Understanding Real-World Wi-Fi Speeds

Wi-Fi speeds inside your home are always lower than the speed shown on your broadband package.

Your package speed is the speed delivered to your property.

Wi-Fi performance is affected by walls, distance, interference from neighbours, and the type of device you are using.

The figures below show typical real-world ranges, not guaranteed speeds.

Quick Summary – Typical Wi-Fi Speeds

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

• Typical: 40–90 Mbps
  
• Best-case (next to router): up to ~120 Mbps
  
• Busy areas (flats / neighbours): 20–40 Mbps

Best for:

• Longer range
  
• Older devices

Not good for:

• High-speed tasks
  
• Large downloads
  
• Multiple HD streams

5 GHz Wi-Fi

Speeds are much faster but drop more quickly with distance.

• Close to the router:
  250–700 Mbps (newer devices, good conditions)

• 1 room away:
  150–350 Mbps

• 2 rooms away:
  50–150 Mbps

• Best-case:
  Up to ~900 Mbps on Wi-Fi 6 devices very close to the router

Summary Table

Why Wi-Fi Is Slower Than Your Package Speed

Wi-Fi performance changes constantly because your router automatically adjusts to avoid interference.

The main factors are:

1. Distance from the router

Speed drops every time a wall or floor is between you and the router.

2. Interference from neighbours

Especially on 2.4 GHz, which has only three usable channels.

Your router can only choose the least bad channel, not a perfect one.

3. Device limits

Older phones, laptops, and TVs may only support lower Wi-Fi speeds.

Newer devices with Wi-Fi 6 perform much better.

4. Channel width changing automatically

Routers typically use:

• 20 MHz on 2.4 GHz (almost always)
  
• 40 MHz or 80 MHz on 5 GHz (depends on congestion)

Wider channels = faster speeds

But routers can only use them if the airwaves are clean.

5. Materials in your home

Wi-Fi is heavily blocked by:

• Stone and brick walls
  
• Metal frames
  
• Foil insulation
  
• Underfloor heating
  
• Thick floors or ceilings

Key Takeaways

• Your broadband speed is the speed to your home, not the speed everywhere inside it.
  
• Wi-Fi is always slower than a wired Ethernet connection.
  
• Speed drops with distance and walls.
  
• 5 GHz is much faster but shorter-range than 2.4 GHz.
  
• Mesh systems or better router placement can improve coverage, not line speed.

Related Articles

• Slow or Unstable Wi-Fi
• How to Run an Accurate Speed Test
• V-Smart Mesh Wi-Fi
• Understanding Broadband Speeds