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In this era of wireless connectivity everywhere, cables of any kind may seem like an outdated inconvenience. But which is better: Ethernet or Wi-Fi? Would you believe that a simple Ethernet cable can improve device performance and speed while reducing latency?
Read on to learn about the differences between Ethernet and Wi-Fi and why a more direct internet connection may benefit you.
Since some people may never have used—or even seen—an Ethernet cable, it is worth explaining what Ethernet is before going any further.
Ethernet is a low-cost networking technology that helps connect devices on a shared network and enables them to communicate with one another. One way it does this is by preventing devices from attempting to communicate at the same time. Packet collisions can cause transmission problems and should be avoided. Ethernet essentially requires devices to wait their turn, following a “listen before you transmit” approach. Ethernet also defines the format that data packets should use before they are transmitted.
Although Ethernet has been around for more than 40 years, it is still widely used in organizations and homes around the world and has evolved significantly since its first implementation. Ethernet is primarily associated with devices on wired Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs), making it suitable for both home and business environments.
Ethernet twisted-pair cables are typically color-coded and connected in a similar way to telephone cables. Establishing a connection is usually simple: plug one end of the cable into a device, such as a laptop, and connect the other end to a network device such as a router.
Now that we understand Ethernet, let's compare it with wireless Wi-Fi.
An Ethernet connection requires a physical cable, which naturally limits mobility. However, it can provide reliable connectivity over relatively long distances. For example, Cat6A Ethernet cabling can support speeds of up to 10 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters.
Wi-Fi, on the other hand, provides connectivity wirelessly, offering much greater mobility. There is no need to carry a cable around or worry about accidentally unplugging it. However, the distance between your device and the device transmitting the signal—typically a wireless router—is limited.
As a rough estimate, the coverage range of the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band is around 45 meters under ideal conditions. However, the signal will weaken before reaching that distance as it passes through walls and other structures. The 5 GHz Wi-Fi band has a shorter range and will typically lose effective coverage within around 40 meters.
If your house is particularly large or has very thick walls, Ethernet cabling may be the simplest option for connecting devices such as desktop computers. However, if you want to move freely around a room while staying connected, improving your Wi-Fi signal may be the better choice.
Ethernet provides a direct wired connection to the default gateway and the internet, while Wi-Fi transmits data through radio waves. This additional wireless step can make Wi-Fi slower and increase latency compared with an Ethernet connection. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from a device to the destination server and back. It is different from bandwidth, which measures how much data a device can download or upload at one time.
The combination of high speed and low latency makes Ethernet ideal for gaming, transferring large files, and streaming. Ethernet is particularly well suited to tasks that require a fast and efficient internet connection.
Ethernet cables such as Cat6 can support speeds of up to 10 Gbps, provided that the underlying network connection is capable of delivering that speed. Cat8.1 cabling can support speeds of up to 25 Gbps under the same condition.
By comparison, Wi-Fi 5 offers a theoretical maximum speed of up to 3.5 Gbps, although 1 Gbps is more realistic in practice. The newer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, approved in 2020, provides a significant speed improvement, with a theoretical maximum speed of 9.6 Gbps and reduced latency. Even so, Wi-Fi still generally cannot match a wired Ethernet connection.
But what about the latest Wi-Fi 7?
The standard was approved in 2024 and promises roughly twice the throughput of Wi-Fi 6, lower latency, and greater reliability. Its theoretical maximum speed is 46 Gbps, while real-world speeds are around 6 Gbps.
Some people argue that Wi-Fi 7 could become a strong alternative to Ethernet. The introduction of Wi-Fi 7 could mark the first time Wi-Fi has truly become a potential wired/Ethernet alternative for ultra-high-bandwidth applications. However, others point out that similar claims have been made about previous generations of Wi-Fi.
Ethernet connections are generally less susceptible to interference than Wi-Fi. Devices operating on the same frequencies as Wi-Fi can cause interference, while other devices on the network can also reduce connection speeds. Ethernet, by comparison, provides a more stable and consistent connection.
A wired Ethernet connection is inherently more difficult to attack than a Wi-Fi connection because an attacker generally needs physical access to the cable or network infrastructure. Wi-Fi signals, by contrast, are broadcast through the air and can potentially be received by nearby devices, even from outside the building.
Most devices cannot access a protected wireless network without the appropriate credentials. However, that does not mean the connection is completely secure. Attackers may intercept wireless traffic and potentially read data that is not adequately encrypted. Fortunately, there are several measures users can take to improve the security of their home wireless network.
Almost all modern devices support Wi-Fi, from bulky desktop computers to compact tablets. Ethernet connectivity, however, is not available on every device. Smartphones, tablets, and many laptops do not have Ethernet ports. If you want to use an Ethernet cable with these devices, you will need a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter or a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
Most Wi-Fi routers have several Ethernet ports on the back, allowing devices to be connected via a wired connection.
If you don't already have an Ethernet cable, the first thing to do is test your internet connection speed. You can use one of the many free online internet speed test services.
Ethernet cables are assigned “Cat” numbers, which represent their specific category. One of the most commonly used Ethernet cables is Cat5e. It is an economical option that can support speeds of up to 1 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters.
If you want faster network speeds, consider Cat6 cable. It can support up to 10 Gbps over distances of up to 55 meters. Cat6 is somewhat more expensive because it incorporates additional construction features to help control interference and crosstalk.
Cat6A cable can support up to 10 Gbps over 100 meters and provides improved protection against crosstalk, including interference from adjacent cables. However, it is generally less flexible and more expensive than Cat6.
It is generally best to avoid Cat7 and Cat7A cables. They are more expensive and may not always offer meaningful advantages over established Ethernet standards. If you need significantly more bandwidth than Cat6A can provide, you may consider Cat8, which can support up to 40 Gbps over distances of up to 30 meters.
For most home networks, Cat6 is an excellent choice. If you plan to connect devices over distances greater than 50 meters while maintaining 10 Gbps capability, Cat6A is the better option.
Ultimately, it depends on how you use your internet connection.
If you want to sit in the garden and listen to music, Wi-Fi is the obvious choice. If you're a gamer, however, an Ethernet connection is generally preferable. There is also no reason why you cannot use both technologies at the same time, although the convenience of a wireless setup is highly appealing to many users. As Wi-Fi 7 becomes more widespread, this trend is likely to continue.
If you only have one desktop computer at home, it may be worth repositioning your router so that you can connect the computer via Ethernet. The difference in connection quality can be surprisingly noticeable, particularly when frequently downloading or uploading large files.
Smart TVs can also benefit from an Ethernet connection, especially in homes where multiple devices are simultaneously connected to and competing for bandwidth on the Wi-Fi network.
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