When it comes to Wi-Fi, speed isn’t the only factor that matters—range or coverage distance is just as important. After all, what good is fast internet if your devices can’t connect from different rooms?
With the rollout of Wi-Fi 6 and the introduction of Wi-Fi 7, many people are wondering: Which technology offers better range?
This article will break down the distance covered by Wi-Fi 7 vs. Wi-Fi 6, explaining how far each signal can reach and what factors influence their coverage.
Table of Contents
Understanding Wi-Fi Range Basics
Wi-Fi operates on different frequency bands—primarily 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz (introduced with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7). The frequency plays a major role in determining range and speed:
- 2.4 GHz: Longer range but slower speeds.
- 5 GHz: Faster speeds but shorter range.
- 6 GHz: Even faster speeds, but with the shortest range of the three.
Higher frequencies (like 5 GHz and 6 GHz) can’t penetrate walls and obstacles as effectively as 2.4 GHz, which impacts how far the signal can travel.
Wi-Fi 6 Range Explained
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (and 6 GHz with Wi-Fi 6E). While it’s designed for faster speeds and better performance in crowded environments, its range is similar to previous Wi-Fi generations, depending on the band:
- 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 6): Up to 150 feet (46 meters) indoors and 300 feet (92 meters) outdoors.
- 5 GHz (Wi-Fi 6): Up to 75 feet (23 meters) indoors and 200 feet (61 meters) outdoors.
- 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E): Up to 60 feet (18 meters) indoors with minimal wall penetration.
Wi-Fi 6 introduces Target Wake Time (TWT) and OFDMA technologies that improve efficiency and signal stability, which can help maintain connection quality at longer distances.
Wi-Fi 7 Range Explained
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) builds on Wi-Fi 6’s foundation but focuses more on speed and lower latency rather than increasing range. It operates on the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, similar to Wi-Fi 6E.
Typical Wi-Fi 7 Range Estimates:
- 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 7): Up to 150 feet (46 meters) indoors and 300 feet (92 meters) outdoors.
- 5 GHz (Wi-Fi 7): Up to 75 feet (23 meters) indoors and 200 feet (61 meters) outdoors.
- 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 7): Up to 60 feet (18 meters) indoors with reduced wall penetration.
While the basic range is similar to Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7 introduces technologies like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), allowing devices to connect to multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This improves signal stability and effective coverage, even if the raw distance doesn’t increase.
Comparison Table: Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7 Range
| Frequency Band | Wi-Fi 6 Range | Wi-Fi 7 Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | 150 ft indoors / 300 ft outdoors | 150 ft indoors / 300 ft outdoors |
| 5 GHz | 75 ft indoors / 200 ft outdoors | 75 ft indoors / 200 ft outdoors |
| 6 GHz | 60 ft indoors (limited by walls) | 60 ft indoors (similar coverage) |
| Signal Stability | Improved with OFDMA and BSS Coloring | Enhanced with Multi-Link Operation (MLO) |
| Obstacle Penetration | Better with lower frequencies | Similar, but better efficiency with MLO |
Pros and Cons of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 in Terms of Range
✅ Wi-Fi 6 Pros:
- Good range on 2.4 GHz band for covering large spaces.
- Improved efficiency in crowded environments.
- Better battery life for connected devices.
❌ Wi-Fi 6 Cons:
- 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands have shorter ranges and struggle with walls.
- Range improvements are minimal compared to Wi-Fi 5.
✅ Wi-Fi 7 Pros:
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO) improves coverage stability.
- Handles multiple devices more efficiently.
- Maintains higher speeds at greater distances compared to Wi-Fi 6.
❌ Wi-Fi 7 Cons:
- No significant increase in raw range over Wi-Fi 6.
- 6 GHz band still suffers from limited wall penetration.
- Higher cost and limited device support (initially).
What Factors Affect Wi-Fi Range?
Whether you’re using Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7, several factors influence how far the signal travels:
🏠 Walls and Obstacles: Brick, concrete, and metal surfaces can block signals.
📡 Router Power: High-end routers have stronger antennas and better range.
📶 Frequency Band: Lower frequencies (2.4 GHz) travel farther but are slower.
🔄 Interference: Other Wi-Fi networks, microwaves, and Bluetooth devices can reduce range.
🌳 Outdoor Environment: Trees and weather conditions can impact outdoor range.
Which One Should You Choose?
✔ Choose Wi-Fi 6 if:
- You need affordable coverage for a medium-sized home or apartment.
- Your priority is stable connectivity for everyday use (browsing, streaming).
- Your devices are primarily Wi-Fi 6 compatible.
✔ Choose Wi-Fi 7 if:
- You need higher speeds over the same coverage area.
- You’re planning to use high-bandwidth applications like 8K streaming or VR.
- You want future-proofing for upcoming devices and technologies.
- You have many connected devices and need stable connections throughout your space.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to range, both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 offer similar coverage distances because they use the same frequency bands. However, Wi-Fi 7’s advanced technologies like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) help maintain better speeds and stability at the edges of its range.
If you need solid coverage for a regular home with good performance, Wi-Fi 6 is still a fantastic choice. But if you’re looking to maximize speed, reduce latency, and future-proof your network, investing in Wi-Fi 7 is worth considering—especially for large households or tech-savvy environments.