WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: Which is Better?
Introduction:
There have been many advances in wireless technology over the years, but none has been more significant than the development of Wi-Fi. WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 are two common terms you may have come across when searching for a new router or device. In this article, we will discuss the differences between these two wifi standards and help you determine which one is better for your needs.
1. Background of WiFi Standards
WiFi technology has gone through several advancements to capacitate the needs of increasing internet usage and data demands. The International Standards Organization (ISO) came up with a set of incremental changes in Wi-Fi technology that were referred to by their official names, i.e., IEEE 802.11ac for WiFi 5 and IEEE 802.11ax for WiFi 6.
2. Speed Comparison
One of the most notable differences between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 is speed. WiFi 6 is significantly faster than its predecessor, providing maximum data rates of up to 9.6 Gbps compared to the 3.5 Gbps offered by WiFi 5. Stream multiple high-resolution videos simultaneously without buffering become a breeze with the enhanced speed offered by WiFi 6.
3. Efficiency
WiFi 6 proves to be more efficient when it comes to handling network congestion. The new Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) feature increases efficiency by breaking up Wi-Fi channels into smaller subchannels, allowing multiple devices to communicate concurrently without interfering with each other.
4. Network Capacity
The network capacity is another area where WiFi 6 outperforms its predecessor. With an improved Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system, WiFi 6 can accommodate far more devices than its earlier counterparts, making it ideal for smart homes filled with IoT devices.
5. Battery Life Conservation
Another significant advantage of WiFi 6 is that it enables devices to consume less power while connected to Wi-Fi networks. WiFi 6 introduces a feature called Target Wake Time, which minimizes the instances of devices waking up unnecessarily, prolonging their battery life. Consequently, devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets benefit from an extended battery life.
6. Security
WiFi 6 implements a more robust security feature known as WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3), which enhances the encryption standard to make your network less vulnerable to attempts by hackers and intruders. WiFi 5 uses the older WPA2 standard, which is more prone to potential security breaches.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, given its faster speed, improved efficiency, increased network capacity, energy-saving features for attached devices, and better security standards, WiFi 6 is undoubtedly the better option of the two. If you’re in the market for a new router or need better performance and connectivity from your Wi-Fi network, we recommend investing in one with WiFi 6 capabilities to future-proof your network and enjoy its benefits moving forward.