Which is better, 5GHz or WiFi 6? Well, it depends. Plus, they are not exclusively the same thing (although they do go together). Let’s break that down.
What is WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the latest WiFi generation. It offers many improvements than previous generations. Some of which are better connection, faster speed, and better range across frequency bands for less congestion.
What is 5GHz?
5GHz is a frequency band for WiFi signals. The 5GHz band has a shorter wavelength and is considered superior to the 2.4GHz band due to its faster speeds and stronger signal connection.
WiFi 6 uses both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands to transmit WiFi signals and manage device traffic between these two frequencies.
If you look at “5GHz” as “WiFi 5” then that is a different story. WiFi 5, the standard before WiFi 6, can only run on 5GHz. So, technically WiFi 6 has better range than WiFi 5 or 5GHz.
Is it worth upgrading from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 is an important update. WiFi 6 offers much more than WiFi 5. Among many improvements, WiFi 6 uses a pair of technologies called MU-MIMO and OFDMA to improve a router’s ability to manage traffic between devices. The difference in speeds can be dramatic.
Which is better WiFi 5 or WiFi 6?
So is WiFi 6 really better? Yes, it is and here’s why:
The industry has made vast improvements over the older version of WiFi 5 (also called 802.11ac) when they released WiFi 6. Some of the key improvements of WiFi 6 include:
- Next-generation WiFi technology
- Faster speeds and performance
- Can handle more connected devices without additional latency or lag
- Better 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrum performance
- Increased MU-MIMO capacity from 4×4 (WiFi 5) to 8×8 (WiFi 6)
- More capacity to deliver more data simultaneously to many connected devices
Are WiFi 5 devices compatible with WiFi 6 devices?
In order to reap the full benefits of WiFi 6, you will need a WiFi 6 router and modem, regardless of how many WiFi 6 devices in your home – your router is key.
If you’re ready for a better internet experience, upgrade from a WiFi 5 set up to a cable modem router or WiFi Mesh system that supports WiFi 6 today. Hitron’s OS2210 WiFi 6 Mesh system will be launched soon on Amazon.
The Hitron OS2210 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System offers a 1-year membership for new members with the Plume HomePass™ app for easy setup, controls, and whole-home management.
Want more on WiFi standards, home networking, and mesh WiFi? Check out Hitron’s articles on our Learn Page and blog.
