The expansion of high-speed internet is ongoing, with wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 emerging to provide businesses with reliable internet access. Today, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are the two advanced widely accepted wireless internet connectivity options most enterprises adopt for seamless operations. This blog will explore Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E, its speed, bandwidth, security, pricing, and more.
Difference between Wi-Fi 6 and 6E That You Must Consider
Wi-Fi 6 was officially certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2019 whereas the wifi 6E which extends Wi-Fi 6 to 6 GHz band was certified in 2021. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, both are advanced wireless technologies that are being used at top MNCs (Multinational Corporations). However, Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 with some changes and improvements, let’s find out the differences and similarities.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E: Specifications
Following are the specifications for the 6th generation wifi network
| Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | |
| Data Bands | 2.4 Ghz, 5Ghz | 2.4 Ghz, 5Ghz and 6GHz |
| Number of 160-MHz-wide channels | 1 (in 5-GHz band) | 8 (1 in 5-GHz, 7 in 6-GHz bands) |
| Mesh Capable | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E: Frequency bands
Wi-Fi 6 utilizes the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz band offers broader coverage with lower speeds, ideal for longer-range connections and basic internet use. In contrast, the 5 GHz band provides higher speeds and better performance with a shorter range, perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming and gaming. Wi-Fi 6E extends these capabilities by adding the 6 GHz band to the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 6 GHz band offers significantly more spectrum, which translates to more available channels and reduced interference.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. 6E: Speed
In terms of speed and performance, both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E offer a significant improvement over their predecessors. The Wi-Fi 6 has a net speed of 1.146 Gbps and the Wi-Fi 6E delivery rate is 1.788 Gbps, a notable percentage hike in speed. The Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E speed ratio per 15 feet is a significant jump between both technologies. Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 offers dual bands 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Whereas, Wi-Fi 6E offers a trio band with an addition of 6 GHz making it faster than Wi-Fi 6. Both Wi-Fi generation offers you up to 1 Gbps while Wi-Fi 6E takes the lead with an additional frequency band.
Wi-Fi 6 vs.6E: Security
Wi-Fi 6E is used in high-security networks. The Wi-Fi alliance has made WPA3 based on AES encryption, mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices. Wi-Fi 6 can connect to all devices that support WPA3 and WPA2 wireless security protocols. In contrast, Wi-Fi 6E connects to only WPA3-compatible devices for connection to secure your wireless router, ensuring a more consistent level of security across the network.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. 6E Compatibility
The Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible meaning it can connect to devices following Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 6, 5, 4, and more. However, with older Wi-Fi standards, you can not utilize the full potential of the Wi-Fi 6 network. On the other hand, Wi-Fi 6E is not backward compatible with older Wi-Fi standards. This is because Wi-Fi 6E operates on the 6GHz band, which is a new frequency spectrum, not supported in older devices.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Availability
Wi-Fi 6 routers have been in the market for many years and adopted by businesses worldwide. While the Wi-Fi 6E is becoming common, its adoption is still in its earlier stages. Moreover, Wi-Fi 6E offers a 6GHz spectrum which can only be used if a 6 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum is available in your region. Many regions have limitations or rules in place to use certain Wi-Fi frequency bands due to possible interference with radar signals. Therefore, it is important to consider your region’s laws before opting for 6 GHz bands.
Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E : Number of Users
Wi-Fi 6E offers a trio band with an addition of 6 GHz that improves network capacity and reduces congestion. This additional frequency spectrum enables Wi-Fi 6E to handle a large number of users without compromising on speed. Generally, Wi-Fi 6E can cater upto 12 more 6 GHz-enabled devices than Wi-Fi 6. However, this range can vary depending on network congestion and router capability.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Use Cases
Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E offer similar capabilities but their use cases vary. Let’s find out the potential use cases for enterprises.
Wi-Fi 6
Top Enterprises with bandwidth-intensive operations utilize Wi-Fi 6. These are the benefits that businesses can get with Wi-Fi 6.
Better Connectivity: Dual bands in Wi-Fi 6 allow better performance with multiple devices of different frequencies like laptops, smartphones, servers, and IoT devices. This way, enterprises simultaneously utilize Wi-Fi 6 to cater to a wide range of devices.
High-Density Areas: Airports, stadiums, and big offices utilize Wi-Fi 6 with wireless access points and repeaters to increase capacity and efficiency.
Streaming and High-intensity Task: Wi-Fi 6 reduces the latency which is helpful for high-intensity visual and cloud-oriented tasks.
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E’s additional frequency spectrum makes it the best option for all large-scale firms. Following are the use cases of WI-Fi 6E.
Large-scale businesses: Ideal for offices, conference rooms, and campuses requiring high-speed, low-latency connections.
Emerging technologies: Best suited for applications like augmented reality, virtual reality, and cloud gaming due to its additional band which allows for faster real-time streaming.
Better Scalability: Wi-Fi 6E offers a trio band that allows more networking devices connected to the same network, which allows better scalability throughout the network.
Wi-Fi 6E vs 6: Pros and Cons
Below are the pros and cons of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E to get a better understanding of both technologies.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Wi-Fi 6 | Faster data rate than its predecessors | Similar range to previous Wi-Fi standards with some potential issues |
| Handles more devices simultaneously using MU-MIMO and OFDMA | Costly router than previous standards. | |
| Longer battery life for devices using Target Wake Time (TWT) | An improvement over previous generations, but still potential congestion in dense environments. | |
| WPA3 security with less interference | Requires compatible devices to fully benefit | |
| Wi-Fi 6E | Similar speeds to Wi-Fi 6 but with less congestion | The 6 GHz band has a shorter range and lower penetration |
| More efficient use of spectrum (6 GHz) | Higher cost for routers and compatible devices | |
| Enhanced security with WPA3 | Many legacy devices are not compatible. | |
| Inherit all the power-saving features of Wi-Fi 6 | Complex Deployment |
Wi-Fi 6 versus 6E: Pricing
The pricing between the advanced Wi-Fi technology Wifi 6 and its extension, Wi-Fi 6E can be significant due to new features and advancements. Wi-Fi 6 routers generally range from $100 to $400, depending on the wireless router you are buying. On the contrary side, Wi-Fi 6E can range from $200 to $600 depending on the model. Moreover, some high-end models can go beyond this range. Computing Worlds has a wide range of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers that you can buy for your business.
You can also request a bulk quote online for the top wireless devices.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Future Expectations
Both Wi-Fi technologies are advanced and new in the market and are being adopted by tech giants and enterprises rapidly. That means more manufacturers will integrate these technologies within their mesh routers and other wireless devices. Wi-Fi 6E is an emerging wireless technology but it will not replace the Wi-Fi 6 as both cater to different audiences. Furthermore, we can also expect to see Wi-Fi 7 in the upcoming wireless devices like repeaters or extenders with better performance and features.
Frequently Ask Questions:
Can I Access my Wi-Fi 6 or 6E Router Remotely?
Yes, you can access your wireless router remotely as most modern wireless devices support remote access to admins.
How Do I Know If My Wi-Fi Is 6?
Open the cmd and type “netsh wlan show drivers“, then hit Enter. Next to the Radio types supported, you’ll see the technical standard Wi-Fi names. 802.11ax refers to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e.
Can a Wi-Fi 6 Device Connect To Wifi 6E?
No, Wi-Fi 6 E is not backward compatible and it supports only Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices, Upgrading your wireless infrastructure offers many benefits from better performance to catering to modern client devices. Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are costly networking technologies so before opting, ensure these technologies meet your requirements and budget. Stay connected to the Computing Worlds blog for more information about computer networking.
