Before Wi-Fi existed everywhere, Ethernet was the preferred way to get your devices on the Internet. By running Ethernet cables in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), you can send data back and forth. It’s still widely used because sending data over a cable is usually faster, more reliable, and more secure than sending it as a radio signal, as Wi-Fi does.
If you want get the most out of your internet connectionEthernet is still a great way to do it, and is the obvious choice for any organization that prizes high speed, security and reliability. Here’s everything you need to know about Ethernet. You may also want to dive into our guides How to Buy a Router, Best Wi-Fi routersand Best Mesh Systems.
Updated April 2026: I added more information about Ethernet, including advice on cables, as well as a new Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) section that includes a few recommended products.
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History of Ethernet
First developed in 1973 by a group of engineers at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), including Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs, Ethernet allowed people to connect multiple computers in a local area network (LAN). Ethernet provided a set of rules for sending data back and forth between specific machines quickly. The name Ethernet was derived from light ether.
To simplify it significantly Early history of EthernetXerox left its trademark on the name Ethernet, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) formalized the 802.3 standard (otherwise known as Ethernet) in 1983. Other technologies existed, but Ethernet soon became the dominant standard because it was open, so networking equipment was available from many manufacturers. Ethernet was also easy to upgrade, with each version offering backward compatibility.
The first official version of Ethernet supported speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Then 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet came in 1995, and Gigabit Ethernet followed in 1999. By 2002, 10-Gigabit Ethernet was possible. Power over Ethernet, or PoE, which enabled devices to use a single cable for power and network, landed in 2003. Work has continued to increase the capacity of Ethernet since, reaching 40 Gbps in 2010, then 100 Gbps later that year. Research is ongoing, but 40 Gbps is the highest speed available for home use today, and that’s way more than most of us need.
Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Even if you’ve only ever used Wi-Fi, you’re probably familiar with Ethernet plugs and cables. The cable that connects your modem to your Wi-Fi router or network head unit is probably an Ethernet cable with an RJ45 connector. Ethernet offers three main advantages over Wi-Fi: It is usually faster, more stable, and safer. But it requires you to run cables between the devices, and the connected devices must have Ethernet ports. Networking can also be difficult and expensive.
Although Wi-Fi 7 technically offers speeds that can compete with Ethernet, Wi-Fi suffers from interference and slow speed drops. Ethernet offers stable stability and stable transmission. Bufferbloat, where devices fight for airtime on a single wireless channel and cause lag, can also be a problem for Wi-Fi. Ethernet cables give devices their own dedicated channel, so if your roommate starts a big download it won’t cause your Netflix to crash, as it might with shared Wi-Fi bandwidth.
Ultimately, the speed you get will be limited by the lowest factor, whether it’s a cable, a port or a switch. Let’s take a closer look at all three.
Ethernet cables
Photo: Amazon
There are seven categories of Ethernet cable in use today, offering the highest levels of bandwidth and data.
