Is Ethernet worth it?

In this new age of wireless networking, Ethernet is a known standard for wired connections for computer devices. But, is Ethernet still worth it in this new era of technological and wireless connectivity?

Wireless networking allows users to exercise convenience and flexibility when performing tasks that require accessing the internet. However, it is more common for wireless networks to take their time while loading large files or streaming high-quality videos, making it unreliable. As a result, many people still prefer using Ethernet connections as it is a known standard for wired connections for computers and other internet-enabled devices.

Generally, Ethernet is a Local Area Networking System that allows connected devices to access the internet using various wired technology. Similarly, this type of wired connectivity is standardized as IEEE 802.3 and is also used in Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). There are several advantages to using wired Ethernet connections, like better coverage, better speeds, and more reliability, that make it worth your while.

Is Ethernet faster than wireless connections?

Basically, Ethernet connections are much faster than wireless connections. However, over the years, Wi-Fi has become drastically faster than it was a few decades ago, thanks to IEEE standards like 802.11n and 802.11ac that offer maximum transmission speeds of 150Mbps and 866.7Mbps respectively. Despite these Wi-Fi standards having such high theoretical rates, you will likely not experience these speeds in real-life. However, their speed is still sufficient to support the workload of your daily tasks.

Depending on the type of cable you are using, wired Ethernet connections offer theoretical maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps, especially for Cta6 cables and newer. However, even the standard Cat5e cable provides a maximum speed of 1Gbps, which is much higher than that of Wi-Fi. More so, these speeds are more stable than those offered by wireless networks.

It is vital to keep in mind that the speed of your internet connection determines the speed and consistency of the type of connection. If your internet connection is slow, it does not matter what kind of connection you are using, as its performance will also be significantly slow. However, Ethernet connections will be faster than Wi-Fi regardless of the speed of your internet connection. When it comes to Ethernet connections, its maximum speed primarily depends on the hardware used.

Does Ethernet offer less latency than Wi-Fi?

Latency is another crucial factor when considering the speed and quality of your connection. In relation to an internet connection, latency refers to the delay experienced when traffic moves from one device to its destination.

If you are looking to significantly reduce latency as much as possible, especially when playing online games or streaming high-quality videos, you are better off with a wired Ethernet connection. Yes, there might be other factors affecting latency along the way, but they are minimal compared to Wi-Fi.

You can test the latency of your connection by running the latency, also known as ping in the online gaming world, at your Command Prompt or terminal. While connected to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, ping your router’s IP address and compare the results, you get to see how much latency Wi-Fi adds. You will find that Wi-Fi experience more delays as its signals travel back and forth from a wireless router to a connected device. Wired Ethernet connections offer much less latency.

Wireless connection reliability and interference

As a matter of fact, Ethernet offers a more reliable internet connection than wireless networks. Wi-Fi faces much more interference than wired connections as it uses radio waves to transmit its signals. These radio waves are highly susceptible by other consumer electronic devices, such as microwaves, garage door openers, cordless phones, or Bluetooth, among many others. Similarly, the radio waves can be easily obstructed by physical structures like thick walls.

Such interference and obstructions result in several issues, like dropped signals that cause your connected device to connect and disconnect, higher latency, and lower signal quality. If you are only using the internet to perform ordinary browsing tasks or streaming videos, these are not dire issues that will affect your online experience. However, if you are playing online games, such a connection is pretty irritating. Luckily, there are various steps you can take to mitigate the interference of your wireless connection to get a better signal quality.

So, is using Ethernet worth it?

Wi-Fi internet connections are quite convenient and flexible, especially if you are on the move and need internet access. Such connections are also relatively fast and reliable for basic tasks performed on networks.

However, if you have a server, desktop Pc, or a Smart TV that sits in a single place, Ethernet is definitely a good option. Not only does it provide better quality streaming capabilities, but it offers a much faster reaction time for online gamers than wireless networks. However, you have to know how to connect the devices properly for a consistent and solid connection.

Conclusion

Wired Ethernet connections have several advantages over Wi-Fi connections, like lower latency, and high and reliable transmission speeds. Despite the popularity of wireless networks, Ethernet cabling will continue to be used when wiring up routers together or connecting switches. If you need maximum stability and speed, wired Ethernet connections are definitely the way to go. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I switch off my Wi-Fi connection when using Ethernet?

When connected to a wired Ethernet connection, it is always advisable to disable your Wi-Fi as it can drain the battery of your connected device.

Is it possible to use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections simultaneously?

Yes, you can connect your device to the wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connection of a network at the same time.