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

Whereas Wi-Fi networking has simplified a bit prior to now decade, I am unable to 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, it is advisable resolve 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 may nonetheless discover Wi-Fi 5 routers on the market — beforehand labeled 802.11ac — however you need to actively keep away from them because you may 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 customary you will see. Most up-to-date client gadgets assist 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 system helps. Many good dwelling equipment solely assist 2.4GHz, for instance, since that requires much less energy and features at additional distances. Routers generally supply separate 2.4 and 5GHz community IDs (often known as 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 needed.

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How briskly is Wi-Fi 6?

LG

The utmost attainable bandwidth over a Wi-Fi 6 community is 9.6Gbps. That features all wi-fi channels and assumes good circumstances. Naturally, indicators are by no means good in follow, and that bandwidth is commonly 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 may most likely be restricted by your ISP greater than your router. In case you’re not paying for gigabit web, it is going to be not possible to realize 1Gbps anyway, excluding purely native connections.

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What’s Wi-Fi 6E?

Possibly the candy spot for price-to-performance

Eero / Pocket-lint

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

What’s new is the addition of a 6GHz band. That is probably sooner than 5GHz for particular person connections, with the catch (past compatibility) being a fair shorter vary. 6GHz indicators will not at all times attain throughout your private home, not to mention outdoor — you would not need to attempt 6GHz for fence cameras or a wise 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 houses with heavy web use — if one particular person is streaming 4K motion pictures in the lounge whereas one other is downloading a recreation on Steam, and everybody relies on voice-controlled good lighting, you do not need to create congestion shuttling information from one facet of the home to the opposite.

Wi-Fi 6E routers can generally be costly, notably in mesh kind. However costs are coming down, and 6E assist is showing on increasingly more telephones, computer systems, and tablets. It is most likely the easiest way to go in the event you legitimately want efficiency however do not have a ton of disposable revenue.

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What’s Wi-Fi 7?

The perfect of one of the best

Like 6E, Wi-Fi 7 is a tri-band expertise with 2.4, 5, and 6GHz choices. Its theoretical prime velocity, nevertheless, is 46Gbps, which is sort of troublesome to grasp from a house consumer’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 characteristic Wi-Fi 7 provides is Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO). This permits a tool to function throughout a number of bands concurrently, which is a large deal for functions 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: value and compatibility. Whilst you could possibly discover respectable routers below $200, one of the best ones are over $300, and whole-home mesh packages can generally method or prime $1,000. There is not even a lot profit, but — whereas flagship merchandise just like the iPhone 16 Pro assist 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 form of Wi-Fi router do you have to select?

Take into consideration the longer term, however guard your pockets

Eero

You may 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 turn into out of date anytime quickly. Your property will most likely hold operating effective 5 years from now.

It is extra intense duties that demand one thing like Wi-Fi 6E. I purchased a 6E mesh system a couple of years in the past as a result of I am a tech journalist with a spouse, little one, and dozens of Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets. It is adequate that I not often have points, and I am anticipating to carry out a couple of 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 client merchandise assist Wi-Fi 7 for the time being, and in the event you wait a couple of 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.