Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6: The Ultimate Showdown
Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our daily lives, from streaming our favorite shows to join online meetings. The technology behind Wi-Fi is developing every day, and the latest introduction is Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax. In this post, we'll compare Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 and help you decide which one you should go with.
What's the difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 5 is also known as 802.11ac, it was introduced in 2014 and is still widely used today. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6 was released in late 2019 and is the latest Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6 offers several improvements over Wi-Fi 5, ranging from faster data rates to better security measures.
Speeds
When it comes to Wi-Fi, speed is a crucial factor for an optimal internet experience. Wi-Fi 6 delivers theoretical speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, which is a significant improvement from Wi-Fi 5's theoretical maximum speed of 3.5 Gbps.
However, these speeds are achievable under lab conditions, and the real-world speeds will vary depending on the number of devices connected to the network and other factors like distance and interference.
Frequency Band and Channels
One of the most significant differences between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 is the frequency band and channels. Wi-Fi 5 operates only on the 5 GHz frequency, which can lead to congestion and interference in crowded areas like offices, apartment buildings and urban areas.
Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6 not only operates on the 5 GHz frequency but also on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Wi-Fi 6 also introduces the concept of OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access), which allows multiple devices to share a channel.
Improved Battery Life
Wi-Fi 6 introduces a new feature called Target Wake Time (TWT), which helps improve the battery life of devices that connect to the Wi-Fi network. TWT allows devices to schedule their wake-up times and reduce the time they spend communicating with the Wi-Fi router, which leads to improved battery life for smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Security
Wi-Fi 6 utilizes WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access III) encryption, which provides a more robust and secure method of securing the wireless network. WPA3 has replaced WPA2, which has been in use since 2004 and has vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Conclusion
While Wi-Fi 6 offers several improvements over Wi-Fi 5, including faster theoretical speeds, better security, and improved battery life, the real-world performance will depend on several factors. If you have multiple devices on your network and live in an area with crowded Wi-Fi signals, Wi-Fi 6 is a better option.
However, if you're looking for a cost-effective solution, Wi-Fi 5 is still a reliable and widely adopted option. Regardless of which technology you choose, ensure that your Wi-Fi router is updated, and you have a strong Wi-Fi signal for an optimal internet experience.
References
- Jeff Heynen, Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5: The difference and why it matters, TechTarget
- Henry T. Casey, Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 5: Here’s the difference, Tom's Guide
- Wi-Fi 6: What You Need to Know About the Next Generation of Wi-Fi Technology, Intel