Is powerline really faster than Wifi?

[KindaHardcoreGamer]

I want to get powerline because I heard it's faster than wireless. Other times, I've heard that wifi is faster.
My router is on the other side of my fairly normal sized house, through 2 walls.
I can't get ethernet because it's inconvenient to have to put wires through my walls (they'd look bad if I just put them on the ground, obviously).
Thanks

 

[Dunlop0078]

Speeds are usually faster on wired or the same if you have a good modern router that is capable of utilizing your download and upload speeds and you have a strong signal. For gaming using wireless can add latency and usually have stricter NAT settings which can screw up matchmaking and cause weird issues like you not being able to hear other players in chat, players not appearing where they actually are, rubberbanding, and an inability to connect with some players. I would use wired if you can, if not try wireless it might work just fine.

 

[Alabalcho]

PowerLine adapters' performance depends on the quality of the power wires inside the house, the loads (refrigerators, furnaces, lights), and whether everything is on same power circuit. I have recently helped a friend living in "standard" USA condominium where WiFi was spotty thru three walls, and PowerLine adapters solved his problem with gaming.

 

[bill001g]

That is kinda hard to say they are pretty close if you compare the top end devices in both categories. What they do in any particular house though is hard to say. Before the newest av1200 units came to market wireless had a small edge, now both will get in the 200-250mbit second range in a average house.

The key advantage to powerline is it is very consistent in whatever speed you mange to get. It is much less specifiable to interference from sources outside your house. The wireless though does have more total bandwidth and it will tend to run faster in situations where you would have to install more than 2 powerline units.

It really depends on what your goal is. People that play games like powerline because the latency is very consistent where wireless varies. People doing backups in their house prefer wireless because there generally is more total bandwidth. Likely both will be faster than your average internet connection.

 

[jsmithepa]

I want to get powerline because I heard it's faster than wireless. Other times, I've heard that wifi is faster.

There is no fast answer.

That's because Wireless is influenced by distance and airway interference, neighbors. Powerline is influenced by the quality of your electrical system and the appliances running.

The only way to find out is to try things out. Buy from somewhere you can return, no question asked.

 

[KindaHardcoreGamer]

I want to get powerline because I heard it's faster than wireless. Other times, I've heard that wifi is faster.

There is no fast answer.

That's because Wireless is influenced by distance and airway interference, neighbors. Powerline is influenced by the quality of your electrical system and the appliances running.

The only way to find out is to try things out. Buy from somewhere you can return, no question asked.

Well, on the subject of interference, there are 2 wifi networks in my house alone. There are at least 5 other networks that my computer detects at any given time. My wireless router is a fair distance (opposite side of the house, on the same floor) from the laptop like I said, and behind 2 walls of a fairly normal thickness.
I believe my house is roughly 40-60 years old (I'm not sure of the actual age). Not sure if we've improved our wiring, though.