For many people, comparing these two networks is an out-of-this-world concept. However, many individuals enjoy the wireless network because it is a new advanced technology option. It technically allows them to connect to the world without any necessary wires. But gamers will disagree and always praise the wired connections for a much better experience. We are left with the age-old question – which is faster Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
We’ll cover this topic and explain the features of each network so that you don’t have to rely on your internet provider for any additional information.
Which Is Faster Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
Gamers are right! The cable internet connection has a much better speed and boasts multiple advantages, despite being a little less convenient.
We can all agree that the invention of a wireless network was a fantastic thing. It offers much easier access to the world wide web and makes the connection of any new devices a walk in the park. The best part is that there are no dusty cables on the floor or behind the desk. But, to settle the score once and for all, the Ethernet should be your first choice if you want the fastest and most consistent internet connection possible.
Ethernet – A Faster Connection
Despite needing a cable and being a little less convenient, the Ethernet connection is almost always faster than Wi-Fi. While operating from the same router, connecting your device with an Ethernet cable will offer a much quicker connection. The radio waves are incredibly fast, and there is no question about that; connecting an Ethernet cable to your device allows you to receive and send data instantly.
If you have a fiber-optic connection, you can download or play an online game at maximum frames per second without lagging. Also, when using Ethernet, it does not matter how far away you are from the router; you will see little to no speed loss.
According to testmy.net, if a device is tested for download speed when connected to an Ethernet cable, the rate is almost double than when connected with Wi-Fi. For instance, if the computer was downloading at 164 Mbps with a wireless connection, the download speed once plugged into an Ethernet cable was 310 Mbps.
How much faster is Ethernet than Wi-Fi?
There is no getting around the fact that Ethernet is just faster than Wi-Fi. But, the differences in the real world are not as giant as one may think. The wireless connection has drastically improved over the last few years, while Ethernet has stagnated. Despite not being as fast as Ethernet, Wi-Fi has become good enough to handle almost all of our daily tasks.
An Ethernet connection can theoretically offer you up to 10 Gb/s using a Cat6 cable. The maximum speed of the internet depends on the network provider and the type of cable that you are utilizing. Even with a Cat5e cable, the Ethernet connection supports a speed of up to 1Gb/s. Moreover, unlike its competitor, the speed is always consistent.
Having a fast internet connection is a great thing, but something else worth considering is that speed is not everything, and it is the cherry on top of the ice cream when it comes to internet-involved activities. If your connection offers a lower rate, it will not matter.
Read more: How to Connect Ethernet Cable to a Wireless Router
Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi
Establishing which is faster Ethernet or Wi-Fi, was an easy task, but many factors play a role in the overall internet experience. While considering the benefits of one internet connection over another, many factors come into play.
We should state that both of these connections are valid and can make your life much easier. Whether you need the internet for work, entertaining your kids, gaming, learning, or paying bills, it all comes down to your preferred choice of which connection you will use.
Ethernet may offer a better speed, and it is great for stationary computers and gaming, but, let’s face it, you are not going to plug an Ethernet cable into your phone or tablet any time soon.
Speed
To reminisce a little bit on the speed, we should mention that it is not simply dependent on your connection type; what you pay for ISP is also crucial for the speed of your internet connection. The equipment you own can limit your connection speed if it cannot support the internet provider’s data speed.
Reliability
Another battle where Ethernet wins and takes the glory over Wi-Fi is reliability. Considering how data is transferred across both connection types, Ethernet is more reliable. The Wi-Fi connection uses radio waves that can easily be interfered with, and you need to take some precautionary measures. This means the wireless connection is more susceptible to connectivity issues and data loss than Ethernet.
Ethernet connection can be easily protected, and there are no interruptions in the data flow. There are also no bandwidth limitations.
Security
When it comes to security, Ethernet is again superior to Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi signal can broadcast a connection to any device that supports it, and it is very convenient to keep your network area neat. However, Wi-Fi leaves a lot of free space for connecting unwanted devices that can interact with your network and share malicious content.
The wired connection leaves no room for error, and only the connected devices have approval for connection, making Ethernet a much more secure option than Wi-Fi.
Latency
A significant issue with wireless is that it can easily be affected, and it can be hard to maintain an optimal connection. If something affects your Wi-Fi, many issues are coming, such as slow speeds, input lag, connection problems while streaming, playing games online, and so on.
As long as nothing is damaged and the cable you are using is not too long, Ethernet does not have any other issues. The connection is always consistent.
Also read: What Equipment Is Needed for Fiber Optic Internet?
Conclusion
Asking the question, which is faster Ethernet or Wi-Fi, will not help you entirely settle the debate about what connection to choose. The Ethernet connection is more consistent, stable, and reliable than a Wi-Fi connection, but the Wi-Fi connection offers a lot of conveniences and does not rely on cables. You can easily connect your phones, tablets, laptops, or other smart home devices.