Why use Ethernet connections whenever possible?

While wireless is convenient, wired connections are still the best option, especially if you want to connect to the Internet. Instead of using WiFi, use Ethernet connections wherever possible, despite the inconvenience of having to plug in.

1. This is the safest way to connect to the Internet

One of the biggest advantages of using an Ethernet connection is that it is much more secure than WiFi. Public WiFi is not the safest way to access the Internet, especially if you are logging into a bank website or accessing other sensitive data online. WiFi is also vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks or rogue access points, which can lead to data leaks.

An Ethernet cable, on the other hand, gives you a direct, unobstructed link to your network router, which connects you to the Internet. Unless the Ethernet port you're plugging into is compromised, you're safe from any attacks hackers might launch at the router level. You can configure Windows to make your WiFi connection more secure, but it's never going to be as secure or as simple as plugging in an Ethernet cable.

2. Much better speed

Connecting via Ethernet automatically gives you the best speed, network stability, and overall bandwidth the network can provide. WiFi speeds are affected by many factors, including but not limited to bandwidth, network congestion, number of connected devices, etc. With a wired connection, you are more likely to get the most out of your network's bandwidth, regardless of how your WiFi performs.

Since WiFi signals degrade as you move away from the router, even if you have faster speeds, the connection quality can be poor, leading to issues like packet loss or network outages.

3. Ethernet is not affected by WiFi issues

If you don't set up your WiFi network properly, there are a number of problems you can run into, including slow speeds, poor range, or even being disconnected from the Internet. With Ethernet, there are no such problems. As long as your router can access the Internet, you can do it without any setup.

Additionally, if your WiFi stops working for whatever reason or you can't use it, Ethernet is the only way you can access your router to make any repairs or changes. Since Ethernet operates on a different level than WiFi, simply using a wired connection will bypass WiFi speed or connectivity issues on most, if not all, routers.

4. More trustworthy in public

Have you ever tried to connect to public WiFi in a library, airport, or even a classroom and been frustrated by slow speeds or constant disconnections? Public WiFi can be extremely unreliable depending on the number of people using a particular network, the overall bandwidth, and the networking equipment itself.

Ethernet, on the other hand, doesn't have these issues. As someone who frequently works in co-working spaces that have Ethernet ports available at their desks, plugging in a cable instead of using WiFi ensures that you have a fast and reliable Internet connection to get your work done.

5. Much better gaming experience

The benefits of connection quality and reliability that Ethernet brings make for a much better gaming experience. You don't need blazing fast download speeds when playing online games, but you do need a stable network that's free of jitter, latency, and packet loss. Ethernet is the easiest way to ensure that.

Whether you're playing on PC, Xbox, PS5, or any other console that supports an internet connection, using an Ethernet connection will minimize, if not eliminate, latency. You can prioritize specific traffic on your WiFi network to help minimize the problem, but Ethernet is still superior.

It can be difficult to find and use an Ethernet connection, especially when you're in a public place. Additionally, with newer laptops that don't have Ethernet ports, you may even have to carry an external adapter just to get your computer online.

However, the benefit of using an Ethernet connection is that you can work with peace of mind knowing that your Internet won't cut out in the middle of an important work call or important game, and that assurance is the biggest reason why many people always prefer Ethernet connections over WiFi.

Marvin Fry

Update 20 January 2025