Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: Here’s What I Found When I Tested Them At My Home

A comparison of Wi-Fi and Ethernet for home internet connectivity.

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Wi-Fi and Ethernet: What's the Difference?

When it comes to connecting your local devices to the internet, you have two main options: Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Wi-Fi is a wireless connection that allows you to connect your devices without plugging in any cables. Ethernet, on the other hand, is a wired connection that requires you to connect your devices to your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.

Both options have their pros and cons, so it's important to understand the differences and choose the one that best suits your needs.

My Home Internet Experiment

To test the differences between Wi-Fi and Ethernet, I conducted an experiment using Speedtest by Ookla, a reliable speed testing tool. I tested my internet speed using both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections to see which one was faster.

The results were surprising. Over Wi-Fi, I experienced download speeds of around 126 megabits per second. However, when I switched to an Ethernet connection, my download speed jumped to 395Mbps, nearly three times faster than Wi-Fi.

Pros and Cons of Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet have their advantages and disadvantages. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

Wi-Fi: Pros - convenience, mobility, affordability. Cons - congestion, limited range, security risks.

Ethernet: Pros - reliability, faster speeds, secure connections. Cons - limited mobility, limited number of connected devices, cost.