As convenient as wireless connectivity is, wired connections reign supreme, especially when you want to connect to the internet. Instead of using Wi-Fi everywhere, I use an Ethernet connection wherever I can, despite the drawbacks of having to be plugged in.

1 It's the Safest Way to Connect to the Internet

One of the biggest advantages of using an Ethernet connection is that it's far more secure than Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi isn't the safest way of accessing the internet, especially if you'll be logging into your bank's website or accessing other sensitive data online. Wi-Fi is also susceptible to man-in-the-middle or fake access point attacks, which can cause data leaks.

On the flip side, an Ethernet cable gives you an uninterrupted, direct link to the network's router, which connects you to the internet. Unless the Ethernet port you're plugging into is compromised, you're safe from any attacks a hacker might try at the router level. You can configure Windows for a safer Wi-Fi connection, but it'll never be as secure and simple as plugging in an Ethernet cable.

2 You Get Much Better Speeds

Connecting via Ethernet automatically gives you the best speeds, network stability, and overall bandwidth your network can provide. Wi-Fi speeds are affected by many factors, including, but not limited to, bandwidth, network congestion, the number of devices connected, and more. With a wired connection, you're more likely to get the most out of your network's bandwidth, regardless of how your Wi-Fi functions.

For example, I get about 130 to 150 Mbps on my 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, while my ISP promises speeds of up to 250 Mbps. When using an Ethernet connection, I get much faster speeds, in the range of 230 to 250 Mbps, which is the bandwidth I actually pay for.

This means faster downloads and better network stability. Since Wi-Fi signals deteriorate the further you are from the router, even if you're getting faster speeds, the connection quality can be bad, leading to issues like packet loss or network drops.

3 Ethernet Isn't Affected by Wi-Fi Issues

If you don't set up your Wi-Fi network properly, there are tons of issues you can run into, including slow speeds, bad range, or even getting disconnected from the internet. With Ethernet, there are no such issues. As long as your router can access the internet, you can, too, with no setting up required.

Additionally, if your Wi-Fi stops working for whatever reason or you can't use it, Ethernet is the only way you can access your router to make any fixes or changes. Since Ethernet operates on a different level than Wi-Fi, you can simply use a wired connection to bypass Wi-Fi speed or connectivity issues on most, if not all, routers.

4 More Reliable in Public Places

Have you ever tried connecting to a public Wi-Fi in a library, airport, or even classroom and were annoyed by the slow speeds or constant dropouts? Public Wi-Fi can be extremely unreliable depending on how many people are using a particular network, the overall bandwidth, and the network equipment itself.

Ethernet, on the other hand, doesn't suffer from these issues. As someone who often works out of coworking spaces that handily provide ethernet ports at your desk, plugging into the internet instead of using Wi-Fi ensures I get a fast enough and reliable internet connection to get through my work.

5 Much Better Gaming Experience

The connection quality and reliability benefits that Ethernet provides result in a much better gaming experience. You don't need blazing-fast download speeds when playing games online, but you need a stable network without jitters, latency, and packet loss issues. Ethernet is the easiest way to ensure that.

Whether playing on a PC, Xbox, PS5, or any other gaming console that supports internet connectivity, using an Ethernet connection will reduce lag to a minimum, if not eliminate it entirely. You can prioritize specific traffic on your Wi-Fi network to help mitigate the issue, but Ethernet still comes out ahead.

It can be a hassle to find and use an ethernet connection, especially when you're in a public space. Additionally, with newer laptops dropping ethernet ports, you might even have to carry an external adaptor just to plug your computer into a network.

However, the benefits of using an ethernet connection mean that as long as I'm plugged in, I can work with the peace of mind of knowing that my internet isn't going to nuke itself in the middle of an important work call or high-stakes CS2 match, and that assurance is the biggest reason why I always prefer an ethernet connection over Wi-Fi.