R – Ethernet vs Wi-Fi Pros and Cons

Ethernet vs Wi-Fi

For many gamers, using Wi-Fi for online gaming counts as a cardinal sin. The wireless internet has improved with time but no one can underestimate the importance of Ethernet for gaming. Internet lag and poor connectivity are some of the major attributes of Wi-Fi. However, wireless internet is quite convenient for many reasons. What type of internet is best for you? Is there any speed difference when you compare the two? We will try to answer all the questions in this guide. 

Before establishing that, let’s get to the basic differences between the two. 

Wi-Fi 

As the name suggests, Wi-Fi is for wireless connectivity. You do not need any physical wire. Therefore, it is the most widely used connection. The Wi-Fi router is attached to your internet modem that is connected to the outlet. Many providers have a router/modem complex so you do not have separate devices and everything is confined in a single unit. 

Ethernet 

Ethernet requires a physical wire for the internet connection. The wire is called an Ethernet cable. The complex works by a combination of a crossover cable, an Ethernet cable, and a hub for connection. Let’s be honest, Ethernet is a bit outdated technology. It has limited applications in the technology sector. In today’s guide, we will compare the reliability, speeds, latency, and usage of Wi-Fi and Ethernet. 

Speed 

Download and upload speeds serve as the bottleneck for everything that involves the internet. Slower internet speeds result in a poor connection and you may face difficulty in streaming, downloading, and online gaming. The major difference lies according to the connection that you have. 

It is no doubt that Ethernet offers better internet speeds compared to Wi-Fi. Back in the day, Wi-Fi was based on the 802.11g standard. The maximum speeds one could get with this standard were 40 to 50 Mbps. This speed was good for the internet on your phone. Ethernet can get you 100 to 1000 Mbps without any doubt. 

With the introduction of 802.11ac, there was a drastic change in the speeds of Wi-Fi. This standard can support download speeds close to 3,000 Mbps. For example, CenturyLink internet has the latest technology and gets you speeds up to 1000 Mbps. 

Everything boils down to the usage. For example, if you wish to send some documents within your network, Ethernet will get you the fastest route. 

Latency 

For gaming, latency is the most important factor. It is commonly defined as the time taken for the data or traffic to reach the server. In the gaming community, latency is often referred to as ‘ping’. Internet speed and quality are much more than raw bandwidth. It is crucial while you are playing games online. Games that require an internet connection and are meant to be played with friends require a quick and rapid response from the gaming server. In a scenario like this, Ethernet connections are recommended. If you are streaming a movie on Netflix, the Wi-Fi can work perfectly fine for you and is easily the best option. 

Reliability 

Reliability is the main reason why people, especially gamers, prefer Ethernet to Wi-Fi. Consider playing your favorite online gaming over your home Wi-Fi, there will be many instances where you get to disconnect from the gaming server because of a poor connection. If you are in the latter stages of the game, this is the last thing you want. Ethernet cable, conversely, offers better consistency and speeds. You can download larger files and play online games smoothly. 

Wi-Fi is very convenient but it faces many problems. The first being signal interference due to the physical objects. Secondly, the wrong placement of the router may result in either dead zones or inconsistent speeds. You will face sporadic signaling when you go from one room to another. Finding the optimal position for the wireless router may solve the issue but at the end of the day, Ethernet is better in terms of reliability. 

Security 

Ethernet connections offer more security. Big companies are always under threat from the potential attacks of spammers. Therefore, they transfer data with the help of physical wires. 

Conclusion 

Ethernet is better for online gaming as it gets you less interference and the games run smoothly. Wi-Fi is great for all other purposes.