Learn About Game Console Connectivity
Game console connectivity quick guide
What is it?
It is the act of connecting game consoles together to share data. Connectivity can be through a wired or wireless connection. Modern game consoles use Bluetooth to connect to game controllers wirelessly. It is important to note that all connectivity speeds are theoretical and actual speeds depend on many factors. The following are the most used standards in game consoles with their capabilities:
-
Wi-Fi 4
Also known as 802.11n, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Learn more
- Wi-Fi 4 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 150Mbps
- 2 Stream = 300Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
-
Wi-Fi 5
Also known as 802.11ac, it supports 5GHz only.
Learn more
- Wi-Fi 5 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 433Mbps
- 2 Stream = 866Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
-
Wi-Fi 6
Also known as 802.11ax, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Learn more
- Wi-Fi 6 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 600Mbps
- 2 Stream = 1200Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
-
Ethernet
-
Bluetooth
It is mainly used for connecting with accessories wirelessly.
Learn more
- Bluetooth Speeds
- Bluetooth 1.0 = 700Kbps
- Bluetooth 2.0 = 2Mbps
- Bluetooth 3.0 = 3Mbps
- Bluetooth 4 LE = 1Mbps
- Bluetooth 5 = 2Mbps
How does it work?
Connectivity works by doing the following (over simplified) steps:
- Send data
- Receive data
Look for
-
Get wired
Check if you can get a wired connection instead of wireless
Wired network is more reliable than wireless and less prone to interference.
-
Use 5 - 6GHz Wi-Fi
Use 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi when possible
5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi are faster and less prone to interference, but their range is less.
-
Router Proximity
If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure you get as close as you can to the router
Avoid
-
Wi-Fi
Avoid using Wi-Fi, use wired connection instead
Wired is more reliable than wireless and less prone to interference.
-
2.4GHz
Avoid using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
2.4GHz is slower and more prone to interference, but has longer range. So try to stay close to your router to avoid using it.