When to Run Ethernet Instead of Relying on WiFi
WiFi works for most things, but there are specific situations where ethernet is the clear winner. Here are the scenarios where running cable makes the biggest difference.
Gaming: Where Latency Is Everything
For online gaming, the speed of your connection matters less than its consistency. A WiFi connection might show 200 Mbps on a speed test but introduce 15 to 40 milliseconds of variable latency — the time it takes for data to travel between your console and the game server. That variability creates the lag spikes, rubber-banding, and input delay that competitive gamers dread. A wired ethernet connection typically delivers 1 to 3 milliseconds of latency with almost zero variation. For fast-paced games where a fraction of a second determines the outcome, that difference is enormous. It is not about downloading games faster (though that helps too) — it is about every button press registering exactly when you expect it to. If you have a gaming setup in a bedroom or basement that is far from the router, running an ethernet cable through the wall is a one-time investment that permanently solves the lag problem. Many homeowners with gaming setups in rooms like finished basements in Centennial or bonus rooms in Arvada have made this exact upgrade and immediately noticed the improvement. Our ethernet installation guide walks through the process for different room layouts.
Streaming: Consistent Quality Without Buffering
4K streaming requires a sustained 25 Mbps connection, and if you are streaming on multiple TVs simultaneously, those demands stack up. WiFi can technically handle these speeds, but it does so inconsistently. A momentary dip in WiFi signal — caused by someone walking between the router and the TV, a neighbor's network jumping to the same channel, or a microwave running in the kitchen — can trigger buffering or force the stream to downgrade to a lower resolution. Ethernet delivers steady, uninterrupted bandwidth. A Cat6 cable supports up to 10 Gbps, which is orders of magnitude more than any streaming service needs. Once the cable is connected, the TV gets exactly the speed it needs without competing with other wireless devices. For homes with multiple TVs — a living room, bedroom, and basement entertainment area — running ethernet to each TV location ensures every screen gets reliable streaming quality. Smart TVs, Apple TVs, Roku devices, and gaming consoles all have ethernet ports specifically because manufacturers know that wired connections deliver better performance for streaming. TV mounting services from TV Solutions can include ethernet drops at the same time, bundling the work into a single visit.
Home Office: Reliability You Can Count On
A home office on WiFi is fine until it is not. The moment you are presenting to a client and your video freezes, or a file upload fails mid-transfer, or your VPN connection drops during a critical task, the convenience of wireless stops being worth the risk. Ethernet provides the consistent upload and download speeds that remote work demands. Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet are particularly sensitive to connection instability. Even brief latency spikes cause audio dropouts, frozen video, and the dreaded "your internet connection is unstable" warning. These issues are almost always WiFi-related and almost always disappear with a wired connection. For homeowners who work from home regularly, running ethernet to the office is a practical investment. A single Cat6 run from the router location to a desk — concealed inside the wall with a clean wall plate — provides a permanent, reliable connection. If the home office also uses a network-attached storage drive, a printer, or other peripherals, a small unmanaged switch at the desk gives you multiple wired ports from that single cable run.
Smart Home Hubs and Security Systems
Smart home devices like hubs, NAS drives, and security camera DVRs benefit from wired connections because they need to be online 24/7 without interruption. A WiFi-connected security system that drops offline when the network gets congested defeats the purpose of having a security system. Ethernet-connected devices maintain constant uptime regardless of wireless network conditions. Security cameras that record to a local NVR (network video recorder) transfer large amounts of data continuously. Four or five 4K security cameras streaming and recording simultaneously can easily saturate a WiFi network, especially if the cameras are far from the router. Running ethernet to the camera locations and the NVR ensures smooth recording with no dropped frames or gaps in footage. Smart home hubs from brands like Hubitat, Home Assistant, and SmartThings also perform more reliably on wired connections. These hubs communicate with dozens of devices throughout the house, and a stable network connection ensures that automations trigger consistently and device status updates in real time. If you are setting up or upgrading a smart home network and want reliable wired connections where they matter most, book with TV Solutions . A technician will plan the cable routes, handle the installation, and leave you with a clean, organized network. Learn more about home network wiring services available across the service area.