Is WiFi 6 Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide to the Pros and Cons

What’s New in WiFi 6 Technology?

WiFi 6 is designed to be significantly faster than its predecessors, boasting up to 75% less latency. This means you will encounter less lag during gaming and streaming, and your download and upload speeds will be dramatically improved.

Benefits of WiFi 6: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

WiFi 6 offers a host of significant benefits beyond just faster speeds, making it well worth considering for an upgrade. Here’s why investing in a WiFi 6 router and package could be the best decision for your internet needs:

• Enhanced Security: WiFi 6 introduces WiFi Protected Access (WPA) 3 as standard, improving security compared to the WPA and WPA2 available in WiFi 5. WPA3 provides advanced protection against password guessing, utilizes GCMP-256 encryption, and allows NFC password sharing, ensuring secure and easy access to your accounts and WiFi router. Enhanced security is a critical benefit in today’s online environment.
• Improved Efficiency: WiFi 6 integrates Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technologies. These features allow multiple devices to share the same channel simultaneously, increasing network efficiency and significantly reducing latency or lag, especially in high-density environments.
• Faster Speeds and Longer Range: WiFi 6 offers maximum theoretical speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, which is 25% faster than WiFi 5. Additionally, it operates with up to 75% less latency, providing a smoother and more responsive internet experience. The extended coverage range of WiFi 6 ensures that your network can reach more areas in your home or office, reducing dead spots and enhancing overall connectivity.
• Better Availability: As more devices become WiFi 6-compatible, purchasing options for WiFi 6 routers are expanding. While second-hand WiFi 5 routers are still available, investing in a new WiFi 6 router offers better options and deals, making it a more sensible choice moving forward.
• Future-proofing: WiFi 6 is designed to support the evolving demands of modern wireless networks, ensuring your setup is ready for future technologies and applications. With the introduction of WiFi 6E, which includes an additional band for even less interference and higher speeds, investing in WiFi 6E can significantly future-proof your network, allowing you to achieve maximum speeds of 1,200 Mbps per stream.
• More Streams for Better Performance: WiFi 6 supports up to 8×8 configurations on the 5 GHz band, allowing more devices to connect simultaneously without performance degradation. This is particularly beneficial in environments with multiple devices, ensuring each one receives optimal bandwidth.
• Better Battery Longevity: WiFi 6 introduces a feature called Target Wait Time (TWT) to improve battery performance. TWT allows devices to schedule when they wake up to transmit or receive data, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and extending battery life.
• Enhanced Data Management: With OFDMA, WiFi 6 can manage data more efficiently by dividing channels into smaller resource units, allowing simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices. This improves overall network throughput and reduces the chances of bottlenecks during high-demand activities.

Is WiFi 6 Good: Application Scenarios

WiFi 6 technology shines in various application scenarios, making it a valuable upgrade for many users. Let’s explore the advantages of WiFi 6 across different settings.

For Home

WiFi 6 is an excellent choice for home use. Its higher speeds and advanced technologies ensure smooth streaming, faster downloads, and improved connectivity for all your devices. This means you can stream 4K movies flawlessly and eliminate worries about WiFi range and coverage. To optimize your home network, place the WiFi 6 router centrally and at an elevated position. This setup ensures seamless connectivity throughout your home.

For Gaming

For gaming enthusiasts, WiFi 6 is a game-changer. It significantly reduces lag and provides a competitive edge in online gaming. With MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies, WiFi 6 supports multiple connections simultaneously, minimizing network congestion. Gamers can enjoy faster response times, smoother gameplay, and fewer frustrations, making WiFi 6 a must-have for serious players.

For Laptop

If you require high internet speeds for your laptop, WiFi 6 is well worth the investment. It allows faster file transfers, quicker downloads, and seamless video conferencing. Whether you’re working from home, attending virtual meetings, or collaborating on projects, WiFi 6 ensures uninterrupted productivity. The Target Wake Time (TWT) feature in WiFi 6 also extends your laptop’s battery life by scheduling periodic wake times for communication with the router, reducing power consumption and increasing efficiency.

For Smart Home Devices

WiFi 6 is ideal for smart home devices. Its ability to handle numerous connections simultaneously ensures that smart lights, locks, cameras, and other devices function smoothly without overloading your network. WiFi 6 security cameras, for instance, offer better performance in high-resolution video streaming with minimal interference, enhancing your smart home experience.

Is WiFi 6E Worth It?

WiFi 6E, the advanced version of WiFi 6, is a worthwhile investment for the future expansion of your home or business network. While WiFi 6 operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, WiFi 6E extends its capabilities to the 6 GHz band, offering more channels and significantly less interference. This results in improved performance and reduced congestion. WiFi 6E delivers faster data transfer speeds, supporting gigabit and multi-gigabit connections ideal for applications like 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers.

Should I Upgrade to WiFi 6?

Deciding whether to upgrade to WiFi 6 depends on your specific needs and usage patterns. If you frequently multitask or stream content, you will appreciate the extra speeds WiFi 6 provides. The boost in speed and battery life is particularly beneficial for those who stream, upload, or download large files as part of their work.

If you’re already in the market for a new router, upgrading to WiFi 6 makes even more sense. WiFi 5 routers are becoming rarer and more expensive, making a new WiFi 6 router a more cost-effective option. By upgrading, you not only enjoy enhanced speed but also future-proof your network for evolving internet needs.

Common WiFi 6 Upgrading Problems

While WiFi 6 is generally backward compatible, not all older devices will work seamlessly with it. For instance, iPhones older than the 11 model won’t be compatible. Similarly, if your router doesn’t support WiFi 6, you may not experience the full benefits with your WiFi 6 devices, like security cameras. There have also been reports of some Intel products experiencing issues with WiFi 6, mainly due to driver problems, which can usually be resolved through updates.

Before investing in a new WiFi 6 router, check the compatibility of your existing devices. High-quality WiFi 6 routers can cost around $400, so ensuring compatibility will help you make a well-informed decision without unnecessary expenses.

How to Upgrade to WiFi 6

Upgrading to WiFi 6 can be straightforward with a few different approaches available.

• New Devices: One of the easiest but more expensive ways to upgrade is to purchase a new device that is WiFi 6-ready. Numerous WiFi 6-compatible devices are already on the market, and you can select one based on your specific needs. This path ensures the device is ready for WiFi 6 out of the box.
• Adapters for Older Devices: For older models, installing a WiFi adapter onto your laptop, computer, or other devices will enable them to support WiFi 6. Once the adapter is installed or you have bought a new device, set up a WiFi 6 router and update the software drivers to ensure everything operates smoothly. While you might not see WiFi 6 speeds immediately, it prepares your setup for future devices.

What Makes the Best WiFi 6 Router?

When shopping for a WiFi 6 router, keep an eye out for a few key features:

• Dual or Tri-Band: Opt for a router that offers either dual or tri-band capabilities to maximize your WiFi 6 experience.
• Processor and RAM: Look for a quad-core CPU and at least 512 GB of RAM. This setup is particularly beneficial for gamers and avid streamers, ensuring you get the speed and security that make WiFi 6 worthwhile.

WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: What’s the Difference

The main difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 lies in the number of streams and frequency bands they use.

• More Streams: WiFi 6 supports up to 12 streams across the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, compared to WiFi 5’s maximum of 8 streams on just the 5 GHz band. More streams mean higher, more reliable speeds.
• Dual Bands: WiFi 5 only utilizes the 5 GHz band, while WiFi 6 takes advantage of both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This combination makes a significant difference in ensuring smoother, faster, and more reliable performance.

FAQs

1. What is a WiFi 6 router?

A WiFi 6 router is a device that delivers faster internet speeds, stronger security, and enhanced streaming quality. It’s an upgraded version of previous routers, compatible with WiFi 5 devices, allowing you to enjoy better performance even when multiple devices are connected. Prices for WiFi 6 routers range from around $70 to $600.

2. Is WiFi 6 backward compatible?

Yes, WiFi 6 is backward compatible with WiFi 5 devices, meaning your existing gadgets will still work with a WiFi 6 router. However, to fully benefit from WiFi 6’s speed and features, your devices need to be WiFi 6-compatible. For instance, smartphones older than the iPhone 11 may not support WiFi 6, so upgrading your devices might be necessary.

3. Should I upgrade to WiFi 6 if I already have a WiFi 5 router?

If you’re seeking faster speeds, more reliable service, and enhanced security, upgrading to WiFi 6 is a smart move. This is especially true for gamers and streamers who will appreciate the improved experience WiFi 6 offers.

4. What devices can use WiFi 6?

Many devices on the market are already WiFi 6-compatible, including flagship smartphones, laptops, and routers. For example, gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are equipped with WiFi 6, providing smoother online gaming and quicker downloads.

5. Should I Wait for Wi-Fi 7?

In short, probably not. While the first consumer Wi-Fi 7 routers have just been announced, they’re currently very expensive. Meanwhile, many Wi-Fi 6 routers have dropped below $100, making them an affordable and reliable option. A Wi-Fi 6 or 6E router will serve you well for years, giving you fast and secure internet while Wi-Fi 7 technology becomes more widespread and affordable. Since Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices like laptops and desktops aren’t even available yet, there’s no need to rush. For now, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the benefits of Wi-Fi 7, but hold off on upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 hardware until the technology matures and prices come down.

Conclusion

If you want faster streaming, uploading, and downloading, WiFi 6 is worth the investment. With WiFi 6E on the horizon, upgrading now can future-proof your setup, saving you money and hassle in the long run. So, is WiFi 6 worth it? Consider upgrading your home network to enjoy the benefits.