Over the last 20 years, I've used everything from dial-up and DSL to fiber connections on my PCs, even when my motherboard had Wi-Fi support. In 2025, using a wireless connection on my PC isn't terrible or anything, but it just can't compete with a wired connection. Despite Wi-Fi 6E being commonplace now, Ethernet has some unassailable advantages over Wi-Fi. That's why I always make it a point to install a direct connection from my router to my PC, even if it becomes a logistical nightmare.

Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can't replace Ethernet on my PC

More than speed, it's the reliability of a wired connection

I have to admit: it's not like I've never used Wi-Fi on my PC. I still have the Wi-Fi antenna installed and placed proudly on the case, but it's only there for the rare occasions when my ISP performs maintenance and I have to switch to my mobile hotspot as a backup. I even switched to an all-wireless PC setup once, but it didn't turn out to be the utopia I had imagined. My Wi-Fi 5 router might be dated, but it's pretty damn fast for anything I need to do on the PC. The flip side is that I'm used to closing my door to work in silence, which drops the Wi-Fi speed significantly.

Even the reduced speed is more than enough for my work, but for everything else, the experience is just not enjoyable. The reliability of the wireless connection is inferior to that of Ethernet, especially if tons of other devices in the house are hogging bandwidth as well, not to mention interference and congestion from the neighbors' connections. If I need to get into a multiplayer game with friends or watch a live event on my PC, Ethernet is the go-to option. It provides a rock-solid connection, and I don't have to worry about congestion or interference from other devices.

Routing cables through walls is a one-time hassle

In exchange for lasting rewards

Perhaps the hardest thing I've had to go through to ensure a wired connection to my PC has been routing the Ethernet cable through the walls so that I don't have to ruin the house with a long cable snaking on the walls. I've lived in four different apartments over the last two decades, and it wasn't always simple to do this, since not every apartment had pre-installed LAN cables within the walls. Even if they did, the cables happened to be older Cat5 cables that maxed out at 100Mbps. Plus, the onus was always on me to find a skilled (and willing) technician and pay for the labor and cable. The homeowners were never willing to pay for my need for a faster wired connection.

This routing job always took several hours as the technician (who happened to be the electrician in most cases) hit roadblocks now and then, pushing the cable through the walls based on his knowledge of the internal ducts. Once it was done, however, all that remained was crimping the cables at both ends and installing the RJ45 connectors, which the ISP guys knew how to do. I tried to do it myself a few times, but the results were less than desirable. Fully installed, my PC was ready to receive the full force of my high-speed internet plan, unencumbered by interference from doors, walls, and other devices in the house.

Ethernet makes it harder to relocate my PC, but it's worth it

It's nitpicking, considering the benefits of Ethernet

Another challenge with using Ethernet is that I can't freely move my PC to a different room if I feel like a change of scenery. Though not a huge problem per se, it has come up in conversations with my partner whenever we've considered swapping the PC room with the TV room or bedroom. Since there's just one room where I have the Cat6e cable installed, moving the PC will mean I have to go through the routing process again, and I don't really want to have to do that. Firstly, it might not be as easy as the first time, as the existing cable might block the passage. Secondly, it's an additional expense that doesn't seem worth it.

So, my PC isn't going anywhere anytime soon, unless we move apartments again. However, this is a small price to pay for enjoying a consistent and reliable wired connection. If I feel like working from a different room, I can always switch to my laptop. I only hope the Cat6e cable doesn't develop a random fault; removing and routing another cable will be a nightmare I don't wish to go through. I have my fingers crossed — send thoughts and prayers my way, if you can.

Ethernet beats Wi-Fi on PCs, every single time

We have Wi-Fi 7 motherboards and routers in 2025, but no matter how good Wi-Fi gets, it has a few limitations that just can't be ignored, at least for PC users. Ethernet ensures you have a direct line from your router to your PC, so you can enjoy the maximum potential of your internet plan. Even if it's a hassle to route the cable to your PC, it's a one-time thing that you probably don't need to go through again, at least not until you move.