In today’s highly interconnected world, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are standard modes for connecting various devices. But many smart devices feature both technologies which might have you asking what exactly is the difference between them?
While each functions wirelessly, there are some differences. Bluetooth enables your devices to connect directly to other devices, while Wi-Fi permits your device to join the online world. Below we’ve detailed some of the other key differences between the two.
What is Bluetooth?
Simply put, Bluetooth is a wireless technology that uses ultra-high radio waves to allow multiple devices to communicate with each other. The goal of Bluetooth is to offer an easy and protected way to link gadgets and share information between them.
Advantages of Bluetooth:
How Does Bluetooth Work?
Bluetooth uses a band of 79 unique frequencies (also called channels) centered at 2.4 GHz to send or receive data. Bluetooth has short-range transmitters, which means your signals won’t have as much range as a wireless Wi-Fi network.
Toconnect two devices using Bluetooth, all you have to do is enable it on both of them and pair the two gadgets together. Once done, you can transfer or receive data conveniently. Eight Bluetooth devices can communicate with one another at once using one of the 79 available channels.
What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi allows devices to connect to the Internet or other networks using radio waves. That means your device needs to be connected to a router. The main goal of Wi-Fi is to provide a fast, reliable, and secure way to access the Internet and other network resources.
Advantages of Wi-Fi:
How Does Wi-Fi Work?
Wi-Fi is like a wireless route to the internet. It uses a router to send and receive signals instead of relying on physical cables or phone lines. Simply put, your device (computer, mobile, etc.) has a Wi-Fi adapter or card that converts and sends data in the form of radio signals using an antenna. The router receives this signal, decodes it, and sends the information to the internet via a wired Ethernet connection.
This process also works in reverse, with the router sending the data to the device and the device decoding it. This is how you’re able to both download and upload stuff on the internet.
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi: How Do They Differ?
Let’s begin with frequency and range differences. Bluetooth operates at 2.4 GHz and can connect devices as far as 240 meters apart (Bluetooth 5.0). In comparison, Wi-Fi leverages the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz spectrums, with typical operation distances of 75–150 feet indoors and 150–300 feet outdoors. Generally, you will have the longest range on a 2.4 GHz band, followed by 6 GHz, and then 5 GHz.
In terms of speed, Bluetooth peaks at 2 Mbps while Wi-Fi boasts higher speeds of up to 10-46 Gbps (Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7). These technical differences naturally impact their latency response times and bit rate.
Bluetooth typically experiences a 150–300 ms latency, while Wi-Fi often has a latency of less than 100 ms. Anything less than 100 ms is considered good, and if we go down to 10–20 ms, then that makes the latency perfect for gaming. For the best chance of that, we’d recommend picking up a router fromour guide of the very best on the market right now.
Bluetooth also has lower security, often requiring only a pairing code, allowing easier access for unauthorized devices. Wi-Fi implements higher security measures, demanding passwords or keys and using stronger encryption standards like WPA2/WPA3.
Can You Use Bluetooth Without Wi-Fi?
Yes, Bluetooth technology operates independently of Wi-Fi connectivity, making it feasible to use Bluetooth without the need for Wi-Fi.
Consider a scenario that would typically require Wi-Fi, such as sharing photos from a phone to a smart TV using a home network. However, if your phone and the TV both have Bluetooth, you will be able to transfer pictures between them without using Wi-Fi. Similarly, you can connect aBluetooth headset, or any other Bluetooth device, to your mobile, TV, or computer via Bluetooth even if your Wi-Fi is off.
This shows that while Wi-Fi is often needed for certain tasks, certain devices with Bluetooth capabilities can perform tasks without a need for Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Better Together!
You can make the most out of both wireless technologies by making them work together. For instance, use Bluetooth to connect your headset to your computer while using Wi-Fi to play an online game or watch a video. By using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi together, you can enjoy more functionality and usability on your devices and access more options and features online at the same time.
FAQ
Does Bluetooth affect Wi-Fi speed?
The short answer is yes, using both wireless technologies together can pose some bandwidth and connection problems. The reason for this is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices use similar radio frequencies, usually 2.4 GHz. This can cause them to interfere with each other, and therefore, speed can be compromised.
Why is Wi-Fi faster than Bluetooth?
Wi-Fi can operate at a significantly higher frequency (like 5 or 6 GHz) than Bluetooth, and, as a result, it transmits data much faster. Moreover, the channel bandwidth of Wi-Fi is also wider, which makes the data transmission process more efficient.
Does Wi-Fi use more power than Bluetooth?
Yes, Wi-Fi generally consumes much more power than Bluetooth. The reason for this is usually the higher frequency, greater range, and advanced layers of security protocols in Wi-Fi.
