The term Ethernet refers to a wired connection that transmits data through cables, while Wi-Fi refers to a wireless connection that uses radio waves to transmit data. Which is better?  Ethernet  and Wi-Fi each have their strengths and weaknesses, so neither is better overall, but each is suitable for different use cases.

(Spoiler alert: Ethernet is faster, more reliable, and more secure, but Wi-Fi's convenience and mobility are enough to make Wi-Fi more popular in most consumer devices.)

What is Ethernet good for?

Ethernet is a local area network (LAN) standard—the most recent being IEEE 802.3ae—for connections between devices in a physical space. Connections  are made through the LAN port on the device using coaxial, twisted pair, or fiber optic cables (the three main types of Ethernet cables).  (Misnomer, Wireless Ethernet (WLAN) uses radio waves rather than cables to transmit data between devices, and is thus a Wi-Fi setup.)

Ethernet cables are used to connect devices such as computers or printers (usually within a LAN) to a network or a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet, or within a WAN. Ethernet itself is not a LAN, it is a  shared network, limited to a specific geographic area, that uses Ethernet to connect to the Internet or to devices within your own network.

For businesses, Ethernet is used to ensure secure communications, enable fast and stable connections, control which devices connect to the corporate network, allow employees to share resources, and download large files.

In industry, Ethernet cables are used to securely connect machines and equipment during production on the factory floor. Industrial protocols such as EtherNet/IP connect edge devices to controllers such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs).

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) enables data transfer between field devices and the cloud. It uses a pair of wires that can transfer data at speeds of up to 1 Gbps over short distances. (Traditional Ethernet uses four twisted pairs.) The SPE also supports Power over Data Line (PoDL), which simultaneously supplies power to end devices. Ethernet's Advanced Physical Layer (APL) allows a single pair to be wired up to 1,000 m of cable.

In the home, an Ethernet connection is best for heavy-duty processing, such as gaming, streaming, or downloading large files.

What is Wi-Fi good for?

Wi-Fi is a communication protocol based on the IEEE 802.11x standard for implementing Wi-Fi networks. While Ethernet may be faster and more secure, Wi-Fi is a more attractive option for the average user. For example, Wi-Fi carries the majority of IP traffic at 70.6%, due to its flexible connectivity options and portability. Wi-Fi is not limited to Internet use; it replaces cables and wires with radio signals and is used for many types of data exchange, such as streaming video between devices.

How do Ethernet and Wi-Fi compete with each other?

speed

Ethernet is faster. These numbers vary -- depending on what happens to Ethernet over the cable used, and what happens to standard Wi-Fi -- but Ethernet speeds are up to 40 Gbps using Cat8 cables, and Wi-Fi speeds are up to 10 Gbps 5G, the latest 802.11 standard, is possible. (Actually, 5G's actual speeds are much lower than the above figures.) 6G is still in the experimental stage and is expected to be commercially available around 2030, but it is expected to be 100 times faster than 5G.

reliability

Ethernet signals do not fluctuate, unlike Wi-Fi signals that are prone to signal interference and disconnection, and weaken when passing through physical objects such as walls. Ethernet provides consistent communication and reduces latency.

easy to use

Ethernet can require extensive wiring and can be complex and time-consuming to install and maintain. It requires a LAN port to connect the device. Mobility is limited by the length of the cable. Wi-Fi requires no cables or ports and is completely portable with no cable clutter. It requires an internal or external antenna. The good news is that modern Ethernet-based devices all have built-in Wi-Fi that can be used at the same time. While desktop computers have LAN ports, most modern mobile devices such as laptops and tablets do not.

cost

For basic installations, Ethernet setup is cost effective, but only one connection can be set up for one device at a time; the cost of wiring and switch boxes for multiple connections can add up. Most Wi-Fi devices have built-in antennas, and new connections can be easily added at no extra cost. However, using Wi-Fi may require equipment enhancements or extensions to reduce signal interference, which is an additional cost.

Safety

Ethernet establishes a direct, secure connection to a network, which is why it has traditionally been widely used in industry. Since the evolution of IT/OT convergence in recent years, the biggest risk facing the industrial sector is security, with data on previously siled Ethernet networks becoming more vulnerable to cyber attacks.

scalability

Unlike Ethernet, connecting multiple devices over a Wi-Fi network is easy.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Ethernet allows power to be transferred from a computer to an external device such as a camera.

Mobility and Convenience

Wi-Fi allows users to be completely mobile. It's also more convenient in a smart home without the clutter of cables. Ethernet users are physically limited by the length of the cables used.

final thoughts

Wi-Fi's flexibility and convenience suggest that Wi-Fi may become a "better" overall choice in the future. or will it For many pundits, the benefits of Ethernet -- speed, reliability, low latency, and security -- far outweigh Wi-Fi, aside from the mobility factor. Future generations of Wi-Fi, even 7G with 100 Gbps speeds, are unlikely to fully replace Ethernet, experts say.

In specialized industries such as oil and gas, utilities, telecommunications, and manufacturing, the cost and logistics of repurposing millions of pieces of equipment across geographic locations can be prohibitively high. And, like Wi-Fi, Ethernet is evolving, albeit at a slower speed. Terabit Ethernet (TbE) may in the future allow data transfer rates in excess of 100 Gbps.

As for which is better: For now, the choice is the convenience and faster speed of a wireless connection, and the more secure and reliable connection, as long as you stay close to the LAN.