Over the past few decades, Wi-Fi has become the primary means of Internet connectivity. From laptops and smartphones to home devices and smart plugs, everything is connected to your Wi-Fi router for seamless internet access. Despite this, many people still rely on Ethernet, which isn’t that surprising when you think about it. Remember, Ethernet has been around much longer than Wi-Fi. The latter was introduced in 1997, while Ethernet dates back to 1973. Even after all these years, and despite the vast majority of users switching to Wi-Fi, Ethernet hasn’t completely lost its appeal.
Simply put, Ethernet relies on a physical cable to connect devices to the modem or router. It is usually the first choice of gamers and power users due to lower latency, less lag, and faster Internet speeds than Wi-Fi. Ethernet is also widely used in data centers, healthcare, and financial industries because it is often faster and more secure than Wi-Fi.
That said, this doesn’t mean that Ethernet is the right choice for everyone, especially home users. While a wired connection is undoubtedly faster and more reliable, it comes at a cost. You may have to invest in cables, run them through walls, and even give up the flexibility and convenience of Wi-Fi. And let’s not forget how tricky it can be to connect certain devices to an Ethernet cable. So, if you’re considering switching to Ethernet, it’s important to understand the pros and cons.
Advantages: better performance, stability and reliability
One of the main advantages of Ethernet is consistency. Unlike Wi-Fi, where Internet speed is affected by interference from nearby devices and even decreases the further you move from the router, the speed remains largely stable over an Ethernet connection, and it is generally faster. I ran a speed test using Wi-Fi, a CAT5e cable, and a CAT6 LAN cable, and the performance differences were significant.
On a 200 Mbps plan, Wi-Fi offered a download speed of 156 Mbps and an upload speed of 144 Mbps. With a CAT5e cable connected to the PC’s Ethernet port, speeds were 196 Mbps download and 163 Mbps upload. When moving to CAT6, the download speed increased to 197 Mbps and the upload speed increased to 173 Mbps. This makes two things clear: Ethernet is generally faster than Wi-Fi, and CAT5 or CAT5e cable is still more than sufficient for most home users, with CAT6 offering no significant improvement.
Apart from this, Ethernet is less prone to lag and latency, allowing for a smoother and more reliable connection. This is one of the reasons why gamers often choose Ethernet over Wi-Fi, as even a small spike can affect gameplay. Additionally, Ethernet is less susceptible to network congestion. Wi-Fi networks must deal with both internal congestion from connected devices and external interference. Ethernet is also more secure because it is relatively easier to intercept data transmitted wirelessly than over a wired connection.
Disadvantages: Higher costs and inconveniences
As impressive as Ethernet is, it still has drawbacks, aspects that caused the majority to turn to Wi-Fi connections in the first place. When you move to Ethernet, you lose convenience and portability. On a Wi-Fi network, you can move your laptop around the house without having to worry about cables. With an Ethernet connection, you must be wired if you want an Internet connection. Of course, this applies to portable devices and not desktop computers.
Another disadvantage of Ethernet is cable management. You will need to run cables throughout the house if the setup does not already exist. We also can’t ignore how manufacturers are now ditching Ethernet ports to make laptops thinner, and if yours doesn’t have a LAN port, you’ll need to buy an Ethernet adapter or docking station, which is both an inconvenience and adds to the total expense. If you add network switches and professional support to the equation, the overall cost is even higher. This makes Wi-Fi more cost-effective than Ethernet for most users.
As for Ethernet eliminating dead zones around the house, you can always purchase a Wi-Fi range extender or mesh network for increased wireless coverage. So while Ethernet has its advantages, its disadvantages are hard to ignore. Ultimately, the choice depends on your requirements. If you need a fast, stable connection for your computer, gaming console, or network attached storage (NAS), Ethernet is hard to beat. But for those who prioritize portability and convenience, Wi-Fi is often a better choice.
