Is Ethernet Faster Than WiFi?

Have you ever asked yourself if it's better to be wired or wireless, and what difference would that make to your internet speed? 

Well, you might want to read on to find out which is faster between Ethernet and WiFi. Before we can get on to answering which of the two is faster, we should first define what they are and how each works. 

What Is Ethernet? 

Ethernet was first introduced in 1980 as a technology that will enable devices such as computers to communicate with each other by connecting them in a wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). What this means is that these devices use a single protocol—a common network language or set of rules that they operate in.

Ethernet is available in several varieties including fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10 Gigabit-Ethernet which provide consistent speed with low latency. Despite the Wi-Fi rising to become the more popular choice for consumers today, many businesses and homes still rely on Ethernet. 

The benefit that comes with using the Ethernet is its lack of reliance on radio waves, which can be easily interfered with. Its hardwired connection to the internet makes it a more stable and secure connection than Wi-Fi. 

What Is Wi-Fi? 

In plain terms, Wi-Fi is a networking technology that allows devices such as computers and smartphone devices to connect to the internet and/or communicate with each other Via a wireless radio signal that is transmitted from a router to any device that is within a particular area. Unlike Ethernet, Wi-Fi does not provide a stable and secure connection. It comes short on the max speed that one can access from an Ethernet connection. 

A great benefit of using Wi-Fi is, It's much easier to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi because of its lack of reliance on wires, which provides greater mobility. 

How Does Wi-Fi Compare to Ethernet In Terms of Speed? 

As mentioned above, Ethernet has a variety of options for speeds, ranging from just fast Ethernet to up to 10Gbps (Gigabits per second). A Wi-Fi on the other hand can theoretically only provide up to 6.9 Gbps, but this is only in theory. You can hardly ever get anything more than 1 Gbps from a Wi-Fi connection. 

Pro gamers and businesses use Ethernet because it transmits data over a cable, which provides consistent fast internet speeds than Wi-Fi.

What Can Affect Internet Speed? 

One of the main things that impact internet speed is interference, which speaks to reliability. Wi-Fi relies on radio waves, which are frequencies that travel wirelessly from one device to another. These waves can be hindered by objects such as walls, which reduce the strength of the signal from the router. Radio waves can also be interfered with by opposing radio signals coming from other radio wave transmitters, such as a neighbor's Wi-Fi network and other electronics that use radio waves. 

In the end, when answering the question, is Ethernet faster than WiFi? There’s no conclusive answer because Ethernet and Wi-Fi are perfect for different uses, it all boils down to what the individual prefers.

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