Gaming has become quite popular to the point that many gamers can now make a profit off the competitive market. With it becoming more serious, having the right internet can be the difference between a victory and a loss. So which is better for gaming, wired or wireless internet?
If you want the fastest, the best internet is wired internet through an ethernet cable. Although wireless is more convenient and more common, an ethernet cable is the best way to improve your gaming experience.
But this is not the only way to have a great gaming experience. You can have a wonderful experience via wireless and sometimes wired is not always available to you. Continue reading to learn more about both types of connections so you can make the best choice for you.
Is Wireless Or Wired Better For Gaming?
Wired connection via an ethernet cable is always the best choice when you are gaming. It provides for a faster connection and you won’t have to deal with some of the downfalls that Wi-Fi has to offer.
But Wi-Fi may be the only choice you have sometimes. Wi-Fi is not the worst but just doesn’t have the gaming advantages that ethernet does.
Benefits Of Each
There are many benefits when it comes to both options. You won’t have the most horrendous experience with Wi-Fi but it does not have the advantages that ethernet does. Here are the benefits of each:
| Wireless | Wired |
| Convenient | Consistent speeds |
| Wireless | Low latency |
| Supports pretty much all types of devices | More security |
| Can access it from anywhere in its radius | Simple to connect to |
The Downfalls Of Each
Even though the ethernet connection has the most benefits, there are still downfalls for this and wireless connection. Here are the cons of having either of these types of connections:
| Wireless | Wired |
| Higher latency | Limited to a specific location |
| Dropped connections | You have to pay for extra equipment to set up multiple devices |
| Inconsistent | Not as convenient |
| Slow speeds, especially with multiple devices attached | Can cause clutter |
| You have to deal with more wires and cables |
Things To Consider When Choosing
You will need to consider a few things before deciding which one is better for you. Each type of connection has its benefits, and it depends on what you are looking for when you are considering each. One may be better for you than the other.
And if you are still not sure which connection you want after this, you can always choose wireless. It is the least expensive and won’t cost you any extra money. You can easily test it out and see if you enjoy your gaming experience. If not, you can then buy the equipment to use the wired connection.
Keep in mind that your internet speed may change depending on which internet speed you choose from your provider. If you have a limited upload and download speed, it doesn’t matter if you are wired or wireless. Your experience won’t be as great as those with a higher internet speed.
Why Should You Choose Ethernet?
By far, ethernet provides more benefits than a wireless connection. This is because the whole point of gaming is to have the best experience. It is secure, and you don’t have to worry about lagging, and it gives you a quicker response in the game.
Consistent Speeds
With a wired connection, the speed of your internet will stay consistent. There won’t be any fluctuation like there is with wireless. Any gamer knows that lagging occurs at the wrong times, and one little lag can be the difference in life and death.
If you are a gamer who likes to play in battle royales or other online multiplayer platforms, then a wired connection would be best for you. You won’t have to worry about lagging occurring, and you can just worry about the enemy or other players in your game.
Low Latency
Low latency is what provides consistent speeds while playing online. Latency is when it takes the data from your device to reach the location via the internet. With Wi-Fi, it can take longer to transfer data, which means a slower response within the game.
A few seconds can be the difference between you being victorious and dead in an online match. This is especially true if you are a competitive gamer. You don’t want to lose a match in a competition just because the latency is high.
More Security
You have more security when you have an ethernet connection between your device and your internet provider. Wireless can be accessed by anyone, even if you put a password on your Wi-Fi.
The only way to access a wired connection is to hook up via ethernet or a device that is connected to the ethernet directly. This proves more taxing for hackers than to hack a wireless connection.
Simple Connection
Using a wired connection is a simple process compared to a wireless connection. You just hook the ethernet cable from your router to your device. You don’t have to worry about connecting through Wi-Fi.
You don’t have to worry about inputting a password with a wired connection. You don’t even have to worry about if a password protects your internet because your devices are already connected. If you decide to do both, you will still need to add a password for protection.
Why Should You Choose Wi-Fi?
If you have a stable Wi-Fi provider, Wi-Fi can be quite beneficial. You don’t have to worry about buying equipment to connect your device. It is convenient. You don’t have to worry about connecting pesky wires, and it is supported by pretty much all devices.
Less Expensive
When you use a wired connection, you will be spending more money on your internet. You have to buy the ethernet cables to attach your devices, and you don’t have to get any adapters for other devices that may not connect to an ethernet cable.
More Convenient
When you choose Wi-Fi, you don’t have to worry about connecting your devices via wire. You can simply move around the room without worrying about your limited range. It also makes it easier for you to move your gaming consoles.
Having an ethernet attached to your gaming console can be quite limiting, or you have to get a long enough cable to reach other rooms. This can be a hassle, especially if you like to move your gaming consoles to other rooms or take them to a friend’s house.
No Clutter
Wires can be quite annoying, especially if several of them are connected to different devices. Yes, there are ways to organize the wires, but installing the ethernet in the walls or ceiling is not always an option.
With Wi-Fi or other wireless connections, you won’t have to worry about the clutter. You just set up your router, and then you are good to go. You don’t have to organize wires or worry about the wires tripping anyone. It doesn’t have to look like a cluttered mess.
Supported By Most Devices
Ethernet cables aren’t always able to connect to every single device. You can buy and attach adapters out there via wired connection, but it isn’t always the easiest. Most, if not all, devices will connect to Wi-Fi, whether it is a laptop, PC, or gaming console.
How To Improve Wireless Network Speed
Sometimes wireless is the only route you can go. There are many ways you can improve your wireless network speed to improve your gaming experience. Some are easy and can do without purchasing more equipment, while others require you to purchase something.
Here are some things you can do to help improve your wireless connection and your gaming experience:
- Test your connection.
- Keep the router updated.
- Get a Wi-Fi extender or booster.
- Limit devices on the wireless connection.
- Ensure your connection is protected.
- Reboot your Wi-Fi.
- Check your internet plan.
Test Your Connection
Many applications are free to download and test the internet speeds. You always want to check this first before doing anything permanent. Sometimes it may not be your internet but the game’s servers, especially when a new update or an event happens.
Keep The Router Updated
Always keep your router updated. When you get behind any updates, you will find more bugs and problems that may not have been there before. Updates are necessary to fix anything that may have affected the router, affecting your experience in the game.
It is also important to keep your router equipment updated as well. If you have been with your internet provider for a while, they provide new routers every so often. This is because technology is advancing every day, and a new model will improve your internet speed drastically.
Get A Wi-Fi Extender Or Booster
If you are in a location where the Wi-Fi is weaker, you can do one of two things. You can either move the router where it is closer to your gaming console, or you can buy yourself a Wi-Fi extender or booster. The latter is easier to do.
A Wi-Fi extender or booster will boost your Wi-Fi signal and is quite simple to install. You just plug it in and attach it to your wireless connection, and then you are all set. It doesn’t take much, and you can simply use the same password as your original connection.
Boosters and extenders can come quite cheap as well. Some are as little as $30, while others can be over $100. It all depends on what you want and what you are willing to pay. One great extender to look at is the Guet Extender, up to 3000 square feet.
Limit Devices On The Wireless Connection
If you have limited upload and download speeds with your wireless connection, you may find that the connection lags when you have more devices on your wireless connection. This is especially the case when anyone is trying to stream videos.
Streaming videos can take a lot of data that slow down the availability of your online gaming to download and upload information. This will slow down both the streaming video and your games.
The easiest way to improve your internet right away while playing video games is simply to disconnect any Wi-Fi devices during your game. You will be surprised how much one device can affect your internet speed. Even if you aren’t using the device, it will still take up some of your Wi-Fi.
If you have downloaded an application to test your internet speed, you can use the app to see which device may be draining your wireless connection. Just disconnect a device and see if the internet speed increases. Then you will know what needs to be disconnected during gaming.
Ensure Your Connection Is Protected
Always, always, always ensure that your connection is protected. If your Wi-Fi doesn’t have a password and isn’t protected, hackers and viruses can easily find their way into your system and slow it down. You don’t want this to happen because it can be very difficult to get rid of these things.
Reboot Your Wi-Fi
Sometimes a simple reboot of your Wi-Fi router can be the easiest solution. This can also cause a quick update to work its magic. This will only take you a few minutes, and it may fix everything. But don’t forget that it will not always be the solution.
Check Your Internet Plan
If you find that your internet isn’t working for you, always check to see if you can upgrade. There should be multiple plans to choose from. The higher plans will always be better when it comes to speed, and you will want this if you are serious about gaming.
Bottom Line
Whether you choose wireless or wired internet, it is up to you. Some people would rather have wireless for convenience, while others may want the most secure connection to ensure they have the best internet connection. It depends on what is best for you.