Terminology » Bluetooth » WiFi vs. Bluetooth: A Comprehensive Comparison

WiFi vs. Bluetooth: A Comprehensive Comparison

wireless technology wifi bluetooth data rate power consumption

This article compares WiFi and Bluetooth, two widely used short-range wireless technologies found in homes and offices. Both are designed for low-coverage applications, but they differ significantly in their capabilities. Bluetooth excels in low data rate scenarios, while WiFi is better suited for high data rate applications.

Here’s a detailed comparison:

Key Differences Between WiFi and Bluetooth

The following table summarizes the key distinctions between WiFi and Bluetooth:

SpecificationsWiFiBluetooth
AuthorityIEEE, WECABluetooth SIG
Introduced Year19911994
Bandwidth/Data RateHigh, 11 Mbps (802.11b) and up to 54 Mbps (802.11a, OFDM)Low, 720 Kbps (V1.2) and 24 Mbps (V4.0)
HardwareWireless adaptors, a wireless router and/or wireless APsBluetooth adaptors connecting with each other
CostHighLow
Power ConsumptionHighLow
Frequency2.4 GHz, 5 GHz2.4 GHz
SecurityMore secureLess secure
Range100 meters10 meters
Ease of UseComplex to use, requires HW and SW configurationsSimple to use, up to 7 devices at a time, easy to switch between devices or find and connect to any device.
End DevicesLaptop, desktop, serversPhone, mouse, keyboard
Version/Standard802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11adV1.2, V2.0, V2.1, V3, V4, V4.1

In essence, WiFi provides higher speeds and longer range but consumes more power and can be more complex to set up. Bluetooth offers lower power consumption and ease of use, making it suitable for peripherals and short-range connections.