WiFi 5, 6, and 7
Not sure whether you need WiFi 5, WiFi 6, or WiFi 7? We break down the differences in speed, performance, and device support so you can understand which WiFi standard is right for your home, and whether upgrading is actually worth it.
WiFi 5, 6, and 7: What do you actually need?
If you've been shopping for a broadband package or new router recently, you've probably come across terms like WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 7. With each new generation of WiFi promising better performance, it's easy to question what you need and whether it’s worth it to upgrade.
WiFi is the wireless technology that connects your devices to the internet without cables.
The good news is that most households don't need the latest technology just because it's available. The best WiFi option for you depends on how many people use your network, how many devices are connected, and what you do online.
In this guide, we'll explain what WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 7 are, compare their strengths and limitations, and help you decide which one is right for your home.
WiFi is the wireless technology that connects your devices to the internet without cables.
The good news is that most households don't need the latest technology just because it's available. The best WiFi option for you depends on how many people use your network, how many devices are connected, and what you do online.
In this guide, we'll explain what WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 7 are, compare their strengths and limitations, and help you decide which one is right for your home.
WiFi generations explained
WiFi generations are based on different versions of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard. IEEE 802.11, commonly known as WiFi, defines the standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs), allowing devices to communicate using radio frequencies.
WiFi 5 (802.11ac): WiFi 5 was introduced in 2013 and became the standard in many homes throughout the 2010s. It primarily operates on the 5GHz frequency band and brought significant speed improvements over previous generations.
WiFi 6 (802.11ax): WiFi 6 launched in 2019 and was designed to handle modern households where multiple devices are connected at the same time. It introduced technology that improves efficiency, capacity, and performance on busy networks.
WiFi 7 (802.11be): WiFi 7 is the newest generation of WiFi. It focusses on delivering higher speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability through new features such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to use multiple wireless links simultaneously.
While each new generation of WiFi builds on the previous one, that doesn't automatically mean everyone needs the latest version as soon as it's released.
What is WiFi 5?
WiFi 5 (802.11ac): WiFi 5 was introduced in 2013 and became the standard in many homes throughout the 2010s. It primarily operates on the 5GHz frequency band and brought significant speed improvements over previous generations.
What is WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 (802.11ax): WiFi 6 launched in 2019 and was designed to handle modern households where multiple devices are connected at the same time. It introduced technology that improves efficiency, capacity, and performance on busy networks.
What is WiFi 7?
WiFi 7 (802.11be): WiFi 7 is the newest generation of WiFi. It focusses on delivering higher speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability through new features such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to use multiple wireless links simultaneously.
While each new generation of WiFi builds on the previous one, that doesn't automatically mean everyone needs the latest version as soon as it's released.
Key differences between WiFi 5, 6, and 7
Speed and performance
The theoretical maximum speed is the fastest WiFi speed possible under ideal conditions, and it increases with each generation.
• WiFi 5 offers theoretical speeds of up to around 3.5Gbps.
• WiFi 6 increases theoretical speeds to around 9.6Gbps.
• WiFi 7 can deliver significantly higher speeds, up to 46 Gbps, with support for wider channels and more advanced technology.
Device capacity
One of the biggest improvements isn't even speed, it's how efficiently the network handles multiple devices.
WiFi 6 introduced technology such as OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) and enhanced MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) that allow routers to communicate better with multiple connected devices at the same time.
Latency and responsiveness
Latency refers to the delay between sending and receiving data. WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are designed to reduce latency compared with older standards, which can help with activities such as online gaming, streaming, and video calls.
Reliability in busy homes
As smart TVs, phones, tablets, smart home devices, and gaming consoles become an inseparable part of the modern home, wireless networks can get congested with all those different connected devices.
WiFi 6 was specifically developed to improve performance in busy households, and WiFi 7 adds additional technology to increase reliability and responsiveness.
In short, WiFi 5 is a reliable baseline, WiFi 6 is a strong all-round connection for most households, and WiFi 7 is the most premium, future-ready option currently live.
WiFi speeds explained (and what you actually get)
When comparing WiFi 5 vs WiFi 6 or WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7, it's important to remember that advertised speeds are typically the theoretical maximums reached under perfect conditions.
Real-world performance depends on several factors, including:
• Router quality
• Distance from the router
• Walls and physical obstacles
• Number of connected devices
• Device compatibility
• Your broadband package speed
For example, upgrading from WiFi 5 to WiFi 7 won't automatically deliver gigabit speeds if your broadband package is too slow.
The goal of newer WiFi standards is often to improve consistency, reliability, and performance across multiple devices, not just headline speeds.
Real-world performance depends on several factors, including:
• Router quality
• Distance from the router
• Walls and physical obstacles
• Number of connected devices
• Device compatibility
• Your broadband package speed
For example, upgrading from WiFi 5 to WiFi 7 won't automatically deliver gigabit speeds if your broadband package is too slow.
The goal of newer WiFi standards is often to improve consistency, reliability, and performance across multiple devices, not just headline speeds.
Do you actually need to upgrade your WiFi?
WiFi 5 may still be right for you if:
• You have a smaller household
• Only a handful of devices are connected
• You mainly browse the web, stream occasionally and check emails
• You aren't experiencing connectivity issues
If your current setup works well, there may be little reason to upgrade immediately.
You should upgrade to WiFi 6 if:
• Your household has a lot of connected devices
• Multiple people stream, game, and work from home simultaneously
• You regularly make video calls
• Your network slows down during busy periods
For many homes, WiFi 6 will give a great balance of performance, availability, and compatibility.
WiFi 7 is worth it if:
• You have a lot of connected devices
• Your house includes smart home technology or smart appliances
• You're buying new equipment and want the latest WiFi standard
• You're looking to future-proof your setup
However, benefits may be limited unless you also own WiFi 7-compatible devices.
• You have a smaller household
• Only a handful of devices are connected
• You mainly browse the web, stream occasionally and check emails
• You aren't experiencing connectivity issues
If your current setup works well, there may be little reason to upgrade immediately.
You should upgrade to WiFi 6 if:
• Your household has a lot of connected devices
• Multiple people stream, game, and work from home simultaneously
• You regularly make video calls
• Your network slows down during busy periods
For many homes, WiFi 6 will give a great balance of performance, availability, and compatibility.
WiFi 7 is worth it if:
• You have a lot of connected devices
• Your house includes smart home technology or smart appliances
• You're buying new equipment and want the latest WiFi standard
• You're looking to future-proof your setup
However, benefits may be limited unless you also own WiFi 7-compatible devices.
What devices support WiFi 6 and WiFi 7?
Not every device can take advantage of newer WiFi standards. Many recently released smartphones, laptops, and tablets are still only compatible up to WiFi 6. WiFi 7 device compatibility is growing, but it is still less common than WiFi 6.
To fully benefit from WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 in your home, you'll need compatible devices alongside the compatible router.
Older devices can usually still connect to new routers, but they'll often use the wireless standards they support rather than the newer features or speeds, making the advanced WiFi technology useless on those devices.
To fully benefit from WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 in your home, you'll need compatible devices alongside the compatible router.
Older devices can usually still connect to new routers, but they'll often use the wireless standards they support rather than the newer features or speeds, making the advanced WiFi technology useless on those devices.
Does your broadband speed matter?
Your broadband speed and your WiFi standard work together. Your broadband package is the amount of internet entering your home, while your WiFi network distributes that connection around your devices.
A faster WiFi standard can improve how efficiently your connection is shared, but it cannot create internet speed that your broadband service doesn't support. In other words, faster WiFi does not automatically mean faster internet.
To get the full benefit of newer WiFi technology, your broadband speed, router, and devices all need to work together.
A faster WiFi standard can improve how efficiently your connection is shared, but it cannot create internet speed that your broadband service doesn't support. In other words, faster WiFi does not automatically mean faster internet.
To get the full benefit of newer WiFi technology, your broadband speed, router, and devices all need to work together.
How to upgrade your WiFi setup
If you're considering a WiFi upgrade, here are a few simple steps:
1. Upgrade your router: A router that supports WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 is required to use newer wireless features.
2. Consider a mesh systemlarger homes, a mesh WiFi system can help improve coverage throughout the property.
3. Check device compatibility: Before upgrading, check whether your most-used devices support WiFi 6 or WiFi 7.
4. Review your broadband package: You may also want to ensure your broadband plan matches your household's internet needs.
In summary, WiFi 5 remains suitable for basic everyday use, WiFi 6 is a good choice for most modern households, and WiFi 7 offers the latest technology and may appeal to people looking for maximum performance and future-ready connectivity.
The right choice depends on your devices, broadband package, and how you use your home network.
For fast, reliable internet speeds and a router compatible with WiFi 7, upgrade to Sky Full Fibre Gigafast+.
1. Upgrade your router: A router that supports WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 is required to use newer wireless features.
2. Consider a mesh systemlarger homes, a mesh WiFi system can help improve coverage throughout the property.
3. Check device compatibility: Before upgrading, check whether your most-used devices support WiFi 6 or WiFi 7.
4. Review your broadband package: You may also want to ensure your broadband plan matches your household's internet needs.
In summary, WiFi 5 remains suitable for basic everyday use, WiFi 6 is a good choice for most modern households, and WiFi 7 offers the latest technology and may appeal to people looking for maximum performance and future-ready connectivity.
The right choice depends on your devices, broadband package, and how you use your home network.
For fast, reliable internet speeds and a router compatible with WiFi 7, upgrade to Sky Full Fibre Gigafast+.