Not so long ago, internet connections were all wired, but the contemporary world offers the choice between Wifi and wired connections. While the users might think that Wifi is always better just because it is modern, this is not always the case, as both Wifi and wired networks have their benefits and drawbacks. Before we dwell into details, let’s understand what we mean by wired and wifi connections.

Wired Connection:

A wired connection is a connection that is achieved with the help of the Ethernet cables that connect to the internet and transfer the data between various devices.

WiFi Connection:

WiFi or wireless internet connection is the type of connection that works with the help of radiofrequency or a microwave signal. You don't need to have an Ethernet cable for a WiFi connection. The connection is managed with the help of a wireless router that is linked to the internet modem. 

WiFi vs. Wired: How Do They Compare?

To illustrate how WiFi compares to wired networks, let's compare several performance factors in detail.

Transmission

As the definition suggests, a wired network uses cables to connect devices to the internet. In contrast, in a wireless network, the devices are connected with the help of a wireless access point.

Mobility

WiFi connections win over wired networks when it comes to mobility. You can use the devices linked to the WiFi networks anywhere where you can catch a signal. With a wired network, you will need an extra cable to connect a second device to the internet, which is inconvenient.

Speed

Generally speaking, wired networks are always faster than wireless ones because of the direct access to the network given by the cable. Unlike wired networks, WiFi connections also suffer from signal interference.

Moreover, WiFi connections are prone to the so-called dead zones, which are the areas in the house that are not covered by the wireless network, even though they are supposed to. There are no dead zones with wired networks because every device is connected directly to the Ethernet cable network.

With the Cat6 cable, the wired connection can go as high as 10 Gb/s, which can never be achieved with the WiFi network. That being said, the speed of the WiFi networks has grown significantly throughout the last few years, and the WiFi connection is enough for most of your daily tasks.

The average upload/download speed of the wired network is 60 Mbps /30 Mbps, whereas the average upload/download speed of the WiFi network is 20 Mbps/ 15 Mbps.

Security

Wired networks are considered more secure because access to wired networks requires physical access to the cable. With wireless networks, a person outside of your apartment or office building can theoretically access your network.

However, wired networks also require firewalls and security apps to be completely fireproof. Likewise, wireless networks can be totally safe with the right configurations and network security systems. The encryption technologies like WEP and WPA2 can protect wireless networks from violation.

Bandwidth

Wired internet has much better bandwidth than WiFi networks. This is because the data moves directly when the devices are connected via an Ethernet cable. With WiFi, there is a certain loss of signal expected when the signal travels through the air from one point to another.

Latency

The quality of the connection is determined not just by the speed or bandwidth but by latency as well. Latency is defined as the delay it takes for the traffic to reach the device from a destination. Wired connections are much better than wireless ones at avoiding latency.

Should I Choose Wired Or Wireless Internet?

When it comes to Wifi vs. wired, there is no real winner between the two, so the choice is up to you based on your specific preferences.

If you are a casual internet user that values convenience and uses multiple devices, including a smartphone and smart wireless devices for home, such as a robot vacuum cleaner, then Wifi is the best option for you. This is also true if you have smart devices, such as IoT, such as smart TVs, or smartwatches.

A wired connection is the best way to go for you if you are a gamer, are streaming from your PC, or are using a single desktop PC that has everything you need in one place. You should also think about installing an Ethernet connection if you are constantly sending large files via 

internet.

Cables For Wired Internet

If you choose to go for a wired connection, typical cables for a wired connection are unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable, shielded twisted pair (STP) cable, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable. Twisted pair cables are the most common type of cables used in the home, followed by the coaxial cable. However, fiber optic cables are getting more and more popular thanks to their speed and performance, even though they are significantly more expensive than the rest.  Nassau National Cable offers all of the above for some of the best prices in the industry, and has an impressive range.

Cables For a Wi-Fi Router

A WiFi router still needs cables to connect the router to a modem or to connect a wireless gateway to the internet in your home. Most common cables serving this goal are CAT5e, CAT6, and the cable of a new generation, CAT7. Some modern home networks operate on fiber optic cables. You can check the entire range of computer and data communication cables offered by Nassau National Cable here.