Wi-Fi 6 is the newest generation of modern wireless technology. It’s designed to meet the high demand for the most reliable and efficient internet connectivity. We can say 2019 is the release year of Wi-Fi 6 because the new Wi-Fi standard was finalised in September 2019. But the world is still curious about how fast is wifi 6?
How Fast Is WiFi 6?
In theory, wifi 6 can reach up to 9.6 Gbps; It’s a significant jump from the 3.5 Gbps maximum of wifi 5. However, these are ideal lab conditions. Most users experience 1 to 2 Gbps in real-world usage. Which means it depends on their internet plan, router quality, and number of connected devices.
More importantly, wifi 6 did not just increase the speed of one device. It effectively boosts the overall network performance, distributing bandwidth across multiple devices. This makes a noticeable difference in homes or offices where many users are online simultaneously.
What Makes wifi 6 Faster?
You might be thinking, what new technology will make wifi 6 faster than previous versions?, These are the new technologies that help it maintain a more reliable, faster connectivity.
- OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access): Using the same transmission cycle, OFDMA allows the router to send data to multiple devices across the network. This might reduce latency and improve overall network efficiency.
- 1024-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation): In wifi 5, QAM 256 is used. This new 1024-QAM allows for transmitting more data at the same time as wifi 5.
- Wider Channels (160 MHz): With new wireless technology, the channel width doubles. This allows for the transmission of more data flow without any lag, increases the network’s speed, and helps with stable connectivity compared with wifi 5, the previous technology.
- MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output): This new feature lets the router communicate with multiple devices at once instead of using the one-at-a-time method.
Real-World Speed Examples
| Activity | Wi-Fi 5 Average | Wi-Fi 6 Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Video Streaming | 25–50 Mbps | 10–25 Mbps |
| Online Gaming (low ping) | 20–30 Mbps | 10–20 Mbps |
| File Download (1 GB file) | 5 minutes | 1–2 minutes |
| Video Conferencing (HD) | 5–10 Mbps | 2–5 Mbps |
These are average speed overviews; it can be different based on your setup and connection.
Do You Need a New Router?
Yes, it is. To experience wifi 6 benefits, both your router and your device must support it. You need not worry about your devices because modern smartphones, laptops, and tablets released after 2020 often include wifi 6 compatibility. You can experience the new wifi 6 speed by upgrading your router. I’m sure it will significantly boost your experience, especially if your household has more than 5–10 connected devices.
Final Thoughts
Wi-Fi 6 does more than provide faster internet speeds; It’s genuinely about efficiency, stability, and future-proofing your network. With real-world speeds reaching over 1 Gbps and enhanced multi-device performance, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 is a wise decision for homes and businesses.
If you’re still using Wi-Fi 5, the difference may not be visible at first, but as your number of connected devices increases, the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 will become more noticeable.
Related Article: WIFI 6 Explained, Everything you Should Know About WIFI 6