Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 Explained: Do You Need to Upgrade?

Router boxes advertise Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 with impressive numbers. Here is what these standards actually bring.

The generations

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): older but still fine for basic use.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): better in crowded homes with many devices, and improved efficiency.
• Wi-Fi 6E: adds the 6 GHz band, which has less congestion.
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): higher peak speeds, wider channels and better handling of multiple bands at once.

What improves in practice

Newer standards help most when many devices are connected at the same time, such as phones, TVs, laptops and smart home gadgets. They can also reduce delays for video calls and gaming.

What does not change

Your internet speed is set by your provider. A new router cannot give you more than your plan allows. Also, your devices need to support the new standard to benefit fully.

Should you upgrade?

• If your router is more than five or six years old, a new one may improve reliability.
• If you have many devices and frequent slowdowns, Wi-Fi 6 is a good step.
• Wi-Fi 7 makes the most sense if you have compatible devices and a very fast plan.

Placement matters

A router in a good central spot, or a mesh system for large homes, often helps more than the newest standard.

Choose according to your needs, not the highest number on the box.