The key difference
A native asset is built into a blockchain's base protocol and is often used to pay transaction fees. A wrapped token is a tokenized representation designed to make an asset usable within smart-contract systems.
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Native vs Wrapped Tokens Across Chains.
Why native and wrapped versions of the same asset can behave differently across networks.
Where each approach fits
ETH on Ethereum is native ETH, while WETH is a token contract representing ETH. On another network, an ETH representation can have a different contract and liquidity profile.
What to compare
Because representations differ, wallets and applications should identify assets by network and contract, not only by ticker. A familiar symbol can refer to a different token on another chain.
Bottom line
When bridging, verify exactly what the destination route delivers and whether your intended application supports it. If you need native gas, make sure the destination asset is actually usable for that purpose.