had CR1000A but now have CR1000B.

SpeetTest WiFi is now showing about 400Mbps down and 400Mbps up. I'm still not sure why Wi-Fi 6 devices within a few feet of the router are still not giving me higher speeds.

Please, anyone who has similar issues or better WiFi speeds, share your experiences.

Capricorn1

I have a Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 5 mesh system for whole-house coverage and a TP-Link AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 I use as an access point for my VR headset. My plan is 500/500, and both access points test just under that speed. I'm using a Linux box as a router. Currently, it's a low-power mini-PC.

retiredphonedude

Unless I'm totally missing something the speed of your wifi connection has nothing to do with the speed of your Internet connection speed. A wired connection will be the more accurate test to see if you're getting the speeds advertised by your service provider. Your wifi speed is determined by what your router can provide. Two different things.

cseeman

@spooom
wrote:
Unless I'm totally missing something the speed of your wifi connection has nothing to do with the speed of your Internet connection speed. A wired connection will be the more accurate test to see if you're getting the speeds advertised by your service provider. Your wifi speed is determined by what your router can provide. Two different things.

You're missing something. It's commone for laptops and mobile phones to connect via wifi. It's wifi to router to broadband modem. Wifi speed is influenced by bandwidth, traffic, wifi version and distance.

cseeman

Gigibit service about 900 down and up. Verizon's WiFi Router which is 6e I believe. My devices are 6 which should sustain Gigibit speed when close to the router when there's no other traffic. I'm getting 400 down and up, although I should be closer to the 900 down up within a couple of feet of the router and no other traffic.

retiredphonedude

If you're saying with gigabit service that a speed test on Wi-Fi vs that with a hard-wired Ethernet connection are equal, I disagree. Unless you've got a very good router that's rated for gigabit. Any accurate speed test should be done via a hard-wired connection, then do the Wi-Fi test to determine the difference. I'm not saying devices don't connect over Wi-Fi as you seem to think I am. You are complaining that Wi-Fi speed in not the same as his hard-wired speed, which is not uncommon

Capricorn1

It depends on the router, but the CR1000A or B should be able to give you a bit more than 400/400. If you Google wifi 6 typical speeds, 400/400 isn't that far off from what others are getting - some better and some worse. If you need faster wireless than that, you may have to look into a wireless (access point or mesh) system from a third party. I like my Orbis, but they were pricey then and have gotten more expensive. The eero system is very popular and a lot cheaper.

eric_b2

Capricorn1

I was going to try out Wi-Fi Sweetspots, but it's only available on older versions of Android. I have Android 14. I'm guessing the iOS version is current.

I use WiFiAnalyzer, which does tell me the current channel and max throughput for that channel. It doesn't seem to have a way to get a multi-channel estimate.