When it comes to home internet connections, sooner or later everyone arrives at this question: Should I use an Ethernet cable or WiFi? Which is faster, which is more reliable, and which suits your situation better?
In this article, we will compare wired (Ethernet) and wireless (WiFi) networks in detail. We will look not only at theoretical speed values but also at real-world differences — based on latency, stability, interference, and practical considerations.
What is Ethernet and how does it work?
Ethernet is a wired network technology that connects your device to the router or modem via a copper cable (usually called a „patch cable” or „LAN cable”). The most common types are:
| Cable Category | Maximum theoretical speed | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 1 Gbps (1000 Mb/s) | General home use, gigabit networks |
| Cat6 | 10 Gbps up to 55 meters | Home and office networks, higher bandwidth |
| Cat6a | 10 Gbps up to 100 meters | Professional environments, data centers |
| Cat7 / Cat8 | 10–40 Gbps | Users with special needs, servers |
In practice, most home internet service provider packages offer speeds below 1 Gbps, so a Cat5e or Cat6 cable is more than sufficient for most Hungarian households.
Advantages
- Stable, constant connection
- Low latency (ping)
- No interference from neighbors or walls
- Full bandwidth is available
Disadvantages
- Cabling is required (walls, stairs, doors)
- Only devices near the router (or with in-wall network cabling) can use it
- Limited mobility
What is WiFi and how does it work?
WiFi is a wireless network technology that transmits data via radio waves. No cable is needed — the connection between the router and the device (laptop, phone, TV) is established through the air.
| WiFi standard | Theoretical max. speed | Note |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi 4 (802.11n) | 150–600 Mbps | Already outdated, 2.4 GHz band |
| WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | 433 Mbps – 3.5 Gbps | Currently the most widespread, 5 GHz band |
| WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 600 Mbps – 9.6 Gbps | Modern standard, more efficient for multiple devices |
| WiFi 6E | 600 Mbps – 9.6 Gbps | With an additional 6 GHz band |
| WiFi 7 (802.11be) | up to 40+ Gbps | Available from 2024–2025, still rare |
Important: these are theoretical maximums. In reality, WiFi speed is reduced by many factors — distance from the router, walls and obstacles, interference from neighboring networks, multiple connected devices.
Advantages
- No need for cabling
- Mobility — you can connect from anywhere within network coverage
- Easy to connect multiple devices (phone, tablet, smart home devices)
- More aesthetic — no visible cables
Disadvantages
- Speed may fluctuate due to interference
- Higher latency (ping)
- Distance and obstacles reduce speed
- Multiple devices compete for bandwidth simultaneously
Ethernet vs WiFi speed: the reality
Manufacturers always list the theoretical maximum on the box, but reality is far from that.
Theoretical speed vs actual speed
Let's say you have a 500 Mb/s (megabit per second) internet package.
With Ethernet (Cat5e or better cable):
Actual speed: 450–495 Mbps (loss is minimal, depending on cable quality and length)
Ping: 1–3 ms (milliseconds)
Stability: 100% — the connection almost never drops
With WiFi (WiFi 5, next to the router, in the same room):
Actual speed: 200–350 Mbps (50–70% of the theoretical maximum)
Ping: 5–20 ms
Stability: 95–99% — there may be minor interruptions, signal fluctuations
With WiFi (WiFi 5, one room away, through a wall):
Actual speed: 80–180 Mbps (up to 70% loss possible!)
Ping: 10–40 ms
Stability: variable — stuttering may occur with strong interference
With WiFi (WiFi 6, one room away):
Actual speed: 150–300 Mbps (better than WiFi 5, but Ethernet still beats it)
Ping: 5–15 ms
In summary: with an Ethernet cable always you get close to your contracted speed. With WiFi, you can lose 20–70% of your speed depending on conditions.
Latency (ping) comparison
Latency (ping) measures how long it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the destination server and back. The lower it is, the faster the response time.
| Use case | Ethernet (ping) | WiFi (ping) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| General browsing | 1–5 ms | 5–30 ms | The difference is not noticeable |
| Online gaming (FPS, racing, MOBA) | 1–5 ms | 10–50 ms | Critical — The advantage of Ethernet is huge |
| Video calls (Zoom, Teams, Meet) | 1–5 ms | 5–20 ms | Noticeable only with a weak signal |
| Streaming (Netflix, YouTube) | 1–5 ms | 5–30 ms | Latency is rarely a problem |
Attention gamers: If you play online games (especially FPS games like Valorant, CS2, Overwatch, or racing games), Ethernet is clearly the better choice. The extra 10–40 ms latency over WiFi can put you at a serious disadvantage in competitive games.
When should you choose Ethernet?
- Online gaming — the lowest ping and a stable connection are essential
- Home office — video calls, uploading large files, VPN connections
- Downloading and uploading large files — video editing, blueprints, large databases
- Streaming (devices in a fixed location) — smart TV, game console, media server
- Smart home hub — reliability matters here too
- If you can — the simplest rule: anything that doesn't move should be wired
When is WiFi sufficient?
- General browsing — social media, news, email
- Streaming on mobile or tablet — watching your series in bed or on the couch
- Guest network — devices of acquaintances and friends
- Smart home devices — bulbs, thermostat, sensors (these don't require high bandwidth)
- The router and the device are in the same room — minimal signal loss
- You don't play competitive online games
How to combine the two at home?
In most Hungarian households, a hybrid solution is the winner: devices in fixed locations connect via Ethernet, while mobile devices use WiFi.
If the router isn't in the right place, you have two options:
- Longer Ethernet cable — cables up to 20–30 meters are available and can be discreetly routed along baseboards. The solution costs around 10–15 thousand forints.
- Powerline adapter — carries the internet through the electrical wiring. Simpler, but the speed may be lower than with an Ethernet cable.
- Mesh WiFi system — if WiFi coverage is the issue, a modern mesh system (e.g., TP-Link Deco, Asus AiMesh) can help a lot. Still, stability and speed lag behind Ethernet.
Ethernet vs WiFi — quick comparison table
| Aspect | Ethernet | WiFi |
|---|---|---|
| Real-world speed | 90–99% of the contracted speed | 30–70% of the contracted speed |
| Latency (ping) | 1–5 ms | 5–50 ms |
| Stability | Excellent | Variable (depends on interference) |
| Mobility | None | Full |
| Installation complexity | Cabling required | Works out of the box |
| Cost (additional) | Cable price (a few thousand HUF) | No additional cost |
| Aesthetics | Visible cables | Clean, tidy |
| Security | Physical access required | Unauthorized users can also connect |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much slower is WiFi than Ethernet?
WiFi is generally 30–60% slower than Ethernet, depending on conditions. On a 500 Mbps connection, Ethernet delivers 490 Mbps, while on WiFi 5 the same can drop to as low as 150–200 Mbps in a distant room.
Is it worth buying Cat6 cable instead of Cat5e?
For home use (internet plans below 1 Gbps), Cat5e is more than sufficient. Cat6 is needed if you build a 10 Gbps local network (NAS, server, large file transfers). Cat5e is cheaper and works just as well at gigabit speeds.
Will buying a newer router improve my WiFi speed?
Yes, but only if your devices also support the new standard. A WiFi 6 router with a WiFi 5 laptop won't bring dramatic improvements. The biggest gains come from mesh systems or better router placement.
Can I use Ethernet and WiFi simultaneously on the same router?
Yes, and this is the most common setup. The router automatically manages connected devices — wired ones connect via Ethernet, others via WiFi. All devices use the same internet connection.
How much does it cost to set up an Ethernet network at home?
A 10-meter patch cable costs 2–5 thousand HUF, a 20-meter one 5–8 thousand HUF. If you have a recessed network installed in the wall (with outlets, concealed cabling), it can cost 30–100 thousand HUF — but it lasts a lifetime.
WiFi 6 or Ethernet in 2026?
WiFi 6 has greatly improved stability and handling multiple devices, but Ethernet remains more reliable and faster. The final choice depends on what you do online. For gaming, home office: Ethernet. For browsing, streaming: WiFi is also perfect.
Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
The answer is simpler than you think: whatever is in a fixed location gets Ethernet; whatever moves gets WiFi.
If your options allow, it's worth connecting at least the most used device (desktop PC, game console, work laptop) with an Ethernet cable. The rest goes over WiFi. With this hybrid solution, most households can get 90% of the maximum out of their internet plan.
- Ethernet is faster and more stable — real-world speed is closer to the contracted value
- WiFi is more convenient but loses speed — especially through walls and over distance
- The hybrid solution is the best — you can take advantage of both technologies
- Your decision depends on your usage habits — think through what you use the internet for
If you'd like to measure your own network's performance, visit the speedtest365.hu to the page and run a measurement first on Ethernet, then on WiFi. The difference will be visible even with your own eyes.