WiFi standards compared
Each WiFi generation raises the maximum speed, but above all it improves efficiency when many devices are connected. Real speed also depends on your phone or computer: most use two antennas, so they never reach the figures printed on the box.
| Standard | Bands | Real speed near the router | Recommended if |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | 2.4 and 5 GHz | 200-500 Mbps | You already have it and it works well |
| WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 2.4 and 5 GHz | 400-900 Mbps | Fibre up to 1 Gb and many devices |
| WiFi 6E | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz | 600-1200 Mbps | Flats with many neighbouring networks |
| WiFi 7 (802.11be) | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz with MLO | 1-2 Gbps or more | Fibre above 1 Gb and WiFi 7 devices |
What the box says and what you get
Box figures such as AX3000 or BE9300 add up the maximum speed of every band at once and do not match what a single device will see. Use the real speed column to decide, and remember that walls, distance and neighbouring networks reduce it. The transfer calculator shows how long a download would take at each speed.
Bands: 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz
The 2.4 GHz band reaches further and goes through walls better, but it is slow and crowded in blocks of flats. The 5 GHz band is much faster at short and medium distances. The 6 GHz band, added by WiFi 6E and WiFi 7, is almost free of interference, but its range is shorter and it barely gets through thick walls.
Let the router manage the bands under a single network name, unless an old smart home device only works on 2.4 GHz; in that case you can create a guest or IoT network on that band.
Single router, mesh or extenders
One well-placed router covers a 70-90 m² flat without trouble. In larger homes, with several floors or concrete walls, a mesh system with two or three nodes gives even coverage and a single network in which your phone moves between nodes without dropping out.
If you can, connect the nodes with network cable (wired backhaul): performance improves a lot. Cheap WiFi extenders are the last resort, because they usually halve the speed and do not handle moving from one access point to another well.
Using it with your provider router
Providers usually install a router with a built-in fibre ONT. If your provider allows it, the best option is to switch it to bridge mode and let your own router manage the network. If not, connect your router behind it, turn off the WiFi on the provider router and avoid double NAT by pointing the DMZ to your router.
Before changing anything, write down the TV and landline settings if you have those services: some IPTV services need extra steps.
Where to put it
Place the router or main node in the middle of your home, at medium height and outside cupboards or closed furniture. Avoid putting it next to the microwave, mirrors, fish tanks or metal surfaces.
If the fibre comes in at one corner of the house, it is worth running a network cable to a central spot and placing the router or an access point there instead.
Security and maintenance
Change the router admin password, use WPA3 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode, turn off WPS and keep the firmware up to date; many brands now do this automatically. Create a guest network for visitors and for smart home devices, which tend to be the least secure.
If the router supports alternative firmware such as OpenWrt, you can extend its useful life, but check compatibility for the exact model and hardware revision first.
Frequently asked questions
Is WiFi 7 worth it if my devices are WiFi 6?
Only as an investment for the future: your WiFi 6 devices will work, but without the benefits of WiFi 7. If the price is similar, go for it; if it costs much more, a good WiFi 6 router performs just as well with them.
How many devices can a WiFi 6 router handle?
Dozens without trouble in a home. WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are designed for many devices at once thanks to OFDMA, which shares the channel between them more efficiently.
Why is my phone slow on WiFi?
It is usually distance, walls or being connected to the 2.4 GHz band. Test close to the router on the 5 GHz band: if it improves a lot, you need better coverage, not a faster fibre plan.
High-end router or mesh?
For a large home, a mid-range mesh system covers better than a very powerful router. A single router, however expensive, will not get through several concrete walls well.