What Ethernet Actually Is - And Why You Want It
Most people think their Wi-Fi is their internet. It’s not. Your Wi-Fi is just the wireless connection between your devices and your router. The internet comes in through a cable (or fibre) and your router turns that into Wi-Fi.
So here’s a question worth asking: if your router already turns the internet into Wi-Fi, why would you ever plug a cable into it?
Because cables are better. Not a little better. A lot better.
What Ethernet actually is
Ethernet is just a cable that carries data between devices. One end plugs into your router, the other end plugs into your computer, TV, or game console. That’s it. No setup, no passwords, no “can you hear me now.”
The cable itself is called Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a (the number tells you how fast it can go, but they all work the same way). You connect it, the device figures out the rest.
Why wired beats wireless
Wi-Fi has to fight through walls, furniture, appliances, and your neighbour’s Wi-Fi signal. Every obstacle weakens it. A single Ethernet cable can carry 1,000 Mbps (megabits per second) reliably. The best Wi-Fi in perfect conditions struggles to match that. In real-world conditions with walls and interference, Wi-Fi usually delivers half its rated speed or less.
Ethernet is also consistent. Wi-Fi speed changes depending on where you stand, what time it is, and whether someone turned on the microwave. Ethernet speed is the same every time you test it.
And Ethernet doesn’t drop. If your video call breaks up on Wi-Fi, it won’t on Ethernet. Not because your Wi-Fi is bad, but because radio signals are inherently less reliable than a physical cable.
The one cable rule
You don’t need to wire your whole house. If you run one single Ethernet cable from your router to the room where you need reliable internet the most - your home office, the living room TV, the gaming setup - that one cable will solve more problems than any expensive router or mesh system.
Put a small switch at the end of that cable (a switch costs about $15 and needs no setup), and now every device in that room has a perfect wired connection.
When Wi-Fi makes more sense
Wi-Fi wins on convenience. You can move around. You don’t have cables trailing across the floor. Guests can connect without you handing them a wire.
For phones, tablets, laptops, and visitors, Wi-Fi is the right choice. For anything that stays in one place and needs reliable speed, Ethernet is better.
The rule of thumb: If the device has an Ethernet port and doesn’t move around, plug it in. Your TV, game console, desktop computer, and streaming box all have Ethernet ports. Use them.
What you need to know about cables
- Cat5e: Fine for almost everyone. Supports gigabit speed. If you already have these, keep using them.
- Cat6: Slightly better shielding, supports faster speeds at short distances. Worth the extra dollar if you’re buying new.
- Cat6a: Overkill for home use. Only buy these if you’re running cables inside walls and want to “future proof.”
Buy pre-made cables. Cutting and crimping your own Ethernet ends is technically possible and technically not worth your time. A 50-foot Cat6 cable costs about $10 online.
The honest limitation
Running cables is a hassle. If you rent, you can’t drill through walls. If your home has no attic or crawl space, you can’t hide them. In those cases, a good mesh system is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
But if you can run one cable - even along a baseboard, under a rug, or through a ceiling corner - do it. It will be the single best improvement you can make to your home network.