You may have seen “Wi-Fi 6” on new phones and routers. It is the newer generation of Wi-Fi, also known as 802.11ax. But does your home really need it?
What Wi-Fi 6 improves
- More devices at once: Wi-Fi 6 handles many connected devices more efficiently, so phones, TVs and cameras slow each other down less.
- Higher speed: in good conditions, nearby devices get faster speeds.
- Better battery life: phones and smart devices can sleep more efficiently between transmissions.
- Stronger security: Wi-Fi 6 routers support WPA3 security.
When you will notice the difference
- Large families with many phones, tablets and TVs.
- Homes with smart devices and CCTV cameras.
- Flats surrounded by many neighbours’ Wi-Fi networks.
When you may not notice much
If you only have a few devices, and they are older models without Wi-Fi 6, a new router will not make them faster. Both the router and the device need to support Wi-Fi 6 to get the full benefit.
How to check your device
Look at the phone or laptop specifications for “Wi-Fi 6” or “802.11ax”. Many phones released in the last few years support it.
What about Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 is the newest standard, but devices and routers are still expensive. For most homes, Wi-Fi 6 offers the best balance of price and performance today.
Our recommendation
If your current router is several years old and your home has many devices, upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router is a worthwhile investment. If your Wi-Fi already works well, there is no rush.