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Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6 - What's the Difference

April 18, 2022

Wondering what's new with Wi-Fi 6 that makes it better than Wi-Fi 5? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the two technologies to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Wi-Fi 5

Wi-Fi 5, also known as 802.11ac, was introduced in 2014 and is still widely used today. It offers faster speeds and stronger coverage than its predecessor, Wi-Fi 4. Here are the key features of Wi-Fi 5:

  • Speeds up to 3.5 Gbps
  • Wider bandwidth with 80MHz and 160MHz channels
  • Supports up to eight spatial streams
  • MU-MIMO allows for multiple devices to connect simultaneously
  • 256-QAM modulation scheme for higher data rates

Wi-Fi 5 is still a reliable option for most households and small businesses. It can handle multiple devices and streaming services without any issues, making it an attractive choice for many people.

Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, was introduced in 2019 and is slowly gaining popularity. Wi-Fi 6 builds on the features of Wi-Fi 5 and takes them to the next level with improved speed and coverage. Here are the key features of Wi-Fi 6:

  • Speeds up to 9.6 Gbps
  • Wider bandwidth with 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz channels
  • Supports up to 12 spatial streams
  • MU-MIMO allows for multiple devices to connect simultaneously
  • Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) allows for more efficient use of channel capacity
  • Target Wake Time (TWT) saves battery life on connected devices

Wi-Fi 6 is designed to handle the growing number of connected devices in our homes and offices today. As more devices connect to Wi-Fi, it's becoming increasingly important to have a network that can handle the demand.

The Verdict

So, which one is better - Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6? The answer depends on your needs. If you live alone or have a small household with only a few devices, Wi-Fi 5 should be enough for your needs. However, if you have a large household with many devices or frequently use data-heavy applications, such as online gaming or virtual reality, Wi-Fi 6 may be the better choice.

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