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

Whereas Wi-Fi networking has simplified a bit up 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’s good to resolve whether or not a mesh router or a standalone unit works greatest for you.

Let’s begin with the fundamentals, although. There are three main Wi-Fi requirements in use at present: 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 it’s best to 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 commonest Wi-Fi normal you may see. Most up-to-date shopper units assist it, and your web service supplier (ISP) probably features a appropriate router with its service. Wi-Fi 6 is affordable sufficient that even price range 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 typically supply separate 2.4 and 5GHz community IDs (generally known as SSIDs), however it’s now more and more widespread for them to make use of a single ID, forwarding units to the suitable band as needed.

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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 commonly shared by dozens of units, 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. For those who’re not paying for gigabit web, it will be unattainable to attain 1Gbps anyway, excluding purely native connections.

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What’s Wi-Fi 6E?

Perhaps the candy spot for price-to-performance

Eero / Pocket-lint

Wi-Fi 6E is a latest evolution of Wi-Fi 6, and in most conditions, it is not basically sooner. A 6E community nonetheless maxes out at 9.6Gbps, and units sometimes 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 an excellent shorter vary. 6GHz indicators will not at all times attain throughout your own home, not to mention outdoor — you would not need to attempt 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 recreation on Steam, and everybody depends on voice-controlled good lighting, you do not need to create congestion shuttling knowledge from one aspect 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 assist is showing on increasingly telephones, computer systems, and tablets. It is most likely one of the simplest ways to go in case you legitimately want efficiency however do not have a ton of disposable revenue.

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What’s Wi-Fi 7?

The very best of the most effective

Like 6E, Wi-Fi 7 is a tri-band know-how with 2.4, 5, and 6GHz choices. Its theoretical prime pace, nevertheless, is 46Gbps, which is nearly tough to grasp 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 affords is Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO). This enables 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. When you might be able to discover first rate routers below $200, the most effective ones are over $300, and whole-home mesh packages can typically strategy 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 units 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 possibly can really feel snug sticking with Wi-Fi 6 in case your price range is restricted. That is quick sufficient for many functions, and a Wi-Fi 6 router will not turn out to be out of date anytime quickly. Your private home will most likely hold operating positive 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, little one, and dozens of Wi-Fi-enabled units. It is ok that I not often have points, and I am anticipating to carry out just a few extra years earlier than I improve.

It could be value investing in Wi-Fi 7 for the sake of future proofing, however provided that you’ve got obtained an ample amount of money. Only a few shopper merchandise assist Wi-Fi 7 for the time being, and in case you wait just a few years, the price of appropriate routers is certain to plummet. It is a good luxurious — however most individuals may put the financial savings to higher use.