WiFi 6 vs Standard WiFi: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Wi-Fi has become an essential backbone for businesses and homes alike. With the introduction of WiFi 6 (the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology), many are wondering how it compares to “standard” WiFi (previous generations like WiFi 5) and whether upgrading is worthwhile. In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 5, discuss the benefits and any drawbacks of WiFi 6, and help you decide if it’s time to upgrade your wireless network.

What is WiFi 6 (802.11ax)?

WiFi 6, formally known as IEEE 802.11ax, is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi technology. Introduced in 2019 as the successor to WiFi 5 (802.11ac), it was created to deliver faster speeds, improved efficiency and better performance in environments with many connected devices.

WiFi 5 (802.11ac)

  • Released in 2013

  • Operates only on the 5 GHz band

  • Offers theoretical speeds up to around 6.9 Gbps

WiFi 6 (802.11ax)

  • Released in 2019

  • Uses both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands

  • Delivers speeds up to 9.6 Gbps

  • Includes advanced features such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which allow multiple devices to transmit data simultaneously without slowing the network

WiFi 6 is fully backwards compatible, so a WiFi 6 access point will still connect older devices. However, to take full advantage of the speed and efficiency improvements, both your network hardware and your devices must support the WiFi 6 standard.

WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5: Key Improvements

1. Faster Speeds: WiFi 6 increases overall capacity, with theoretical speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps compared to WiFi 5’s 3.5 to 6.9 Gbps. While individual devices will not reach the full 9.6 Gbps, the extra bandwidth ensures smoother video streaming, faster file transfers, and reduced network slowdowns.

2. Handles More Devices at Once: WiFi 6 is designed for busy environments with many connected devices. Using technologies such as OFDMA and enhanced MU-MIMO, multiple devices can transmit and receive data simultaneously, rather than waiting for their turn. This greatly reduces congestion and improves performance in offices, schools, and homes with dozens of devices.

3. Lower Latency: Data is transmitted more efficiently, which significantly reduces latency. This makes WiFi 6 ideal for real time applications such as video conferencing, online gaming, and voice calls, with tests showing up to 30 to 50% less delay in crowded networks.

4. Better Coverage and Range: WiFi 6 uses both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, combining long range penetration with high speed performance. Improved beamforming focuses the signal directly at devices, delivering more reliable coverage at the edges of your network.

5. Stronger Security: WiFi 6 comes with WPA3, the latest security standard, offering stronger encryption and better protection against cyber threats compared to WPA2 used in WiFi 5.

6. Greater Energy Efficiency: With a feature called Target Wake Time (TWT), WiFi 6 reduces power usage for connected devices by scheduling data transmissions. This extends battery life for laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices.

In Summary: WiFi 6 represents a major leap forward in wireless networking, offering faster speeds, better range, stronger security, and the ability to support many more devices at once. It is ideal for modern businesses and busy networks where WiFi 5 can no longer keep up.

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Is It Worth Upgrading to WiFi 6?

Whether your business or home should move to WiFi 6 depends on your network demands and future plans. Here are the main factors to think about:

1. Number of Devices and Network Load: WiFi 6 shines in environments with lots of devices. Offices, schools, and public spaces with many simultaneous users benefit the most. For small offices or homes with only a few devices, the difference may be less noticeable.

2. Speed and Data Requirements: If you have ultra fast internet or regularly transfer large files between devices, WiFi 6 helps you take full advantage of those speeds. If your internet connection is relatively slow (e.g. 100 Mbps), you will see more benefits in capacity and reliability rather than raw speed.

3. Future Proofing: Most new phones, laptops, and tablets now support WiFi 6. Upgrading your network ensures it’s ready for these devices and avoids the need for another upgrade for several years. WiFi 7 is coming, but it’s still years away from becoming common.

4. Solving Current WiFi Problems: If you have slow connections during busy periods, dead zones, video call dropouts, or difficulty supporting new applications, upgrading to WiFi 6 can significantly improve performance. Nortech Services often resolves these issues by replacing older access points with WiFi 6 models and optimising placement for better coverage.

5. Cost and Compatibility: Upgrading requires new WiFi 6 routers or access points. Older devices can still connect, but they will not gain the full performance benefits. For large business networks, this may be an investment, but equipment prices have become more affordable.

For most businesses and power users, WiFi 6 is a worthwhile upgrade. It delivers faster speeds, more stable connections, and higher capacity, especially in busy environments. If your current network is stable and lightly used, you can wait until your next hardware refresh. However, if you are already planning new equipment or need better performance now, upgrading to WiFi 6 is the best option.

Nortech’s WiFi 6 Solutions for Businesses

Upgrading to WiFi 6 is more than just installing new routers; it requires expert planning and implementation to achieve the full benefits of the technology.

At Nortech Network Services, we specialise in helping businesses across the UK transition to high‑performance wireless networks. With years of experience in WiFi design, installation and optimisation, our team ensures your upgrade is tailored to your environment and business needs.

Our end‑to‑end service includes:

  • Conducting detailed wireless site surveys to map coverage and identify interference

  • Designing a network with optimal access point placement

  • Installing enterprise‑grade WiFi 6 access points and configuring for speed, coverage and security

  • Upgrading existing infrastructure or setting up new systems from scratch

We do not just supply new hardware, we deliver a seamless WiFi 6 upgrade that maximises performance, reliability and security.

With cloud‑managed WiFi solutions and ongoing support, your network continues to operate at its best long after installation. Trust Nortech’s certified engineers to create a wireless network that meets today’s demands and is ready for the future.

FAQs

There are no serious performance downsides to WiFi 6 – it’s an upgrade in almost every technical aspect. However, there are a couple of practical considerations to be aware of. Compatibility is one: to use WiFi 6 features, you need WiFi 6 capable devices. Older phones or laptops (for instance, an iPhone 8 or a 2015-era laptop) won’t support WiFi 6 and thus won’t see speed or battery life improvements.

They will still work on a WiFi 6 router (WiFi 6 is backwards compatible), just at their normal speeds. The other “downside” is cost – upgrading to WiFi 6 means purchasing new routers or access points, and possibly new WiFi adapters for PCs if you want those to be WiFi 6 compatible.

  1. WiFi 6 isn’t a magic bullet for WiFi signal through walls, but it does have some advantages. The ability of a WiFi signal to penetrate walls is mainly determined by the frequency it uses. WiFi 6 operates on the same 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands that standard WiFi has used for years. A 2.4 GHz signal (whether from a WiFi 6 router or an older WiFi 4 router) will generally penetrate walls better and go further than a 5 GHz signal; that’s just physics. WiFi 5 (802.11ac) by design used only 5 GHz, which doesn’t penetrate walls as well. In contrast, WiFi 6 uses both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. That means a WiFi 6 router can leverage the 2.4 GHz band to cover distant rooms with lower signal loss.

Yes, almost all existing WiFi devices will work fine with a WiFi 6 router or network. The WiFi 6 standard was built to be backwards compatible. If your device worked with WiFi 5 or even WiFi 4, it can still connect to a WiFi 6 access point using the older protocol that it supports.

The main thing to remember is that your older devices won’t automatically get faster or gain WiFi 6 features; they’ll be operating in compatibility mode. To get the full benefit (speed, latency, etc.) on a given device, that device itself would need to support WiFi 6. As you replace devices over time, you’ll start to see those devices achieving higher speeds and better battery life on your WiFi 6 network.

About Nortech Network Services

At Nortech, we are an independent IT infrastructure company with offices in Northampton and Milton Keynes. Since 2000, we’ve helped businesses across the UK get connected, stay secure, and work smarter.

From cabling and wireless to AV, security, and IT support, we handle the lot. Our engineers know their stuff, and because we’re vendor-neutral, you get advice that’s honest and cost-effective.

If your systems are slow, outdated or holding your business back, give us a call. We’ll help you sort it out without the jargon or drama.

If you want to find out more about Nortech Network Services, our products and expertise or if you’d like to have an informal chat with one of our professionals about your requirements