Have you heard of WiFi 6? In 2019, internet service providers and manufacturers released it as the latest and greatest in wireless technology, taking pride in its 9.6 Gbps maximum throughput.
But with the release of WiFi 7 in 2023, one may ask: What are the differences between these two technologies? Is it worth upgrading your home network to WiFi 7? Let’s take a closer look at how they compare.
Comparing WiFi 7 and WiFi 6/6SE
An evolution from WiFi 6, this whole new WiFi standard brings faster network speeds, improved bandwidth efficiency, and even better coverage. Sounds great, right?
Before you make the switch, take a closer look at how WiFi 7’s features significantly differ from its predecessor’s:
At up to 46 Gbps, WiFi 7’s throughput is more than four times faster than the maximum of 9.6 Gbps that WiFi 6 could offer. You can enjoy smoother streaming, gaming, and other online activities with minimal lags or loading issues.
With such speeds, multiple devices can be connected without any worry about decreased performance from your network.
WiFi 7 also boasts wider bandwidth of 320 MHz compared to 160 MHz in Wi-FI 6/6SE – another amount doubled. This allows for improved connection stability, better latency control when streaming or gaming online, and an overall faster user experience as it increases the efficiency of data delivery between your device and router.
Increased Device Connection Density
Another great feature that WiFi 7 has to offer is its increased density support for connected devices via the 4096 QAM modulation technique.
This added density comes in handy if you live in a busy household where everyone has their mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. You’ll be able to connect more devices simultaneously while still maintaining optimal performance out of your network connections.
Last but not least, one aspect that users may appreciate most about WiFi 7 is its enhanced power efficiency compared to previous versions like WiFi 5 & 6/6SE. It uses less energy yet delivers greater range coverage, simultaneously allowing users to save on electricity bills – a win-win situation.
Other Significant Improvements
WiFi 7 technology also has improved MU-MIMO support for larger groups of connected devices and better OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) performances.
This enables your home network to handle higher data rates with fewer errors and a more consistent connection speed even when multiple users are online simultaneously.
Additionally, it provides advanced security measures like WPA3 encryption protocol and enhanced 256-bit AES encryption, making it virtually impossible for hackers or other malicious actors to break into your wireless network.
What Hasn’t Changed?
- WiFi 7 uses the same radio frequencies as WiFi 6/6SE.
- Compatibility with existing WiFi 6/6SE devices is still possible, provided the router supports both standards.
- WiFi 7 also uses the same 802.11ax standard for wireless communication.
- The same three bands are still used (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz).
WiFi 7 Router: Should You Get One?
If you want to upgrade your home network setup, investing in a WiFi 7 router is an excellent choice. Its improved data throughput, wider coverage range, and enhanced security measures provide the perfect foundation for a robust and reliable wireless connection that can handle all of your streaming, gaming, and browsing needs.
Plus, its increased device density support will be useful if you have multiple users who are always connected simultaneously.
Want enhanced performance and speed across all your devices? Real-time protection, security, and privacy? A great option is NETGEAR’s Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router.
The WiFi 7 Nighthawk Router is designed to provide the best performance for your home network and comes with advanced features such as Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology, OFDMA support for larger groups of connected devices, and WPA3 security protocol. it supports all existing WiFi 6/6SE devices, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
As an extra security feature, NETGEAR also offers a complimentary one-year subscription to NETGEAR Armor, its cloud-based security system. It provides an extra layer of protection against online threats and malicious actors, making your WiFi 7 network even more secure.
Looking for other devices tailored to specific needs? NETGEAR has business and home solutions, including mesh WiFi systems, pro WiFi access points, mobile hotspots, and more.
Check them out today!
