If you are a gamer and you like to play online from your console, be it a PlayStation, Xbox or even the Nintendo Switch, using Wi-Fi may be sabotaging your experience without you knowing it. Although many devices today offer wireless connectivity, the truth is that an Ethernet cable connection is still the most stable, fast, and reliable option, especially when it comes to multiplayer games where every millisecond counts.

Many gamers wonder why they suffer from lag, disconnections, or games where they feel like they're not keeping up with the others. The answer, in many cases, is not the console, the game, or even the internet provider, but the use of Wi-Fi as a means of connection.

A network cable offers more consistent speeds than Wi-Fi

Contrary to what many people think, Wi-Fi does not guarantee stable speeds or an interference-free connection. Your console can be two meters from the router, but if there are walls, other connected devices, or even a microwave in use nearby, your connection can fluctuate without warning.

When you connect your console with an Ethernet cable directly to your router, you eliminate those variables. You're creating a direct connection, without physical obstacles or electromagnetic interference. This translates to faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, and a much smoother experience.

For games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends, or FIFA, this can mean the difference between winning and losing a match. In these titles, a fraction of a second can determine whether you shoot first or your opponent does. With Wi-Fi, that fraction of a second can mean your loss.

Additionally, if you're downloading games, updates, or expansions (often tens of gigabytes in size), downloading them over a cable can significantly shorten download times. Even if you have a high-speed connection, your Wi-Fi may not be taking full advantage of that bandwidth.

Gaming with a cable reduces ping and disconnections

One of the biggest enemies of online gaming is ping. This term, which basically refers to the time it takes your console to communicate with the game server, skyrockets when using Wi-Fi. While you might have a ping of 10 ms with a cable, with Wi-Fi that figure can rise to 60, 80, or more—and that's not even counting the dreaded latency spikes.

Furthermore, unexpected disconnections are more common on wireless connections. A simple signal drop, a drop in network strength, or Wi-Fi channel saturation can get you kicked out of a game, ruining your progress or affecting your teammates. With a network cable, these problems are practically nonexistent.

And if you're someone who plays at night or when there are more people at home watching series, downloading files, or using social media, you'll notice the difference even more. Wi-Fi distributes the bandwidth among all connected devices, while a cable keeps your connection isolated and direct.

How to easily connect your console via cable

The first thing you'll need is an Ethernet cable. It doesn't have to be the most expensive on the market, but it's recommended that it be at least category 5e or 6 to take full advantage of current speeds. Then, simply connect one end to your console's Ethernet port and the other to your router or modem.

If your console is far from your router and you don't want to run cables all over your house, there are alternatives such as Power Line adapters, which use your home's electrical network to carry the internet signal from one point to another. They're not as perfect as a direct cable, but they're much better than relying solely on Wi-Fi.

You can also consider installing an access point closer to your console, although this requires more investment and technical knowledge.

If you really want to take advantage of everything your console has to offer in online gaming, ditching Wi-Fi and connecting via cable is one of the best steps you can take. Lower ping, more stability, better downloads, and most importantly, a much more competitive and lag-free gaming experience.