Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: The Ultimate Comparison
802.11ax vs. 802.11be
What is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)?
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) was a massive leap forward, focusing primarily on efficiency. Its main goal was to handle the *dozens* of devices in a modern smart home (phones, laptops, smart lights, TVs) without slowing to a crawl.
Its key feature is OFDMA, which is like a delivery truck making multiple small deliveries to different houses in one trip, rather than one big trip per house. This massively improved performance in crowded networks and is why Wi-Fi 6 is still fantastic for most homes today.
What is Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)?
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) builds on that efficiency but adds a new, ruthless focus on extreme speed and ultra-low latency. It's designed for next-generation applications like 8K video streaming, lag-free cloud gaming, and immersive AR/VR.
Its killer feature is MLO (Multi-Link Operation), which allows a single device to connect to multiple Wi-Fi bands at the same time, changing the game for reliability. For a full deep-dive, check out our guide on what is Wi-Fi 7 technology.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: At-a-Glance Comparison
Here's the high-level technical breakdown of Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7. The differences in speed and channel width are staggering.
| Feature | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Theoretical Speed | ~9.6 Gbps | ~46 Gbps (Over 4x faster) |
| Wi-Fi Bands | 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz (for 6E) | 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz |
| Max Channel Width | 160 MHz | 320 MHz (2x wider) |
| Data Encoding | 1024-QAM | 4K-QAM (20% more data) |
| Key Technology | OFDMA (Efficiently splits traffic) | Multi-Link Operation (MLO) |
| Main Focus | Efficiency in crowded networks | Extreme Speed & Low Latency |
Wi-Fi 6E: The Bridge Between Generations
You can't really understand the leap to Wi-Fi 7 without first understanding Wi-Fi 6E. While Wi-Fi 6 used the crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, Wi-Fi 6E was the first standard to get access to the new, exclusive 6 GHz band.
Think of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands as busy city roads full of traffic from cars, bikes, and old trucks (your neighbour's old router, your microwave, etc.). Wi-Fi 6E opened up a brand new, empty, 16-lane motorway—the 6 GHz band. This band is massive, has no interference from old devices, and is what allows for the ultra-wide 160 MHz channels.
Wi-Fi 7 depends on this 6 GHz band. It not only uses it but also doubles the lane width to 320 MHz, something that would be impossible on the older, narrower roads. Wi-Fi 6E was the test drive; Wi-Fi 7 is the Formula 1 car built specifically for that new track.
Key Differences Explained
The table shows the 'what', but here's the 'why' it matters for your home internet experience.
Speed: 320 MHz vs 160 MHz
Wi-Fi 7 doubles the 'data highway' width (from 160 MHz to 320 MHz) and packs 20% more data in (4K-QAM). This makes its *potential* speed on a single device much, much faster than Wi-Fi 6.
The Game-Changer: MLO
This is the biggest difference. Wi-Fi 6 connects to *one* band at a time. Wi-Fi 7's MLO connects to *both* 5 GHz and 6 GHz simultaneously, like having two separate pipes of data. This massively boosts speed and, more importantly, reliability.
Latency: Good vs. Ultra-Low
Wi-Fi 6 (OFDMA) is great for *efficiency* (less lag from other devices). Wi-Fi 7 (MLO) is built for *determinism* (predictably low lag). If one band has interference, Wi-Fi 7 instantly uses the other, killing lag spikes for gaming.
Focus: Efficiency vs. Speed
A simple way to think about it: Wi-Fi 6 solved the 'too many devices' problem. Wi-Fi 7 solves the 'I need multi-gigabit speed *and* zero lag' problem.
How Wi-Fi 7 Changes Real-World Scenarios
All this new tech sounds great, but what does it actually mean for you?
- Competitive Gaming: For a Wi-Fi 6 user, a random spike of interference from a neighbour's router can cause a lag spike that gets you 'fragged'. For a Wi-Fi 7 user, MLO means the connection instantly continues on the *other* band, and you never even notice the lag.
- Wireless VR: High-end VR headsets are limited by cables. Wi-Fi 6E made wireless VR possible, but Wi-Fi 7's combination of a 320 MHz channel (huge bandwidth) and MLO (flawless reliability) will make it feel just as responsive as a wired connection.
- 8K Streaming: While Wi-Fi 6 can handle an 8K stream, Wi-Fi 7 can handle that *plus* a 4K stream for someone else, *plus* your cloud gaming session, all without any of them buffering, thanks to the sheer capacity and reliability.
Another Wi-Fi 7 Trick: Punctured Preamble
This one is a bit more technical, but it's very clever. Imagine that big, wide 320 MHz channel is a 16-lane motorway. What happens if there's a 'pothole' (interference) in just *one* of those lanes?
With Wi-Fi 6, the whole motorway section would be considered 'bad' and your router would have to use a much narrower, slower road. With Wi-Fi 7's Punctured Preamble, it can just 'cone off' that one bad lane and still use the other 15 lanes, keeping your speed incredibly high. It makes the connection far more resilient in the real world.
Should You Upgrade from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 7?
For almost everyone: No, not yet. Wi-Fi 6 (and 6E) is still a powerhouse and perfectly fine for most UK homes, even with Gigabit internet. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you have a Wi-Fi 6 router? If yes, you're already in a great spot. The real-world difference for streaming 4K Netflix (which only needs 25 Mbps) will be zero.
- Do you have Wi-Fi 7 devices? As of late 2025, they are rare and expensive. Your iPhone 16 or Samsung S24 is Wi-Fi 6/6E. You need Wi-Fi 7 devices to get Wi-Fi 7 speeds.
- Do you have Multi-Gigabit Internet? If your plan is 1 Gbps or less, Wi-Fi 6 can handle that easily. Wi-Fi 7 is for 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, or even 10 Gbps plans.
Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 if: You are a hardcore competitive gamer, a VR enthusiast, or a tech professional who *must* have the absolute lowest latency and highest speeds for transferring massive files wirelessly *and* you have the devices and internet plan to match. If you *are* in that group, our in-depth Wi-Fi 7 guide can help you choose a router.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7?
Speed and latency. Wi-Fi 7 is theoretically 4.8x faster, but its main real-world benefit is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which lets a device use two bands at once for an ultra-stable, low-lag connection. Wi-Fi 6 can only use one band at a time.
Can I use Wi-Fi 7 devices with a Wi-Fi 6 router?
Yes. Wi-Fi 7 devices are fully backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 routers. They will just connect using the older, slower Wi-Fi 6 (or 5) standard. You won't get any Wi-Fi 7 features.
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is just Wi-Fi 6 with access to the new 6 GHz band. It's the 'bridge' to Wi-Fi 7. It offers much wider channels (160 MHz) and less interference than standard Wi-Fi 6, but it does *not* have Wi-Fi 7's MLO (Multi-Link Operation) feature.
Is Wi-Fi 7 worth upgrading from Wi-Fi 6?
For most people in late 2025, no. Wi-Fi 6 is already extremely fast and efficient. You should only upgrade if you have a multi-gigabit internet plan (2 Gbps+) *and* Wi-Fi 7 compatible devices (like a new high-end laptop or VR headset) and need the absolute lowest latency for gaming or AR/VR.