Both work wirelessly. However, there are key differences between WiFi and Bluetooth connections. When can devices be paired more easily via Bluetooth? For which purposes is WLAN better suited?
Both WiFi and Bluetooth are terms that everyone knows. Both represent the wireless transmission of data, but for what exactly? And how do the techniques work? TECHBOOK author Lars Lubienetzki explains the differences.
WLAN or WiFi?
If you travel abroad a lot, you know the confusion. Almost no one abroad knows about WLAN, even though it is an English term. WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network and describes a local, wireless network. Basically it is a LAN connection with the cable missing.
WiFi is purely a marketing term. It is short for Wireless Fidelity. The brand name was invented by the WiFi Alliance, a consortium of companies that certifies WiFi devices. Accordingly, WLAN is a special WiFi format, namely according to the licensed standard IEEE-802.11.
However, there are other WiFi standards. Every WiFi is therefore also a WLAN. However, not every WLAN falls under the WiFi license. Next time you are abroad, ask directly about a WiFi connection to avoid misunderstandings.
You can find more information about the difference between WLAN and WiFi in our overview article.
What is Bluetooth suitable for?
You’ve probably already noticed that wireless headphones rely on Bluetooth, not WiFi. Most connections between your smartphone and the car radio or a speaker also work via Bluetooth. To stay with the picture: While WLAN replaces the LAN cable, Bluetooth makes a wired USB port unnecessary.
Whenever two mobile devices need to establish a permanent connection with each other, Bluetooth is usually the better option. All you need is a transmitter, such as a keyboard, and a receiver, such as a tablet.
A wireless connection via Bluetooth is very easy to set up. However, there are also a few disadvantages. The devices must be in close proximity to one another. Depending on the Bluetooth standard, the connection breaks off at a distance of more than 10 meters. Bluetooth connections are also less secure. Data traffic is often completely unencrypted.
The data throughput or bandwidth is significantly below the WLAN values. However, that doesn’t matter if it’s just a matter of connecting a game console to a controller in order to play wirelessly.
What is WiFi suitable for?
A wireless connection via WLAN always makes sense when it comes to connecting two devices that are permanently and permanently in one room. It is also important that these two devices have a lot of data traffic. If you want to watch films via streaming services on your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone, the best way to do this is via WiFi. The bandwidth of Bluetooth would be far too low.
To establish a WiFi connection, three devices are required. Because the sender and receiver only communicate with the help of a router. However, this also works over longer distances of up to 100 meters. The actual distance depends on the environment. In an old building with thick walls between the rooms, the distance quickly shrinks to just a few meters. Here, other devices such as a repeater must amplify the router’s radio signal.
By the way: WLAN and Bluetooth sometimes use the same frequency ranges of 2.4 to 2.483 gigahertz (GHz). However, the WLAN frequency range extends into the more powerful ranges of up to 6 GHz.
The data throughput with WLAN is many times higher than with Bluetooth. The encryption of the data also works much better than with a Bluetooth connection.
However, the power consumption when using WLAN is higher than with the Bluetooth version.
Which is better, WiFi or Bluetooth?
When asked a question like this, the answer is usually: It depends. So too in this case. Because the best connection depends on the intended use.
For example, if you want to enjoy fast music via wireless headphones or speakers while gardening, it is better to choose Bluetooth. As a streaming fan or when exchanging larger amounts of data in the gigabyte range, you cannot avoid a WiFi connection. The main difference is that WiFi connects to the Internet. Bluetooth, on the other hand, connects two devices point-to-point with each other.