Wired vs wireless – which is right for you?

Whether you want mobility, convenience or reliable speed, there’s a connection type that will suit your needs. Wireless, wired or a combination of both – let's find the right connection type for you.

Wi-Fi, wired, or both?

Your router can connect to your devices through either wired or wireless connections, giving you the flexibility to roam with Wi-Fi or the dependability of a wired connection. There are great reasons to go for either, or you can combine the two connection types to optimise your home setup in a way that works for you. 

Wi-Fi: A Wi-Fi connection means your router is the only device physically connected to your nbn connection box. It then connects wirelessly to your devices or mesh network nodes via a Wi-Fi signal.  

Wireless is a great option because the wireless signal can travel around your home or business without wires and is generally sufficient in a small property. It offers convenience and mobility, allowing you to connect to the internet wherever there is Wi-Fi signal. 

However, depending on your home or business’s layout, you may experience lag or drop-outs the further you move away from your router, due to interference from thick walls, appliances, or simply the distance the Wi-Fi signal has to cover. 

Wired: When you need reliability and speed, a wired connection can cut out the guesswork and help ensure your internet is on point. It might sound techy, but simply put, a wired connection means using an Ethernet cable, also known as a Local Area Network (LAN) cable, to connect your devices directly to your Wi-Fi router, or adding a wired connection between your mesh network nodes.  

A wired connection typically offers a faster, more stable online experience with less interference than Wi-Fi. Plus it’s generally a more secure connection with less risk of unauthorised access.   

Plan with a registered cabler to install internal wiring, such as in your wall or ceiling, and multiple Ethernet ports around your property. 

Why not both? Want the convenience of Wi-Fi but have some devices that demand more speed and bandwidth?  

You can continue to use Wi-Fi, while connecting individual devices like your smart TV or gaming console to your Wi-Fi router using Ethernet cables, ensuring a faster, more reliable connection where you need it. Or you could use a mesh network and connect the nodes via Ethernet cabling, reducing the demand on your Wi-Fi and giving you a more stable connection and stronger Wi-Fi signal from those nodes.

Types of cables for a wired connection

There are two types of Ethernet cables you’re likely to come across, both of which can be purchased from tech retailers: 

Shorter cable: Also referred to as a patch cable, these usually come in the box when you buy a new Wi-Fi router, and are often used to connect a device like a smart TV or home computer.  

Structural cable: This is the cable installed in-wall by a registered cabler – it’s made to cover longer distances to help connect two areas of your home or business. New installations should ideally use at least CAT 6 cables, since older cables might not support higher nbn speed tiers..

Building or renovating?

Avoid extra work down the track – map out your cabling requirements now so it's installed while you build. That way you can be ready to connect once you complete your construction. Talk to a registered cabler for support.

Keep the future in mind?

The average household globally now has around 25 connected devices1 – making the demand for more data higher than ever before. So it’s worth thinking about what’s coming in the future. 

Is your home relatively large, with thick walls and/or multiple levels? Are you planning to integrate more smart home devices, like EV chargers, smart appliances or security cameras, into your home? Having the flexibility to connect devices directly via a wired connection rather than relying solely on Wi-Fi means you can enjoy fast and reliable internet throughout your home, with fewer headaches troubleshooting. 

Tips:  

• Ask a registered cabler about installing additional Ethernet sockets (or data ports) in areas of your home where there’ll be a lot of internet usage, like lounge rooms, offices, or games rooms. 
• Decide where the main or most central area of your premises is – that’s where your Wi-Fi router should go.   
• Think about two to three other areas where the internet will be used a lot, like home offices or living rooms, and consider whether you want to have data or Ethernet ports installed there.