Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth: Which is better in IoT applications?

August 26, 2021

Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth: Which is better in IoT applications?

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, the need for wireless connectivity options becomes increasingly important. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are two commonly used wireless communication technologies in IoT applications. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses, making it difficult to determine a clear winner. In this blog post, we will compare Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in terms of range, power consumption, compatibility, and data transfer rate to help you decide which is better for your IoT application.

Range

One of the primary differences between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is their range. Wi-Fi has a longer range compared to Bluetooth. A typical Wi-Fi network has a range of up to 30 meters indoors and up to 100 meters outdoors. Bluetooth, on the other hand, has a shorter range of up to 10 meters. Therefore, if you have an IoT application that requires devices to communicate over longer distances, Wi-Fi may be the better choice.

Power Consumption

Power consumption is another critical factor to consider in IoT applications. Devices that run on batteries require wireless communication technologies that consume less power. In this aspect, Bluetooth has an edge over Wi-Fi. Bluetooth has a low power consumption rate, making it ideal for battery-powered devices. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, consumes more power, making it less suitable for battery-powered devices.

Compatibility

Compatibility is another significant factor to consider when choosing a wireless communication technology. Bluetooth is compatible with almost all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, making it ideal for IoT applications that need to connect with various devices. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, requires a Wi-Fi router to establish a connection, making it less versatile than Bluetooth.

Data Transfer Rate

The data transfer rate is a critical factor to consider when choosing wireless communication technologies for IoT applications. Wi-Fi has a higher data transfer rate compared to Bluetooth, making it a better choice for applications that require fast data transfer. Wi-Fi has a data transfer rate of up to 600 Mbps, while Bluetooth's maximum data transfer rate is 1 Mbps.

Conclusion

As we have seen, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have their own strengths and weaknesses, making it challenging to choose between them. If you need to transmit data over longer distances and require high-speed data transfer, Wi-Fi may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you need to connect with multiple devices and require low power consumption, Bluetooth is the better choice.

No matter what wireless communication technology you choose, ensure that it aligns with your specific IoT application's requirements.

References

A. Ortiz-Zuazaga, J. Ortiz-López, and I. Román-Flores, "A Comparative Study of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy for Indoor Positioning of Mobile Devices," 2018 IEEE XXIX International Conference on Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computing (INTERCON), Lima, 2018, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/INTERCON.2018.8630238.
S. Singh and S. Singh, "Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth 5.1/BLE for IoT Applications," 2020 International Conference on Communication and Electronics Systems (ICCES), Coimbatore, India, 2020, pp. 549-553, doi: 10.1109/ICCES51634.2020.9231228.