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Ethernet produced lower and more stable latency than Wi-Fi in RTINGS’ controlled router-level test. That makes a wired connection the better choice when consistent play matters and running a cable is practical. It does not guarantee a particular reduction in the ping shown by your game: server distance, ISP routing, congestion, and your setup also affect that number.
What the wired-versus-wireless test found
RTINGS updated its router research on June 5, 2025. It tested 11 routers and compared Ethernet with Wi-Fi near the router and Wi-Fi in a closed room 40 feet away. During the measurements, a second device downloaded at maximum speed. The test connected Linux and Counter-Strike 2 servers on the internet-facing side of the router through a switch.
In that setup, Ethernet’s latency results were lower and more consistent than Wi-Fi’s. RTINGS also found a small positive effect from being near the router when using Wi-Fi. These findings describe the tested network path and conditions; they do not establish a fixed number of milliseconds every gamer will save by plugging in. RTINGS’ test methodology and findings
Why spikes matter as well as the typical result
A single ping or median can hide occasional delays that disrupt play. RTINGS’ graphs included the 5th, 50th, 75th, 95th, and 98th percentiles, drawing attention to the slower tail of the latency distribution as well as typical results. When comparing connections, look for repeated measurements and variation, not just one reading.
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What changes your in-game ping
Latency is the time data takes to travel from your device to a destination and back; ping is commonly displayed in milliseconds. Your connection to the router is only one part of the route to a game server. The ISP connection, routing between networks, and distance to the selected server also affect the result. A closer available server can reduce the distance packets travel, whether your device connects by cable or Wi-Fi. Intel’s gaming networking guidance
Why Wi-Fi can vary more
Wi-Fi is a shared, half-duplex medium: devices take turns using airtime, and network-management traffic uses some of it too. Competition for airtime can add delay variation or spikes. Walls, distance, other devices, and nearby wireless networks can weaken or interfere with the signal. Ethernet avoids that wireless airtime link, but it cannot eliminate delays elsewhere on the internet route. RTINGS’ latency research and Nexon’s wired-versus-wireless guidance
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How to compare ping on your own network
- Test the local link. Connect by Wi-Fi and ping your router’s default gateway; then connect by Ethernet and repeat. Nexon recommends this comparison. Use the same device and, as much as possible, the same conditions.
- Repeat the measurements. Compare the typical readings and how widely they vary, including occasional high values. A single ping cannot show whether one connection has intermittent spikes.
- Check the game separately. Compare the game’s displayed ping on each connection while using the same game server, if possible. If gateway results improve on Ethernet but game ping barely changes, delays beyond your local link may dominate.
- Keep the test conditions in mind. Wi-Fi distance, walls, competing devices, and channel use can change results. If you test while another device is downloading, note that load rather than treating the result as an unloaded baseline.
A download-speed result is not a substitute for these latency checks: high throughput alone does not show whether ping is stable.
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If a cable run is impractical, reduce avoidable Wi-Fi contention and improve the signal at the gaming device. RTINGS recommends using 5 GHz or 6 GHz rather than 2.4 GHz when available, limiting competing traffic, and moving the device closer to the router where practical. These steps can help, but they do not guarantee Wi-Fi will match Ethernet in every home. RTINGS’ recommendations
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When a cable or router change makes sense
Trying Ethernet
A direct cable is the clearest way to find out whether Wi-Fi is contributing to your latency variation. Intel lists Cat 5e and Cat 6 as common consumer Ethernet cable types capable of up to 1 Gbps; choose a cable that supports your internet speed and the capabilities of your device and router ports. Cable length should suit the route you need. A premium “gaming” cable is not a latency upgrade when an ordinary cable already supports the connection. Intel’s cable guidance
Considering router settings or replacement
QoS or Smart Queue Management may help when congestion at your internet connection’s bottleneck is the problem. A router upgrade is more relevant when troubleshooting identifies a capability issue or congestion that those features can address. RTINGS cautions that a new router generally has little effect on gaming latency without a genuine bottleneck or congestion issue; it cannot fix a distant game server or poor ISP routing. RTINGS’ current gaming-router testing context
Quick Recap
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- High transmission Speed: Ltemziiy Cat 8 Ethernet Cable supports 40Gbps data transmission and up to 2000MHz bandwidth, enabling high-speed data transfer for server applications, online gaming, uploading, downloading, and HD video streaming
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Rank #4
- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
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