Does an Ethernet Cable Speed Up WiFi? The Truth About Wired vs. Wireless Connections

Key Takeaways

• Ethernet doesn’t directly speed up WiFi, but it improves overall network performance by reducing congestion and freeing up wireless bandwidth.
  
• Wired connections offer faster speeds, lower latency and greater reliability—making them ideal for gaming, video calls, streaming and large file uploads.
  
• Using Ethernet for high-bandwidth or stationary devices helps your WiFi run more smoothly for mobile devices and casual browsing.
  
• Ethernet is best for desktops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and work-from-home setups, while WiFi remains the most convenient option for mobile and smart devices.
  
• Combining Ethernet and WiFi with updated hardware and optimized router placement can deliver the best internet experience throughout your home.

• It lowers latency and reduces lag. Latency refers to the delay that happens when you send a request (like clicking a link or pressing a button in a game) and when the network responds (by loading the webpage or making your character’s move go off).
  
  Over WiFi, that delay can grow due to interference from walls, distance from the router or other wireless devices. Ethernet typically has lower latency on your local network—often under 1 millisecond—making it ideal for real-time activities like video calls, competitive gaming or livestreaming.
  
  It also helps reduce packet loss, which happens when data doesn’t make it to its destination and causes things like stuttering video or glitchy audio.
  
• It reduces competition among your WiFi-connected devices. Every time you connect a device using Ethernet, you’re freeing up wireless bandwidth for everything else—from your phone to your smart speaker.
  
  This can be especially helpful in busy households where multiple people are streaming, gaming or working online at the same time. Fewer devices competing for WiFi means a stronger, more stable connection for everyone else still on wireless.

Whether you’re trying to eliminate lag, maximize your internet plan or simply make your home network more efficient, Ethernet is a reliable way to boost performance.

Here’s how they compare:

• Ethernet delivers consistently faster speeds. While both Ethernet and WiFi can support Gig-speed internet, Ethernet is more likely to deliver the full speed of your internet plan, especially for fiber connections. WiFi speeds can drop depending on how far you are from the router, how many devices are online and whether there’s any interference, like from thick walls or nearby electronics.
  
• WiFi is convenient, but Ethernet is more reliable. Wireless connections are great for flexibility and mobility, but they’re also more prone to slowdowns. Ethernet uses a direct wired connection that bypasses common WiFi issues like signal drops, congestion or dead zones. That makes it a better choice for devices that stay in one place.
  
• Latency is lower with Ethernet, which matters for real-time use. Online gaming, video conferencing and livestreaming all rely on low ping and minimal delay. WiFi can introduce lag due to signal interference or temporary disconnects. Ethernet helps avoid those issues by maintaining a stable, uninterrupted connection, even during peak usage times.
  

In short, WiFi is great for casual browsing and mobile devices, but Ethernet is the go-to for speed, stability and performance, especially when it really counts.

When Should You Use an Ethernet Cable Instead of WiFi?

It won’t benefit you to wire in every single device with Ethernet—and in most cases, you can’t. Many modern devices don’t even have Ethernet ports, and depending on your home’s layout, some devices might be located far from your router or in rooms where running a cable isn’t practical.

So how do you know which ones should be plugged in?

• You’re streaming movies or shows in 4K. High-resolution streaming eats up a lot of bandwidth. Using Ethernet for your smart TV, streaming stick or home theater system can help prevent buffering, especially during peak hours or when other household members are streaming to their personal devices.
  
• You’re working from home and on video calls. If you’re in meetings, presenting on Zoom or sharing files all day, Ethernet keeps your connection steady, so you don’t drop off mid-sentence or freeze on screen.
  
  If you have a stationary desk or dedicated workstation, it’s especially worth plugging in—you’ll get more reliable performance for everything from video conferencing and large file uploads to using a VPN or remote desktop software.

A wired connection helps ensure smoother, more secure access to your work and fewer interruptions during your workday.

• You’re uploading or backing up large files. If you work with high-resolution photos, videos, audio recordings or design files, a wired connection can dramatically reduce upload times and prevent failed transfers.

This is especially helpful for creatives who do things like podcasting, video editing, music production or uploading transcripts and recordings to platforms like Otter. If you have a home media center or a network-attached storage (NAS) device for backing up files, Ethernet ensures fast, stable transfers so you’re not stuck waiting hours or risking data loss over a weak WiFi signal.

• You have a desktop or workstation that stays in one place. If your device is already close to your router—or it’s easy to run a cable along the wall or under a rug—using Ethernet is a simple way to give it faster speeds and more reliable performance.
  
  This is a great option for setups like a home office with a desktop computer, a gaming PC in the corner of your room, a studio setup with editing software, or even a small business workstation. Since these devices typically stay in one location and are used for more demanding tasks, a wired connection can make a noticeable difference in responsiveness and stability.
  
• You have a media server or gaming console that downloads large files. Wired connections help avoid interruptions during big downloads, game patches or system updates so you don’t have to wait hours or risk starting over if the connection drops.
  
  This is especially helpful for devices like PlayStation, Xbox, or gaming PCs that regularly download large games and updates. If you have a home media server or NAS device for streaming or storing content across your network, Ethernet ensures smoother, faster data transfers and uninterrupted playback when accessing files from other devices in your home.
  
• You have essential devices that must stay connected. For things like home security systems, smart hubs, or even certain medical devices that rely on your network, a stable connection is critical. If these devices can be wired, Ethernet helps ensure constant connectivity and better performance, especially for tasks like uploading live footage from security cameras, syncing with other smart devices or maintaining continuous monitoring without drops or delays.
  
• You live in a busy household with lots of WiFi users. The average U.S. household had around 17 connected devices in 2023, according to research from Parks Associates, and many of those are being used at the same time. When multiple people are streaming, gaming, working or attending virtual classes simultaneously, your WiFi network can get overwhelmed.
  
  Taking a few high-traffic devices off WiFi (like a gaming console, desktop computer or smart TV) and connecting them via Ethernet helps reduce congestion and frees up wireless bandwidth for phones, tablets and other mobile devices that need it.

• Your device can’t take advantage of faster speeds. Some devices, especially older models, may be limited by their internal hardware. For example, a laptop with a WiFi 4 (802.11n) card or a smart home device with basic connectivity won’t see much of a difference between WiFi and Ethernet.
  
  Even if you plug it in, it might still cap out at slower speeds. In these cases, sticking with WiFi is perfectly fine—you won’t be missing out on extra performance.
  
• Your router is too far from where you use the device. If your desk is on the other side of the house and you can’t easily run a cable without creating a tripping hazard or drilling through walls, WiFi is usually the more realistic option.
  
• You’re in a shared space or rental where you can’t modify the setup. Sometimes running Ethernet isn’t possible because of the layout or rules about drilling holes or installing equipment. In these cases, optimizing your WiFi signal—like repositioning your router, minimizing interference, or adding a WiFi extender—is the better route.
  
• Everything is working great already. If your WiFi is fast, stable and reliable, and you’re not experiencing slowdowns or interruptions, great! There’s no need to change what’s already working!

• Use high-quality Ethernet cables. Not all Ethernet cables are created equal. Cat5e cables support speeds up to 1 Gbps, while Cat6 and Cat6a cables can handle up to 10 Gbps at shorter distances with better protection against interference.
  
  Cat7 cables are even more shielded, though they’re usually more expensive than most households need. If you’re upgrading your internet speed, it’s worth double-checking that your cables can keep up.
  
• Reduce WiFi congestion by using Ethernet where it counts. Devices like gaming consoles, smart TVs, media servers and desktops can pull a lot of bandwidth. Connecting those devices to your router with an Ethernet cable frees up more wireless capacity for phones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices, helping your WiFi run smoother overall.
  
• Consider a mesh WiFi system for stronger wireless coverage. If you have a large home, thick walls or rooms where the WiFi signal drops out, a mesh system can help blanket your space in consistent coverage. Mesh routers use multiple access points to extend your signal and reduce dead zones, and some even include Ethernet ports so you can still hardwire high-priority devices in each room.

If you’re still experiencing issues with your wireless connection, you might need to take a few extra steps to improve your signal. For more tips on boosting WiFi speed, coverage and performance, check out our blog posts: 9 Simple Ways To Fix a Weak WiFi Signal and How To Boost WiFi Signal Through Walls: Tips & Tricks.

Here’s a closer look at how that works and what else you can do to optimize performance:

• Wired devices take pressure off your WiFi network. When high-bandwidth devices like gaming consoles, desktops or smart TVs are plugged in with Ethernet, they no longer compete with phones, laptops or tablets for wireless bandwidth.
  
  This lightens the load on your WiFi network and can improve speed and stability for the devices that are still using it, especially during high-demand times like evenings or weekends.
  
• Some routers let you prioritize traffic with QoS settings. Many modern routers include Quality of Service (QoS) settings, which allow you to choose which devices or types of traffic get priority on your network. In some setups, you can prioritize Ethernet-connected devices for maximum performance or give preference to video calls or gaming over other internet traffic.
  
  If you’re juggling multiple users and devices at home, enabling QoS can help manage your bandwidth more efficiently.
  
• Mesh WiFi helps, but Ethernet is still king for stationary devices. Mesh WiFi systems are great for extending wireless coverage across large homes or through thick walls, and they can reduce dead zones where your regular router struggles to reach. But when it comes to maximum speed, stability and low latency, wired Ethernet connections still outperform mesh WiFi, especially for devices that don’t need to move around, like gaming PCs, smart TVs or desktop workstations.
  

So while Ethernet won’t directly “speed up” your WiFi, it creates room for everything else to run more smoothly. It’s a great way to free up your wireless network and make sure each device is getting the kind of connection it needs to work at its best.

3. Does Ethernet give better speeds than 5GHz WiFi?

Generally, yes. While WiFi 6 on the 5GHz band can be impressively fast, Ethernet still delivers more consistent and reliable speeds. This is especially noticeable when you’re transferring large files, gaming online or using real-time applications like video calls.

4. Should I connect my smart TV or gaming console via Ethernet?

Yes, if it’s possible with your setup. Wired connections are ideal for high-bandwidth, stationary devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles. Ethernet helps reduce buffering, lag and connection drops, making it a great choice for streaming and online gameplay.

5. What type of Ethernet cable should I use for the best speed?

Cat6 or Cat7 Ethernet cables are great options for most home users. They support Gigabit (and even multi-Gigabit) speeds and provide better shielding against interference than older cables like Cat5. If you’re upgrading your internet or router, it’s a good time to check that your cables are up to date, too.

6. Can I use an adapter if my laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port?

Yes. Many modern laptops, especially ultra-thin models, don’t come with built-in Ethernet ports, but you can use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to get the benefits of a wired connection. These adapters are affordable, easy to use and work with most Windows and macOS devices. Just plug the adapter into a USB port, connect an Ethernet cable and you’re good to go. It’s a great option if you need a more stable connection for work, gaming or streaming.