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

What Are the Advantage of WiFi 6E?

We’ve already touched upon some of the main advantages of WiFi 6E, and now is the time to take a closer look at them:

• Speed: While both WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E can theoretically achieve the same maximum linkrate, WiFi 6 routers and devices can’t take advantage of the 6 GHz band to avoid interference-related slowdowns. That’s why WiFi 6E almost always wins when it comes to real-world speeds.
• Coverage: Because WiFi 6E routers and WiFi 6E mesh routers can use three different frequency bands, it’s much easier to achieve great signal coverage even in densely populated urban areas.
• Reliability: The reliability of any WiFi network goes hand in hand with its speed and coverage. Because WiFi 6E networks are faster than those relying on previous WiFi standards, you're much less likely to see your speeds dip below an acceptable level. Likewise, WiFi 6E networks can cover a larger area with a strong signal, so your connection won’t drop just because you take a few extra steps with your smartphone or laptop in the wrong direction.
• Security: All WiFi 6E devices support the latest WiFi standard for security, Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3). The new WiFi standard is backward compatible with WPA2, and it addresses the security issues posed by weak passwords and public networks.

These advantages make upgrading to WiFi 6E worth the effort and necessary financial investment. Just don’t think that WiFi 6E can solve issues caused by poor router placement or configuration. Yes, the better performance of WiFi 6E devices can make them less apparent, but it won’t make them go away.

To fix them, we recommend you use a WiFi network analyzer tool like NetSpot.

With its help, you can create a detailed coverage map to determine if your router is located in the optimal place, and you can also discover all nearby WiFi networks and see if their configuration doesn’t clash with the configuration your own network.

How to Choose the Best WiFi 6E Router or Mesh System?

When choosing the best WiFi 6E router or mesh system, we recommend you pay attention to the following criteria:

• Price: The most expensive routers typically offer the best performance and features, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the right choice for you. Stretching your budget just so you can download stuff from the internet a bit faster isn’t a wise move. Instead, pick the best router within your budget, and use a wireless network analyzer like NetSpot to make the most of it.
• Performance: Advertised maximum speeds and real-world router performance are often two different things. Professional and user reviews can help you avoid routers that are not as good as they are advertised to be, so spend some time reading them before you finalize your purchase.
• Features: The best routers come with all kinds of useful features that address everything from online security to local file and printer sharing to parental controls. For example, VPN users can save money by buying a WiFi 6E router that comes with a free VPN as a bonus.
• Usability: A router that can be easily configured using a mobile app can make your life much easier, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be a tech-savvy person. Fortunately, most modern routers are fairly easy to use these days.

A WiFi 6E router that meets all these criteria should be able to flawlessly meet your wireless connectivity needs.