Ethernet vs Wi-Fi: Does Wired Still Matter in 2025?

Uncategorised | 22 July 2025

Picture this: you’re sitting in your home office, laptop open, ready to dive into an important video call with your boss. You click “join meeting” and… buffering. Your Wi-Fi is acting up again, and suddenly you’re frantically searching for that old Ethernet cable you swore you’d never need again. Sound familiar?

In our wireless-everything world, where even our coffee makers connect to Wi-Fi, you might wonder if those trusty old cables still have a place in 2025. The short answer? Absolutely. Think of wired internet like a dedicated highway, while Wi-Fi is more like city streets, sometimes it’s faster to take the direct route, even if it means dealing with a cable or two. This is why the ethernet vs Wi-Fi 2025 discussion is more relevant than ever.

Quick Definition: The Basics

Ethernet is your classic wired internet connection, a cable that runs directly from your router to your device, creating a dedicated pathway for your data. 

Wi-Fi beams your internet through radio waves, letting you connect wirelessly from anywhere within range. Both get you online, but they take very different approaches to the journey.

Why We Fell in Love with Wi-Fi 

Let’s be honest, Wi-Fi feels like magic. Remember the excitement of untethering your laptop from that desk in the corner? Suddenly, you could work from the couch, stream Netflix in bed, or video chat with friends from your kitchen while making dinner.

The convenience factor can’t be overstated. Wi-Fi made our homes truly “smart”, your Ring doorbell, Alexa devices, smart TV, and dozens of other gadgets all connect seamlessly without a single cable snaking across your living room. Your smartphone wouldn’t be nearly as useful if it needed to plug into the wall every time you wanted to check Instagram.

Plus, there’s the aesthetic appeal. No one wants their beautifully decorated home office turned into a server room with cables everywhere. Wi-Fi keeps things clean, minimalist, and flexible. When you rearrange furniture or move to a new apartment, your internet moves with you, no rewiring required. Still, when comparing wired connection vs wireless, appearance may be the only category Wi-Fi wins outright.

Why Ethernet Still Shines in 2025

Despite Wi-Fi’s obvious appeal, wired connections haven’t become obsolete; they’ve gotten better. So, is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi in most scenarios? Absolutely — and here’s why:

Speed That Actually Delivers

According to Ookla’s published report, a typical home Wi-Fi network in a US household will run at just 42% the speed of a wired connection. That’s not a typo; your Wi-Fi is likely running at less than half the speed of what Ethernet could deliver to the same device.

Think of it this way: if you’re paying for gigabit internet like MATE’s Flamin Fast nbn plan (1,000 Mbps), your Wi-Fi might actually deliver around 420 Mbps on a good day, while Ethernet could get you the full 831+ Mbps your plan advertises. That difference in Ethernet speed 2025 performance can have a real impact.

Rock-Solid Stability

Wi-Fi signals have to navigate through walls, dodge interference from microwaves and baby monitors, and compete with your neighbour’s dozen connected devices. Ethernet doesn’t care about any of that. If you run that data over a wire, on the other hand, it’s unaffected by interference.

For anyone who’s ever been kicked out of a video call because someone started the microwave, this stability isn’t just nice, it’s essential. It’s one of the biggest advantages of Ethernet over Wi-Fi.

Lower Latency for Real-Time Performance

Latency is the time it takes for your command to reach its destination, this matters more than you might think. Ethernet almost always offers lower latency. A wired connection avoids the noise and interference that can plague Wi-Fi, so your commands reach the server faster, and that means fewer moments where you get shot before you even see the enemy.

Even if you’re not gaming, low latency improves video calls, makes cloud applications feel snappier, and reduces those annoying moments when Netflix takes forever to respond to your remote.

Enhanced Security

Ethernet is also more secure. Whereas Wi-Fi is out there in the air, waiting to be sniffed, hacked, intercepted, or just plain joined by people who figure out the password, Ethernet runs your data over a wire. So an attacker would have to enter your home to access it.

While modern Wi-Fi security (like WPA3) is quite good, there’s something reassuring about data that never broadcasts through the air in the first place.

The Latest Wireless Leap: Wi-Fi 7 Arrives

Just when you thought Wi-Fi had reached its peak, along comes Wi-Fi 7 with some genuinely impressive improvements. Wi-Fi 7 brings some serious speed, aiming for up to 46 Gbps with its fancy tech, like 16 spatial streams and 320 MHz channels.

The new standard introduces Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which lets devices connect across multiple frequency bands simultaneously (imagine having three lanes of traffic instead of one). Wi-Fi 7 will see rapid adoption across a broad ecosystem with more than 2.1 billion devices shipping by 2028.

However, industry experts urge caution about expecting Wi-Fi 7 to completely replace wired connections. But it’s too early to make any kind of prediction on whether Wi-Fi 7 will actually replace Ethernet as the standard for enterprise LAN connectivity. The technology is impressive on paper, but real-world implementation and device compatibility will determine its true impact.

Head-to-Head: Real-World Speed Reality

When tech reviewers put Wi-Fi and Ethernet through their paces, the results consistently favor wired connections. Ethernet is just plain faster than Wi-Fi,  there’s no getting around that fact. But the real-world differences are smaller than you might think.

Here’s the breakdown: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which offers a maximum speed of about 9.6 gigabits per second. Even though this is a maximum speed for all your wireless devices to share (and you likely won’t get those speeds in the real world), Wi-Fi has improved significantly. On the other hand, a wired Ethernet connection can theoretically offer up to 10 Gbps, if you have a Cat6A cable.

The key difference? Unlike with Wi-Fi, that speed is consistent. Your Ethernet connection doesn’t slow down when your neighbour fires up their microwave or when a dozen family members start streaming videos simultaneously.

While you can reasonably expect to see transfer speeds of a few gigabits using Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, you will not see 9.6 Gigabits to any one device on the network. That advertised Wi-Fi speed gets shared among all connected devices, while Ethernet gives each wired device its full potential speed. This performance gap remains central in the Ethernet vs Wi-Fi 2025 comparison.

Latency and Gaming: Where Milliseconds Matter

For gamers, the choice between Wi-Fi and Ethernet often comes down to one word: latency. Latency (also known as ping) is a huge deal for online gaming. It measures how long it takes for your data to travel from your device to the game server and back. Lower latency = faster response times = better performance in multiplayer games.

If you’re playing shooters, MOBAs, or fighting games, latency is the thing that can make or break your game. Professional esports players almost universally choose wired connections for this reason. So, when debating between Wi-Fi or Ethernet for gaming, Ethernet remains the top pick.

But gaming isn’t the only application where latency matters. In gaming, for example, latency over 50 ms can start causing noticeable lag, affecting reaction times and overall gameplay. Video conferencing, cloud gaming, virtual reality, and even day-to-day web browsing all benefit from the consistently lower latency that Ethernet provides. For similar reasons, many professionals weigh up Ethernet vs Wi-Fi for remote work.

So, back to the original question: Ethernet vs Wi-Fi: what should you use for gaming? If you’re serious about online gaming, or you play games where every input matters (think: Fortnite, Valorant, CS2, Apex Legends, etc.), go with Ethernet.

Security Snapshot: Cables vs. Airwaves

When it comes to network security, the principles are pretty straightforward. Ethernet is generally safer because it’s not broadcasting your data through the air. It’s harder to intercept a wired connection unless someone physically taps into it (which is… unlikely at home).

Modern Wi-Fi security has improved dramatically with WPA3 encryption and other advances, but the fundamental vulnerability remains: wireless signals can be intercepted by anyone within range. Wi-Fi can be secure too, if your network is protected with a strong password and up-to-date encryption like WPA3, but in shared or public networks, Ethernet has the edge. That’s why security-conscious users still prefer wired internet 2025 setups.

For most home users, properly secured Wi-Fi is perfectly adequate. But for handling sensitive work documents, financial information, or running a home business, the inherent security advantage of wired connections provides valuable peace of mind.

When You Should Choose One Over the Other 

The best connection choice depends entirely on how you use the internet. Here’s when each option shines:

Choose Ethernet when:

• Working from home with important video calls (nothing worse than freezing mid-presentation)
• Gaming competitively or streaming your gameplay
• Transferring large files between devices on your network
• Running a home office or handling sensitive business data
• Streaming 4K or 8K content without buffering
• Using VR headsets that demand consistent, low-latency connections

Choose Wi-Fi when:

• Using mobile devices (obviously)
• Casual web browsing and social media
• Smart home devices and IoT gadgets
• Areas where running cables isn’t practical
• Temporary setups or frequently moved devices

For streaming and entertainment: Use an Ethernet connection with a device that won’t be moved. This includes desktop computers, game consoles, smart TVs, and streaming devices. Your Netflix experience will thank you. If you’re comparing Ethernet vs Wi-Fi for streaming, Ethernet is more consistent and less prone to buffering.

For smart home devices: Wi-Fi is the best way to take advantage of a device’s portability. Use Wi-Fi with your smartphone and other portable devices, such as laptops and tablets. In these cases, it’s wired connection vs wireless convenience, and wireless wins.

Hybrid Best-of-Both Worlds: Smart Mixed Setups

The smartest homes and offices in 2025 don’t choose sides; they use both. A combination of Ethernet and Wi-Fi is ideal. Most homes have a combination of both portable devices and devices that aren’t going to move very often.

Combining Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet can give businesses the best of both worlds: flexibility with Wi-Fi 7 and rock-solid reliability with Ethernet. This hybrid approach is becoming increasingly popular as flexible or open workspaces, Wi-Fi 7 makes it easy to rearrange without worrying about where the wires are. The growing Wi-Fi 7 vs Ethernet conversation has made many users realise they don’t need to choose — they can combine.

Consider this setup: run Ethernet to your main work desk, gaming setup, smart TV, and streaming devices. Use Wi-Fi for phones, tablets, laptops when you’re mobile, and all those smart home gadgets. If you work from home, one option is to run an Ethernet cable to your desk and connect it to a USB-C or Thunderbolt docking station with an Ethernet port. Then, you’ll get a better connection whenever you hook up to your monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Even your Wi-Fi network can benefit from strategic Ethernet use. And even if you love Wi-Fi and hate wires, Ethernet might still be the best way to put a wireless access point in that Wi-Fi dead spot in your bedroom.

Simple How-To Tips: Getting the Most from Both

Test Your Current Setup: Want to see the difference for yourself? Use free tools like Speedtest.net or Fast.com to check your speeds on both Wi-Fi and wired connections. For latency testing, try PingPlotter or simply open your computer’s command prompt and type “ping google.com” to see your current ping times.

Upgrade Your Cables: Not all Ethernet cables are created equal. For modern setups, look for Cat6 or Cat6A cables (even Cat8), which can handle gigabit speeds and beyond. They’re surprisingly affordable—often under $20 for a 5 metre cable. Speed should be your top priority when you shop for an Ethernet cable. You don’t want to buy a 100Mbps Ethernet cable if you have a 400Mbps internet connection.

USB-C Ethernet Adapters: For modern laptops without built-in Ethernet ports, USB-C to Ethernet adapters offer an easy solution. Ethernet adapters can support up to 10Gbps if they use a USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3/4 port. Look for adapters that support your laptop’s full port capabilities. A simple way to bring wired internet 2025 speeds to a portable setup.

Optimise Your Wi-Fi: If you’re sticking with wireless, placement matters enormously. Put your router in a central, elevated location away from interference sources. Consider upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E if you haven’t already, the performance improvements are substantial. For larger homes, mesh systems can provide consistent coverage without the complexity of running cables.

Quality of Service (QoS) Settings: Most modern routers let you prioritise certain types of traffic. Enable QoS to give priority to video calls, gaming, or streaming — whatever matters most in your household. Helpful for any household juggling Ethernet vs Wi-Fii for remote work or play.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what really matters in 2025:

• Speed: Ethernet consistently delivers 2-3x faster real-world speeds than Wi-Fi in most homes 
• Stability: Wired connections don’t suffer from interference, signal drops, or congestion issues 
• Latency: Ethernet provides lower, more consistent latency — crucial for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications 
• Security: Physical connections are inherently more secure than wireless broadcasts 
• Wi-Fi 7: The latest wireless standard offers impressive improvements, but won’t fully replace Ethernet for critical applications 
• Hybrid approach: The smartest setups use both Ethernet for stationary, high-priority devices and Wi-Fi for mobile and convenience devices 
• Cost: Quality Ethernet cables are inexpensive; USB-C adapters make wired connections accessible to any laptop 
• Future-proofing: Both technologies will coexist; choose based on your specific needs rather than trying to pick a “winner” (Ethernet vs Wi-Fi 2025 doesn’t need a single answer)

The bottom line? In 2025, the question isn’t whether wired or wireless is “better”, it’s about using the right tool for each job. Your Netflix-streaming TV deserves the rock-solid reliability of Ethernet, while your smartphone obviously needs the freedom of Wi-Fi. The homes and offices that get the best internet experience thoughtfully combine both technologies because sometimes the old ways really are still the best ways, cables and all.

Ready to optimise your home network? Start by testing your current speeds on both connections, then consider where a well-placed Ethernet cable or two might solve your internet headaches once and for all.