To fully understand how Wi-Fi 6 compares to older standards, let’s break down how it stacks up against its predecessors.
1. Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Speed: Wi-Fi 5 offers speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps, while Wi-Fi 6 offers speeds up to 9.6 Gbps.
- Capacity: Wi-Fi 5 struggles to maintain performance when many devices are connected, while Wi-Fi 6 is designed to support more devices simultaneously, reducing congestion.
- Efficiency: Wi-Fi 6 uses more advanced modulation techniques like OFDMA and MU-MIMO to enhance efficiency, ensuring devices communicate faster and more effectively.
2. Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi 4, which is found in older routers, offers slower speeds and is less efficient in handling multiple devices. Wi-Fi 6 is vastly superior, offering higher speeds, better security, and more efficient handling of numerous connected devices.