Wi-Fi 4
(802.11n)
Year 2009 • 2.4 / 5 GHz • up to 600 Mb/s (theoretical)
- Bands
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Channel
- 20/40 MHz
- Key features
- MIMO up to 4×4, 64-QAM
- Security
- WPA2 (recommended), WPA (legacy – not recommended)
- Real-world speed
- 50–150 Mb/s
When it is enough
- Older devices and low demands
- Web browsing, e-mail
Wi-Fi 5
(802.11ac)
Year 2014 • 5 GHz • up to ~6.9 Gb/s (theoretical)
- Band
- 5 GHz
- Channel
- 20/40/80/160 MHz
- Key features
- MIMO up to 8×8, 256-QAM, MU-MIMO (DL in Wave2), beamforming
- Security
- WPA2, 802.11w support (management frame protection)
- Real-world speed
- 200–600 Mb/s (typically 2×2)
For whom
- Households, 4K streaming, consoles
- Good price/performance compromise
Wi-Fi 6
(802.11ax)
Year 2019 • 2.4 + 5 GHz • up to ~9.6 Gb/s (theoretical)
- Bands
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Channel
- 20/40/80/160 MHz
- Key features
- OFDMA, UL/DL MU-MIMO, improved beamforming, TWT (lower power usage), better stability and latency
- Security
- WPA3 (recommended), WPA2 (compatibility)
- Real-world speed
- 400–900 Mb/s (2×2 ideal)
For whom
- More devices, low latency
- Smoother network at peak times
Wi-Fi 6E
(802.11ax in 6 GHz)
Year 2021+ • extra 6 GHz • less interference
- Bands
- 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz*
- Channel
- Up to 160 MHz in 6 GHz
- Key features
- Less congested 6 GHz spectrum, lower latency
- Security
- WPA3 (mandatory in 6 GHz)
- Real-world speed
- 0.8–1.5 Gb/s (2×2, 160 MHz)
For whom
- Flats with congested 5 GHz
- VR/AR, fast NAS, multi-gig
Wi-Fi 7
(802.11be)
Year 2024+ • 2.4/5/6 GHz • up to ~46 Gb/s (theoretical)
- Bands
- 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz
- Channel
- Up to 320 MHz (6 GHz)
- Key features
- 4096-QAM, 320 MHz, MLO (Multi-Link), Multi-RU, DL/UL MU-MIMO up to 8×8
- Security
- 6 GHz requires WPA3; 2.4/5 GHz WPA2/WPA3
- Real-world speed
- 1–5 Gb/s (2×2, 320 MHz, ideal)
For whom
- Lowest latency, multi-gig
- Top-tier home and business networks
Simple glossary of terms (for non-experts)
Short explanations of the most common Wi-Fi acronyms and features. Useful when choosing a router or phone.
MIMO
"More antennas for higher speed."
The router and device communicate over multiple data streams at once → better range and speed.
MU-MIMO
"Serving multiple devices at the same time."
The router doesn't have to wait – more devices keep stable speeds even under high load.
OFDMA
"Splits the Wi-Fi channel into small sub-channels."
The router handles many devices in parallel more efficiently → lower latency, less congestion.
Beamforming
"Steering the Wi-Fi signal to the device."
Wi-Fi boosts the signal where your phone/laptop is → better range, speed and stability.
QAM (64/256/1024/4096-QAM)
"Density of information in one signal."
Higher value = more data in the same time → higher speeds (requires a strong, clean signal).
WPA / WPA2 / WPA3
"Security of your Wi-Fi."
WPA2 – secure standard; WPA3 – the most secure (mandatory in 6 GHz); WPA – old and weak, do not use.
TWT (Target Wake Time)
"Saves battery life of phones and IoT devices."
The router agrees an exact time when the device wakes up to communicate → lower power consumption.
160 / 320 MHz channel
"A wide motorway for Wi-Fi."
Wider channels = higher peak speeds, but require good signal and low interference.
6 GHz
"New clean band for fast Wi-Fi."
Minimal interference, very high speeds and low latency, but shorter range than 5 GHz.
MLO (Multi-Link Operation)
"Wi-Fi 7 uses multiple bands at the same time."
The device can use 5 and 6 GHz in parallel → higher speed and lower latency.
Latency (response time)
"How quickly the Wi-Fi responds."
Important for gaming, video calls and VR – lower is better.
2×2 / 4×4 / 8×8
"How many antennas and data streams the device supports."
More antennas = higher speed, better stability and serving more devices at once.
Quick comparison
| Generation | Standard | Bands | Channel width | Max (theoretical) | Real-world (typical) | Security | Key functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2.4/5 GHz | 20/40 MHz | 600 Mb/s | 50–150 Mb/s | WPA2 (recommended), WPA – legacy | MIMO up to 4×4, 64-QAM |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 5 GHz | 20/40/80/160 MHz | ~6.9 Gb/s | 200–600 Mb/s | WPA2, 802.11w support | 256-QAM, beamforming, MU-MIMO (DL in Wave2), MIMO up to 8×8 |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2.4/5 GHz | 20/40/80/160 MHz | ~9.6 Gb/s | 400–900 Mb/s | WPA3 (recommended), WPA2 for compatibility | OFDMA, UL/DL MU-MIMO, improved beamforming, TWT |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 802.11ax | 2.4/5/6 GHz* | up to 160 MHz (6 GHz) | ~9.6 Gb/s | 0.8–1.5 Gb/s | WPA3 mandatory in 6 GHz band | 6 GHz – less interference, lower latency |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | 2,4/5/6 GHz | up to 320 MHz (6 GHz) | ~46 Gb/s | 1–5 Gb/s | 6 GHz requires WPA3; 2.4/5 GHz WPA2/WPA3 | 4096-QAM, MLO (Multi-Link), Multi-RU, MU-MIMO up to 8×8 |
*Availability of the 6 GHz band (6E/7) depends on regulation and device support. The stated “real-world” values are indicative – they depend on channel width, number of antennas, interference and distance.