Wi-Fi 7 vs. Wi-Fi 6 Range: How Far Can They Reach?

When it comes to Wi-Fi, speed isnโ€™t the only factor that mattersโ€”range or coverage distance is just as important. After all, what good is fast internet if your devices canโ€™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?

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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.

Understanding Wi-Fi Range Basics

Wi-Fi operates on different frequency bandsโ€”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) canโ€™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 itโ€™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 6โ€™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 doesnโ€™t increase.

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Comparison Table: Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7 Range

Frequency BandWi-Fi 6 RangeWi-Fi 7 Range
2.4 GHz150 ft indoors / 300 ft outdoors150 ft indoors / 300 ft outdoors
5 GHz75 ft indoors / 200 ft outdoors75 ft indoors / 200 ft outdoors
6 GHz60 ft indoors (limited by walls)60 ft indoors (similar coverage)
Signal StabilityImproved with OFDMA and BSS ColoringEnhanced with Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
Obstacle PenetrationBetter with lower frequenciesSimilar, but better efficiency with MLO

Pros and Cons of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 in Terms of Range

โœ… 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.

โŒ 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.

โœ… 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.

โŒ 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 youโ€™re using Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7, several factors influence how far the signal travels:

๐Ÿ  Walls and Obstacles: Brick, concrete, and metal surfaces can block signals.
๐Ÿ“ก Router Power: High-end routers have stronger antennas and better range.
๐Ÿ“ถ Frequency Band: Lower frequencies (2.4 GHz) travel farther but are slower.
๐Ÿ”„ Interference: Other Wi-Fi networks, microwaves, and Bluetooth devices can reduce range.
๐ŸŒณ Outdoor Environment: Trees and weather conditions can impact outdoor range.

Which One Should You Choose?

โœ” 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.

โœ” Choose Wi-Fi 7 if:

  • You need higher speeds over the same coverage area.
  • Youโ€™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 7โ€™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 youโ€™re looking to maximize speed, reduce latency, and future-proof your network, investing in Wi-Fi 7 is worth consideringโ€”especially for large households or tech-savvy environments.