Is WiFi 6 Better Than WiFi 5? Top 5 Benefits Explained Lucidly!

Do you suffer from buffering? Is your router the reason for your suffering? If yes, you should get WiFi 6. It is the latest and fastest wireless networking technology available across every spectrum.

Why Should You Use WiFi 6?

WiFi 6 is the latest WiFi technology that provides you with the following:

· Superfast WiFi speed

· Reliable connection

· Improved home-network performance

· Increased network capacity

Therefore, you can enjoy buffer-free streaming and faster downloads. You can also add more smart-home devices without slowing down the internet. If you have a busy multi-device household, WiFi 6 (802.11ax) provides you with the highest performance level. Get a WiFi 6 router to enjoy the best possible smart-home experience.

WiFi 6 vs. WiFi 5: Top 5 Benefits to Upgrade in 2023

Let’s explore some of the operational capacities of WiFi 6 and compare them with the capabilities of WiFi 5. The 6 iteration holds several benefits over its predecessor. Are those increased capabilities worth a transition? Let’s take a closer look.

1. OFDMA and 1024-QAM Upgrades in WiFi 6 Enhance Overall Network Efficiency

OFDMA and 1024-QAM are the most visible and noticeable upgrades. Built over the already great WiFi 5 (802.11ac) technology, WiFi 6 incorporates the key OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) features. It helps in increasing overall network efficiency. You can use the latest WiFi 6 technology to connect and use multiple devices (having varied bandwidth needs) to your WiFi simultaneously.

The older variety of this tech, OFDM, was designed primarily for general web browsing and email retrieval. Modern users require a faster connection for multiple users and devices. So, the older technology is incompatible with meeting the needs. If you use the older OFDM feature in your WiFi system, you’ll face dreaded slowdowns because requests will build up.

OFDMA update solves this issue by allocating bandwidth much more effectively. In addition, it accommodates multiple users with more data-intensive tasking. This is accomplished by sub-channeling users, allowing more data to be transmitted simultaneously. As a result, congested use settings get free. This, in turn, improves overall network efficiency.

1. Backward Compatibility

WiFi 6 is entirely backwards compatible with what you’re currently using. Devices not using WiFi 6 iteration can easily connect to the current iteration irrespective of their version. You can connect those devices to WiFi 6 routers and enjoy increased speed and performance. If you upgrade your system to WiFi 6, you can enjoy a certain continuity of service and a host of system-wide improvements. Upgrading your wireless communications system from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6 is worth your time.

2. Target Wake Time Upgrade

Another significant improvement at WiFi 6 is a new feature called Target Wake Time (TWT). Devices are allowed to ‘sleep’ for more extended periods, saving power. Falling asleep is one thing. But waking is another. The new TWT feature allows devices to ‘wake’ more quickly when sending or receiving data. With the Target Wake Time upgrade, WiFi 6 devices no longer have to wait for network availability. Considering all the devices on a typical congested network, the TWT upgrade will save a lot of time and power in these sleeping/waking transactions.

3. WiFi Aware Feature

‘WiFi Aware’ is yet another handy feature update. It essentially removes or minimizes centralized control across the network, allowing WiFi 6 devices to communicate with each other without a master controller. What does that mean in practical use? Once you have updated from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6, the WiFi Aware feature makes sharing your phone’s WiFi password with another user easier. After the update, you no longer have to manually type the WiFi password to share with another user’s phone.

4. Miscellaneous Improvements

WiFi 6 has several other significant performance-related upgrades. Some of the most important improvements you can experience with WiFi 6 upgrade are increases in:

· Data transfer rates (1.3 Gbps to 2.4 Gbps)

· Capacity for active devices in the network

· Range

· Power efficiency (allowing devices to go longer between recharges)

· Security (most significantly in the realm of more robust authentication and encryption)

Final Words

A WiFi 6 upgrade is especially beneficial when dealing with a congested network environment. One of the most important benefits of WiFi 6 is that it has been designed to accommodate AI.

You may also explore the previous blog in this series on Top 3 WiFi 6 Myths and Facts in 2023.