Antenna Handbook

What are Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7? And how does anyone choose between them?

 Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 are the four generations of Wi-Fi technology. Each generation offers significant improvements over the previous generation in terms of speed, performance, and reliability.

Here is an image illustration of the four Wi-Fi generations:

Wi-Fi 5 is the oldest of the four generations and is the most widely used Wi-Fi standard today. It offers speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps and is a good option for small homes and apartments with a limited number of devices connected to the network.

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard and offers a number of advantages over Wi-Fi 5, including:

  • Faster speeds: Wi-Fi 6 can support speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, which is nearly three times faster than Wi-Fi 5.
  • Reduced latency: Wi-Fi 6 has lower latency than Wi-Fi 5, which means that devices can communicate with each other more quickly.
  • Improved performance in crowded networks: Wi-Fi 6 is better at handling a large number of devices connected to the same network than Wi-Fi 5.

Wi-Fi 6 is a good option for homes and businesses with a lot of devices connected to the network, such as smart homes and offices. It is also a good option for gamers and streamers who need a fast and reliable connection.

Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 that uses the 6 GHz spectrum. The 6 GHz spectrum is a new band of spectrum that is less crowded than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This means that Wi-Fi 6E can offer faster speeds and better performance than Wi-Fi 6.

Wi-Fi 6E is still a relatively new standard and is not as widely available as Wi-Fi 6. However, it is a good option for users who need the fastest possible speeds and performance.

Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology and is still under development. It is expected to be released in 2023 and is expected to offer even faster speeds and better performance than Wi-Fi 6E.

How to choose between Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7

The best Wi-Fi standard for you depends on your needs and budget. If you have a small home or apartment and you don't need a lot of speed, Wi-Fi 5 may be sufficient. However, if you have a large home or apartment, or if you have a lot of devices connected to your network, you may want to consider Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, or Wi-Fi 7.

If you are looking for the fastest possible speeds, Wi-Fi 7 is the best option. However, it is important to note that Wi-Fi 7 is not yet widely available and it may be expensive at first.

If you are on a budget, Wi-Fi 5 is the most affordable option. However, keep in mind that Wi-Fi 5 is the oldest of the four standards and it may not be as fast or as reliable as the newer standards.

If you are looking for the best balance of speed, performance, and price, Wi-Fi 6 is a good option. Wi-Fi 6 is widely available and it offers significant performance improvements over Wi-Fi 5.

If you need the fastest possible speeds and you don't mind paying a premium, Wi-Fi 6E is the best option. Wi-Fi 6E is the newest of the four standards and it offers the fastest speeds available.

What’s the difference between a regular router and a mesh router?

 A regular router is a single device that broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. A mesh router is a system of multiple devices that work together to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network.

Here is an illustration of the difference between a regular router and a mesh router:

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between a regular router and a mesh router:

FeatureRegular routerMesh router
Number of devices1Multiple
CoverageLimitedExtensive
PerformanceCan be inconsistentConsistent
SetupEasyMore complex


Which type of router is right for you?

If you have a small home or apartment and you don't need a lot of coverage, a regular router may be sufficient. However, if you have a large home or apartment, or if you have a lot of devices connected to your network, a mesh router may be a better option.

Mesh routers are also a good option for homes with dead zones, as they can extend the reach of your Wi-Fi signal to every corner of your home.

Here are some additional things to consider when choosing a router:

  • Speed: Routers come in a variety of speeds. Choose a router that can provide the speeds you need for your devices and activities.
  • Range: Routers also have a variety of ranges. Choose a router that can cover the area of your home or office.
  • Features: Routers come with a variety of features, such as parental controls, guest networking, and beamforming. Consider which features are important to you and choose a router that has the features you need.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

What are dual-band routers and tri-band routers, and what’s the difference between them?

 Dual-band routers operate on two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is more congested, but it has a longer range. The 5 GHz band is less congested, but it has a shorter range.

Tri-band routers operate on three frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz bands. This gives tri-band routers more bandwidth and flexibility than dual-band routers.

Here is an illustration of the difference between dual-band and tri-band routers:

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between dual-band and tri-band routers:

FeatureDual-band routerTri-band router
Number of frequency bands23
BandwidthLessMore
FlexibilityLessMore
RangeLongerShorter

Which type of router is right for you?

If you have a small home or apartment and you don't have many devices connected to your network, a dual-band router may be sufficient. However, if you have a large home or apartment, or if you have a lot of devices connected to your network, a tri-band router may be a better option.

Tri-band routers are also a good option for gamers and streamers, as they can provide the bandwidth and stability needed for high-performance activities.

Here are some additional things to consider when choosing a router:

  • Speed: Routers come in a variety of speeds. Choose a router that can provide the speeds you need for your devices and activities.
  • Range: Routers also have a variety of ranges. Choose a router that can cover the area of your home or office.
  • Features: Routers come with a variety of features, such as parental controls, guest networking, and beamforming. Consider which features are important to you and choose a router that has the features you need.

What is the difference between a modem and a router?

 


A modem is a device that connects your home network to the internet. It converts signals from your internet service provider (ISP) into signals that your devices can understand.

A router is a device that creates a local area network (LAN) in your home. It allows multiple devices to connect to the internet at the same time and share files and resources.

Here is an illustration of the difference between a modem and a router:

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between a modem and a router:

FeatureModemRouter
Connects toISPLocal devices
Converts signalsYesNo
Creates a LANNoYes
Allows multiple devices to connect to the internetNoYes
Shares files and resourcesNoYes


To access the internet, you need both a modem and a router. The modem will connect your home network to the internet, and the router will distribute the internet connection to your devices.

Here is an example of how a modem and router work together:

  1. Your ISP sends a signal to your modem.
  2. The modem converts the signal into a format that your devices can understand.
  3. The modem sends the signal to your router.
  4. The router distributes the signal to your devices.

Your devices can then access the internet.




What is a router ?

 A router is a networking device that connects two or more computer networks. It forwards data packets between networks with different IP addresses. Routers are typically used in home and office networks to connect personal computers, printers, and other devices to the internet.

Here is an illustration of a router:

A router has the following ports:

  • WAN port: This port is used to connect the router to the internet.
  • LAN ports: These ports are used to connect the router to devices on the local network.
  • Power port: This port is used to connect the router to a power source.

When a device on the local network wants to access the internet, it sends a data packet to the router. The router then forwards the packet to the WAN port, which is connected to the internet. The router also keeps track of which devices are connected to the local network and which devices are connected to the internet. This allows the router to direct incoming data packets to the correct device.

Routers are an essential part of any network. They allow devices on different networks to communicate with each other and to access the internet.

Here are some of the benefits of using a router:

  • Connectivity: A router allows you to connect multiple devices to the internet at the same time.
  • Speed: A router can improve the speed of your internet connection by distributing traffic over multiple devices.
  • Security: A router can help to protect your network from security threats by filtering traffic and blocking unauthorized access.

If you have a home or office network, I recommend using a router. It is a relatively inexpensive device that can offer a number of benefits.