The Difference Between Wi-Fi and Ethernet May Shock You: Here's What I Found After Testing Both

Before I started on the CNET broadband beat, I didn't know much about the internet. Like most people, I only thought about my internet when it wasn't working. As I started learning more about how the internet works, I realized just how much I'd overlooked. What exactly isWi-Fi? How does it compare to a wired Ethernet connection? I decided to test both to figure out for myself how Wi-Fi and Ethernet affect one's internet connection.

Like most answers to questions about broadband, which form of getting online is better depends onyour internet speed, how often you use the internet and what you use your broadband connection for most. The connection you choose will also usually come down to understanding the difference betweenadvertised speeds and real-world performance. Here's what I found.

Read more:I Tried Living Without the Internet for a Day: It Made Me Want to Throw Away My Phone

My Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet home experiment

First, let's clarify: Wi-Fi is a way to wirelessly connect to the internet. Whether cooking in the kitchen or sitting on the couch, a Wi-Fi connection will get your devices online without the need for cables or direct attachment to yourmodem or router. Ethernet is different. It's a wired network that gets plugged directly into your router. From your router, it gets plugged directly into your devices, which can be inconvenient but often results in a faster and reliableinternet connection. 

UsingOokla's Speedtest, CNET's pick for thebest internet speed test, I tried this out for myself by comparing my internet speed over Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections to see which was faster. You might be surprised at the difference, I certainly was. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

Over Wi-Fi, I was receiving download speeds of around 126Mbps. With Ethernet, my download speed immediately shot up to 395Mbps -- only 5Mbps away from what I'm actually paying for monthly from my internet provider,Comporium.

I never noticed much lag whenstreaming with Wi-Fi, which makes sense since you only need25Mbps to stream in Ultra HD 4K Video. But using an Ethernet cable made a noticeable difference in loading streaming content and while gaming. Movies, shows and live television downloaded much faster onHulu, HBO Max and Netflix. To maximize response time, I decided to plug my Ethernet cable into myPlayStation 5 indefinitely.

Then I wondered, why was Ethernet faster than my Wi-Fi connection?

What exactly is Wi-Fi?

In 1997, theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers developed, released and patented the first version of Wi-Fi. Since that release, the Wi-Fi Alliance (which now holds the trademark for Wi-Fi) has developed evolved versions of Wi-Fi, including current-gen Wi-Fi 7, that offer stronger and faster connections.

Most routers will be equipped withWi-Fi 6 orWi-Fi 6E, and although the connection may be stronger the closer you are to the router, you should be able to access the internet wherever you're located in your house.

Some areas of the house may create Wi-Fi "dead zones" with lagging speeds even if you are on your provider's fastest plan. My CNET colleague Trisha Jandoc discovered this when troubleshootingher lagging gigabit speeds at home. Dead zones are often inevitable when it comes to Wi-Fi, as. You can also run into interferences from your neighbor's network or other wireless devices in your household, including all your smart-home gadgets, Bluetooth devices and more.

It may help to purchase aWi-Fi extender that broadcasts signals to every room, which can result in fewer dead zones and a more reliable internet connection throughout the house.

What is Ethernet?

Ethernet standards are also defined by the IEEE and the wired network was the primary way to link devices together and connect to the internet. Before Wi-Fi, Ethernet was your primary option for connection.

A wired connection means you have to be near your equipment if you want to go online, but it is possible to wire your house with Ethernet cables, similar to cable wiring, although the procedure can be costly. 

What is the future of Ethernet?

Over the past decade,Ethernet has undergone many changes, and even more so with the increase of artificial intelligence.

According to the Ethernet Alliance, due to the rise anddemands of AI, Ethernet connection speeds are evolving and are projected to increase to 800 gigabits or (800,000 megabits per second) and beyond. That's quite impressive, though overkill for most households. Still, once it's easier to incorporate Ethernet cables into your work orgaming setup, you can imagine that consumers will want to ensure they're getting thefastest speeds in those spaces, consuming more bandwidth than others.

Read more:My T-Mobile 5G Home Internet experience: The good, bad and the unexpected

Wi-Fi and Ethernet compared

Wi-Fi and Ethernet have advantages and disadvantages depending on your personal needs. Here's what you need to know. 

Wi-Fi

Pros

• Convenience
• Mobility
• Affordability

Cons

• Congestion
• Limited range
• Security risks

Ethernet

Pros

• Reliability
• Faster speeds
• Secure connections

Cons

• Limited mobility
• Limited number of connected devices
• Cost

Which is cheaper?

It might seem like the cost of Wi-Fi and Ethernet would be similar -- since you're paying for the service, not themode of internet connection -- but Wi-Fi is actuallysignificantly cheaper than Ethernet. That mostly comes down to installation costs and the complexity of setting your home or office up for a wired Ethernet connection. For instance, installing an Ethernet setup often requires specificethernet ports, costing anywhere between $100 to $200. On the flip side, Wi-Fi installation costs an average of $45 to $100. In addition, Wi-Fi can handle a lot more devices than regular Ethernet cables can. To make it worthwhile, you would have to install a switch box or Ethernet jacks around your house to connect multiple devices to the internet.  

Which is faster?

Ethernet's main advantage is speed. Since your device is connected directly to the router -- compared to wirelessly through Wi-Fi -- you can expectfaster bandwidth, which is how much data you can transmit through an internet connection. According to WOW Internet, while Wi-Fi 6 technology can support speeds of up to 9,600Mbps, speeds usually average around 1,600Mbps, whereas an Ethernet connection can offer speeds of up to 10,000Mbps. These speeds seem really promising, but in reality, your household may not even need it.Openvault's Q4 2024 report highlights that the average American household uses under 600Mbps in downloads and just over 800Mbps for larger households (four or more members). So, gigabit speeds (1,000Mbps) should be plenty enough for your home. Plus, if you want multi-gig speeds with the latest Wi-Fi technology, you should firstmake sure your router is compatible.

Which is better for gaming?

Ethernet also boasts more consistent speeds since wired signals don't fluctuate as easily as wireless ones do. You also won't have to worry about latency issues or a lag in connection that sometimes occurs with local network congestion. Sincelower latency improves online gaming, Ethernet provides a smoother experience for online gamers.

Which is safer? 

One of Ethernet's advantages over Wi-Fi: the connection is safer and more secure.Hackers can more easily intercept data transmitted through Wi-Fi, but if they want to hack you over Ethernet, they need to physically connect to the router. 

Which is better overall? 

We recommend using Wi-Fi due to its convenience and ability to be used anywhere. Using an Ethernet connection all the time is just not practical. Using Wi-Fi, you can access the internet from anywhere in your house without plugging into a router. Ethernet limits your mobility, which is unrealistic if you have several people connecting multiple devices.

Testing my internet speeds with an Ethernet cable did help me pinpoint the root cause of my slow connection. Based on the drastic difference between the Wi-Fi and Ethernet speed tests, I determined that my Wi-Fi connection was to blame for the slow service, not my ISP throttling my speed. By plugging Ethernet cables into my PlayStation 5, I can use faster speeds and lower latency for an optimized gaming experience.

I haven't taken any steps yet to boost my Wi-Fi signals, but I might move my router to a more central area of my apartment or get an extender to help my speeds stay consistent. Former CNET colleague Ry Crist looked intomore ways to speed up your Wi-Fi, and you can bet I'll be taking his advice.

What's the bottom line on Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet?

Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet have their benefits when it comes to home broadband. Wi-Fi offers mobility and convenience, meaning you can access the internet anywhere in your home, while Ethernet provides faster and more secure connectivity.

Most of us will be better off with Wi-Fi because our homes and apartments are filled with smart devices. Ethernet is a great tool to increase responsiveness, especially for gamers who want less lag with online gaming.

Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet FAQs