Wi-Fi 7 vs. 6E vs. 6 vs. 5: What's New and Which One You Need

Most people use Wi-Fi daily, whether listening to music on their phone or online shopping. However, several different Wi-Fi standards are available, and not all handle Internet traffic equally. Some are quicker than others, and some hardware only supports a certain standard.

The main difference between WiFi 5, 6, 6E, and 7 is speed and capacity. WiFi 5 (2014) tops out around 3.5 Gbps across two bands; WiFi 6 (2019) reaches 9.6 Gbps and handles many more devices at once; WiFi 6E adds a cleaner, less-crowded 6 GHz band; and WiFi 7 (2024) hits up to 46 Gbps for the most demanding, device-packed homes.

Wi-Fi 7 represents the newest generation of Wi-Fi standards, and Wi-Fi 8 is currently being developed. What is the difference between the multiple Wi-Fi standards, like Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7? The key difference between each standard is speed. Here’s what to know about every Wi-Fi standard.

What Is a Wi-Fi standard?

A Wi-Fi standard establishes guidelines for devices, routers and gateways, and other networking hardware to ensure their interoperability, compatibility, and adherence to legal requirements. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) develops the Wi-Fi standards, which the Wi-Fi Alliance oversees.

Wi-Fi is distinct from other wireless technologies like Bluetooth and your smartphone's 4G or 5G connection. While all three rely on radio waves, Bluetooth and 4G/5G are not Wi-Fi. A version number, such as Wi-Fi 5 orWi-Fi 6, is used to identify different versions of Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 5 is an outdated and less functional technology that was first issued in 2014. Wi-Fi 6 is newer and faster and was first released in 2019. However, even Wi-Fi 6 is now outdated. The Wi-Fi protocols that are currently most frequently supported by Wi-Fi devices sold are Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

A Wi-Fi 6 router may attain nearly 700 Mbps, whereas an earlier Wi-Fi 5 router may only reach speeds up to 450 Mbps in real-time situations. You won't be as concerned about dropped or slow signals with Wi-Fi 6 because it tends to be more reliable at extended distances.

Although there are many reasons for these advancements, efficiency is the focus. Wi-Fi transmits data in bursts rather than a continuous, smooth stream. With each burst, Wi-Fi 5 can only send data to one device. In contrast, Wi-Fi 6 can send data to many devices at once.

Wi-Fi 6 also has less of a congestion problem. No matter the source of the interference, Wi-Fi 5 devices must wait for a channel to be clear before broadcasting. Wi-Fi 6 can determine whether a broadcast that interferes is coming from one of its networks. If not, it will keep transmitting. Together, these modifications enable Wi-Fi 6 to deliver data more efficiently and dependably than Wi-Fi 5.

Due to its support for the WPA3 security standard, Wi-Fi 6 is more secure than Wi-Fi 5. As a result, WPA3 is less susceptible to cyber attacks, and network traffic can be encrypted across devices connected to the same network.

Wi-Fi 7 builds on both of these gains. It uses Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to send and receive data across multiple bands — 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz — at the same time, instead of picking one, which cuts latency and keeps connections stable even when a household has many devices active at once.

Combined with wider channels and a theoretical max speed of up to 46 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 is built for the kind of simultaneous 4K streaming, gaming, and video calls that push Wi-Fi 5 and even Wi-Fi 6 to their limits.

Is Wi-Fi 6 better than Wi-Fi 5?

Wi-Fi 5 is considered fairly archaic. When multiple devices are connected to a single router, Wi-Fi 6 offers significantly quicker speed than Wi-Fi 5, both for a single device and larger home network.

Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E

A variation of Wi-Fi 6 is Wi-Fi 6E. Although it adds a 6GHz radio band (in addition to 2.4GHz and 5GHz), it is based on the same technological standard as Wi-Fi 6.

The 6GHz wireless frequency has more channels (think lanes on a highway), wider channels (wide streets vs narrow alleys), and less congestion (think gridlock vs driving on a road with no other vehicles). These attributes mean Wi-Fi 6E is faster and more reliable.

However, it can be less reliable at long ranges and through thick walls since the 6GHz radio waves can face some difficulties with obstructions. The 6GHz band's enhanced performance is significant.

About Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi’s latest generation, Wi-Fi 7, boasts speeds up to four times faster than Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. It also includes ingenious innovations that lower latency, raise capacity, and improve stability and effectiveness.

Wi-Fi 7 is known as IEEE 802.11be, whereas Wi-Fi 6 is IEEE 802.11ax, and Wi-Fi 5 is IEEE 802.11ac. As with most other versions of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7 offers backwards compatibility with prior standards. But you'll need to update your devices if you want to benefit from the added features and enhanced performance it promises. That requires purchasing new routers and access points in addition to new cell phones, computers, TVs, and other electronic devices.

When is Wi-Fi 8 coming out?

Wi-Fi 8 – known as IEEE 802.11bn – is currently in the development stage. This new Wi-Fi standard is expected to be released in 2028, according to PCMag. The magazine also reports that this new standard will be faster and more reliable in high-traffic zones – it’s being touted as Ultra High Reliability.

What is the best Wi-Fi standard?

Wi-Fi 7 is superior to Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, but Wi-Fi 6 is the most readily available standard today with the most benefits. Wi-Fi 6 has a theoretical maximum speed of 9.6 Gbps, uses less power, is more dependable in crowded areas, and offers greater security. Read our Ultimate Wi-Fi 6 Guide to learn more and figure out if an upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 is right for you and use the table below to understand the differences between each standard.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to upgrade my router to get Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E?

Yes, the power of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E is only accessible if your equipment is compatible with these standards. Optimum offers equipment compatible with both standards.

Will Wi-Fi 6 make a noticeable change in a small household?

Possibly, but not always. Wi-Fi 6 allows for multiple devices to be connected and supported at once; if your home requires the use of multiple devices, then Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E are the best options. The more devices on the connection, the harder it will be for Wi-Fi 5 to deliver the best connection.

Is Wi-Fi 5 too outdated to use in 2026?

No, some households still use Wi-Fi 5. This standard is fine if you only need to connect a few devices and only need to use the Internet for basic needs. If you need to upgrade your router, though, opt for Wi-Fi 6 or 6E.

Should I choose Wi-Fi 6E over Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6E offers a third band (6 GHz), which means you'll have less congestion. However, the signal doesn't always travel as smoothly through walls. For homes with dense brick walls, opt for Wi-Fi 6. If you want the fastest available option going forward, Wi-Fi 7 is now supported by Optimum as well.

Is Wi-Fi 7 available now, or should I wait for it instead of upgrading to Wi-Fi 6?

Not yet, Wi-Fi 7 will be available to Optimum customers soon. However, Optimum does support Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 — so you can upgrade to the latest standard today instead of waiting.