How they compare
| Ethernet cable | Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Constant | Varies with distance, walls and interference |
| Speed at the TV | Full speed of the router port | Often well below the router’s advertised speed |
| Latency and jitter | Low and steady | Higher, with spikes when the network is busy |
| Effect of neighbours’ networks | None | Congestion, especially on 2.4 GHz |
| Setup | Needs a cable run (or an alternative) | Nothing to install |
| Best for | Main TV, live sport, 4K | Phones, tablets, secondary TVs, HD near the router |
Why live TV is harder on Wi-Fi than films
Films and on-demand shows can download well ahead of where you’re watching, so a Wi-Fi dip goes unnoticed. Live channels can only buffer a few seconds ahead, because the next few seconds haven’t been broadcast yet. When Wi-Fi drops for a moment, a live stream runs out of buffer and stops. That’s why the same Wi-Fi can play films perfectly and still buffer on live sport.
Getting the most from Wi-Fi
- Use the 5 GHz band. It’s faster over short range. Most routers name it separately or combine both bands under one name. See 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.
- Give the device line of sight where possible. A stick behind a TV loses signal; use the HDMI extender that comes with it.
- Move or raise the router. A router on the floor or in a cupboard loses a lot of range.
- Reduce competition. Big downloads, game updates and cloud backups on the same network cause live streams to buffer.
When a cable can’t reach
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Powerline adapters | Send network data through your home’s electrical wiring | TVs a few rooms from the router |
| Mesh Wi-Fi | Extra units spread strong Wi-Fi around the home; some have Ethernet ports | Larger homes and weak spots |
| Ethernet adapter for a stick | Adds a cable socket to a streaming stick | Fire TV and similar sticks near a router or switch |
For Fire TV specifically, see the Fire TV Ethernet adapter guide. For the speed each quality level needs, see internet speed for IPTV.