Why Don’t My Wi-Fi Speeds Match My Internet Plan?

Marcos • December 4, 2025

Have you ever run a speed test on your phone and wondered why the numbers don’t match the super-fast speeds you’re paying for? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common questions we get.  

Here’s the thing, there’s a big difference between the speeds delivered to your router and the speeds delivered through Wi-Fi to your device. 

Let’s break down what that means and why the numbers don’t always match. 

The Speed to Your Router (The “Perfect” Speed) 

When your internet reaches your home, it goes straight into your router through a cable. This is the cleanest, most accurate speed you can measure. 

If you plugged a laptop directly into your router with an Ethernet cable, you’d see the closest match to what your plan promises. That’s why technicians measure speeds at the router when troubleshooting; they want to confirm the service itself is performing correctly. 

The Speed From Your Router (Your Everyday Wi-Fi Speed) 

Wi-Fi works by sending signals through the air, and those signals can be slowed down by: 

  • Walls, floors, and building materials 
  • Distance from the router 
  • Interference from devices like microwaves, game consoles, baby monitors, and even your neighbors’ Wi-Fi 
  • The age or quality of your device (older phones and computers have older Wi-Fi antennas) 
  • How many devices are connected at the same time 

All of that weakens the signal, which means your Wi-Fi speed will almost ALWAYS be lower than the speed going into your router. It’s totally normal. 

Why Wi-Fi Speeds Vary From Device to Device 

Two devices sitting in the same room can get different speeds depending on: 

  • How old the device is 
  • What Wi-Fi standard it uses (Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, or 6E) 
  • Whether it supports 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or both 
  • How strong its internal antenna is 

Newer devices can handle faster speeds, while older ones may max out below what your plan offers. 

What can you do? 

Most speed differences simply come from how Wi-Fi works. Anthem delivers the full speed to your router—but every home’s Wi-Fi experience is unique based on layout, equipment, and usage. 

If you want faster, more consistent Wi-Fi speeds, you can: 

  • Place your router in a central, open location 
  • Use mesh extenders to eliminate dead zones 
  • Connect high-demand devices (like TVs and gaming consoles) directly with Ethernet 
  • Upgrade older devices that can’t keep up 

The Bottom Line 

Your router gets the full speed from your plan. Then your Wi-Fi shares that speed through the air—and all devices in your home. 

Understanding the difference helps you know what to expect and how to get the best performance in every corner of your home. 

Still not getting the speeds you want? Our tech support is here to help you boost your connection.