What Is WiFi 6E and Should I Upgrade to It?

What Is Wi-Fi 6E?

WiFi 6E is the marketing term used to refer to the IEEE 802.11ax standard for wireless local-area networks. The WiFi 6E arrived in 2020, just a year after the introduction of WiFi 6, which is also based on the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E

The biggest difference between WiFi 6 vs WiFi 6E is that the latter WiFi generation supports three different frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), whereas the former supports only two (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz).

The support for the 6 GHz band is a huge deal if you live in an area with more WiFi networks than trees. In such areas, wireless interference tends to be a major problem, causing everyone’s speeds to fluctuate unpredictably and making it difficult to achieve even signal coverage.

In the 6 GHz band, there are 59 additional 20 MHz channels and 29 additional 40 MHz channels, and it’s thanks to them that WiFi 6 speeds can greatly exceed WiFi 6 speeds. That’s why WiFi 6E is also known as High Efficiency Wi-Fi.

What Are the Disadvantages of WiFi 6E?

WiFi 6E brings significant improvements over its predecessors, including higher data rates, increased capacity, lower latency, and expanded coverage in the 6 GHz band. However, like any technology, it has its disadvantages. Here are some of the main drawbacks:

1. Limited Device Compatibility: As of my last update, not all devices support WiFi 6E. Older devices may not be able to connect to WiFi 6E networks, necessitating dual or tri-band routers that also offer 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for compatibility. This situation will improve as more new devices are manufactured with WiFi 6E support.
2. Cost: WiFi 6E routers and devices tend to be more expensive than their WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and WiFi 6 (802.11ax) counterparts. The premium pricing reflects the new technology and enhanced features, making initial adoption more costly for consumers and businesses.
3. Limited 6 GHz Band Availability Worldwide: The availability of the 6 GHz band, crucial for WiFi 6E, varies by country. Regulatory approval is required, and not all countries have opened this spectrum for WiFi use. This limitation affects the global adoption rate and effectiveness of WiFi 6E in delivering its full benefits everywhere.
4. Potential for Interference in Dense Environments: While the 6 GHz band is less crowded than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, there's potential for interference in densely populated areas or in environments with many 6 GHz devices. As adoption increases, managing this congestion will be important to maintain the high performance expected of WiFi 6E.
5. Increased Power Consumption: The advanced features of WiFi 6E, such as higher throughput and capacity, may lead to increased power consumption on devices. This can impact battery life, especially in mobile devices and IoT applications, necessitating more frequent charging or larger batteries.
6. Indoor Range Limitations: The 6 GHz signals used by WiFi 6E have a shorter range and are less effective at penetrating solid objects like walls and floors compared to 2.4 GHz signals. This could necessitate the use of more access points or mesh systems to ensure comprehensive coverage in larger homes or buildings.

While WiFi 6E presents these disadvantages, its benefits for high-demand environments and future-proofing networks often outweigh the negatives for many users. As the ecosystem matures, costs will likely decrease, and device compatibility will expand, mitigating some of these disadvantages.

Upcoming WiFi Standards to Replace Wi-Fi 6E

Even though the number of devices that support WiFi 6E is still fairly limited, a new WiFi standard is already in development.

The name of the standard that will eventually replace WiFi 6E is — you’ve guessed it — WiFi 7 (or 802.11be Extremely High Throughput).

WiFi 7 is supposed to bring wireless speeds on par with wired speeds, providing a theoretical maximum of 30 Gbps across three supported bands (2.4/5/6).

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