Ethernet and wifi are a couple of complicated subjects – there’s no doubt about it.
When it comes to getting the speeds or the connection convenience you need for your average work-day, you shouldn’t be messing around.
And with so many different opposing perks attached to each method, there is a need for information now more than ever. Let me show you all of the differences between ethernet cables and standard wifi so that you can use the connection method that works best for you.
Convenience
In a world where so many people are buzzing around like bees, a need for portable internet came to be. People were tired of being chained to their “personal-computers” all day at work.
Next thing the world knew, people could connect to the internet without any wires at all! Sure, the laptop computers they were using were slower than anything else, but it was still cool!
As far as convenience goes, wifi takes the cake. I mean, can you imagine what the world would be like today if we were never given the capability to access the internet wirelessly?
It would be chaos. The fact that you can sit on the toilet and browse memes for as long as you want is groundbreaking.
The only downside to wifi is its speed. Many people wouldn’t even be able to notice the speed differences between an ethernet cable and a wifi connection, but all of us nerds out there can usually pick up on it.
Your wifi speeds are usually sitting around 4-5 Mbps if you have a halfway decent connection, but compared to ethernet – it’s hot garbage.
Speed
Browsing Reddit on your phone doesn’t take too much speed, but if you want to have a streamlined work-experience, then a faster internet connection is going to make all the difference.
Even if all you can do is plug your CAT-5e cable into the ethernet port to boost your speeds even a little bit, it’ll be worth it.
A solid wired connection to the internet is important for work and school, but it’s a requirement if you want to get into PC gaming.
I mean, who buys and builds a custom $5,000 PC just to end up lagging in every server they join? Nobody.
If you’re going to be doing anything that involves connecting to people using the internet, then a wired connection should be your first choice.
If you like to work all-around your house and you don’t want to be restricted to one area, wifi is the way to go.
Verdict
Ethernet connections can give you speed that’ll blow wifi speeds out of the water, but wifi can offer you a level of convenience that no other connection method can.
Price isn’t much of a talking point when it comes to internet connections since the router is required for the connection regardless.
There are a few different ethernet cables you can purchase that’ll give you different speeds – at different costs.
You won’t end up spending over $40 extra for your cable, but at the end of the day, your cable is what’s giving you the speeds you need.
Also, the cables can be quite long and even extended throughout your house if you so desire.
The Internet is a precious thing, so we know your connection method matters to you.
That is why I’d say ethernet is a great choice for any gamer, student, or even professor that needs to spend a lot of time at the desk. If you’re just sitting around checking the internet for piping-hot memes, wifi is a method for you.