Is WiFi 6 Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

With our dependence on the internet only getting stronger and the demand for faster speeds running high, it's no wonder that a new iteration of WiFi is making its way into the marketplace. The question remains: is WiFi 6 worth it? In this complete guide, we weigh the pros and cons of WiFi 6 technology to help you make the best possible decision regarding your internet needs!

What's New in WiFi 6 Technology?

So, what's new in WiFi 6 technology? Well, it's faster. Much faster. It's been reported that WiFi 6 has up to 75% less latency than previous iterations. This means, on a practical level, that you will experience way less lag during your gaming and streaming experiences, and your download and upload speeds will be off the chart.

Suppose you're a content creator who handles editing, uploading, and multitasking on your computer or laptop. In that case, you'll be able to appreciate the difference that WiFi 6 technology provides.

Is WiFi 6 Worth It: Major Benefits Unveiled

To some extent, WiFi 6 is worth it because it's not just the extra speeds that make WiFi 6 worth the money and hassle to switch over. There are many other significant benefits worth considering if you weigh the pros and cons of investing in a WiFi 6 router and package.

Enhanced Security

So, when you get a router, it includes something called WiFi Protected Access (WPA). For WiFi 5, you can only access WPA and WPA2. Instead, with WiFi 6, you get WPA3 as standard. This gives you another level of security and protection when working or playing online.

It includes protection against password guessing and GCMP-256 encryption and allows NFC password sharing for secure and easy access to your accounts and WiFi router. Overall, this is a much superior offering, and who doesn't like a router that has boosted security built in?

Improved Efficiency

WiFi 6 combines the OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output). These two technologies allow multiple devices to share the same channel simultaneously. In high-density environments, this combination increases the network efficiency and dramatically reduces latency or lag.

Faster Speeds and Longer Range

As mentioned in this article, WiFi 6 offers faster maximum theoretical speeds, with data rates of up to 9.6 Gbps, 25% faster than WiFi 5. At the same time, WiFi 6 operates with up to 75% less latency than WiFi 5. This is massively beneficial and is probably why many users upgrade their setup to WiFi 6.

WiFi 6 offers better coverage and range, meaning your network can reach more areas in your home or office. The more extended coverage range can significantly reduce dead spots and improve the overall user experience.

Better Availability

If you're considering buying a new router or device, it's getting harder to purchase pieces of kit that need WiFi 6-compatible. While it's possible to buy second-hand WiFi routers cheaply, if you're buying them new, you will be spending well over $100 just for the router. You'd be better off going for a WiFi 6 router, as there are way more options and deals to be found!

Future-proofing

As a cutting-edge technology, WiFi 6 can support the evolving demands of modern wireless networks. It ensures that your network is ready for future technologies and applications. For example, the WiFi 6E has come into play. Simply put, by having this extra band, you'll experience much less interference and have a much better chance of hitting those maximum speeds of 1,200 Mbps per stream. It's the next level of WiFi 6, so if you want to future-proof your setup, consider shelling out for the 6E version.

Is WiFi 6 Worth It: Application Scenarios

The WiFi 6 technology finds its applications in various scenarios. So, when considering whether WiFi 6 is worth the upgrade, examining its advantages across different application scenarios is essential.

For Home

Generally speaking, WiFi 6 is worth it for the home. In a household setup, WiFi 6's higher speeds and advanced technologies ensure smoother streaming, faster downloads, and improved connectivity for all your devices. For example, if you want to stream 4K movies, WiFi 6 can make your home network perform at its best. WiFi 6 also helps you eliminate worries about limited WiFi range and coverage. You only need to place the WiFi 6 router in the center of your house and elevate it to a certain height. Then, you can enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your home.

For Gaming

Is WiFi 6 worth it for gaming? If you are a game maniac, the answer is yes. WiFi 6 can significantly reduce lags and offers a competitive advantage in online gaming. With WiFi 6's MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies, gamers can play multiplayer games with friends or opponents without worrying about network congestion. WiFi 6 supports multiple connections simultaneously and maintains high-quality streams while gaming, ensuring faster response times, smoother gameplay, and reduced frustration.

For Laptop

WiFi 6 is also worth it for a laptop if your job requires high internet speeds. WiFi 6 allows faster file transfers, faster downloads, and smoother video conferencing on your laptops. For instance, when working from home, attending virtual meetings, or collaborating on projects, WiFi 6 ensures you stay productive without interruptions. The Target Wake Time (TWT) feature in WiFi 6 helps extend your laptop's battery life by allowing devices to schedule when they wake up to communicate with the router. The scheduled communications can significantly reduce power consumption and increase efficiency.

For Smart Home Devices

WiFi 6 is worth it for smart home devices. WiFi 6's capacity to handle many connections simultaneously is invaluable as the number of smart home devices grows. It ensures that your smart lights, locks, cameras, and other devices work seamlessly without overloading your network. For example, WiFi 6 has been introduced into security cameras. WiFi 6 security cameras perform better in high-resolution video streaming and experience few interferences.

Note: Recently, Reolink launched its latest security cameras with exclusive dual-band WiFi 6 technology. These cameras transmit data quickly and with high stability on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Catch a preview of these cameras at Reolink CES 2024, Stay tuned for more info on other Reolink products at CES.

Should You Upgrade to WiFi 6?

As with any new technology, there are always questions surrounding whether you should upgrade or whether the benefits aren’t worth the hassle of switching WiFi 6 routers and systems. If you multitask or stream a lot, you'll notice the extra speed WiFi 6 gives you. Especially if you stream, upload, or download as a part of your work, the boost in speed and battery life will make a real difference to you daily.

Another instance when upgrading to WiFi 6 will benefit you is if you're already in the market for a new router. While it is possible to buy WiFi 5 routers, they're getting rarer and more expensive. It's cheaper to buy a new WiFi 6 router than a WiFi 5 router at this point, and you can benefit from the extra speed, future-proofing yourself and your internet needs!

Common WiFi 6 Upgrading Problems

While older devices and models may be backward compatible with WiFi 6, not everything will be compatible with this upgrade. For example, if your iPhone is older than the 11 model, it won't be compatible. If your router isn't compatible with WiFi 6, your WiFi 6 security camera may not be able to boost the optimal performance. There have been reports of several Intel products not working with WiFi 6 either, but this is mainly due to a driver upgrade issue, which seems to remedy the problem.

If you have older gear, there’s a good chance that WiFi 6 isn’t going to work with your devices, so check the compatibility of your gear before you shell out on a new router, as they don’t come cheap and can sit around the $400 mark for the high-quality ones.

How to Upgrade to WiFi 6

So, there are a few ways to upgrade your setup to WiFi 6. Firstly, you can purchase a new device that's ready for WiFi 6 from the get-go. Many WiFi 6-compatible devices are already on the market, and you can choose the right one based on your specific needs. This is probably the easiest way, but it's also the most expensive way to do things, especially when WiFi 6 is backward compatible with WiFi 5.

On older models, you’ll need to install a WiFi adapter onto your laptop, computer, or device. Once you’ve installed the adapter or bought a new device, you can buy a WiFi 6 router, set it up, and then update the software drivers to ensure everything works smoothly. You might not get WiFi 6 speeds immediately after upgrading, but it does prepare your setup for future devices.

What Makes the Best WiFi 6 Router?

When you're shopping around for a WiFi 6 router, there are a few things you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for. First, you'll want a dual or tri-band router to maximize your WiFi 6 experience. You'll also want to look for a quad-core CPU with at least 512 GB RAM. If you're a gamer or avid streamer, you'll enjoy this beasted-up profile to ensure you get the speed and security that makes WiFi 6 worth it in the long run.

WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: What's the Difference

The main difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 is that WiFi 6 operates on more streams than WiFi 6. This means it's easier to get up to higher speeds on a more reliable basis. With WiFi 5 having a maximum of 8 streams across two bands and WiFi 6 having a maximum of 12 streams across 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, it provides an experience that's a lot smoother, faster, and more reliable overall.

WiFi 5 only utilizes the 5 GHz band, so fewer streams are available as standard. WiFi 6's inclusion of the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz one makes all the difference regarding smooth performance.

Is WiFi 6E Worth It?

As the advanced version of WiFi 6, WiFi 6E is worth it for the future expansion of your home or business network. WiFi 6 works across the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, while WiFi 6E also works around the 6 GHz band. The 6 GHz band provides more channels and less interference, leading to improved performance and reduced congestion. WiFi 6E can offer faster data transfer speeds compared to previous WiFi versions. It can support gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds, which is especially beneficial for applications like 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers.

FAQs

What is a WiFi 6 router?

A WiFi 6 router is a small box that allows devices to access faster speeds, increased security, and superior streaming service of WiFi 6. It's an upgraded WiFi router compatible with WiFi 5 devices, allowing a better quality of WiFi to be experienced, even when multitasking. These WiFi 6 routers range in price from around $70 to $600.

Is WiFi 6 backward compatible?

Yes, WiFi 6 is backward compatible with WiFi 5 devices and products. However, some connected devices may need to be WiFi 6-compatible. For example, if your smartphone is older than an iPhone 11, it's unlikely that your WiFi 6 router will be compatible. In that case, you'll need to purchase a new device to benefit from the faster speeds.

Should I upgrade to WiFi 6 if I already have a WiFi 5 router?

If you want faster speeds, reliable service, and better security, upgrading from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6 is worth upgrading. Especially if you're a gamer or streamer, the faster WiFi 6 experience is worth the upgrade.

What devices can use WiFi 6?

There are already a lot of WiFi 6-compatible devices available in the market—many flagship smartphones, laptops, and routers. For example, some gaming consoles, like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, include WiFi 6 support for improved online gaming experiences and faster downloads.

Conclusion

If you're looking for faster stream, upload, and download speeds, WiFi 6 will be worth it for you. With the dawn of WiFi 6E, it's probably worth upgrading to a WiFi 6 surface to future-proof your setup and save yourself money and hassle! Is WiFi 6 worth it? Will you upgrade your home network to WiFi 6? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below, and let's discuss them together!