Why is Ethernet Faster than Wi-Fi?

The debate of whether Ethernet speed or Wi-Fi speed is a better pick for your home has been going on for a long time. The internet forms a vital part of our lives today, with work, learning, shopping, and other aspects of our life going online. You can go online at home through an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi internet router. Both of these methods of connecting to the internet are quite effective.

In this blog, we shortly discuss Ethernet and Wi-Fi speeds and why Ethernet is faster than the latter. Let us jump right in!

 

What is Ethernet?

Simply put, an Ethernet connection is another name for a small Local Area Network (LAN).

A LAN is used to describe a small network of multiple devices connected to one system. This could be a single computer, or more, linked together in your home. While an Ethernet is more of a system of connected devices or computers, an Ethernet cable is what makes it all possible. An Ethernet cable runs from the modem to your computer (or device) and directly connects you to the internet on a wired connection.

Most conventional Ethernet cables would only support speeds up to 100 Mbps. However, recent versions of CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8 can now support internet speeds of well over 1 Gig, which is quite good, especially if you are into high-speed gaming or streaming.

 

What is Internet Wi-Fi?

Internet Wi-Fi is a way for devices to connect to a network – all without the need for any cables or wires. Coaxial cables or fiber optic wires carry the internet data to a modem/router device, which then broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal that anything can pick up and use to connect to the internet. Wi-Fi is simply a term used for wireless internet connections – and can be routinely found in public spaces as well as homes. Since most modems do not come with Wi-Fi capabilities, usually an internet router is required to produce these Wi-Fi signals.

Wi-Fi speeds are variable depending on the plan you opt for and of course, the router type, make, and configuration. The latest innovations in router technology have come to support multi-gig speeds.

 

Why is Ethernet Faster than Wi-Fi?

The first thing to establish here is whether Ethernet connections are faster than Wi-Fi internet networks. Well, the answer does get interesting. While an Ethernet connection has the capacity to support internet speeds that are much faster than Wi-Fi internet, it may not always transfer data any faster than Wi-Fi. However, for the most part, especially when talking about gaming and streaming, a wired multi-gig internet connection such as with Ethernet speeds is almost always faster than Wi-Fi internet.

This is because even though radio waves coming off a router are incredibly fast, they cannot compete with the speed of a direct connection.  Radio waves are weakened by hindrances like walls, household objects, and other wireless signals in the air. An Ethernet cable allows you to transfer and receive data from your devices almost instantly. And while cable internet does have fast Ethernet connections, little compares to the blazing fast internet speeds brought to you by fiber internet connections.

 

Why Choose Ethernet Internet?

Not only are Ethernet networks faster, but they do actually have a few other benefits too. These include:

 

 

A wired connection, on the other hand, does not allow any other devices to connect to the network. Only devices that you approve can connect to your Ethernet network, which allows you to exercise more control over your connection and hence, enhance network security.

 

Conversely, a wired Ethernet connection is more stable and reliable and does not interrupt the stream of data flow. There are fewer disruptions if any, with Ethernet networks, since it basically is wired and well-protected.

 

 

Ethernet connections have low latency. As long as the cable you are using is in perfect condition and fairly short, your connection should not suffer from any data loss, high latency, lag, or anything of the sort. The internet speeds in this case should be consistent with the speeds provided by your ISP.

Planning to get an Ethernet connection? Here is a list of some of the best Ethernet cables on the market today!

 

FAQs

 

1. Why is Ethernet Faster than Wi-Fi?

 Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi because it can support higher speeds since it is a wired connection with few interferences if any. Wi-Fi speeds are usually lower than wired internet such as Ethernet speeds.

 

2. What are the top internet service providers in my area?

There are many internet providers in the U.S. However, some of the top names in the industry are Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, and HughesNet with almost complete nationwide coverage. To learn of the best offers in your area, call out experts at 1-855-349-9328.