You are connected to your friends, ready to hop into an online game, and guess what, you face a higher latency in your entire game. What else is more painful than that?
A weak or unstable internet connection could easily affect your gaming experience. So, a better internet setup is a vital part of having a better gaming experience. And if you want portability and a good internet connection, you will have to choose from powerline vs. WiFi gaming.
Both connections have their unique benefits and various applications. There are a lot of arguments on which connection is better, and diving into the research might end up complicating everything in your mind.
So, we have taken that task from you. This article has broken down everything you need to know regarding powerline vs. WiFi gaming. We are confident that this will help you choose the winner between powerline vs. WiFi gaming.
What is a Powerline Adapter?
Powerline adapter is an easy-to-use home connection technology that provides faster internet to your devices. Your home’s main powerline is used to create a network system. A powerline adapter is used in a home network where the signal is sent through a wired cable. Finally, the cable connects a router to a computer.
Powerline adapters deliver a fast and stable connection, and they can provide ethernet signals to any number of devices. It is ideal for streaming HD content, gaming, and other data-hungry devices that consume higher speed.
Also, it does not require any configuration to use. For this reason, it is a fan favorite for those who don’t want a complex internet connection but want to enjoy the services of the internet.
Advantages of Having a Powerline Adapter for Gaming
Here are the benefits that you can have if you use powerline adapters as your primary internet providing system:
1. Easy Plug and Play
The most significant advantage of using powerline adapters is that you need to plug in the device, and you are good to go. There is no complexity during the process, and you need to connect a few wires, the cables & wires provided by your internet provider, and that’s it. You got yourself an internet connection.
The configuring process is also straightforward. You don’t need to pick the IP address, DNS address, and other options like wi-fi. Instead, you have to push a few buttons, and your powerline adapter is good to go!
2. Faster & Stable
If we strictly compare wi-fi and modems, a powerline adapter is swift and stable. You won’t face any data dropout due to multiple users connecting simultaneously. Because uncles the adapter is also connected to a network hub, your device will have the full force of your internet’s speed.
This is great for those who always need to stay connected to the internet due to their work. Gamers simply adorn this feature, but mainly, they prefer ethernet connection over all the other options in the market. But as the concept of powerline adapters is very similar to an ethernet cable connection, many gamers tend to go for this option rather than going with a Wi-Fi connection. So, in this case of powerline vs. WiFi gaming, the powerline is the clear winner.
3. Easily Portable
Another perk of using powerline adapters is that they are fully portable, and you don’t have to go through any complex setup period also. Thus, you can move your powerline adapter without any issues, no matter where you want to take them.
Being highly portable, you can also save a lot of space on your room if you go for powerline adapters compared to Wi-Fi as you will need to set up a lot of devices and will need to place them in a particular spot and can’t move one them without moving the entire set.
Disadvantages of Having a Powerline Adapter for Gaming
Here are the cons that you will have to adjust with when using a powerline adapter for your gaming needs:
1. Takes Up Two Sockets
This can be an issue if your multiplug or power strip doesn’t have a good number of sockets, as you will need to use two sockets to power the powerline adapter. So, if you are planning to connect this device with your PC, make sure you’ve got enough sockets to support the adapter.
2. Needs Single Electrical Circuits to Function
This is a big issue of powerline adapters as this limits the option of where you can use them. As not every place that you visit has or offers single electrical circuits.
3. Speed Doesn’t Live Up to Professional Gaming Standards
While you might get a better and stable internet connection, it is still not up to the professional gaming standard. Therefore, it will always remain the second-best compared to the ethernet.
Wi-Fi
Wi-fi is a wireless setup that provides a higher network signal to any mobile device within a defined range. Wi-fi is a convenient option for a home network, and Wi-fi can be set up in any house, and it can cover a large room and provide internet without any electrical outlet or wire.
Advantages of Having Wi-Fi for Gaming
Here are the advantages you will have with Wi-Fi as your online gaming connection providing system:
1. A Convenient System
Wireless networks are easy to connect if your device has a wireless connection option. You can combine multiple devices on a single Wi-Fi, and the connection speed will be divided between all the connected devices.
2. Connect from Anywhere in the House
This is very useful if you game on a laptop. This is because as long as you are in the range of the Wi-Fi, you can easily connect to the internet and get going with your games. Make sure to stay in range, and if you are staying at the very end of the range, you might face a few connectivity issues.
Disadvantages of Having Wi-Fi for Gaming
1. Security
A great concern regarding Wi-Fi is that the system can easily get hacked. While you have encryption on the system’s design, a good hacker can break it down quickly and can get hands-on your personal details.
2. Overall Range
While it is very convenient to connect as long as you are in the range of your Wi-Fi, this is also counterproductive. The range is generally around 80 to 150 feet, and it doesn’t cover a vast area.
3. Speed & Connectivity
The overall speed of Wi-Fi is slower compared to the other options. And the more devices it gets connected to, the slower the connection speed becomes.
Powerline vs. WiFi Gaming: Who Is Better?
As you can see from the discussion, both have their respective advantages and disadvantages to offer. That being said, it highly depends on which connection fulfills your needs.
In the case of gaming, there are a few factors you have to keep in mind. These are uninterrupted connectivity, low latency, low ping, and packet loss, and change in any of might be a disaster in the gaming experience.
A wi-fi signal is dependent on some variables. Wi-fi signal starts losing strength with the increasing distance between you and your wireless router. Also, if any wall or obstacle occurs between your device and the router, it will fail to deliver the proper connection you need.
Because it cannot ensure stable connectivity between your device and router, it has some issues with stability. It ends up with a weaker signal and higher latency which is not expected from a gamer.
As for the powerline adapters, there is an advantage in connectivity. A powerline adapter is directly connected to your devices from a power socket. That’s why it provides the full potential of your broadband and offers a stable connection and the best latency possible for gaming. But that’s not it. There are some factors you should keep in mind.
The length of the cable causes ping problems. If the distance between the router and your device goes higher, or in other words, the wire is longer, then you may face slower speed for gaming. Also, another factor is interference. If there is more interference in a connection, it will create a higher ping in the game.
Who is the Winner?
Now, powerline vs. WiFi gaming both has their own benefits and downsides when it comes to gaming. But in our opinion, you should go for a powerline adapter over a wi-fi connection. Comparing the specs, it becomes evident that the powerline offers much better value.
It is also essential to choose a good internet service provider. Because if they cause any problem, neither powerline nor wi-fi could provide the proper connectivity you need. You just necessarily need to have a high bandwidth ISP, but it’s important to have stable connection.
