Best answer: Based on anecdotal evidence over the years, most people do report that games download faster while their PlayStation 4 is in rest mode.
- Go wired: 50ft Ethernet Cable ($11 at Amazon)
How do we know it downloads faster?
This isn't exactly something that Sony advertises like, "Hey! Put your console in rest mode to download games faster." It's not a feature in that regard. This is just something that a good portion of PlayStation users have noticed. It's all anecdotal, but most people will tell you that there is a noticeable difference between download speeds in rest mode versus while the console is on. Rest mode, for the most part, appears to download games quicker.
Why does it download faster?
The thought process behind it is this: Since your PS4 is in rest mode, it doesn't need to be running background apps or using other network features. With these suspended during this time, you'll tend to notice download speeds improve as the console can put more of its energy and brainpower into downloading the game.
Are there other ways to increase download speeds?
Absolutely! You can increase download speeds by using a wired Ethernet cable instead of connecting your console to a Wi-Fi network. Additionally, you may want to see which packages available from your ISP offer the best services and speeds.
What about purchasing a new router?
Buying a new router to increase download speeds can certainly work, but it is an investment you'll need to think carefully about. If you experience decent connections while playing online games that aren't causing you any troubles, it may not be worth your money to invest in an expensive gaming router solely to download games quickly on your PlayStation 4. However, picking up a mesh router such as the Netgear Orbi Whole Home WiFi Router is a good idea as it provides reliable internet signals to all of your devices in every room of your house.
Going wired is always better
Using an Ethernet cable will by far give you the most reliable and fastest speeds compared to a wireless connection. This 50ft cable is a cheap way to vastly improve your download times.
