Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E and 7 explained for businesses and homes

Router boxes are covered in numbers. Here is what they mean in plain English, and how to decide whether an upgrade will actually help.

The generations

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): still common and fine for many homes and small offices.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): handles many devices at once much better. A good choice for busy cafes, offices and homes full of phones, TVs and smart devices.
• Wi-Fi 6E: Wi-Fi 6 plus access to the 6 GHz band, which is usually far less crowded.
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): the newest generation, adding wider channels and the ability to use several bands at once for faster, steadier connections.

Why 6 GHz depends on where you live

Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 get much of their benefit from the 6 GHz band, but each country's radio regulator decides whether, and how much of, that band can be used for Wi-Fi. Some countries have opened all of it, some only part, and some none yet. Before paying extra for 6 GHz equipment, check what is allowed where you are, or ask a local technician.

Upgrade or not?

• If Wi-Fi is slow only in some rooms, the fix is usually coverage (better placement, a mesh system or extra access points), not a newer standard. See fixing Wi-Fi dead spots.
• If everything slows down when lots of people connect, a Wi-Fi 6 or newer system usually helps.
• Your devices need to support the newer standard to benefit from it.
• Check your internet plan too: faster Wi-Fi cannot exceed the speed of your connection.

Find a networking and Wi-Fi technician near you.