Wi-Fi 7 vs. Ethernet: Which is best?

Enterprises looking to optimize network performance by deciding between Wi-Fi 7 vs. Ethernet will greatly benefit from understanding the differences and advantages of both.

Readers will discover:

• The key differences between Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet
• How their speeds compare 
• The differences in latency they provide
• The advantages both offer over one another
• When businesses choose Wi-Fi 7 or stick with Ethernet
• How hybridizing both options can lead to optimal network performance
• How Meter’s NaaS can optimize your network

Wi-Fi 7 vs. Ethernet: What are the key differences between them?

Wi-Fi 7, utilizing the 802.11be standard, is designed to deliver higher speeds and greater network capacity. It can theoretically reach speeds up to 46 Gbps, though practical speeds may vary based on implementation. The speed is enabled by features like wider channels (up to 320 MHz), 16 spatial streams, and advanced modulation (4,096-QAM).

These make Wi-Fi 7 particularly suitable for environments with dense device usage, such as offices or campuses. However, the actual performance in real-world settings is often limited by interference, distance from access points, and congestion on the wireless spectrum.

On the other hand, Ethernet offers reliability and predictability. Its speeds are consistent and unaffected by external factors like radio interference. Ethernet supports speeds ranging from 1 Gbps to 400 Gbps, but Cat6a supports only up to 10 Gbps over 100 meters, and higher speeds require Cat8 or fiber optic cables.

It also has a reputation for low latency, making it the preferred choice for applications that demand stable, fast communication, such as in data centers, high-frequency trading systems, or real-time collaborative tasks like video conferencing.

The decision between Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet boils down to a trade-off between mobility and dependability. Wi-Fi 7 provides flexibility in environments where physical cables would be cumbersome, but Ethernet excels in offering consistent performance where interruptions cannot be tolerated.

Businesses that need flexibility in employee movement and device placement often lean towards wireless networks, while those that prioritize speed and consistency—especially for mission-critical infrastructure—typically choose Ethernet.

In reality, many businesses will find the best approach is a hybrid model, leveraging Wi-Fi 7 for flexible areas and Ethernet for places where stability and speed are non-negotiable. Each technology serves a distinct purpose, and understanding their strengths allows for a network design that meets diverse business needs.

How does Wi-Fi 7 speed compare to Ethernet?

Wi-Fi 7 is designed to deliver speeds of up to 46 Gbps under optimal conditions, thanks to advances like its 16 spatial streams and 320 MHz channel bonding. These specs certainly look impressive on paper. However, actual speeds experienced in practice are often much lower.

Real-world Wi-Fi throughput is often lower than the theoretical maximum, due to factors like interference, distance, and network configuration. Devices communicating on the same frequency have to wait for the channel to clear, adding delays that reduce overall performance, especially in crowded environments.

In contrast, Ethernet offers much more consistent and reliable performance. Common Ethernet configurations, such as 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, often deliver reliable throughput, though factors such as cable quality, length, and network congestion can affect performance.

Ethernet’s main advantage is its dedicated wired connection, which avoids the interference and competition for bandwidth that wireless technologies face. This allows Ethernet to consistently deliver the expected performance, particularly in scenarios like data centers or environments where large file transfers are common.

Is Wi-Fi 6 faster than Ethernet?

When comparing the speeds of Wi-Fi 6 vs. Ethernet, the truth is that Ethernet generally delivers more consistent speeds, especially in high-traffic environments. Ethernet may not offer the same flexibility as Wi-Fi, but it excels when reliable, sustained throughput is non-negotiable.

Latency differences between Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet

Latency is a key factor when comparing Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet, especially in settings that rely on real-time data transmission. Each technology approaches latency differently, and understanding those differences helps determine which is better suited for specific use cases.

Wi-Fi 7 Latency

Wi-Fi 7 incorporates multi-link operation (MLO), which lets devices communicate over multiple frequency bands simultaneously, potentially reducing latency, though the impact on latency in real-world settings may vary. Under optimal conditions, this can minimize delays as devices can route data through less congested channels.

However, in high-density environments where many devices compete for bandwidth, interference and network congestion remain significant issues. These factors can still lead to increased packet loss, retransmissions, and overall higher latency—especially when multiple users and devices are active on the network.

Ethernet’s low-latency advantage

Ethernet provides consistent, low-latency performance because it operates on a dedicated physical medium, free from interference or competition for spectrum. Unlike wireless networks, Ethernet connections do not face packet collisions or signal degradation from external sources.

As a result, it delivers predictable, low-latency communication. This makes Ethernet particularly advantageous in scenarios where even slight delays can disrupt the user experience such as:

• Gaming
• Video conferencing
• AR/VR

Ethernet’s wired nature offers a stable connection that minimizes delay, making it a reliable choice for applications requiring real-time responsiveness.

Advantages of Wi-Fi 7 over Ethernet

Wi-Fi 7 may present promising advancements, but it's important to critically evaluate the reality of the technology, especially in comparison to Ethernet. While it boasts several features that could make it appealing in certain environments, much of the conversation around Wi-Fi 7 remains speculative.

The practical benefits have yet to be fully tested and proven in real-world scenarios. Ethernet, by contrast, is a known quantity with decades of proven reliability and performance.

Wireless mobility

Wi-Fi 7’s mobility is a clear advantage over Ethernet, which requires fixed cabling. However, mobility comes with trade-offs. Wireless networks, regardless of the improvements promised by Wi-Fi 7, still face challenges like signal interference, environmental factors, and the inherent limitations of wireless transmission.

Ethernet, on the other hand, continues to offer reliable, consistent performance without the variability seen in wireless networks. For businesses that rely on uninterrupted, stable connections, especially in critical functions, Ethernet remains the safer bet.

While Wi-Fi 7 could reduce downtime during office expansions or reconfigurations, the theoretical flexibility doesn’t negate the stability risks involved. Many companies cannot afford the potential performance drops associated with wireless networks, especially when moving large amounts of data or handling real-time communications.

Higher device capacity

Wi-Fi 7 claims to support a higher density of connected devices compared to Ethernet, but this has yet to be fully tested in real-world deployments. In theory, features like multi-link operation (MLO) could allow more devices to connect without experiencing slowdowns, but that will depend heavily on the actual deployment environment, interference from other networks, and how effectively devices are able to utilize the new 6 GHz spectrum.

Ethernet, by contrast, is predictable and scalable in a way that Wi-Fi can’t yet match. It doesn't suffer from wireless interference, nor does it rely on untested technologies like Wi-Fi 7's frequency management.

In environments where stability and guaranteed performance are top priorities, such as financial institutions or critical infrastructure operations, Ethernet's reliability far outweighs Wi-Fi 7's promises of higher device capacity.

Performance and flexibility

Wi-Fi 7 introduces features like multi-link operation and the 6 GHz spectrum, but it remains unclear how much of an impact these will have in practical settings.

While the potential for reduced latency and increased throughput exists, those benefits are largely theoretical for now. Environmental factors, such as physical obstacles or interference from nearby devices, can easily degrade Wi-Fi performance—issues Ethernet networks simply don’t face.

Ethernet's performance, while lacking in mobility, remains highly consistent. Wired connections avoid many of the unpredictable elements that come with wireless transmission, providing steady, high-speed data flow regardless of external conditions.

Wi-Fi 7 may work well in controlled test environments, but translating those results to real-world business settings introduces too many variables to be confident in its superiority.

Scalability and cost considerations

One of Wi-Fi 7's touted advantages is scalability, where adding access points seems simpler than running new cables for Ethernet. While this might be true in theory, Wi-Fi 7’s unproven reliability raises questions.

Expanding a wireless network may be cost-effective upfront, but the long-term costs associated with managing wireless interference, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and ensuring security in a fluctuating wireless environment could easily offset those initial savings.

Ethernet might involve higher initial costs for installation and expansion, but it provides a stable, well-understood infrastructure that requires less ongoing management. For businesses looking for long-term network stability, Ethernet’s upfront costs could be a better investment than gambling on a wireless network that has yet to prove itself in demanding environments.

Advantages of Ethernet over Wi-Fi 7

As businesses increasingly look toward wireless solutions like Wi-Fi 7, it’s important to understand why Ethernet continues to be a critical part of network design. While Wi-Fi 7 brings impressive advancements in speed and flexibility, Ethernet still holds advantages that make it indispensable in many scenarios.

Stability and reliability

Ethernet connections excel in delivering consistent, uninterrupted network performance, which is particularly important for businesses that depend on high reliability. Wireless networks, including Wi-Fi 7, are still susceptible to interference from physical obstacles like walls, electronic devices, and even neighboring wireless networks operating on the same frequency.

These factors can degrade Wi-Fi performance, causing fluctuations in speed or signal drops, especially in high-density environments. In contrast, Ethernet operates over dedicated physical cables, avoiding these types of disruptions altogether.

With Ethernet, data flows directly through the cable without competing for bandwidth, unlike Wi-Fi, where multiple devices share the same network space. This direct connection reduces latency and improves overall network performance, which is why Ethernet remains the standard in environments such as:

• Data centers
• Video production studios
• Cloud service infrastructures

When uptime and consistent throughput are necessary, Ethernet delivers, making it ideal for scenarios where downtime could lead to significant financial or operational consequences.

Security

Ethernet provides a significant advantage in terms of network security. Wireless networks, by their very nature, broadcast signals through the air, making them more accessible to external threats such as eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access.

Wi-Fi 7 may introduce stronger encryption methods, but a wireless signal is still vulnerable to interception, especially in poorly configured networks or open environments. Ethernet connections are more secure because they require physical access to the network infrastructure.

A hacker would need direct contact with a cable or a device to compromise a wired connection, which is far more difficult to achieve than intercepting a wireless signal. Ethernet is often the preferred choice for industries where data security is a top priority, including:

• Finance
• Healthcare
• Government agencies

With Ethernet, businesses can have tighter control over who can access their network, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches or other cyber threats.

When should businesses choose Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 presents a set of potential improvements in wireless networking, such as faster speeds and increased capacity, but much of its real-world performance remains untested. For enterprise leaders and IT teams, deciding whether to adopt Wi-Fi 7 should involve careful consideration of factors like flexibility, cost, and long-term scalability.

Since most businesses won't see immediate benefits due to limited device compatibility and the ongoing development of the technology, it’s important to assess whether an early upgrade is worth the investment or if it’s better to wait until Wi-Fi 7 has proven itself in practical applications.

How limited is Wi-Fi 7 device compatibility?

Wi-Fi 7 device support is currently minimal, with only a few high-end devices like the Xiaomi 13 Pro, all iPhone 16 models, and select laptops offering compatibility. Most consumer and business hardware still rely on Wi-Fi 6, and manufacturers are waiting for the IEEE to finalize the Wi-Fi 7 standard—expected in late 2024 or early 2025—before rolling out widespread upgrades, though the timeline is not officially confirmed.

Even if you install Wi-Fi 7 access points now, most devices won’t be able to use its features. Investing in Wi-Fi 7 at this stage may lead to underutilized capabilities, making it more practical to wait until compatible devices become more common and the standard is fully ratified.

What type of businesses benefit most from Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 may be perfect for businesses in dynamic environments that need flexibility. Co-working spaces, tech startups, and industries with rapidly shifting layouts will appreciate how easy it is to deploy wireless connections wherever they’re needed. If frequent reconfiguration of your workspace is a regular occurrence, Wi-Fi 7 promises the freedom that a traditional wired setup can’t match.

How does Wi-Fi 7 help with future-proofing a network?

Businesses that anticipate rapid technological growth or want to adopt cutting-edge tools like augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) should look to Wi-Fi 7. It brings multi-gigabit capabilities, meaning it’s designed to handle the increased data loads that come with newer technologies. However, it’s important to note that most existing devices won't support Wi-Fi 7 yet, limiting the immediate benefits.

Can Wi-Fi 7 reduce infrastructure costs?

Yes, particularly for large, multi-story buildings. Installing Ethernet cables throughout a building can add significant infrastructure costs, especially during expansions or retrofits. Wi-Fi 7 access points allow you to avoid those high costs while still providing fast, reliable wireless connections, making it a more cost-effective solution for many businesses.

However, businesses must consider the delayed hardware upgrade cycle, as many vendors are holding off until the Wi-Fi 7 standard is ratified and compatible devices become more common.

When should businesses stick with Ethernet?

Ethernet remains a go-to choice for many industries where reliability and security are non-negotiable. While Wi-Fi 7 has the potential to offer flexibility and mobility, there are several scenarios where sticking with Ethernet makes more sense.

Why is Ethernet better for industries with critical applications?

Ethernet is known for providing consistent, reliable performance without the interference or signal dropouts that can affect wireless networks. If your business relies on uninterrupted connections, particularly for mission-critical applications, Ethernet offers the stability you need.

Industries that benefit greatly from the use of Ethernet include:

• Healthcare
• Financial services
• Manufacturing

How does Ethernet offer better security for organizations?

For businesses with strict security protocols, a wired Ethernet connection offers a higher level of control. Unlike Wi-Fi, which can be susceptible to external interference or hacking attempts, Ethernet requires physical access to the network, which makes it harder for unauthorized users to breach the system.

What kind of performance requirements call for Ethernet over Wi-Fi 7?

Businesses that depend on consistently high data throughput—think media production houses, large-scale cloud computing operations, or any environment where massive files are being transferred regularly—the better choice is Ethernet.

Ethernet provides higher sustained speeds with less variability, making it a reliable option for bandwidth-heavy tasks that demand top performance day in and day out.

How to combine Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet for optimal network performance

While combining Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet in a hybrid network could offer some benefits, it’s important to be critical of the unproven aspects of Wi-Fi 7. The technology promises flexibility and improved device capacity, but its real-world reliability remains questionable, especially since compatible devices are still limited.

Businesses may find themselves investing in Wi-Fi 7 only to face underwhelming performance in high-demand settings or find that most of their devices can’t even utilize the new capabilities yet.

Balancing the approach to networking

Wi-Fi 7 might seem appealing for dynamic environments where wireless mobility is key, but its unproven stability and speculative benefits mean relying on it alone could pose risks.

Ethernet, with its well-established reliability, remains the better choice for fixed devices and critical applications that require consistent low latency and performance.

A hybrid network can balance these technologies, but until Wi-Fi 7 is widely tested and adopted, Ethernet should remain the backbone for essential operations, with Wi-Fi 7 reserved for non-critical areas where flexibility matters most.

Strategic placement of access points and Ethernet ports

Careful planning is required to get the most out of both technologies. Placement of Wi-Fi access points and Ethernet drops should be determined based on the specific needs of different workspaces and applications:

• Wi-Fi 7 access points: These should be located in areas where flexibility and mobility are necessary, such as open office spaces, common areas, or collaborative workstations. Wi-Fi 7’s ability to handle more devices at higher speeds makes it ideal for these zones.
• Ethernet ports: Fixed devices that require steady, uninterrupted performance should rely on Ethernet connections. These ports can be deployed in locations where latency-sensitive or data-heavy operations take place, such as conference rooms, IT departments, or workstations used for content creation.

Use Cases for hybrid networks

A hybrid network model allows businesses to optimize network performance based on specific use cases. Here are some practical scenarios where combining Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet is beneficial:

• Corporate offices: Use Wi-Fi 7 in common areas and meeting spaces where teams collaborate on mobile devices. For fixed workstations handling tasks like software development or video editing, Ethernet provides reliable performance.
• Retail Environments: Wi-Fi 7 covers the sales floor for mobile point-of-sale (POS) devices and customer interaction. Ethernet supports back-end systems, such as inventory management and payment processing.
• Manufacturing: IoT devices and automated systems benefit from Wi-Fi 7’s wireless flexibility, while critical systems controlling production lines or robotics can maintain low-latency communication with Ethernet.
• Healthcare: Wi-Fi 7 enables real-time patient monitoring through mobile medical devices, while Ethernet supports back-end systems for medical records, imaging, and secure data storage.
• Educational campuses: Wi-Fi 7 can cover large areas like lecture halls or libraries where students use laptops or tablets. Ethernet ensures reliable connections in data centers, research labs, or administrative offices.

Best practices for combining Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet

To fully capitalize on the benefits of a hybrid network, certain best practices should be followed:

• Segmentation: Differentiate the traffic between wired and wireless networks. Devices needing low-latency performance can remain on Ethernet, while mobile and high-density environments should be able to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7.
• Redundancy: Where possible, design network redundancy into the infrastructure. For critical systems, Ethernet should serve as the primary connection, with Wi-Fi 7 offering a secondary layer of connectivity for failover or additional capacity.
• Capacity planning: Analyze current and future network loads to plan the number and placement of access points and Ethernet drops. Wi-Fi 7 access points should cover high-traffic areas, but don’t overload the network with too many devices on a single access point. High-traffic wired connections should avoid bandwidth bottlenecks by verifying the right Ethernet standard (e.g., 10 Gbps Ethernet) is in place.

Combining Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet in a hybrid network provides organizations with the agility to support today’s dynamic work environments while maintaining the performance necessary for essential business functions.

Optimize your network with Meter’s solutions

When considering Wi-Fi 7 vs. Ethernet, Meter simplifies the decision by offering a fully managed network as a Service (NaaS) that integrates both wired and wireless options, accommodating the needs of businesses of all sizes.

While Meter currently supports Wi-Fi 6, plans to introduce Wi-Fi 7 access points in Spring of 2025, depending on market availability and compatibility. Our NaaS solution allows for automatic network upgrades without complex installations or significant upfront investments.

Meter's services relieve IT teams from the operational burden of managing network performance. With network monitoring, upgrades, and troubleshooting handled by Meter, internal IT staff can focus on higher-priority projects and strategic initiatives.

Key features of Meter’s NaaS:

• Scalability: Meter’s network design solutions adapt to the needs of growing businesses, allowing for effortless expansion across users, devices, or locations.
• Proactive network monitoring: Meter continuously monitors network health to detect and address potential issues before they impact operations.
• Comprehensive support: From initial installation to ongoing maintenance, Meter manages every aspect of the network, reducing the demand on internal IT teams.
• Automatic hardware upgrades: As technology evolves, Meter provides clients with hardware upgrades, such as switches and access points, including transitions from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 7, without additional costs or disruptions.
• Predictable monthly costs: With Meter’s NaaS model, businesses avoid high upfront hardware expenses, turning network management into a manageable monthly fee.
• Integrated security: Meter incorporates advanced DNS security protocols across both wired and wireless networks, helping protect sensitive business data.

Intrigued? Find out how good our solutions are first-hand by scheduling a demo.