Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7: How are they different?

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 are the most recent standards in Wi-Fi^® technology. Each delivers faster speeds than their previous generations, but they also expand the capabilities for how many devices can be connected to a network.

The fact is that many people don’t know which version of Wi-Fi they’re using in their home. If you’re like the majority, you may not care which version of Wi-Fi you’re using as long as you have good connectivity. When you might care is if you’re gaming and getting a lot of buffering, your work video calls are being dropped, or your smart home isn’t connecting reliably. All of these uses put demands on your Wi-Fi network, and with enough demand, you may need to upgrade to the next generation of Wi-Fi.

As Wi-Fi increasingly becomes how a home is connected through mobile devices, smart devices, and more, it’s becoming more important to understand the changes in the technology and how it can deliver the best performance to your connected devices.

Knowing the difference between Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7 will help you understand what you’re using now and when it may be time to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7… before you’re interrupted at a critical part of your favorite online game.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

So, what is Wi-Fi 6? Wi-Fi 6 was introduced to improve speed, efficiency, and device capacity in modern networks. It’s designed for high-density environments and provides stronger, more reliable connections than older generations of Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi 6E, an extension of Wi-Fi 6, further improves performance by enabling access to the 6 GHz (gigahertz) frequency band, reducing congestion and increasing speeds. For context, the most common bands are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each has pros and cons for speed, interference, and range. 6 GHz is faster, has lower latency (delays in data transmission), and has more bandwidth to handle more connections to it. The range from the router to the device, however, is shorter.

Core features and benefits of Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi standards. It improves on the speeds, bandwidth capacity, and security protocols of previous Wi-Fi generations. The benefits of Wi-Fi 6 include additional channels for increased efficiency, an increase in the amount of data that can be sent at one time, and more.

• • Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) – This technology divides Wi-Fi channels, or individual frequency ranges used for wireless communication, into smaller sub-channels. This allows multiple devices to share the same channel, improving overall network efficiency. Like adding another lane to a highway to decrease traffic congestion, OFDMA allows more devices to work efficiently at the same time.
  • 1024-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) – This technology increases the amount of data each signal carries, improving overall speed and performance.
  • Target Wake Time (TWT) – This feature helps devices save battery life by scheduling when devices need to communicate with the network. It helps increase the battery life of these devices by avoiding unnecessary drains on the battery due to unused connections.

Speed, efficiency, and device capacity improvements

Wi-Fi 6 provides speeds up to 9.6 Gigabits per second (Gbps). This is significantly higher than Wi-Fi 5’s 3.5 Gbps. For example, streaming services that offer 4K or ultra-HD streaming usually recommend speeds of at least 25 Mbps. That means, with max speeds on Wi-Fi 6, you have enough bandwidth and speed to stream high-quality videos on multiple devices at the same time while also gaming online or placing a video call. More importantly, Wi-Fi 6 enhances performance in busy areas, supporting four times more devices per network than previous standards.

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E

Wi-Fi 6E is based on the same technology as Wi-Fi 6 but adds the 6 GHz band to the existing 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. This additional band helps further reduce congestion to maintain fast speeds (still up to 9.6 Gbps) and low latency on the network. Wi-Fi 6E is particularly beneficial for improving performance in areas with many connected devices where congested networks can significantly affect performance.

What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is the latest advancement in wireless networking. It’s designed to handle the growing demands of modern internet users. With more devices connecting to home and business networks than ever before, Wi-Fi 7 focuses on delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and more efficient data management compared to even Wi-Fi 6.

The improvements of Wi-Fi 7 are designed to allow optimal connectivity for smart homes with potentially hundreds of devices relying on a fast, stable connection. You may have a combination of smart thermostats, app-connected light bulbs, a smart refrigerator that can automatically take stock of your weekly grocery haul, and more. Wi-Fi 7 can deliver reliable connectivity to all of them without compromising your streaming, gaming, and work-from-home needs.

How Wi-Fi 7 builds on Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E

Wi-Fi 7 builds on Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E by making networks faster, more efficient, and better suited for demanding applications. It increases bandwidth, improves data transmission, and significantly reduces latency. More specifically, when comparing Wi-Fi 6E vs. 7, one of the biggest changes is Wi-Fi 7’s ability to handle even more devices due to its ultra-wide channels and multi-band capabilities.

These upgrades ensure smoother connections, especially in environments with many devices—like smart homes, gaming rooms, and large businesses.

Note that like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, the upgrade in performance means the range from the router to the device is shorter. This is easily remedied with a mesh extender, which is a device that extends Wi-Fi coverage in a larger area.

Major technology upgrades

Wi-Fi 7 enhances previous wireless standards with the following upgrades:

• • 320 megahertz (MHz) channels – These channels are twice as wide as those in Wi-Fi 6E. This means they can carry more data at once and improve your overall network speed.
  • 4096-QAM (4K-QAM) – This technology increases the amount of information that can be sent in each transmission—making Wi-Fi 7 about 20% more efficient than Wi-Fi 6 when sending data.
  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO) – Instead of using just one frequency band, MLO lets devices use multiple bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) at the same time. Doing so helps reduce congestion and ensures faster, more reliable connections.

Wi-Fi 7 speed and latency improvements for gaming and streaming

In terms of real-world use, Wi-Fi 7 provides potential speeds of up to 46 Gbps—nearly five times faster than Wi-Fi 6. It also significantly reduces latency, making it the best internet for gaming, video streaming, and other real-time applications. Latency is the delay that occurs when sending data electronically. Ultra-low latency platforms, like Wi-Fi 7, mean data transmits nearly instantaneously, making the network feel faster and run smoother.

[Read: What is Wi-Fi 7?]

Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: Performance breakdown

When it comes to performance specifications, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E have impressive stats:

Each generation of Wi-Fi has its merits. The ways you use Wi-Fi and the number of devices you need to connect help you determine which is best for your home or business.

Do you need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 can drastically improve your online experience. There are a few key things to consider before you decide if it’s time to upgrade.

• Current device compatibility – Wi-Fi 7 routers are backward compatible, but your devices need Wi-Fi 7 support to enjoy full benefits.
• Router availability – Wi-Fi 7 routers are still rolling out but should soon be widely available across the nation.
• Gaming and streaming – If you want the fastest speeds and lowest latency for gaming, Wi-Fi 7 is a strong upgrade. Learn more about why upload speeds matter for all your streaming needs.
• Smart homes with lots of devices – If you have many connected devices, Wi-Fi 7’s enhanced capacity and stability will improve performance in a heavy-usage environment.

In terms of cost versus performance, Wi-Fi 7 routers and compatible devices are more expensive than Wi-Fi 6 alternatives. However, their enhanced capabilities make them well worth the price for many avid internet users.

Which Wi-Fi version is right for you?

If you need faster speeds, lower latency, and greater network efficiency, Wi-Fi 7 is the best choice—especially for gaming, smart homes, and enterprise use. Wi-Fi 6, however, remains a strong option for users that prioritize reliability and efficiency without needing the fastest speeds achievable.

Before upgrading, consider your device compatibility, networking needs, and budget to make the right choice for your setup. Whether you’re comparing Wi-Fi 6E vs. Wi-Fi 7, understanding your internet needs will help you get the best performance possible.

Visit att.com to learn more about our Wi-Fi products, including AT&T All-Fi and AT&T All-Fi Pro.