Explainer Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Standards Explained: Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 7, and Where Wi-Fi 8 Stands
What Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E and 7 mean, which IEEE standard and bands each uses, why the headline speeds are theoretical, and what to check on your devices.
Section
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi performance depends on radio physics, the standards your devices support and where your equipment sits. Start with the fundamentals here before deciding whether new hardware will actually help.
Start here
Understand
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Comparison Wi-Fi
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz vs 6 GHz: Which Wi-Fi Band Should You Use?
How the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands differ in range, crowding, channels and device support, and which band each of your devices should use.
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Guide Wi-Fi
Where to Put Your Router (and Mesh Points) for Better Wi-Fi
Central, elevated, in the open and away from interference: where to put a router or mesh point, what to keep it away from, and how to check the result.
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Explainer Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7 Explained: MLO, 320 MHz Channels and What Your Devices Actually Support
What Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) adds, from multi-link operation to 320 MHz channels and 4K QAM, the conditions each needs, and what your router and devices must support.
Choose equipment
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Buying guide Wi-Fi
Best Wi-Fi Extender for Google Fiber (gFiber)
Start with gFiber's included Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Extender. If you run your own router, here's how to match a mesh system to your plan, with two research-based picks.
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Comparison Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Does the 6 GHz Band Matter for You?
Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi 6 plus the 6 GHz band. What that adds, what it costs in range, which devices can use it, and when it is worth choosing a 6E router.
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Comparison Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7: Is Upgrading Worth It?
Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 both use 6 GHz. What Wi-Fi 7 adds, the conditions its gains depend on, and whether upgrading makes sense for your devices and plan.
Topics we cover
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How Wi-Fi works
Radio fundamentals for home Wi-Fi — bands, channels, signal strength, interference and why coverage varies.
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Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz — range, speed, congestion, device compatibility and band steering.
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Wi-Fi coverage
Why coverage fails (distance, construction materials, placement, interference) and how to diagnose it before buying hardware.
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AT&T Fiber Wi-Fi
Getting whole-home Wi-Fi on AT&T Fiber — AT&T gateways, AT&T's own extenders, and using third-party equipment.
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gFiber (Google Fiber) Wi-Fi
Getting whole-home Wi-Fi on gFiber — its included routers and mesh extenders, using your own router with the Fiber Jack, and multi-gig plans.
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Wi-Fi standards
The Wi-Fi generations (Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 8), what each changed, and what matters for buying decisions.
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Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
IEEE 802.11ax, OFDMA, and the 6 GHz extension that defines Wi-Fi 6E.
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Wi-Fi 7
IEEE 802.11be — multi-link operation, 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and real-world client support.
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Wi-Fi 8
IEEE 802.11bn (Ultra High Reliability) — draft status, expected timeline, and how to read pre-standard product claims.
Recently published or updated
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Buying guide Wi-Fi
Best Wi-Fi Extender for Google Fiber (gFiber)
Start with gFiber's included Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Extender. If you run your own router, here's how to match a mesh system to your plan, with two research-based picks.
Published
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Guide Wi-Fi
Where to Put Your Router (and Mesh Points) for Better Wi-Fi
Central, elevated, in the open and away from interference: where to put a router or mesh point, what to keep it away from, and how to check the result.
Published
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Comparison Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Does the 6 GHz Band Matter for You?
Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi 6 plus the 6 GHz band. What that adds, what it costs in range, which devices can use it, and when it is worth choosing a 6E router.
Published
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Comparison Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7: Is Upgrading Worth It?
Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 both use 6 GHz. What Wi-Fi 7 adds, the conditions its gains depend on, and whether upgrading makes sense for your devices and plan.
Published