Ethernet is slow on TVs, but it doesn't have to compete with everything else for Wi-Fi bandwidth.

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Bandwidth matters a lot when streaming movies and TV shows. Services like Netflix and Disney+ typically recommend at least 5 Mbps for 1080p streaming. For 4K HDR content, that steps up to 25Mbps or better, since 4K resolution is four times that of 1080p. Plus, subscriptions that include 4K HDR typically throw in Dolby Atmos , even if it's just the compressed version.

By extension, the way your TV connects to the internet is important. A local chokepoint can be just as bad as paying for a bottom-of-the-barrel internet plan. That might come in the form of an outdated router, or perhaps an evening surge in congestion if a neighbor decides your movie night would be a perfect time to torrent a few files.

One decision you need to make is whether to use Wi-Fi or Ethernet to get your TV online.…