Testing the speed of wireless adapters¶
All wireless adapters were tested under consistent conditions - each positioned in close proximity (1-2m) and connected to the same wireless access point (AP). The adapters utilized various interface types, including USB, SDIO, and PCI, to evaluate performance across different hardware configurations.
Test Equipment¶
- Access Point: Zyxel NWA130BE (Wi-Fi 7)
- Network Switches:
- Netgear XS712T
- Netgear XS508M
- Power Switches: APC AP7920
- Client Devices:
- Multiple single-board computers equipped with onboard wireless modules or PCI Wi-Fi cards
- USB wireless test server: Geekom IT13 with an i-Tec 16-port USB 3.0 hub
Software and Infrastructure¶
- Infrastructure Database: NetBox for resource modeling and inventory
- Automation: GitHub Actions for workflow orchestration and test execution
- Networking: Tailscale for secure device connectivity across the test environment
- Test Platform: KVM virtual machine running the latest x86 Armbian image for USB wireless testing
Methodology¶
Overview of the WiFi performance test process:
-
β‘ Power On Devices
ββ Embedded WiFi-capable devices and USB wireless adapters are powered on. -
π Configure Wireless Connection
ββ Devices are configured to connect to a predefined access point (SSID). -
πΆ Connect to WiFi Network
ββ Network connectivity is validated to ensure the device is routable. -
π Measure Performance (iperf3)
ββ Perform reverse (-R
) and forward iperf3 tests
ββ Measure throughput and link quality. -
π Collect System & Network Info
ββ Extract link details (e.g. bitrate, signal strength)
ββ Record system version, kernel, architecture. -
π Restore Wired Network
ββ Reapply original routes and configuration. -
βοΈ Upload Test Results
ββ Summary, logs, and system info are uploaded as artifacts. -
π΄ Power Off Devices
ββ All test devices are safely powered down after testing completes.
Devices Under Tests¶
This section presents the performance test results, including key metrics and technical details from the test execution. Test Date: 15.3.2025
Realtek 8188CUS¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8192CU | N | 45.3 Mbits/sec | 43.2 Mbits/sec |
Alfa RT3572¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RT3572 | N | 97.6 Mbits/sec | 67.5 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8822CE¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.21-current-rockchip64
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8822CE | AC | 318 Mbits/sec | 530 Mbits/sec |
Intel AX200¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.2, 6.12.15-current-rockchip64
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
AX200 | AX | 904 Mbits/sec | 706 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8814AU¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8814AU | AC1200 | 154 Mbits/sec | 275 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8723BU¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8723BU | N | 23.2 Mbits/sec | 33.9 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8811AU¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8812AU | AC600 | 153 Mbits/sec | 195 Mbits/sec |
Atheros AR9271¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
AR9271 | N | 57.9 Mbits/sec | 52.4 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8812AU¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8812AU | AC600 | 155 Mbits/sec | 271 Mbits/sec |
Realtek 8852BE¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.2, 6.12.15-current-rockchip64
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL8852BE | AX | 468 Mbits/sec | 424 Mbits/sec |
Ralink RT5370¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RT5370 | N | 27.4 Mbits/sec | 9.96 Mbits/sec |
Ralink RT5572¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RT5572 | N | 95.2 Mbits/sec | 67.4 Mbits/sec |
Comfast CF953AX¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
MT7921AU | AX | 113 Mbits/sec | 149 Mbits/sec |
EDUP EP-AC1681¶
OS: Armbian v25.2.3, 6.12.22-current-x86
Chipset | Class | Average forward speed | Average reverse speed |
---|---|---|---|
RTL88x2BU | AC600 | 95.4 Mbits/sec | 90.8 Mbits/sec |
Contribute¶
- Assist us in developing and maintaining our testing system: Your expertise can help us enhance and optimize our test infrastructure. By contributing your skills, you can play a key role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of our test results.
- Donate hardware: Your contribution of new hardware, whether itβs a wireless adapter or any other equipment, helps us expand our testing capabilities. Weβre specifically looking for new wireless adapters that havenβt yet been added to our system. Your donation can directly impact the scope and depth of our tests.
- Join our team: Become part of our passionate and dedicated team. Weβre looking for individuals who share our vision and are eager to contribute to the development of innovative testing solutions. Whether you have technical expertise or simply a willingness to learn, thereβs a place for you here!