January 29, 2025, 2:51 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Both work wirelessly, yet there are significant differences between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. When is it easier to pair devices via Bluetooth? And for what purposes is Wi-Fi better suited?
Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are terms everyone knows. They both stand for the wireless transmission of data, but what exactly do they mean? And how do the technologies work? TECHBOOK author Lars Lubienetzki explains the differences.
Overview
Wi-Fi or WLAN?
If you travel abroad frequently, you’re familiar with the confusion. Hardly anyone abroad knows WLAN, even though it’s an English term. WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network and refers to a local, wireless network. Essentially, it’s a LAN connection without cables.
Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is purely a marketing term. It stands for Wireless Fidelity. The brand name was invented by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a consortium of companies that certifies WLAN devices. Thus, WLAN is a specific Wi-Fi format, namely according to the licensed IEEE-802.11 standard.
However, there are also other Wi-Fi standards. Therefore, every Wi-Fi is also a WLAN. However, not every WLAN falls under the Wi-Fi license. To avoid misunderstandings, ask for a Wi-Fi connection directly during your next stay abroad.
For more information on the difference between WLAN and Wi-Fi, see our overview article.
What a Wi-Fi connection is suitable for
A wireless connection via Wi-Fi is always useful when connecting two devices that are permanently and firmly located in a room. It is also important that these two devices are engaged in active data exchange. For example, if you want to watch movies via streaming services on a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, it’s best to do so via Wi-Fi. The bandwidth of Bluetooth would be far too low.
To establish a Wi-Fi connection, three devices are necessary. The sender and receiver communicate only with the help of a router. However, this also works over greater distances of up to 100 meters. The actual distance depends on the environment. In an old building with thick walls between rooms, the distance quickly shrinks to a few meters. Here, other devices like a repeater must amplify the router’s radio signal.
By the way, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth partially use the same frequency ranges from 2.4 to 2.483 gigahertz (GHz). However, the Wi-Fi frequency range extends into the more powerful areas of up to 6 GHz.
The data throughput of Wi-Fi is many times higher than that of Bluetooth. Also, the encryption of data works significantly better than with a Bluetooth connection. However, the power consumption when using Wi-Fi is higher than with the Bluetooth variant.
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What is the Difference Between WLAN and WiFi?
How Bluetooth works
You’ve probably noticed that wireless headphones, for example, rely on Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. Similarly, most connections between your smartphone and car radio or a speaker work via Bluetooth. To put it in perspective: While Wi-Fi replaces the LAN cable, Bluetooth makes a wired USB connection unnecessary.
Whenever two mobile devices are to establish a fixed connection with each other, Bluetooth is usually the better option. It only requires a sender, such as a keyboard, and a receiver, like a tablet.
A wireless connection via Bluetooth is very easy to set up. However, there are also some disadvantages. The devices must be in close proximity to each other. Depending on the Bluetooth standard, the connection breaks at more than 10 meters distance. Additionally, Bluetooth connections are less secure. Often, the data traffic is completely unencrypted.
The data throughput or bandwidth is significantly lower than Wi-Fi values. However, this doesn’t matter if, for example, it’s just about connecting a game console with a controller to play wirelessly.
Which is better, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
When faced with such a question, the answer is usually: It depends. This is also the case here, as the best connection depends on the intended use.
For example, if you want to enjoy lively music via wireless headphones or speakers while gardening, it’s better to choose Bluetooth. As a streaming fan or when exchanging larger amounts of data in the gigabyte range, you can’t avoid a connection via Wi-Fi. The main difference is that Wi-Fi establishes a connection to the internet. Bluetooth, on the other hand, connects two devices point-to-point.