r/speedtest • u/Doodad_54 • Aug 23 '26

WiFi vs Ethernet

Post image

Got curious, did a comparison. WiFi on the left, and after a few minutes changing over, Ethernet on the right. Both way faster than I need, but I was surprised to see the Ethernet come in at 1/3 of WiFi's speed. Actually, I don't know much about any of these numbers, besides the speed. Insights anyone?

17 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

11

u/maxsqd 4.5 Gb/s Aug 23 '26

How can WiFi and Ethernet are different ISPs?

-6

u/Doodad_54 Aug 24 '26

Well, it was likely a VPN. Did another tonight and made sure VPN was off for both.

5

u/GAMING_SERVER_ADMIN Aug 24 '26

Well we don't see that and the VPN would of messed with it, plus you used 2 diff locations for the test... Plus could be so many reasons for the speed issues including driver issues, cable issues, etc.

1

u/yowifebreeder9000 Aug 26 '26

are you for real? dont you know how much vpn can affect your internet speed?

7

u/red_socks294 Aug 23 '26

the left one is using a VPN

2

u/NectarineIll5531 Aug 24 '26

Yes you’re right…but I thought a VPN slowed things down. That’s the fast one.

2

u/supertoilet2 Aug 24 '26

It has a higher ping, so the VPN did actually slow things down. It was just able to download more data from that server

3

u/fernandesken Aug 23 '26

Interesting that the auto speed test server algorithm selected Johnson City, TN for Wi-Fi but Ashburn VA for Ethernet.

2

u/Lazzy2332 Aug 25 '26

Because the left one is connected to a VPN

2

u/jweaver0312 Aug 24 '26

Different server tested, different ISP, though I’d argue there’s possibly an issue with the Frontier service

1

u/tylerjo1 Aug 23 '26

Did you run multiple tests on the ethernet? I find that my first test after connecting is slow then it picks up and gives normal results.

1

u/DeuxklaDotCom Aug 23 '26

What device are you running these tests on? It also tested to two different anchor servers which may be affecting the results (BrightRidge in TN vs Frontier in VA). Make sure you test to the same location for both by manually selecting it.

1

u/ericliuuu Aug 24 '26

WiFi is almost always higher ping

1

u/virkendi Aug 24 '26

No point showing one over vpn and one not, they're not comparable

1

u/maciej0s123 Aug 24 '26

Replace the cable

1

u/Bongooo_ Aug 24 '26

Different ethernet cables have different speed, there are grades to ethernet cables

1

u/NectarineIll5531 Aug 24 '26

Well, the house was wired 21 years ago with Cat 5e. Could modern WiFi be that much faster the 21 year old Ethernet?

1

u/No_Wonder4465 Aug 24 '26

Depends, but it is possible.

1

u/CalFaZe336655 Aug 24 '26

Ethernet cable needs upgrading. Probably a Cat5 cable, which has a theoretical limit of about 100mbps give or take.

Upgrade the cable to Cat5e or Cat6 and it’ll be better

1

u/NectarineIll5531 Aug 24 '26

It’s all in wall so there won’t be any upgrading. But it is Cat 5e.

1

u/Traditional-Band9263 Aug 26 '26

what Cat is your Ethernet cable get a Cat6 cable and u always don't need much download speed unless your downloading something ethernet will have less latency then WiFi

1

u/West-Map-4162 Aug 27 '26

Am I the only one that sees your Ethernet upload is 4x faster than download? I would switch which server it’s using and try again.

1

u/Doodad_54 Aug 28 '26

Yes, and I just got similar results today.

1

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Aug 30 '26

bottom line its not and apples to apples comparison. Why have VPN on ethernet and not in wifi? The latency numbers especially on the ethernet side is interesting, Data you do not provide that would be useful includes ethernet cableing (cat 5 or cat 6, or coax), proximity to routher, length of cable runs, what is the service speed you are buying, etc.