Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Battle of Network Connection

When you need to use the Internet at some point, in many cases you may have to choose between a Wi-Fi and an Ethernet connection. However, not one option is always the right one. This guide will give you the pros and cons of both options so you can decide which is best for you.

Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Which One is Better?

To compare Ethernet and Wi-Fi, their advantages and disadvantages will be explained to you.

Price:

In terms of price, what you pay for either Ethernet or Wi-Fi is the cost of the service.

However, because Ethernet costs more to install and the complexity of setting up a wired Ethernet connection for your home or office.

You have to install a switch box or Ethernet outlet in your home to connect multiple devices to the Internet. So it’s cheaper to use Wi-Fi compared to using Ethernet.

Speed:

One of the most significant advantages of Ethernet is that it is faster than Wi-Fi.

The new Wi-Fi standard offers a maximum speed of 866.7 Mbps, but you’re unlikely to reach that speed due to the number of network devices in use and the capacity of your ISP’s network access point.

In contrast, wired Ethernet connections have standard speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Ethernet uses copper wires for transmission, eliminating the need to share the connection with other devices. Wired connections have gotten faster over time.

Also, in contrast to a Wi-Fi connection, an Ethernet connection is not shared with other devices, which means you’ll always have the fastest speeds.

Security:

Using Ethernet is safer than using Wi-Fi, the Ethernet is a wired connection, and there is no way to hack an Ethernet connection without physical access to the network.

Hackers need physical access to the router, the device’s Ethernet cable, or other open Ethernet ports connected to the network.

Compared to Ethernet, the security risks of a Wi-Fi network are more substantial. Since all communications must pass through a router, an attacker can compromise that router with sufficient skill and effort.

While Wi-Fi signals travel in the open air, they can be intercepted. To protect your home Wi-Fi, you can use a VPN tool to configure your router.

What are Ethernet and Wi-Fi?

In order to give you a better comparison between Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks, this paragraph will first introduce you to what Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks are and how they work respectively.

Ethernet:

What is Ethernet?

The Ethernet is a conventional method of linking devices in a wired wide area network or local area network, also known as WAN and LAN. Reliability and security are two main advantages of Ethernet.

Ethernet makes it possible for devices to speak to one another through a protocol, which is a collection of guidelines or a common network language.

For other devices on the same LAN or campus network to recognize, receive, and process the data, Ethernet specifies how network devices structure and transfer data. The actual, enclosed wiring that the data passes over is called an Ethernet cable.

Compared to wireless technology, ethernet is usually less susceptible to disturbances, that’s because ethernet connected via cables.

How Ethernet Works:

Cables used for Ethernet connections are inserted straight into your device. Wi-Fi routers and ISPs are connected by this kind of connection, which has been available for decades. It was initially used for dial-up modems in the 1990s. Ethernet cables come in a variety of lengths, from a few feet used by devices to several hundred feet used by servers.

Wi-Fi:

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices such as computers, mobile devices, and other equipment to interface with the Internet. The name of Wi-Fi is not an acronym, it stands for “Wireless Fidelity”, it’s a brand name created by a marketing firm.

Internet connectivity occurs through a wireless router. When you access Wi-Fi, you are connecting to a wireless router that allows your Wi-Fi-compatible devices to interface with the Internet.

While the Wi-Fi signal may be strong, it is shared by all users connected to a particular hotspot.

How Wi-Fi Works:

Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit information between your device and your router via frequencies. Depending on the amount of data being sent, two radio wave frequencies can be used: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The higher the frequency, the more data is transmitted per second.

The two Wi-Fi frequencies are split into multiple channels to prevent high traffic and interference. You initiate the first step in the process (the user). When you access the Internet on your device, it converts the information you request into binary code.

The router then converts the frequencies back into a binary code and translates the code into the Internet traffic you requested, and the router receives that data over a hardwired Internet cable. This process repeats until you are done loading anything that requires the Internet.

Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi – FAQs

Can I use Ethernet and Wi-Fi both?

Of course, you can. You can use an Ethernet cable to connect certain devices that need a quick connection, like your TV. Then you can use Wi-Fi to connect your other mobile devices, such as your cell phone and tablet, so you don’t have to plug them in to use them.

Do I need an Ethernet cable if I have Wi-Fi?

If the device you are using does not support connecting to Wi-Fi, you can use an Ethernet cable to connect to the network.

How to choose a suitable Ethernet cable?

If your Internet connection speed is 100Mbps or less, you can use a Cat 5 cable. However, if your Internet connection speed is higher than 100Mbps, use a Cat 5e or newer cable.

Conclusion

All in all, there are pros and cons to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and you need to understand what you need from an Internet connection. Then decide which type of connection you want to use.