WiFi has come a long way since 802.11ac (WiFi5). As our homes and businesses need more and more bandwidth, having a responsive network is essential. Whether you’re using a security system, running multiple smart devices, streaming content, gaming, or using VR headsets, a slow network can impact productivity and peace of mind.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should upgrade, a simple WiFi standards comparison will help you make the right choice.

Here’s a look at the evolution of WiFi standards and why it might be time to upgrade.

WiFi 5 (802.11ac) was just the basecamp

Launched in 2013, WiFi5 made it possible to achieve speeds above 1Gbps, but it’s no longer suitable for today’s device-heavy environments. Here’s why:

•        Limited speed maximums. WiFi5 supports up to 3.5Gbps in theory only. In reality, you get between 500Mbps-1Gbps. That’s not bad, but that’s only for one device.

•        Single-band operation. WiFi5 operates only on 5 Ghz. This is perfect for short-range performance, but just a tiny bit of interference in a busy space will disrupt the connection. If there are too many walls in the way between your device and the router, the signal can become weak or even drop.

•        MU-MIMO support. WiFi5 introduced Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU/MIMO), allowing the router to support more than one device at a time, but only up to four. That’s great, but today’s households and businesses sometimes have 5-12 or more devices connected at once, including tablets, phones, watches, laptops, gaming consoles, security systems, and smart devices like TVs, thermostats, refrigerators and speakers. When you add a lot of devices to a WiFi5 network, it becomes noticeably slow.

•        No OFDMA or enhanced scheduling. WiFi5 lacks Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). This means your router can’t break up its signal efficiently between multiple devices. Essentially, every device has to get in line and wait their turn for bandwidth. If you’re watching YouTube, someone else is gaming, and another person is on a Zoom call, it will get messy. New WiFi standards handle multiple connections more efficiently.

WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is stronger

Since arriving in 2019, WiFi6 provides major improvements for using multiple devices on the same network. For instance, in theory, you can get up to 9.6 Gbps. However, real-world tests don’t always reach that. Still, you can get about a 300% boost from WiFi5 speeds.

WiFi 6 introduced OFDMA, dividing channels for multiple devices to run smoothly at the same time. It also helps connected devices sleep more to save energy. On the security side, WiFi 6 introduced WPA3 for enhanced protection.

WiFi 6E created a cleaner connection

With WiFi 6E came access to the 6 GHz band around 2020/2021. This connection provides more channels with wider lanes. For instance, there are 21 non-overlapping channels at 160 MHz, making it ideal for mesh systems and multiple devices.

With a cleaner band comes better performance, even in crowded environments. The result is lower latency and less interference. However, you need compatible devices and routers to benefit.

WiFi 7 (802.11be) is a game changer

Introduced in early 2024, WiFi 7 doubles the speeds to individual devices by increasing the bandwidth to 320 MHz and increasing data density by around 20%. There is a theoretical maximum of 46 Gbps, which is four times faster than WiFi 6.

WiFi 7 allows multiple bands to be used at once (2.4/5/6 GHz), which lowers latency and boosts network reliability. And using automated frequency coordination, it manages 6 GHz usage to avoid interference.

The real-world benefits of WiFi 7 are massive. WiFi 7 phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 report connections up to 2.4 times faster than WiFi 6 devices. For anyone using VR, streaming content, and uploading large files, latency is noticeably improved.

Should you upgrade?

Even though WiFi 7 is outstanding, consider these factors before going all-in with an upgrade:

• Bandwidth demands. If you have more than 20 devices, stream in 4k, game, and need faster uploads, upgrading will improve your experience dramatically.

• Device support. WiFi 7 only performs optimally with compatible devices.

• Coverage needs. Upgrading makes it easier to expand coverage throughout your home or office. More bands means better backhaul and less congestion.

• Cost. WiFi 6E routers can be found for as low as $150. WiFi 7 routers cost more, but the price should drop eventually.

Upgrade with a purpose in mind

WiFi standard upgrades aren’t just about speed, but accommodating multiple devices at the same time. If you’re still using WiFi 5, upgrading to at least WiFi 6 (or 6E) will provide an immediate increase in speed, capacity, and security. 

However, if you want to future-proof performance and have compatible devices, upgrade to WiFi 7 for the best experience.