Wi-Fi is a technology that allows devices to connect to the internet or to each other wirelessly, using radio waves. Wi-Fi is everywhere: in our homes, offices, schools, cafes, airports, and even in some public spaces. Wi-Fi enables us to access online services, communicate with others, stream media, play games, and more.
However, not all Wi-Fi is the same. There are different generations of Wi-Fi standards that define how Wi-Fi works and what it can do. These standards are named by the Wi-Fi Alliance, an organization that certifies Wi-Fi products and promotes Wi-Fi technology. The latest generation of Wi-Fi is called Wi-Fi 6, which was introduced in 2019. Before that, there was Wi-Fi 5, which was introduced in 2014. And before that, there were Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 3, and so on.
In this article, we will compare Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 in terms of features, performance, and benefits. We will explain what makes Wi-Fi 6 different from Wi-Fi 5 and how it can improve your wireless experience. We will also provide some data and statistics on how Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 perform in real-world tests and scenarios.
Finally, we will give you some tips and recommendations on how to choose the best router and device for your needs and budget.
So, what are the main differences between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5? Here are some highlights:
- Wi-Fi 6 is faster than Wi-Fi 5. It can deliver up to 9.6 Gbps of data rate, compared to 3.5 Gbps of Wi-Fi 5.
- Wi-Fi 6 is more efficient than Wi-Fi 5. It can handle more devices on the same network without slowing down or dropping connections.
- Wi-Fi 6 is more secure than Wi-Fi 5. It supports a new encryption protocol called WPA3 that protects your data from hackers and eavesdroppers.
- Wi-Fi 6 is more eco-friendly than Wi-Fi 5. It can save battery life for your devices by reducing their power consumption and wake time.
If you want to learn more about these differences and how they affect your wireless experience, keep reading this article. We will dive deeper into the details of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 in the following sections.
Wi-Fi 6: What Is It and How Is It Different from Wi-Fi 5?
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi standard that was officially released in 2019 by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Wi-Fi 6 is also known as 802.11ax, which is its technical name. Wi-Fi 6 is designed to improve the performance, efficiency, capacity, range, and security of wireless networks, especially in crowded and dense environments.
Wi-Fi 6 introduces several new features that make it different from Wi-Fi 5. Some of these features are:
OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access)
This feature allows a Wi-Fi 6 router to split a single channel into smaller sub-channels, each of which can carry data for a different device. This way, multiple devices can share the same channel without interfering with each other, resulting in more efficient use of bandwidth and lower latency.
OFDMA also enables uplink and downlink transmissions to happen simultaneously, which means devices can send and receive data at the same time. OFDMA is similar to how cellular networks operate, but it is new to Wi-Fi.
MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output)
This feature allows a Wi-Fi 6 router to communicate with multiple devices at once using multiple antennas. This way, more devices can be connected to the same router without reducing the speed or quality of the signal.
MU-MIMO was already available in Wi-Fi 5, but it only supported up to four devices on the downstream (from router to device) direction. Wi-Fi 6 supports up to eight devices on both downstream and upstream (from device to router) directions.
TWT (target wake time)
This feature allows a Wi-Fi 6 router to schedule when each device on the network should wake up and send or receive data. This way, devices can sleep longer and save battery life, while still maintaining a reliable connection.
TWT also reduces network congestion and interference by avoiding simultaneous transmissions from multiple devices.
WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3)
This feature is a new encryption protocol that enhances the security and privacy of Wi-Fi networks. WPA3 provides stronger protection against brute-force attacks, which try to guess your password by trying different combinations.
WPA3 also provides better protection against man-in-the-middle attacks, which try to intercept your data by pretending to be a legitimate access point. WPA3 also supports forward secrecy, which means that even if your password is compromised, your previous data cannot be decrypted.
BSS (basic service set) coloring
This feature allows a Wi-Fi 6 router to assign a unique color code to each network in its vicinity. This way, devices can differentiate between networks that use the same channel and avoid unnecessary collisions and interference. BSS coloring also helps devices to prioritize their own network over others when there is congestion or overlap.
These features of Wi-Fi 6 have significant implications for various aspects of wireless networking, such as:
Speed
Wi-Fi 6 can deliver faster data rates than Wi-Fi 5, thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 6 can achieve up to 9.6 Gbps of maximum data rate, compared to 3.5 Gbps of Wi-Fi 5.
However, these are theoretical speeds that depend on many factors, such as router model, device compatibility, network configuration, and environmental conditions.
In real-world tests, Wi-Fi 6 routers have shown an average speed improvement of about 40% over Wi-Fi 5 routers.
Efficiency
Wi-Fi 6 can handle more devices on the same network without compromising performance or quality, thanks to OFDMA and TWT.
According to a study by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 6 can support up to four times more devices than Wi-Fi 5 in high-density scenarios, such as stadiums, airports, or offices. Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 can reduce the power consumption and battery drain of devices by up to 67%, thanks to TWT.
Capacity
Wi-Fi 6 can increase the network capacity and throughput by using more spectrum and spatial streams, thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO. According to a report by Intel, Wi-Fi 6 can deliver up to four times more network capacity than Wi-Fi 5 in congested environments.
Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 can support up to eight spatial streams per channel, compared to four spatial streams of Wi-Fi 5. Spatial streams are parallel streams of data that can be transmitted or received by a device using multiple antennas.
Range
Wi-Fi 6 can extend the range and coverage of wireless networks by using higher modulation and beamforming, thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO. According to a test by CNET, Wi-Fi 6 routers have shown a 30% increase in range over Wi-Fi 5 routers.
Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 can use 1024-QAM modulation, compared to 256-QAM modulation of Wi-Fi 5. QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) is a technique that encodes more bits of data into each signal, resulting in higher data rates.
However, higher QAM also requires higher signal quality and lower interference, which may limit its effectiveness in some situations.
Security
Wi-Fi 6 can provide better security and privacy for wireless networks by using WPA3 encryption, thanks to WPA3. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA3 can offer stronger protection against password guessing attacks, more secure encryption for sensitive data, and easier setup for devices without displays.
However, WPA3 is not mandatory for Wi-Fi 6 devices, and some older devices may not support it. Therefore, users should check the compatibility and support of their devices and routers before upgrading to WPA3.
Battery life
Wi-Fi 6 can save battery life for wireless devices by reducing their power consumption and wake time, thanks to TWT. According to a study by Broadcom, TWT can extend the battery life of Wi-Fi 6 devices by up to seven times compared to Wi-Fi 5 devices. This is especially beneficial for low-power devices, such as smart home gadgets, wearables, or IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
As you can see, Wi-Fi 6 has many advantages over Wi-Fi 5 in terms of features and performance. But how do these advantages translate into real-world benefits for different types of users and scenarios? We will explore that in the next section.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5: Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Tests
In the previous section, we explained the features and benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 in theory. But how do they perform in practice? How much faster, more efficient, and more reliable is Wi-Fi 6 compared to Wi-Fi 5? To answer these questions, we need to look at some data and statistics from performance benchmarks and real-world tests.
Performance benchmarks are standardized tests that measure the speed, latency, throughput, and other aspects of wireless networks under controlled conditions. They can provide a reliable and objective comparison between different Wi-Fi standards and devices. However, they may not reflect the actual performance of wireless networks in everyday situations, where there are many variables and factors that can affect the results.
Real-world tests are experiments that measure the performance of wireless networks in natural settings, such as homes, offices, or public places. They can provide a realistic and practical comparison between different Wi-Fi standards and devices. However, they may not be consistent or accurate, as they depend on the specific environment, configuration, and usage of the network and devices.
Therefore, to get a comprehensive and balanced view of the performance of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5, we need to consider both types of tests and compare their results.
Here are some examples of performance benchmarks and real-world tests that have been conducted by various sources, such as tech websites, magazines, or companies:
Maximum data rate
This is the theoretical maximum speed that a wireless network can achieve under ideal conditions. It depends on the number of spatial streams, the channel width, the modulation scheme, and the coding rate of the network. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 6 can support up to 9.6 Gbps of maximum data rate, compared to 3.5 Gbps of Wi-Fi 5.
However, these are theoretical speeds that are rarely achieved in practice. According to a performance benchmark by PCMag, the fastest Wi-Fi 6 router they tested achieved a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbps on the 5 GHz band, compared to 867 Mbps of the fastest Wi-Fi 5 router.
Average throughput
This is the actual average speed that a wireless network can deliver under normal conditions. It depends on the distance, interference, congestion, and traffic of the network.
According to a performance benchmark by CNET, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed an average throughput improvement of about 40% over Wi-Fi 5 routers on both bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
According to a real-world test by Tom’s Guide, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed an average throughput improvement of about 30% over Wi-Fi 5 routers on both bands.
Latency
This is the time delay between sending and receiving data on a wireless network. It depends on the processing speed, buffering capacity, and scheduling algorithm of the network.
According to a performance benchmark by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 6 can reduce latency by up to 75% compared to Wi-Fi 5 in high-density scenarios.
According to a real-world test by Ars Technica, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed a latency improvement of about 20% over Wi-Fi 5 routers on both bands.
Signal strength
This is the quality and intensity of the wireless signal that reaches a device from a router. It depends on the transmit power, antenna gain, beamforming technology, and obstacle attenuation of the network.
According to a performance benchmark by CNET, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed a signal strength improvement of about 30% over Wi-Fi 5 routers on both bands
According to a real-world test by PCWorld, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed a signal strength improvement of about 10% over Wi-Fi 5 routers on both bands.
Number of devices supported
This is the maximum number of devices that can be connected to a wireless network without affecting its performance or quality. It depends on the bandwidth allocation, channel access, and device management of the network
According to a performance benchmark by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 6 can support up to four times more devices than Wi-Fi 5 in high-density scenarios. According to a real-world test by TechRadar, Wi-Fi 6 routers showed no noticeable degradation in performance or quality when connected to more than 50 devices at once.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5: Pros and Cons for Different Use Cases and Scenarios
In the previous sections, we compared Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 in terms of features and performance. But how do these differences affect different types of users and scenarios? How can Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5 benefit or challenge various use cases and situations?
In this section, we will analyze the pros and cons of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 for some common examples of wireless networking needs and demands, such as:
Home users with multiple devices and smart home gadgets
Many people use Wi-Fi at home to connect their laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, speakers, cameras, thermostats, lights, and other smart home devices. These devices may have different bandwidth requirements, security levels, and battery capacities.
For these users, Wi-Fi 6 can offer several advantages over Wi-Fi 5, such as:
- Faster and more reliable connections for streaming media, gaming, video conferencing, and other high-bandwidth applications
- More efficient and stable network performance for supporting multiple devices without congestion or interference
- More secure and private network protection for sensitive data and personal information
- More eco-friendly and cost-effective network operation for saving energy and battery life for low-power devices
However, Wi-Fi 6 also has some disadvantages for these users, such as:
- Higher initial cost and complexity for upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 routers and devices
- Lower compatibility and support for older or legacy devices that may not work well with Wi-Fi 6 features
- Higher signal attenuation and interference for longer distances or thicker walls that may reduce the range or quality of Wi-Fi 6 signals
Office workers with high bandwidth and security needs
Many people use Wi-Fi at work to access online services, communicate with colleagues, share files, conduct meetings, and perform other tasks that require high-speed and secure internet connections.
These users may work in different locations, such as offices, co-working spaces, hotels, or airports. For these users, Wi-Fi 6 can offer several advantages over Wi-Fi 5, such as:
- Faster and more consistent connections for accessing cloud-based applications, uploading or downloading large files, and collaborating with remote teams
- More efficient and scalable network performance for handling high-density scenarios with many users or devices
- More secure and robust network protection for preventing unauthorized access, data breaches, or cyberattacks
However, Wi-Fi 6 also has some disadvantages for these users, such as:
- Higher dependency and vulnerability for relying on internet connectivity for critical tasks or functions
- Lower availability and accessibility for finding or using Wi-Fi 6 networks in some places or regions that may not have upgraded yet
- Higher maintenance and management for ensuring the compatibility and security of Wi-Fi 6 routers and devices
Gamers and streamers with low latency and high quality demands
Many people use Wi-Fi for gaming or streaming online content, such as playing multiplayer games, watching live videos, or broadcasting their own activities. These users may have high expectations for the speed, quality, and reliability of their internet connections.
For these users, Wi-Fi 6 can offer several advantages over Wi-Fi 5, such as:
- Faster and smoother connections for reducing lag, jitter, or buffering in online games or streams
- More efficient and reliable network performance for avoiding packet loss, dropouts, or disconnections in online games or streams
- More secure and flexible network protection for enabling peer-to-peer or end-to-end encryption in online games or streams
However, Wi-Fi 6 also has some disadvantages for these users, such as:
- Higher bandwidth consumption and cost for using more data or resources in online games or streams
- Lower compatibility and support for some gaming consoles or streaming devices that may not support Wi-Fi 6 features
- Higher interference and competition for sharing the same channel or frequency with other users or devices in online games or streams
Travelers and mobile users with limited battery life and access points
Many people use Wi-Fi on the go to stay connected with their friends, family, or work while traveling or moving around. These users may have limited options for finding or using internet access points, such as public hotspots, cafes, or hotels. They may also have limited battery life for their devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets.
For these users, Wi-Fi 6 can offer several advantages over Wi-Fi 5, such as:
- Faster and easier connections for finding or joining available Wi-Fi networks in different places or regions
- More efficient and economical network performance for using less data or power in online activities
- More secure and convenient network protection for avoiding malicious attacks or unwanted connections in public networks
However, Wi-Fi 6 also has some disadvantages for these users, such as:
- Higher risk and uncertainty for relying on public or unknown Wi-Fi networks for important or sensitive tasks or information
- Lower quality and consistency for experiencing poor or unstable Wi-Fi signals in some places or situations
- Higher complexity and difficulty for configuring or troubleshooting Wi-Fi 6 routers or devices in unfamiliar or foreign environments
As you can see from these examples, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 have different pros and cons for different use cases and scenarios. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for wireless networking, as each user and situation may have different needs and preferences.
Therefore, users need to weigh the benefits and challenges of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5, and choose the best option for them. How can they do that? We will give some tips and recommendations in the next section.
Conclusion
In this article, we have compared Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 in terms of features, performance, and benefits. We have explained what makes Wi-Fi 6 different from Wi-Fi 5 and how it can improve your wireless experience.
We have also provided some data and statistics on how Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 perform in real-world tests and scenarios.
Finally, we have analyzed the pros and cons of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 for various types of users and situations.
Based on our comparison, we can conclude that Wi-Fi 6 is faster, more efficient, more secure, more eco-friendly, and more reliable than Wi-Fi 5 in most aspects of wireless networking.
However, Wi-Fi 6 is also more expensive, more complex, more incompatible, and more vulnerable than Wi-Fi 5 in some aspects of wireless networking.
Therefore, users need to consider their specific needs and situations, and choose the best option for them.