Wi-Fi vs Ethernet: which is better?
A cable is usually steadier, lower in ping and less affected by walls and neighbours. Wi-Fi is more convenient and good enough for most phones, laptops and streaming. Use a cable for things that stay in one place, like a console, a TV or a desktop.
Side by side
| Ethernet cable | Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|
| Ping and lag | Usually lower | Usually a little higher |
| Steadiness | Very steady | Varies with signal and interference |
| Speed | Reaches your plan speed easily | Can fall with distance and walls |
| Convenience | Needs a cable | No cables, works anywhere in range |
| Interference | Almost none | Neighbours, walls, microwave ovens |
When a cable is worth it
- Gaming consoles and gaming PCs.
- Desktops and work-from-home setups with many calls.
- Smart TVs and streaming boxes that stay in one place.
- Any device that is far from the router and slow on Wi-Fi.
Putting fixed devices on a cable also frees Wi-Fi for everything else.
When Wi-Fi is fine
Phones, tablets and laptops you move around, and light use such as browsing and music. If a test on Wi-Fi next to the router is already close to your plan speed, you may not need a cable.
Test the difference yourself
- Run the SpeedUp test on Wi-Fi, close to the router.
- Plug a laptop into the router with a cable and run it again.
- Compare download, ping and jitter.
If you cannot run a cable
Powerline adapters use your home wiring, and results depend heavily on that wiring. MoCA adapters use coaxial cable if your home has it. A second access point connected by a cable also helps. See how to fix slow Wi-Fi.
Choosing a cable
For home use, most modern cables are fine. See Cat5e vs Cat6.