USB WiFi speed half that of wired

3D Jed · 22 Apr 2013

I am a complete noob re WiFi (alway use hard wired) but recently bought a cheap USB dongle described as 150Mbps 11n. On testing I found I was getting about 22Mbps download with the dongle (1 metre from router) compared to 62Mbps wired. Upload speed was about the same as wired.

A bit of Googling told me this was a simplex/duplex problem. I did a test with a friends laptop and got full speed, so its not my router (BT homehub) and I have the latest driver from Windows update. So - is this about par for a four quid WiFi dongle, or do I need to set some value or other to get duplex? I could see this half speed business being a problem for someone already on a low speed line.

USB WiFi speed half that of wired-usb_wifi.jpg

benjy206 · 22 Apr 2013

Hi 3D Jed.

Could I have more details on the USB Dongle please?

Also is it a 3.0 USB? Maybe you friend has usb 3 and you only have usb 2?

3D Jed · 23 Apr 2013

The dongle is connected to USB 2. The test with friend's laptop was using the LT built in WiFi, and down speed was about 55 Mbps ie full speed, which I guess shows the router is capable of full speed. The dongle box says 802.11n 150 Mbps - this one from Amazon in UK

WiFi WIRELESS 11 N USB ADAPTER LAN INTERNET NETWORK DONGLE FOR PC LAPTOP 150Mbps: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Like I said, I'm a WiFi noob who uses wired normally, but I also build computers for friends etc, and nowadays they often ask 'Is it wireless ?' - hence my interest in USB dongles.

edit : just remembered I have USB3 on back of box. Tested on that socket, but same speed.

Britton30 · 23 Apr 2013

What speed is the router, ex: 802.11b/g/n?

benjy206 · 23 Apr 2013

Ya if you see you can get up to speeds of 150 but here what it says

Data Rate: 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54,108,150Mbps

I have one here which was just a cheap one like your's which doesn't get the full speed either if your looking to get the full speed you will need a better one. A lot of people get fooled by it including myself :) There's ones you can get for about £20 and above. I paid €12 for mine and it's not great.

Hope this helps you

3D Jed · 23 Apr 2013

Just checked the router and its 802.11n. I think benji206 has the answer - its a cheap model. Not bad for 4 quid I s'pose.

chev65 · 23 Apr 2013

The D-Link DWA-130 will give you the full 300Mbps for practically nothing. The 802.11n Only setting and using channel bonding "20-40Mhz" setting might get you more from your current wireless NIC.
Amazon.com: dwa-130

But I like the one I'm using now the best. :)

Britton30 · 23 Apr 2013

3D Jed said:

Just checked the router and its 802.11n. I think benji206 has the answer - its a cheap model. Not bad for 4 quid I s'pose.

If a quid is one pound, that is only $6.12 and is a little cheap.