Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our daily lives, connecting everything from smartphones and laptops to smart home devices. But as our reliance on wireless connectivity grows, so does the need for faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. Enter Wi-Fi 6E, the mid-version upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 (which we covered in previous article). Does it bring so much that it is worth an upgrade? Or should you rather upgrade to the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 7? It depends on which version Wi-Fi your current home network supports and what your devices can mange. Let’s dive in, but first, a recap on what Wi-Fi technology is.
How Does Wi-Fi Work?
Before diving into Wi-Fi 6E, let’s start with the basics: how Wi-Fi works. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other without physical cables. Here’s a simplified explanation:
- Your Router: The router is the heart of your Wi-Fi network. It takes the internet signal from your modem and broadcasts it wirelessly as radio waves.
- Frequency Bands: Wi-Fi signals travel over specific frequency bands, primarily 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. These bands are like highways for data, with 2.4 GHz offering better range but slower speeds, and 5 GHz providing faster speeds but shorter range.
- Devices Connect: Your devices (like phones, laptops, and smart TVs) have Wi-Fi adapters that pick up these signals, allowing them to connect to the internet.
Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and now Wi-Fi 6E) define how efficiently data is transmitted over these bands. Each new generation of Wi-Fi improves speed, capacity, and reliability.
What Is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6, the previous generation of Wi-Fi technology. The “E” stands for Extended, and it refers to the addition of a new frequency band: 6 GHz.
Key Features of Wi-Fi 6E:
- 6 GHz Band: Wi-Fi 6E introduces access to the 6 GHz frequency band, which is less crowded than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This means faster speeds, lower latency, and less interference, especially in areas with many Wi-Fi networks (like apartment buildings).
- More Channels: The 6 GHz band provides up to 1,200 MHz of additional spectrum, creating more channels for devices to use. This reduces congestion and improves performance.
- Wi-Fi 6 Benefits: Wi-Fi 6E retains all the improvements of Wi-Fi 6, including:
- OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access): Allows multiple devices to share a channel efficiently.
- MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output): Enables the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.
- Target Wake Time (TWT): Reduces power consumption for connected devices, improving battery life.
Wi-Fi 6E vs. Wi-Fi 6: What’s New?
The main difference between Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 6 is the addition of the 6 GHz band. While Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, Wi-Fi 6E unlocks the 6 GHz band, offering:
- Faster Speeds: The 6 GHz band supports wider channels (up to 160 MHz), enabling faster data transfer.
- Lower Latency: Reduced interference means smoother streaming, gaming, and video calls.
- More Capacity: The extra spectrum allows more devices to connect without slowing down the network.
Client Compatibility and Backwards Compatibility
One important consideration with Wi-Fi 6E is client compatibility. To take full advantage of the 6 GHz band, your devices (like smartphones, laptops, and tablets) must support Wi-Fi 6E. Older devices that only support Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 won’t be able to use the 6 GHz band.
However, Wi-Fi 6E routers are backwards compatible. This means they still support devices using the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. So, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices yet, upgrading your router now can future-proof your network.
Should You Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E?
Deciding whether to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E depends on your needs and budget. Here are some factors to consider:
- Do You Have Wi-Fi 6E Devices?: If you own or plan to buy devices that support Wi-Fi 6E, upgrading makes sense to unlock the full potential of the 6 GHz band.
- Network Congestion: If you live in a densely populated area with many Wi-Fi networks, the 6 GHz band can significantly reduce interference.
- Future-Proofing: Wi-Fi 6E is a long-term investment. Even if you don’t have compatible devices now, you’ll be ready for them in the future. However, if the price leap between Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 is not that much, rather upgrade to Wi-Fi 7.
The leap to Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7 is the next big leap in wireless technology. It builds on Wi-Fi 6E and offers:
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO) – Devices can use multiple frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) simultaneously for even faster speeds. (Read more about MLO – the greatest feature in Wi-Fi to date)
- Higher Data Rates – Wi-Fi 7 doubles the channel width to 320 MHz, allowing more data to be transmitted at once.
- Better Interference Management – Advanced technology like Adaptive Preamble Puncturing helps avoid congestion.
If you are willing to wait and invest in Wi-Fi 7 devices in the future, then you may want to skip Wi-Fi 6E and wait for Wi-Fi 7 to become more readily available at more reasonable pricing. In some regions, and for certain devices, Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh nodes are now more affordable than Wi-Fi 6E nodes and routers. If this is the case, it would not make sense to not upgrade all the way to Wi-Fi 7, seeing as yet again, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices is backwards compatible with Wi-Fi 7 nodes and routers.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi 6E is a significant upgrade over Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and more capacity thanks to the new 6 GHz band. While client compatibility is a consideration, Wi-Fi 6E routers are backwards compatible, making them a solid choice for future-proofing your home network.
However, with Wi-Fi 7 on the horizon, it’s worth weighing your options. If you need a faster, more reliable network now and have Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E is a great choice. But if you can wait and want the latest and greatest, keeping an eye on Wi-Fi 7 might be the better long-term investment.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific needs, budget, and how quickly you want to embrace the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. Whatever you choose, the future of wireless connectivity is looking faster and more reliable than ever!
