Wi-Fi what…? The distinction between Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and seven

Whereas Wi-Fi networking has simplified a bit previously decade, I can not blame anybody that is confused, particularly in the event that they’re new to desktop and laptop PCs. There are a number of main Wi-Fi requirements current on routers, all of which have various efficiency tiers inside them. On prime of that, that you must determine whether or not a mesh router or a standalone unit works finest for you.

Let’s begin with the fundamentals, although. There are three main Wi-Fi requirements in use immediately: Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7. You will nonetheless discover Wi-Fi 5 routers on the market — beforehand labeled 802.11ac — however you must actively keep away from them because you would possibly cripple the efficiency of the newest tech devices.

What’s Wi-Fi 6?

The brand new baseline for Wi-Fi

Going into 2025, that is the most typical Wi-Fi normal you may see. Most up-to-date shopper gadgets help it, and your web service supplier (ISP) seemingly features a appropriate router with its service. Wi-Fi 6 is reasonable sufficient that even funds routers use it.

Wi-Fi 6 operates over the two.4GHz and/or 5GHz frequency bands, relying in your community configuration and what a connecting machine helps. Many good residence equipment solely help 2.4GHz, for instance, since that requires much less energy and capabilities at additional distances. Routers typically supply separate 2.4 and 5GHz community IDs (often called SSIDs), nevertheless it’s now more and more frequent for them to make use of a single ID, forwarding gadgets to the suitable band as essential.

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How briskly is Wi-Fi 6?

LG

The utmost potential bandwidth over a Wi-Fi 6 community is 9.6Gbps. That features all wi-fi channels and assumes good situations. Naturally, indicators are by no means good in follow, and that bandwidth is usually shared by dozens of gadgets, from smart bulbs to your 4K TV. Actual-world obtain speeds are unlikely to prime 800Mbps, and uploads could also be far slower.

You will most likely be restricted by your ISP greater than your router. For those who’re not paying for gigabit web, it may be unattainable to realize 1Gbps anyway, excluding purely native connections.

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What’s Wi-Fi 6E?

Perhaps the candy spot for price-to-performance

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Wi-Fi 6E is a current evolution of Wi-Fi 6, and in most conditions, it isn’t essentially sooner. A 6E community nonetheless maxes out at 9.6Gbps, and gadgets sometimes join over the identical 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

What’s new is the addition of a 6GHz band. That is doubtlessly sooner than 5GHz for particular person connections, with the catch (past compatibility) being an excellent shorter vary. 6GHz indicators will not at all times attain throughout your own home, not to mention outside — you would not wish to strive 6GHz for fence cameras or a sensible lawnmower.

The best profit could also be releasing up the two.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Certainly, some mesh routers use 6GHz for a devoted backhaul between nodes, leaving the remainder of a community’s bandwidth untouched. That may be essential in properties with heavy web use — if one particular person is streaming 4K motion pictures in the lounge whereas one other is downloading a sport on Steam, and everybody depends on voice-controlled good lighting, you do not wish to create congestion shuttling knowledge from one facet of the home to the opposite.

Wi-Fi 6E routers can typically be costly, significantly in mesh type. However costs are coming down, and 6E help is showing on increasingly telephones, computer systems, and tablets. It is most likely one of the simplest ways to go when you legitimately want efficiency however do not have a ton of disposable earnings.

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What’s Wi-Fi 7?

The very best of the perfect

Like 6E, Wi-Fi 7 is a tri-band know-how with 2.4, 5, and 6GHz choices. Its theoretical prime pace, nonetheless, is 46Gbps, which is sort of troublesome to understand from a house person’s perspective. That is sufficient to comfortably stream dozens of 8K motion pictures.

Wi-Fi 7 helps wider 320Hz channels, providing twice the channel bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Even with out that, one other function Wi-Fi 7 presents is Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO). This permits a tool to function throughout a number of bands concurrently, which is a big deal for purposes like video, gaming, and file transfers. PC gaming manufacturers are embracing Wi-Fi 7 with open arms.

There are two large drawbacks to Wi-Fi 7: worth and compatibility. Whilst you could possibly discover respectable routers underneath $200, the perfect ones are over $300, and whole-home mesh packages can typically method or prime $1,000. There is not even a lot profit, but — whereas flagship merchandise just like the iPhone 16 Pro help Wi-Fi 7, odds are that lots of the gadgets in your house are restricted to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Even Apple’s $3,500 Imaginative and prescient Professional headset is restricted to Wi-Fi 6.

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Which type of Wi-Fi router do you have to select?

Take into consideration the long run, however guard your pockets

Eero

You’ll be able to really feel snug sticking with Wi-Fi 6 in case your funds is restricted. That is quick sufficient for many functions, and a Wi-Fi 6 router will not change into out of date anytime quickly. Your property will most likely maintain working high-quality 5 years from now.

It is extra intense duties that demand one thing like Wi-Fi 6E. I purchased a 6E mesh system just a few years in the past as a result of I am a tech journalist with a spouse, baby, and dozens of Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets. It is adequate that I not often have points, and I am anticipating to carry out just a few extra years earlier than I improve.

It might be price investing in Wi-Fi 7 for the sake of future proofing, however provided that you have acquired an ample amount of money. Only a few shopper merchandise help Wi-Fi 7 for the time being, and when you wait just a few years, the price of appropriate routers is sure to plummet. It is a good luxurious — however most individuals may put the financial savings to raised use.