Motorola MB8611 gets 920 Mbps wired. Drops to 500 Mbps with Google Wifi

[chimerical]

I have a cable modem where plugging a laptop directly through Ethernet gets me about 920 Mbps downstream on a speedtest. But when I plug in a Google Wifi directly into that cable modem via Ethernet, and access through Wi-Fi, I only get at most 500 Mbps downstream. Am I configuring something incorrectly?

(The cable modem is a Motorola MB8611 in case that's relevant.)

[MetalGlacier]

Everything is working as expected. As with any wireless connection, it is going to be slower and less reliable than a wired connection.

[chimerical]

Is that kind of drop typical for Google Wifi (900 Mbps wired vs 500 Mbps wireless)? Do people see faster Wi-Fi speeds closer to wired?

[kiltguy2112]

Make sure you have the most updated firmware and drivers for your laptop. Some laptops will throttle your Wifi if your running on battery. 

[MetalGlacier]

That drop in speed is typical for all connections when over wifi. Regardless of what router you are using, a wired connection will always be faster and more reliable than wireless.

[chimerical]

It makes sense that wireless would be slower but I’m trying to get a sense of how much slower is normal, in the best case scenario (e.g. a brand new MacBook Pro, plugged in, sitting next to the router)

[AbigailF]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for lending a hand, @MetalGlacier and @kiltguy2112.
@chimerical, chiming in to ensure everything is good here. Have you had the chance to try the suggestion above? If yes, how is it?

Thanks,
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hi chimerical,

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Best, 
Abi

[chimerical]

Thanks Abigail, I got part of my question answered (confirmed that we can't expect the same Mbps down/up over Wi-Fi as wired through Ethernet, which I'd expect), but the second part would be any anecdotal answers from anyone here on what kinds of upper bound speeds they've seen in best case scenarios over Wi-Fi. This would help me gauge how far off I am to what's expected.

[AbigailF]

Hey chimerical,

It's hard to say a specific number as the speed is based on several factors, including the type of device you are using, the distance between the device and your router or point, the frequency your devices are connected to, and physical barriers like walls in your home. This article discusses more about it.

Cheers,
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hello chimerical,

We’d like to check in again in case you have any further questions or concerns. Feel free to reply to this thread and we’ll help you out.

Regards, 
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hi chimerical,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we'll be locking this thread if there is no update within 24 hours. If you have any new issues, updates or just a discussion topic, feel free to start a new thread in the Community.

Best, 
Abi