Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7: Is It Worth Upgrading Your Router in 2024?

Wi-Fi 7 routers are here, but do you need one? We compare speeds, latency, device capacity, and real-world performance to help you decide.

The Wi-Fi generations explained

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) maxed out at 3.5 Gbps and struggled in dense environments. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) doubled that to 9.6 Gbps and introduced OFDMA, which splits channels into sub-channels to serve multiple devices simultaneously — crucial in a smart home with 30+ connected devices. Wi-Fi 6E added the 6GHz band, opening up 1,200 MHz of fresh spectrum. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) promises 46 Gbps, 320MHz channels, Multi-Link Operation, and 4K QAM for denser signal encoding.

Real-world speeds in Indian homes

In our testing in a typical 3BHK Delhi apartment, Wi-Fi 6 delivers 600-900 Mbps at 5 metres and 200-400 Mbps through two walls. Wi-Fi 6E on the 6GHz band delivers 1,200-1,600 Mbps at close range but drops off faster through walls. Wi-Fi 7, on compatible devices, sustains 2,000+ Mbps at 5 metres and handles wall penetration better than 6E thanks to Multi-Link Operation that bonds 5GHz and 6GHz simultaneously.

Do your devices support Wi-Fi 7?

This is the critical question. In mid-2024, only a handful of flagship phones (Galaxy S24 Ultra), laptops with Intel BE200 adapter, and a few motherboards support Wi-Fi 7. The iPhone 15 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E, not 7. Buying a Wi-Fi 7 router now means you are paying for capability most of your devices cannot use. The TP-Link Deco X75 mesh we sell is Wi-Fi 6 and covers 6,500 sq ft beautifully for a fraction of a Wi-Fi 7 mesh.

When to upgrade

Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 if you are on Wi-Fi 5 — the device capacity and speed gains are significant and immediate. Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E if you live in a dense apartment building with heavy 5GHz interference and your devices support 6GHz. Wait on Wi-Fi 7 unless you are building a future-proof network and have at least two Wi-Fi 7 devices to take advantage of it — likely late 2025 or 2026 for most users.

Our router recommendations

For most homes: TP-Link Deco X75 mesh (Wi-Fi 6, 3-pack, covers 6,500 sq ft). For large homes with interference: ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 (Wi-Fi 6E mesh). For enthusiasts and future-proofers: TP-Link Deco BE85 (Wi-Fi 7, when available). All available at NovaTech with on-site setup service.