We all love the freedom of WiFi, it lets us scroll from the couch, binge-watch in bed, and join Zoom calls from anywhere in the house. But when you actually need your internet to be fast, reliable and secure, WiFi does not always cut it. That’s where a wired internet connection shines, even in the age of wireless convenience.
So, keep reading to learn why Ethernet cables, despite feeling “old-school,” are still quiet champions of internet connectivity.
How Wired Internet and Wireless Connections Perform?
One of the main differences between Ethernet and Wi-Fi is how they connect to the devices. Since one is wired and the other is without the wire. But let’s go a bit deeper into how each type of connection actually works.
How Wired Connection Works?
Ethernet is a physical connection, your device is plugged into a router or modem using a cable, typically a Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a cable. This connection forms a direct data pathway, making it fast, stable and reliable.
Ethernet has been around since the early days of the internet. Back in the dial-up era, it helped connect modems to phone lines. Today, it connects everything from gaming consoles and PCs to business servers and smart TVs. Depending on the cable category and setup, Ethernet cables can support speeds from 100 Mbps to 2000 Gbps and more.
How Wireless Connection Works?
WiFi transfers data using radio waves, much like your phone picks up FM radio. It supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, and more recently, 6GHz with WiFi 6E.
Your router acts as a wireless access point, sending signals to nearby devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets. These devices have integrated wireless network adapters that receive the signal and decode it into usable internet data.
While WiFi is super convenient, its signal strength can be affected by:
- Walls or furniture
- Other nearby wireless networks
- Interference from microwaves, cordless phones, etc.
- The number of the devices connected to the network
That’s why WiFi can sometimes feel slower or have less reliability than a wired connection.
Wired Internet vs.Wireless Network: Which One is Faster?
If speed is what you’re after, wired internet or Ethernet, is generally the best choice.
While modern WiFi can reach pretty high speeds on paper, sometimes close to 800 Mbps or more, you’ll rarely get that in real life. The signal has to travel through walls, compete with other devices, and deal with the interference from things like microwaves or even your neighbor’s network. That’s why most people end up getting around 80-120 Mbps on WiFi.
Ethernet, on the other hand, gives you a direct connection to your router. It doesn’t have to battle for space or signal. Even a basic cable like Cat5e can deliver speeds up to 1000 Mbps, and advanced ethernet cables like Cat6 go up to 10 Gbps (10000 Mbps); that’s seriously fast.
Plus, because it’s a dedicated connection, you won’t be slowed down by other devices using the same network. So if you are streaming in 4k, gaming online, or transferring large files, Ethernet is almost always the faster and more stable option.
Which Is Safer: Wired or Wireless?
When it comes to security, Ethernet has the upper hand. That’s because a wired connection is much harder to break into. For someone to access your Ethernet network, they’d need to physically plug into your cable or router, it’s something that is not easy unless they are inside the office or home.
Wireless network or WiFi, however, is a bit more vulnerable. Since it broadcasts signals through the air, someone nearby, (like a neighbor or even stranger outside) could potentially try to access your network, especially if your WiFi is not password-protected or still uses the default settings.
While using strong passwords and encryption can make WiFi safer, Ethernet is naturally more secure just by design. If you are dealing with sensitive data, like in an office or when working from home, going wired is the safer bet.
What’s More Reliable: Cables or Wi-Fi?
Wired Networks are way better in terms of reliability and stability as compared to the wireless connections.
If you have ever had your video freeze during a Zoom call or your game lag at the worst moment due to the latency or packet loss, you know the WiFi is not the one that is most reliable. That’s because the WiFi signal can be affected by a lot of things, like electrical devices, home appliances and even your neighbor’s network.
Ethernet, on the other hand, gives you a direct, wired line to the internet. It doesn’t have to deal with interference, so your connection stays strong and steady without any delay or too much lagging or latency. Unless someone physically unplugs your cable, you are getting a consistent performance with minimal dropouts or delays.
So, when it comes to reliability, a wired network or Ethernet, is the winner, hands down. It’s the go-to option for the people who can’t afford the hiccups, like the professional gamers, streamers and remote workers.
Should You Stick with Wired or Go Wireless?
Both wired and wireless network connections have their place, it really depends on how and where you are using your device.
You should go for the wireless or WiFi if:
- You are on a phone, tablet, or newer laptop that doesn’t have an Ethernet port.
- You need flexibility and mobility, like walking around the house or working from different rooms
- Running a cable is not practical or allowed by the landlord in case you are a tenant.
WiFi is perfect for basic browsing, video streaming, online shopping, or social media scrolling. It’s convenient, and for most people, it gets the job done.
Choose a wired network or Ethernet when:
- Your device stays in one place, like a gaming console, smart TV or home office setup.
- You are looking for the fastest and most stable connection
- You are doing the activities, where speed and reliability matter the most, like gaming, video calls or large file uploads
If you don’t mind plugging in the cable, and it’s easy to do, you’ll almost always get better performance with Ethernet.
Conclusion
While Wireless networks are incredibly convenient and ideal for mobile devices or setups where running cables is not practical, wired networks still hold the crown when it comes to speed, security and reliability. If you’re a professional gamer, online video streamer or running your business from a fixed location wired connection can offer a smoother and more stable experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your needs, but when performance matters most, Ethernet is the way to go.