A strong wireless connection is not merely a convenience but a critical necessity in today's interconnected world. Leading the charge in providing high-speed, reliable internet are the Wi-Fi® 6 and Wi-Fi 7 standards. In this article, we will explore these two wireless standards to help you decide which one is best for your network.
WiFi 6 is the sixth generation of wireless network protocols released in 2019, operating under the 802.11ax standard. It is also known as AX Wi-Fi or high-efficiency WiFi.
- Supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneous dual-band connections to optimize performance based on the specific needs of your network.
- Helps save battery life with a feature called Target Wake Time (TWT). Devices using WiFi 6 last longer because the connection turns OFF when not needed, letting the device go to sleep.
- Offers enhanced safety protocols for secure internet surfing:
- Stronger Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) encryption
- Enhanced individual data encryption for open networks like cafes or airports with the Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) feature.
- Can handle a larger number of simultaneously connected devices compared to previous generations due to the following features:
- Improved efficiency with the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) feature that allows the router to divide channels into smaller sub-channels, enabling it to communicate with multiple devices at the same time.
- Reduced interference with the Basic Service Set (BSS) Coloring feature, which helps prevent overlapping signals from neighboring networks.
- Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and WiFi 4 devices.
Check out these Linksys WiFi 6 routers
In 2021, the Wi-Fi Alliance launched the WiFi 6E standard, extending the existing WiFi 6 technology to include the 6 GHz band. Although both standards share many features, WiFi 6E offers the following updates:
- Deliver faster speeds to more devices by leveraging the newly accessible 6 GHz band.
- Achieve higher speeds with wider channels of up to 160 MHz, easing network congestion.
- Connect more devices to the network with the increased spectrum and improved efficiency.
- Ideal for VR, 4K, and 8K streaming.
Check out these Linksys WiFi 6E routers
WiFi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be, represents the eighth generation of WiFi standards. It promises to revolutionize wireless technology by offering ultra-low latency, increased network capacity, and stable, reliable coverage.
The first WiFi 7 routers were introduced in 2023, and by 2025, they had become more affordable as major router manufacturers had launched their own WiFi 7 product lines.
- Supports 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands with ultra-wide 320 MHz channels for faster download and upload speeds, making it ideal for 4K/8K streaming and immersive experiences like AR.
- Enjoy 4K Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) to transmit and receive 20% more data via radio-frequency waves.
- Saves 20% battery life of your device
- Multi-link operation (MLO) is a groundbreaking innovation included with WiFi 7. Traditionally, WiFi devices connect to only one band at a time. MLO enables devices to simultaneously send and receive data across multiple bands, ensuring faster and more reliable connections everywhere.
- Preamble Puncturing is a WiFi 7 innovation that provides wider channels for faster data transmissions, enhancing WiFi performance in congested spaces, ideal for apartments, flats, and townhomes.
- Backward compatible with devices supporting earlier generations of WiFi.
There are two things you need before you upgrade your network:
- A device that supports WiFi 7 (e.g., phones, laptops, tablets)
- A WiFi 7 router
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Check out these Linksys WiFi 7 routers
Note that not all Linksys Wi-Fi 7 routers support the 6 GHz band. For example, the Linksys LN1600 only supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
| Feature | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | WiFi 7 |
| Release year | 2019 | 2022 | 2024 |
| Frequency bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 9.6 Gbps | Up to 9.6 Gbps | Up to 46 Gbps |
| Channel Width | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 320 MHz |
| QAM | 1024 QAM | 1024 QAM | 4096 QAM |
| MLO | No | No | Yes |
| TWT | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OFDMA | Yes | Yes | Enhanced |
| Preamble Puncturing | No | No | Yes |
| Latency | Low | Lower than WiFi 6 | Ultra-low |
Find out more:
Best practices checklist for your WiFi network
Understanding Mesh and Cognitive Routers: Which one fits your network needs?
