For most people, Wi-Fi is just Wi-Fi. As long as the internet works, the router stays untouched in a corner of the house. But with new devices arriving every year and ISPs offering gigabit speeds, not all Wi-Fi is created equal. Terms like Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and now Wi-Fi 7 are appearing everywhere — from smartphones to gaming laptops — and while they may sound like simple upgrades, there’s more going on under the hood.
Just like how USB Type-C and USB4 are not the same thing, Wi-Fi “versions” refer to specific technology standards, each unlocking new speeds, capacities, and features. If you’ve ever wondered whether you actually need Wi-Fi 6E or should wait for Wi-Fi 7, here’s the breakdown.
Wi-Fi 6: A Major Step Forward
Wi-Fi 6, also known by its technical name 802.11ax, launched in 2019. It was designed to handle the explosion of connected devices in our homes: phones, laptops, smart TVs, security cameras, and even smart fridges.
Unlike older Wi-Fi standards, Wi-Fi 6 emphasizes efficiency over raw speed. It introduced technologies like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access), which allows multiple devices to share the same channel more effectively, and Target Wake Time (TWT), which conserves battery life for devices like IoT sensors and smartphones.
Speeds are faster too — up to 9.6 Gbps in ideal conditions — but the real win is less lag and smoother connections in crowded households or offices.
Wi-Fi 6E: Opening the 6 GHz Highway
If Wi-Fi 6 improved the flow of traffic, Wi-Fi 6E opened an entirely new highway. The “E” stands for Extended, meaning Wi-Fi 6E takes all the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 but unlocks access to the 6 GHz spectrum.
Until 2021, Wi-Fi was limited to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. With 6 GHz, devices can access up to 14 additional 80 MHz channels or 7 ultra-wide 160 MHz channels, which dramatically reduces congestion.
For households in crowded apartments or offices with dozens of routers nearby, Wi-Fi 6E is a game-changer. It’s especially useful for VR headsets, gaming, and 4K/8K video streaming, where bandwidth-hungry apps can run interference-free.
The catch? You need both a Wi-Fi 6E router and 6E-compatible devices to use the new band. Otherwise, it just behaves like Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 7: The Future Arrives
Officially branded as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 is the next big leap — expected to be finalized in 2024 and already rolling out in high-end routers and flagship smartphones.
Wi-Fi 7 promises up to 46 Gbps speeds — about five times faster than Wi-Fi 6. But speed is only part of the story. The real advancements are:
- 320 MHz channels: Twice the bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6E’s 160 MHz channels, ideal for data-heavy applications.
- 4K QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation): Allows more data to be packed into each signal, increasing throughput.
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Lets devices use multiple bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) simultaneously, improving reliability and reducing latency.
In practice, Wi-Fi 7 is built for cloud gaming, AR/VR, and future smart homes where dozens of devices will be online 24/7 without interruption.
So Which One Do You Need?
- Wi-Fi 6: Perfect for most homes today. If your devices and router support it, you’ll see smoother connections in busy environments.
- Wi-Fi 6E: Worth it if you live in a crowded area or use high-bandwidth apps like VR or 8K streaming.
- Wi-Fi 7: Future-proofing at its finest, but still early days. Best if you want the absolute cutting edge and don’t mind paying a premium.
For now, Wi-Fi 6 is more than enough for everyday use. But as more devices adopt Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, upgrading your router will ensure your home network keeps pace with the future.