How to compare internet speeds on Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Is Wi-Fi slower than Ethernet, or does the difference come from the device, router, or internet connection? A quick test on each connection can help, but only if you keep the conditions similar.

Use the Speed Test on the same computer and compare several runs. It measures download and upload speed, ping, and jitter by exchanging test data with our server.

Compare Wi-Fi and Ethernet

1. Open the Speed Test on the computer you will use for both connections. Close downloads, cloud backups, video streams, and other activity that could use the internet.
2. Connect the computer to the router with an Ethernet cable. Turn off Wi-Fi so the computer cannot use the wireless connection instead. Run the test three times and note download, upload, ping, and jitter for each run.
3. Disconnect the Ethernet cable and turn Wi-Fi on. Use the same computer in the same location, connect to the same Wi-Fi network, and run the test three times again. If the tool offers a test server choice, use the same server for both sets of runs.
4. Compare the middle result from each set of three for download, upload, ping, and jitter. This reduces the effect of one unusually fast or slow run. If results keep swinging, repeat both sets at a quieter time.

For the fairest comparison, do not move the computer between tests. If you want to compare Wi-Fi in different rooms, first finish the Wi-Fi versus Ethernet comparison, then run a separate set of tests in each room.

What the results mean

Ethernet is faster in most runs

Your wired connection is delivering more speed in these conditions. Wi-Fi may be affected by distance, walls, interference, or a crowded wireless channel. If you need stable performance for large uploads, work calls, or gaming, Ethernet may be the better choice where you use the computer.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet are close

The wireless connection is keeping up with the wired one for this test. That does not mean every room or device will get the same result. Wi-Fi performance can change with distance, obstacles, nearby networks, and the device's wireless hardware.

Wi-Fi is faster than Ethernet

Check the wired link before concluding that Wi-Fi is better. An older cable, router port, dock, or computer network adapter may limit Ethernet speed. A gigabit connection can also be reported or negotiated at a lower speed if one part of the link is limited.

Speed is similar, but Ethernet has lower ping or jitter

Download and upload speeds measure how much data moves, while ping measures response time and jitter describes how much that response time varies. A wired connection can be more consistent even when its peak speed is similar. The test's ping is to its test server, so it does not guarantee the same ping to a game or meeting service.

Both connections are slow or inconsistent

The cause may be the internet service, router, modem, or activity elsewhere on the network, rather than Wi-Fi alone. Repeat the test when other devices are idle. If results remain below your plan's expected range, see how to test internet that is slower than your plan.

How to get a more reliable comparison

1. Use one computer for both tests. Different computers and phones have different network adapters, so comparing two devices can confuse the result. This test is about the connection type, not which device has the better hardware.
2. Keep other internet use quiet. Pause large downloads, streaming, online backups, and game updates on the computer and other devices. These can use bandwidth or add delay while a test is running.
3. Check that the intended connection is active. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet and check whether the connection is listed under Ethernet or Wi-Fi. On a Mac, open System Settings › Network and check the connection status. For the Ethernet run, turn Wi-Fi off; for the Wi-Fi run, unplug the cable.
4. Inspect the Ethernet path. Try another router port and a cable known to work well. If the computer connects through a dock or adapter, test a different port or connect directly if possible. A slow wired link can be caused by any part between the computer and router.
5. Improve the Wi-Fi test location. Test near the router first, then repeat where you normally use the computer. Keep the same Wi-Fi network selected. A weak result far from the router may reflect coverage in that spot, not the maximum speed of the internet plan.
6. Repeat at another time. Internet traffic and Wi-Fi interference vary during the day. If both connection types slow down at the same time, compare results again later before changing equipment.

What the comparison cannot prove

A browser speed test measures the path from your computer through your network and internet connection to a test server. It cannot isolate every part of that path or measure the maximum speed of your router by itself. Results can also vary because of server load, network congestion, or background activity.

A single run is a snapshot, not a guarantee of the speed you will always get. Compare several runs under similar conditions, and focus on the results that matter for your use: download speed for receiving files, upload speed for sending them, and ping and jitter for responsiveness.