Why you need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6

By Madhurima Nag on Jan 17, 2020, 3:37 pm EST under Daily Digest

In an age where the internet dominates every aspect of our lives, it's time to look for some more speed in. Thanks to Wi-Fi 6, dreams of streaming 4k across multiple devices in the house are slowly taking shape. But what's behind this new Wi-Fi standard, and why is it so popular? We decided to talk more about the reason why you should upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 and which routers can help you do so.

Netgear AX6000 Orbi WiFi 6 System in White

As we consume more and more data on the web, the urge to have faster Wi-Fi is at its peak now. Thanks to the new Wi-Fi standards, we can look forward to an even faster internet for using more bandwidth-demanding apps, games, and videos on our laptops and phones. As announced last year, the next generation of Wi-Fi is here—Wi-Fi 6. And this time it isn’t just about speed and reliability. The whole perspective of using Wi-Fi changes and gets more nuanced with this new standard. So, what makes Wi-Fi 6 tick?

Speed and Reliability

The basic purpose of Wi-Fi 6 still remains the same. It helps you stay connected on the internet but this time, with additional technologies to make the process as efficient as possible. The theoretical maximum speed of Wi-Fi 6 is about 9.6 Gbps, which is 3.5 Gbps more than Wi-Fi 5. However, Wi-Fi 6 isn’t just about speed—it’s also about improving the network when a bunch of devices are connected. This is a crucial advancement because when Wi-Fi 5 came out, more than 90% of US households had more than 3 Wi-Fi devices at home. Based on predictions, the numbers can go up to 50 in the coming years. The more devices you add, the more difficult it becomes for your network to maintain the speed it promises. But Wi-Fi 6 is about to change that game with some interesting technological advancements. It will let routers communicate with more devices at once, send data to multiple devices in the same broadcast, and let Wi-Fi devices schedule check-ins with the router. So, even if you want to stream 4K on multiple devices, the Wi-Fi 6 standards will make it seem as easy as can be.

Wi-Fi Standard Evolution Explained by Intel

The Technology Behind Wi-Fi 6

Typically, to feel the power of this network, you have to use it with multiple devices. A single device with Wi-Fi 6 connected to a Wi-Fi 6 router will not help you understand the potential of it. When it comes to the technicalities, Wi-Fi 6 uses two primary technologies to meet those speed standards—MU-MIMO and OFDMA. MU-MIMO, which stands for “multi-user, multiple input, multiple output,” is already used by previous Wi-Fi standards, but Wi-Fi 6 upgrades it even better. OFDMA, which stands for “orthogonal frequency division multiple access,” allows one transmission to deliver data to multiple devices at once.

In fact, with better security features (WPA3) and improved battery life on Wi-Fi devices, life on the internet is going to get smoother with Wi-Fi 6 devices by your side. Like always, in order to enjoy the influence of these Wi-Fi standards, you’ve got to upgrade your devices. That’s because Wi-Fi upgrades are not just software-based. If you have the iPhone 11 or the iPhone 11 Pro, you can use these promising Wi-Fi 6 routers to work at higher speeds.

Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers

Linksys 5G Network Home Internet Setup with WiFi 6

The Linksys 5G Network Home Internet Setup includes a 5G Velop Mesh Gateway, 5G Mobile Hotspot, 5G Modem, and 5G Outdoor Router. Each of these devices works with 5G and Wi-Fi 6, connecting you to the fastest speeds. The Velop Mesh Gateway covers your home in an internet blanket. Both a modem and router, this speedy gadget uses both 5G and Wi-Fi 6. That means it pulls fast 5G signals into your house and then disperses it with its mesh system.

: Linksys 5G Network with WiFi 6 in Black Design

TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Collection

You don’t have to put up with dead zones where you can’t access the internet you’re paying for. Instead, install a device from the TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Collection. This range from TP-Link uses a mesh system to essentially cover your entire home with an internet signal. That way, you’re never caught without access to the internet, no matter where you are. Available in three models, the Deco range includes the Deco X90, Deco X60, and Deco X20.

TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Collection in White

AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router

With the AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router added to your home, you can stop dealing with dead zones. That’s because this router not only increases your network’s capacity but also gives you more coverage. Additionally, this home internet router comes with a 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 radio and a 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 radio. Altogether, these two devices provide you with up to 7,685 Mbps capacity and 16 spatial streams. Furthermore, the AmpliFi Alien can mesh together with other units.

AmpliFi Alien Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router in Black with Green Base

Netgear Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router

Supporting Wi-Fi 6, this device can handle four times more data capacity to cater to your growing home network. In addition, it provides incredibly fast wireless speeds for improved gaming, 4K/8K UHD streaming and video conferencing. With smarter scheduling, Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream Wi-Fi 6 Router also improves network capacity and efficiency. Likewise, it reduces latency as well.

Netgear AX6000 Orbi WiFi 6 System

This tri-band system is all about super-speeds no matter where you are in your home or office. Whether you’re browsing on your phone, laptop, or tablet, this system offers wireless speeds up to a whopping 6 Gbps. This speed isn’t limited to typical devices. These speeds also extend to your smart TV and gaming console. With speeds this fast, you can enjoy high-quality 4K or even 8K UHD content.

: Netgear AX6000 Orbi WiFi 6 System in White Design

ASUS AiMesh AX6600 Super-Fast Wi-Fi 6 Routers

With the new ASUS AiMesh AX6600 Super-Fast Wi-Fi 6 Routers, you’ll definitely notice an increase in speed. These Wi-Fi 6 routers are new additions to the ASUS router collection. While they’ve just been added, they don’t look much different than previous models. However, don’t let their looks deceive you. These fast routers keep their six antennas concealed within them, and two of the antennas are diagonal inside.