WiFi technology has come a long way since the initial 802.11b standard released back in 1999. Nowadays, most modern routers and devices support the latest high-performance WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 standards—with the next-gen WiFi 7 already on the horizon.
But what do all these numbers and acronyms actually mean? And how do the different WiFi types impact real-world speed and performance? This article breaks down all the current WiFi standards so you can better understand the existing and emerging technologies.
A Brief History of WiFi Standards
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has defined the following generations of WiFi standards over the years:
- WiFi 1-4: Early standards from 1997-2009 focused on the 2.4GHz band. Speeds topped out at 600Mbps. Mostly obsolete today.
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac): Introduced wider channels and speeds up to 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band starting in 2014. Most common standard currently.
- WiFi 6/6E (802.11ax): Added advanced features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM. Supports speeds over 2Gbps on new 6GHz band. Still gradually rolling out.
- WiFi 7 (802.11be): An early draft of the next-gen standard promising speeds up to 30Gbps. Expected 2024.
The generations aren‘t perfectly sequential since the standards evolve based on different frequency bands and technologies. But in general each version aims to boost bandwidth, efficiency, latency, and device capacity compared to the last.
2.4GHz vs 5GHz WiFi Bands
Before diving into the different standards, it helps to understand the two main frequency bands that WiFi operates on:
- 2.4GHz band: The overcrowded band used by older routers, Bluetooth/Zigbee devices, microwaves and more. Offers good range through walls but lower speeds and more interference.
- 5GHz band: A "cleaner" higher frequency band introduced with 802.11n/ac routers. Provides faster speeds but reduced range. Also includes more channel options.
Modern dual or tri-band routers support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals simultaneously using separate radios. This provides both backwards compatibility and higher overall performance.
Key Differences Between Each Generation
Now let‘s dig into what distinguishes one WiFi type from another and where things are heading:
WiFi 4 (802.11n)
- Introduced dual-band 2.4/5GHz operation
- Supports up to 600Mbps bandwidth
- Spatial multiplexing with MIMO antenna arrays
- Most widely compatible with legacy devices
WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Operates solely on the 5GHz band
- Uses wider 80/160MHz channels vs 20/40MHz previously
- Supports multiuser MIMO allowing simultaneous streams
- Speeds up to 1300Mbps with 256-QAM modulation
- Backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n
WiFi 6 / 6E (802.11ax)
- Adds 1024-QAM for 33% increased throughput
- Supports new 6GHz band for WiFi 6E routers
- Uses OFDMA subchannels to handle many devices efficiently
- Low latency optimizations for VR/gaming
- Peak speeds over 2.4Gbps now common
WiFi 7 (802.11be)
- Also called Extremely High Throughput (EHT)
- Combination of 320MHz channels and 4K QAM modulation
- Multi-link operation to combine channels for 30Gbps speeds
- Enhanced reliability, capacity, latency optimizations
- Backward compatible with WiFi 6E
So in summary – each generation builds on the capabilities of the previous standards by expanding into new frequency bands, enabling wider channels and higher-order modulation, adding antenna and spatial stream enhancements, while retaining backward compatibility.
Real-World Performance Considerations
It‘s important to understand that the generational WiFi standards define maximum bandwidth capacity, not actual throughput. The real-world speeds you‘ll achieve depend on:
- Your internet plan speed
- Router and client hardware limitations
- Network traffic and number of connected devices
- Signal strength and interference
- Distance to router and obstructions
For example, an 802.11ac router has a theoretical limit of 1300Mbps. But you might only see 400Mbps when standing next to the router. And 100Mbps from a distant room sharing that bandwidth with other household members streaming movies and gaming simultaneously.
So while upgrading to the latest WiFi 6E standard won‘t necessarily double your speeds outright, the expanded capacity and efficiency helps ensure solid performance as demand grows.
Recommended Routers By WiFi Type
To take advantage of faster emerging standards without sacrificing compatibility, we recommend newer WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 mesh router systems:
Best WiFi 5 Mesh Routers
- Linksys Velop Tri-Band Mesh
- Netgear Orbi AC1200 / AC2200
- TP-Link Deco M5
Best WiFi 6/6E Mesh Routers
- Linksys Atlas 6 Max
- Netgear Orbi Quad-Band Mesh
- ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
- TP-Link Deco X68 / XE75
We focused on mesh routers as they utilize multiple access points to provide seamless roaming and expanded coverage across large homes. Models that support the latest WiFi 6/6E standards will provide the fastest speeds and capacity while remaining compatible with older client devices.
What Does The Future Hold?
Looking ahead, the new WiFi 7 (802.11be) standard aims to unlock another generational leap in wireless performance. Expected to be finalized in 2024, it will leverage advances like:
- Super-wide 320MHz channels
- EHT Multi-Link Operation (EML)
- Extremely high-resolution 4K QAM modulation
- 30Gbps theoretical throughput
When available, WiFi 7 routers and devices will bring multi-gigabit wireless connections mainstream. For now WiFi 6/6E products deliver highly compelling speed, latency and reliability for most users. But it‘s always exciting to ponder just how far WiFi capabilities can be pushed!
Summary
This guide covered everything you need to know about existing and upcoming WiFi standards. The ongoing evolution from early 802.11b networks towards the future multi-gigabit promises of WiFi 7 demonstrates just how far wireless technology has come.
While real-world speeds depend on many factors, upgrading your router and devices to the latest supported standards helps ensure the best connectivity, capacity and performance both now and for years to come as demand continues rising in smart homes.
