Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: A Comprehensive Comparison

Wi-Fi networking has come a long way, and two of the latest buzzwords in wireless connectivity are Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. Both promise faster speeds and better performance than previous Wi-Fi generations, but what exactly sets them apart? In this extensive guide, we’ll dive deep into Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E, exploring their technical differences, benefits, and how to choose the right one for your needs. We’ll compare everything from frequency bands and speed to range, security, and device compatibility, arming you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6, formally known as IEEE 802.11ax, is the 6th generation of Wi-Fi technology and the successor to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It was introduced around 2018–2019 as a major upgrade to improve wireless network efficiency, capacity, and speed. Wi-Fi 6 builds upon the foundations of earlier Wi-Fi but adds several groundbreaking features that redefine connectivity for both consumers and businesses. Some key facts about Wi-Fi 6 include:

• Release and Standard: Released in 2019, Wi-Fi 6 became the current Wi-Fi Alliance certification standard (until Wi-Fi 7 arrives). It is fully backward-compatible with older Wi-Fi devices (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), meaning a Wi-Fi 6 router can serve devices using earlier Wi-Fi versions.
• Frequency Bands: Wi-Fi 6 operates on the same traditional bands as prior Wi-Fi – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It does not natively use any new frequency bands beyond these.
• Theoretical Speed: It supports extremely high theoretical throughput – up to 9.6 Gbps in ideal conditions (across multiple streams) – which is a big jump from Wi-Fi 5. This is a combined capacity; a single device likely won’t hit 9.6 Gbps, but the network as a whole can handle more data.
• Real-World Performance: In practice, Wi-Fi 6 dramatically improves performance in busy environments. For example, one benchmark showed around 1.1 Gbps throughput at a 15-foot distance on Wi-Fi 6. This is still an impressive real-world speed, far above typical Wi-Fi 5 results.

Notable Features Introduced with Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 isn’t just about raw speed – it introduced technologies to make Wi-Fi more efficient and capable of handling many devices simultaneously. Some of the most important features and improvements that Wi-Fi 6 brought include:

• MU-MIMO Enhancements: Wi-Fi 6 allows multi-user, multiple-input multiple-output on both downlink and uplink, enabling routers to communicate with several devices at once (Wi-Fi 5 MU-MIMO was downlink-only). This vastly increases the number of devices that can be served without slowing down.
• OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) is a key upgrade in Wi-Fi 6. It allows an access point to split a Wi-Fi channel into smaller resource units so it can talk to multiple devices within the same channel simultaneously. This improves efficiency and reduces latency in crowded networks.
• 1024-QAM Modulation: Wi-Fi 6 introduced 1024-QAM, a higher-density modulation scheme, which packs about 25% more data into each signal compared to the 256-QAM of Wi-Fi 5. This contributes to faster data rates (35%+ speed burst potential) under good signal conditions
• Target Wake Time (TWT): A feature that schedules check-in times for devices, allowing Wi-Fi 6 clients (like IoT sensors or smartphones) to conserve power by sleeping when not needed and waking at defined intervals. This can greatly improve battery life for connected devices.
• Improved Security (WPA3): Wi-Fi 6 gear generally supports the latest security protocol, Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), which is more secure than WPA2. (As we’ll see later, WPA3 is optional for Wi-Fi 6 but becomes mandatory for Wi-Fi 6E.)

Overall, Wi-Fi 6 delivers a more efficient, high-capacity, and secure wireless network than its predecessors. It’s designed for today’s dense device environments – think smart homes full of gadgets, or offices and cafés with dozens of connected clients – and to provide reliable high-throughput connections for things like 4K/8K streaming, video conferencing, and online gaming.

What is Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 6E is best understood as an extension of Wi-Fi 6 – in fact, the “E” stands for “Extended”. Announced in 2020, Wi-Fi 6E takes the existing 802.11ax standard (Wi-Fi 6) and extends it into the 6 GHz frequency band. Before Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi was limited to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands only. Wi-Fi 6E opens up a new spectrum region for Wi-Fi, which is the biggest expansion of Wi-Fi capacity in decades. Key points about Wi-Fi 6E include:

• New 6 GHz Band: Wi-Fi 6E adds 6 GHz (approximately 5.925–7.125 GHz) band capability to Wi-Fi 6 devices. This is additional spectrum on top of 2.4 and 5 GHz. In the U.S., regulators approved a huge 1200 MHz swath in the 6 GHz range for unlicensed Wi-Fi use (in April 2020). This more than doubles the total Wi-Fi spectrum available to consumers in one move, as 5 GHz has around 500 MHz available by comparison.
• Faster & Lower Latency: By using 6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E can deliver even faster wireless speeds and lower latencies than Wi-Fi 6, but it’s still leveraging the same 802.11ax protocols and modulation. Think of Wi-Fi 6E as Wi-Fi 6 with a “new, clear freeway” added for your data. With more spectrum and no older slow devices on that band, 6E can really shine for high-bandwidth applications.
• Not a New IEEE Standard: It’s important to note that Wi-Fi 6E is not a new IEEE standard on its own. It’s a certification/type that the Wi-Fi Alliance defined to indicate Wi-Fi 6 devices that support 6 GHz. In essence, any Wi-Fi 6E device is also a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) device, but with added radio hardware for 6 GHz.
• Hardware Requirements: Because of that new band, Wi-Fi 6E requires new hardware on both router/access-point side and the client device side. A Wi-Fi 6E router has an extra 6 GHz radio. Likewise, for a phone, laptop, or IoT device to use 6E, it must have a Wi-Fi chip that supports 6 GHz. (Standard Wi-Fi 6 devices, which only have 2.4/5 GHz radios, cannot access the 6 GHz band.)
• Backward Compatibility: One quirk is that Wi-Fi 6E’s 6 GHz band is not backward-compatible with earlier Wi-Fi devices. In practice, this means older devices that don’t support 6E simply won’t see or use the 6 GHz network. However, Wi-Fi 6E routers are triband (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz), so they still support older devices on the 2.4/5 GHz bands. Essentially, the 6 GHz portion creates an exclusive “fast lane” for new devices, without interference from legacy Wi-Fi 4/5 devices.
• Security Requirements: The Wi-Fi Alliance made WPA3 security mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6E certified devices. Unlike Wi-Fi 6 where devices could fall back to WPA2, any device operating on 6 GHz must use WPA3 encryption (or OWE for open networks). This means Wi-Fi 6E networks tend to be more secure by default, since older, less secure protocols aren’t allowed on 6 GHz.

In summary, Wi-Fi 6E brings the same innovations as Wi-Fi 6 (OFDMA, MU-MIMO, etc.) but unleashes them on a brand-new, wide-open 6 GHz band. By doing so, it significantly expands capacity, reduces interference, and can increase speeds for devices that support it. It’s a future-facing upgrade intended to support growing traffic from things like ultra-HD streaming, VR/AR applications, large file transfers, and dense IoT deployments, where the extra bandwidth and clean spectrum can make a real difference.

Learn more about Wi-Fi 6 and 6E applications on our website. 

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Key Differences

Now that we’ve covered the basics of each, let’s compare Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E side by side. At their core, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E share the same foundational technology (802.11ax) – so they have more in common than not. Both offer major improvements in speed, capacity, and efficiency over older Wi-Fi generations. The only thing Wi-Fi 6E changes is the addition of that 6 GHz band, albeit this addition has several important consequences. Below is a summary table highlighting the key differences between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E:

 

Feature	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax extended)
Frequency Bands	2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (dual-band)	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (tri-band)
Additional Spectrum	(no new spectrum; uses existing bands)	+1200 MHz in 6 GHz band (e.g. in US), doubling available Wi-Fi spectrum
Available Channels	Limited high-bandwidth channels on 5 GHz (e.g. typically 1×160 MHz channel). Some channels shared with radar (DFS required).	Many more channels on 6 GHz: up to 14× 80 MHz or 7× 160 MHz channels available. No interference from radar, so no DFS wait on 6 GHz.
Maximum Throughput	9.6 Gbps theoretical max (with 160 MHz and 8 spatial streams). Real-world peak ~1.1 Gbps at 15 ft (in testing)	~9.6 Gbps theoretical (same 802.11ax spec). More likely to achieve higher speeds thanks to wide 6 GHz channels and low noise. E.g. ~1.8 Gbps at 15 ft measured (≈56% faster vs Wi-Fi 6)
Typical Range	Excellent on 2.4 GHz (longer range, penetrates walls), moderate on 5 GHz (shorter range than 2.4). Overall similar or slightly improved coverage vs Wi-Fi 5 due to beamforming improvements.	6 GHz band has shorter range and weaker wall penetration (high frequencies lose strength faster). Best for in-room or same-floor coverage. Devices fall back to 5 GHz/2.4 GHz when out of 6 GHz range.
Interference & Congestion	Shares bands with legacy Wi-Fi and other devices (e.g. 2.4 GHz is crowded with Bluetooth, microwaves). Less interference than older Wi-Fi due to OFDMA, but still some congestion on popular channels.	Low interference: 6 GHz band is exclusive to new devices – no older Wi-Fi 4/5 traffic and no other services like Bluetooth there. The abundance of channels means far less overlap even in apartment buildings or offices. Much cleaner spectrum usage.
Latency	Greatly improved over Wi-Fi 5 thanks to OFDMA scheduling – lower latency under load. Still can spike if the band is congested.	Typically lower latency because of reduced interference and more capacity. Ideal for real-time applications (AR/VR, online gaming, telehealth) where consistent low latency is needed.
Security Protocols	Supports WPA3 (new devices) but can fall back to WPA2 for compatibility. WPA3 not strictly required on 2.4/5 GHz.	WPA3 encryption mandatory for all 6E connections. No WPA2 allowed on 6 GHz, making 6E networks inherently more secure. Also supports Enhanced Open (OWE) for open networks.
Device Compatibility	ackward compatible with all older Wi-Fi devices. A Wi-Fi 6 router/AP serves 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax clients on 2.4/5 GHz. Older devices just won’t get the new speed/features.	6 GHz band requires new Wi-Fi 6E-capable clients – no legacy support on that band. Wi-Fi 6E APs are tri-band, so they still support older devices on 2.4/5 GHz, but only Wi-Fi 6E devices can use the 6 GHz “fast lane.”

As the table shows, the core distinction is the spectrum: Wi-Fi 6E’s use of the 6 GHz band unlocks more channels, which in turn yields higher potential throughput, less interference, and lower latency for compatible devices. Beyond that, both Wi-Fi 6 and 6E share most capabilities (since they are the same standard generation). Let’s break down these differences in detail:

Frequency Bands and Spectrum

The primary differentiator between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E is the frequency bands they operate in. Wi-Fi 6 works on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which have been used by Wi-Fi for years. Wi-Fi 6E, by contrast, operates on three bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and the new 6 GHz band. Why does adding 6 GHz matter? In a word: spectrum. The 6 GHz band provides 1200 MHz of additional spectrum for Wi-Fi (in regions like the US), massively increasing capacity. This means more channels, especially high-bandwidth channels:

• In the 5 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 is limited to a handful of non-overlapping channels. For example, you might only get one 160 MHz-wide channel without interference, or a few 80 MHz channels, and some of those may require dynamic frequency selection (DFS) to avoid radar signals. It’s a bit like having a two-lane highway that occasionally closes lanes when a radar “train” passes by.
• In the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E has seven super-wide 160 MHz channels or fourteen 80 MHz channels available. And these channels are contiguous – no gaps – making it easier to use them fully. It’s akin to opening an entire new multi-lane freeway with no slow traffic and no unexpected closures.

With Wi-Fi 6E, there’s simply a lot more airspace for data. In congested areas (dense neighborhoods, apartment complexes, offices), the 6 GHz band allows multiple Wi-Fi 6E networks to coexist with minimal overlap. This extra spectrum is arguably the most transformative aspect of Wi-Fi 6E, addressing the spectrum crunch that often plagued Wi-Fi in crowded environments. Another important point: legacy devices cannot use 6 GHz, so the only devices on 6 GHz are Wi-Fi 6E (or later) devices. That exclusivity means no interference from older Wi-Fi 4 or 5 devices on that band. All clients on 6 GHz will be using efficient Wi-Fi 6 protocols, ensuring optimal use of the spectrum without needing to slow down for older standards. This is why Wi-Fi 6E is often described as creating a “fast lane” for modern devices.

Speed and Throughput

Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are extremely fast by Wi-Fi standards. In theory, because they share the 802.11ax standard, their maximum physical layer (PHY) data rates are identical – up to around 9.6 Gbps under ideal conditions. However, real-world speeds and the ability to sustain high throughput can differ due to the available spectrum and interference:

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) on 5 GHz can use up to 160 MHz channel width (if the router and client support it and a clean channel is available). Under ideal conditions, an 8×8 MIMO Wi-Fi 6 router could hit the 9.6 Gbps mark, but typical devices (2×2 or 4×4 MIMO at 80 MHz) achieve much less. Still, Wi-Fi 6 offers a substantial boost over Wi-Fi 5. For instance, tests show around 1.1 Gbps at close range (15 feet) on Wi-Fi 6, whereas Wi-Fi 5 might achieve roughly 600-800 Mbps in similar conditions.
• Wi-Fi 6E can also theoretically hit 9.6 Gbps (again, that’s the 802.11ax spec limit). The difference is that with 6 GHz, devices are more likely to actually use wide channels without interference. With an 160 MHz 6 GHz channel all to yourself, a 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E client can potentially exceed the speeds of a similar Wi-Fi 6 client on a congested 5 GHz channel. Real-world reports show Wi-Fi 6E hitting about 1.8 Gbps throughput at 15 feet – roughly 56% faster than Wi-Fi 6 in the same test, thanks to the pristine 6 GHz spectrum. This demonstrates the advantage of 6E in achieving peak performance when signal conditions are favorable.

It’s worth noting that actual throughput will drop with distance and obstacles (more on range below). On 6 GHz, speed can drop off faster with distance compared to 5 GHz. In essence, Wi-Fi 6E delivers higher top speeds in the same room, while Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) might do better once you’re farther away or have walls in the way, since it retains more signal at range. Also, because Wi-Fi 6E can avoid the legacy device slowdowns and channel sharing, it can provide more consistent high throughput in busy environments. On a Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) network, if an older device or a neighbor’s network overlaps your channel, your top speeds might be impacted. Wi-Fi 6E’s freedom from that older congestion means you’re more likely to get the best-case speeds of Wi-Fi 6 technology continuously.

Range and Coverage

Wireless range is an often overlooked difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. The rule of thumb with wireless signals is: lower frequencies travel farther and penetrate walls better. Higher frequencies can carry more data but have shorter effective range.

• Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz): In the 2.4 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 can cover a larger area and penetrate obstacles (walls, floors) better – but 2.4 GHz is slower and more interference-prone. In 5 GHz, Wi-Fi 6 has a shorter range than 2.4, but still generally good coverage within a typical home or office floor. Thanks to beamforming and other Wi-Fi 6 improvements, range and reliability are actually a bit improved over Wi-Fi 5 for the same band. Still, a 5 GHz signal might reliably cover, say, one large floor of a house but weaken on another floor or across concrete walls.
• Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz): The new 6 GHz band sacrifices range for speed. A 6 GHz signal attenuates faster with distance and obstacles than 5 GHz. In practice, the effective coverage of a 6 GHz Wi-Fi 6E network is often limited to a single room or adjacent room for optimal performance. If you have a Wi-Fi 6E router in your living room, a Wi-Fi 6E device in that same room will get great speeds. Move two rooms over or upstairs, and that device will likely fall back to the 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz band (which the router and device will do automatically if the 6 GHz signal becomes too weak). In other words, the 6 GHz band is best for short-range, high-throughput needs, whereas the traditional bands handle wider coverage.

This has practical implications: If you have a large area to cover, a single Wi-Fi 6E router may not reach everywhere on 6 GHz. You might need a mesh system or additional access points to blanket a whole home or office with 6 GHz coverage. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6 on 5 GHz might cover the same area with fewer nodes (albeit at lower speeds in the far zones). The bottom line on range: Wi-Fi 6E provides amazing speed in close proximity, but distance and walls will diminish that advantage. Wi-Fi 6 (especially on 2.4/5 GHz) offers broader coverage. Most Wi-Fi 6E devices seamlessly switch to Wi-Fi 6 mode on 5/2.4 GHz when needed, so you get the best of both – but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re expecting whole-house gigabit wireless from one 6E router. You may end up still using the older bands for far-reaching corners.

Interference and Congestion

Wi-Fi performance is heavily impacted by interference and congestion, meaning how crowded the airwaves are with other signals. This is another area where Wi-Fi 6E has a clear edge, simply because it’s operating in a pristine new realm of spectrum – at least until Wi-Fi 6E becomes as common as today’s Wi-Fi.

• Wi-Fi 6 (on 2.4/5 GHz): Even though Wi-Fi 6 uses smarter tech (like OFDMA and BSS Coloring) to minimize interference, it still has to contend with the reality that 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are crowded. On 2.4 GHz, Wi-Fi shares space with Bluetooth, cordless phones, baby monitors, microwave ovens, and neighbors’ routers. Only three non-overlapping channels exist in 2.4 GHz, so co-channel interference is almost guaranteed in dense areas. On 5 GHz, there are more channels, but as Wi-Fi 5/6 usage exploded, many of those channels overlap with other Wi-Fi networks or require DFS due to radar use. Thus, Wi-Fi 6 networks still face moderate interference in typical environments – especially in city apartment buildings or office complexes where dozens of Wi-Fi networks overlap.
• Wi-Fi 6E (on 6 GHz): Currently, the 6 GHz band is exclusively used by Wi-Fi 6E devices, and it doesn’t overlap with other common household technologies. No older Wi-Fi standard operates there, and things like Bluetooth or microwaves don’t operate at 6 GHz. Moreover, with up to 7 wide channels available, a Wi-Fi 6E router can pick a channel that’s not used by others nearby, virtually eliminating overlap. The result is that Wi-Fi 6E experiences far less interference and congestion than 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Even as more people adopt Wi-Fi 6E, the abundance of channels and the requirement that devices use efficient Wi-Fi 6 protocols should keep interference low relative to legacy bands. In congested venues (stadiums, conferences, multi-tenant buildings), 6E offers a relief valve for capacity problems, allowing many more high-bandwidth links to coexist.

To put it simply, connecting a device to Wi-Fi 6E’s 6 GHz band today can feel like driving on a wide open road with almost no traffic, whereas 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 is like driving on a busy highway – better managed with new technology, but still busy. Less interference not only boosts average speeds but also means lower latency and less packet loss, which improves the quality of streaming and real-time applications. One extra benefit: On 6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E devices do not need to perform DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) scans because they are not sharing frequencies with radar systems like some 5 GHz channels do. In 5 GHz, if you use a 160 MHz channel and a weather radar or airport radar operates nearby, your Wi-Fi may have to periodically stop and listen (or even change channel) to avoid interference, causing hiccups. 6E is free from this concern, which means a more continuous, stable use of wide channels.

Latency and Performance for Real-Time Applications

Thanks to the combination of the above factors (more spectrum, less interference), Wi-Fi 6E tends to offer lower latency than Wi-Fi 6. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to its destination and back, and in Wi-Fi, latency can spike when the spectrum is congested or if the device has to wait its turn to transmit. Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E have the advantage of OFDMA scheduling, which significantly lowers latency compared to Wi-Fi 5 when networks are busy. This means even on 5 GHz, Wi-Fi 6 routers can coordinate multiple clients without the collisions and back-off that older Wi-Fi suffered, resulting in more consistent response times. However, Wi-Fi 6E can take this a step further because:

• With more channels and less competition, a Wi-Fi 6E device often has a clear path to send its data without waiting behind others. Lower contention equals lower latency.
• High-bandwidth channels on 6 GHz can send big bursts of data quickly, so any given packet or video frame gets delivered faster (less time in transit), which effectively reduces the latency for that data.
• As mentioned, no DFS-induced pauses on 6 GHz means one less source of delay.

For most everyday usage (web browsing, streaming), the difference might not be very noticeable – both Wi-Fi 6 and 6E will feel snappy. But for real-time interactive uses – think online gaming, AR/VR streaming, remote drone control, video conferencing – the extra reliability and few-milliseconds advantage of Wi-Fi 6E can translate to a smoother experience. Wi-Fi 6E is able to consistently deliver “wired-like” low latency, on the order of just a few milliseconds, under the right conditions. That said, if the 6 GHz signal is weak (e.g., you’re near the edge of its range and it has dropped to lower data rates), latency benefits might diminish. In such cases, the device might switch to 5 GHz for a stronger signal, trading a bit more congestion for better coverage.

Security Considerations

Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E support the latest wireless security protocols, but Wi-Fi 6E tightens the rules for security in a way that benefits users:

• Wi-Fi 6: When Wi-Fi 6 launched, the new WPA3 security protocol was introduced around the same time. Wi-Fi 6 devices can use WPA3 encryption (and it’s highly recommended for better security), but most Wi-Fi 6 routers also support WPA2 for compatibility with older devices or older operating systems. In fact, many Wi-Fi 6 routers default to a mode that allows WPA2 or WPA3 (a mixed mode) to ensure even old gadgets can still connect. This means a Wi-Fi 6 network could theoretically still be using WPA2, which has some known vulnerabilities, if the user hasn’t enforced WPA3-only.
• Wi-Fi 6E: The Wi-Fi Alliance made a strong move by making **WPA3 ** mandatory for certification on the 6 GHz band. In Wi-Fi 6E, there is no fallback to WPA2 on 6 GHz – devices must use WPA3 security handshakes. This ensures that all 6E connections have the latest security enhancements, like more robust brute-force resistance and better encryption of the initial connection (making password cracking far more difficult). Furthermore, Wi-Fi 6E also mandates support for Enhanced Open (which is based on Opportunistic Wireless Encryption, OWE) for open networks. This provides encryption even on “open” 6E hotspots (like guest networks that don’t have a password), preventing casual eavesdropping – a significant improvement over traditional open Wi-Fi.

The bottom line: Wi-Fi 6E is generally more secure out-of-the-box, simply because it requires modern security practices. Of course, Wi-Fi 6 can be just as secure if configured to use WPA3, but Wi-Fi 6E ensures it as a baseline. For organizations or individuals who are security-conscious, this is a notable advantage. It also means that some very old devices that can’t support WPA3 cannot join a 6E network at all – which is part of that lack of backward compatibility on 6 GHz.

Device Compatibility and Ecosystem

When deciding between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, you must consider your devices. Compatibility is a crucial difference:

• Wi-Fi 6: As noted, is backward-compatible with previous Wi-Fi generations. If you get a Wi-Fi 6 router, all your existing Wi-Fi devices (whether they’re Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4, etc.) will still work with it on the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands. They won’t magically become faster or more efficient (since a phone from 2014 will still use its older Wi-Fi protocol), but they’ll connect and function normally. To take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA or top speeds, both the router and the client need to support Wi-Fi 6. By 2020-2021, many new smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs started including Wi-Fi 6 radios, and that has only increased – so chances are, a lot of your newer gear is already Wi-Fi 6 capable.
• Wi-Fi 6E: Requires new hardware support for that 6 GHz band. If you invest in a Wi-Fi 6E router today, only devices with Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz) capability can connect to the new 6 GHz SSID. Examples of Wi-Fi 6E devices include some flagship smartphones released in 2021 or later (for instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 was one of the early Wi-Fi 6E phones) and newer high-end laptops or PC motherboards that explicitly list Wi-Fi 6E support. Some cutting-edge TVs and VR headsets have begun adding 6E as well. However, the majority of existing Wi-Fi devices (as of 2025) are still Wi-Fi 6 or earlier. So if you get a Wi-Fi 6E router, most of your devices might initially still be using it in Wi-Fi 5/6 mode on the old bands. They won’t benefit from 6E until you also upgrade those devices.

In short, Wi-Fi 6E is about future-proofing. It’s an investment in the next several years of technology. We are seeing more Wi-Fi 6E devices each month, and eventually it will likely become the standard for all new devices. But if you only have one or two 6E-capable gadgets in the house currently, the immediate benefit might be limited to those devices. Your older laptop, smart fridge, or security camera isn’t going to suddenly jump to 6 GHz – it will still use Wi-Fi 4/5/6 on 2.4/5 GHz as before. One more consideration: If some of your critical devices will never support 6E (say, you have IoT devices that are 2.4 GHz only, or you rely on a device that won’t be updated in years), then Wi-Fi 6E’s new band doesn’t help those. You’ll still need good coverage and minimal interference on 2.4 and 5 GHz for such devices. The good news is, by offloading newer, heavy-hitter devices to 6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E can actually reduce congestion for your legacy devices on the old bands. For example, if your new laptop and phone move to 6E, your older smart TV on 5 GHz suddenly has less competition for airtime, so it may stream better too. It’s an indirect benefit of upgrading.

Choosing Between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E

With an understanding of how Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E compare, how do you decide which one is right for you or your business? The choice will depend on your specific situation, including your existing devices, network demands, and budget. Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are excellent technologies, but one may suit certain scenarios better than the other. Ask yourself the following questions (and considerations) when deciding between Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E:

1. Do your devices support Wi-Fi 6E? – Check how many of your current devices (or devices you plan to get in the near future) are Wi-Fi 6E-capable. If none of your laptops, phones, or gadgets can use 6 GHz, a Wi-Fi 6E router won’t provide a benefit to them – they’ll all be on 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6/5. In that case, a high-quality Wi-Fi 6 router might be a more cost-effective choice for now. On the other hand, if you already have a few 6E devices or plan to purchase them (for example, the latest ultrabook or smartphone), then getting a Wi-Fi 6E router will allow those devices to immediately fly on the 6 GHz band.
2. How congested is your environment? – If you live in a densely populated area (apartment complex, dorm, city block of townhouses) or run an office where lots of Wi-Fi networks overlap, Wi-Fi 6E can be a game-changer. The 6 GHz band’s ample channels and lack of legacy interference can significantly improve performance in crowded airspace. Conversely, if you’re in a rural or isolated area with little interference, regular Wi-Fi 6 on 5 GHz might already perform excellently with minimal Wi-Fi competition.
3. What are your speed and latency needs? – Consider your applications. If you regularly transfer very large files between devices, stream 4K/8K video internally, or use latency-sensitive applications (like VR, AR, or competitive gaming), the extra throughput and lower latency of Wi-Fi 6E could be very beneficial. For general web browsing, Netflix streaming, and email, Wi-Fi 6 is usually more than sufficient. Essentially, power users and tech enthusiasts who demand the absolute best wireless performance should lean towards Wi-Fi 6E (especially as more devices catch up to support it). More casual users might not notice a huge difference in everyday tasks if their Internet speed is the limiting factor (e.g., if you have a 200 Mbps internet plan, both Wi-Fi 6 and 6E can handle that easily).
4. What is the size and layout of your space? – Think about coverage. If you need to cover a large home or a multi-story office, remember that 6 GHz has shorter range. You may require multiple access points (or a mesh Wi-Fi 6E system) to get 6 GHz coverage everywhere. Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) might cover the area with fewer devices, albeit at lower speeds at the edges. If you’re mostly concerned with one primary room or a small area (like a studio apartment or a single conference room needing ultra-fast wireless), Wi-Fi 6E can provide an incredibly fast pipe in that zone. For sprawling coverage, you might still rely on Wi-Fi 6 on 5 GHz or use a hybrid approach.
5. Are you looking to future-proof your network? – Wi-Fi 6E is newer and has more room to grow. Investing in Wi-Fi 6E now can extend the useful life of your network infrastructure, as more and more client devices in the next few years will come with 6E support. It’s the latest and greatest today, whereas Wi-Fi 6 is now a mainstream standard. However, also keep in mind that Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is on the horizon and promises even greater speeds and efficiency. Wi-Fi 7 will also utilize the 6 GHz band (among others) and will be backward-compatible with Wi-Fi 6E. If you’re an early adopter type, Wi-Fi 6E positions you well for that future since you’ll already have 6 GHz equipment. If you prefer to skip generations, a top-tier Wi-Fi 6 setup might tide you over until Wi-Fi 7 matures in a couple of years.

In many cases, a hybrid strategy works well: use a Wi-Fi 6E router or AP to serve new devices on 6 GHz, while still relying on the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands for older devices and broader coverage. This is exactly what a Wi-Fi 6E router is designed to do – it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition. You don’t lose the ability to use 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz; you simply gain an extra band. Thus, even if you have just one or two high-performance devices that can benefit, adding Wi-Fi 6E might be worth it to give those devices their own highway while everyone else stays on the existing roads. On the flip side, if budget is a constraint or you just upgraded to a Wi-Fi 6 system recently, note that Wi-Fi 6 is still excellent for most purposes. It’s a huge upgrade over Wi-Fi 5, and it may be several years before your network truly becomes the bottleneck for common internet usage. In environments like cafés, small businesses, or homes with moderate device counts, Wi-Fi 6 can deliver robust performance without the premium of 6E. In fact, Wi-Fi 6 equipment has become quite affordable compared to brand-new Wi-Fi 6E gear.

Ezurio offers a broad portfolio of certified Wi-Fi 6 and 6E modules, each of which is catered to specific use case requirements of the broader Wi-Fi ecosystem. Learn more about our Wi-FI 6 and Wi-Fi 6E modules.

Conclusion

Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E represent the cutting edge of wireless networking in 2025. Wi-Fi 6 brought significant improvements in capacity, speed, and efficiency that make Wi-Fi more reliable in our device-saturated world. Wi-Fi 6E takes it a step further by opening up an entirely new band of spectrum, unlocking extra-fast, low-latency connectivity for those devices ready to take advantage of it. In the Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E comparison, there is no absolute “winner” – the best choice depends on your needs. Wi-Fi 6E is essentially Wi-Fi 6 supercharged: if you have compatible devices and want to maximize wireless performance (or simply stay ahead of the curve), 6E is the way to go for its “fast lane” benefits in the 6 GHz band. It’s especially compelling for high-density or high-demand scenarios where the extra channels and reduced interference shine. On the other hand, Wi-Fi 6 itself (without 6E) is mature, widely supported, and will more than satisfy most users with its gigabit-class speeds and excellent multi-device handling. From an embedded engineer’s perspective, both technologies incorporate the same advancements that make Wi-Fi more suitable for IoT and latency-sensitive applications – from OFDMA and MU-MIMO to improved power management. Industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing are beginning to leverage Wi-Fi 6 for its reliability and throughput, and some early adopters are venturing into Wi-Fi 6E for mission-critical wireless needs where interference mitigation is crucial. As the ecosystem grows (and as Wi-Fi 7 looms on the horizon), adopting Wi-Fi 6E could give you a strategic edge, but doing so requires ensuring your infrastructure and client devices can match. If you do make the leap, be prepared for new levels of wireless performance – just keep that 6 GHz range in mind and plan your network layout accordingly. In summary, Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E is not an all-or-nothing choice; it’s about matching the tool to the task:

• Go with Wi-Fi 6 for a tried-and-true, high-performance network that works with all your existing devices and provides excellent results on 2.4/5 GHz.
• Opt for Wi-Fi 6E if you crave the bleeding edge – faster speeds, lower latency, and a congestion-free spectrum – and you have (or plan to have) devices that can harness those benefits.

Either way, both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E ensure that wireless connectivity is more robust and powerful than ever before, keeping our increasingly connected world running smoothly. With this knowledge, you can confidently upgrade your network in a way that best suits your needs, knowing the differences and advantages that each technology offers. EOL (The journey from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 6E underscores how innovation in wireless technology is never static – there’s always a new horizon, or in this case a new band, opening up to keep us better connected.)

For more information, see the following on our website:

• Video: Why Wait for Wi-Fi 7? Wi Fi 6/6E vs Wi Fi 7
• Webinar: Leveraging Next Generation Wi-Fi 6 For Your Embedded Applications
• White Paper: Faster, Bigger, Smarter, and Even More Indispensable

Courtesy of Ezurio