Today, almost everyone uses Wi-Fi: smartphones, TVs, and computers are equipped with Wi-Fi modules for connecting to the Internet, and nearly every home has a router that distributes the connection to all devices.
However, if you try to understand the differences between Wi-Fi standards, it turns out not to be so easy—so here is a simple and clear explanation of all the standards.
Standards WiFi 1-8, table comparison
All specifications list maximum Wi-Fi speeds, which include overhead traffic such as packet checksums and similar data; in practice, actual download speeds are significantly lower and typically amount to about 80%.
Under real-world conditions, speeds range from 50% to 80%, depending on the number of connected devices and the data transmission environment. Simply put, the more devices connected, the lower the speed, and the farther your device is from the router, the lower the speed.
| Standard Wi-Fi | Official standard name | Speed | Real speed | frequency range |
| Wi-Fi 8 | IEEE 802.11bn | 100 Gbps | 80 Gbps | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz, 42.5GHz, 71GHz |
| Wi-Fi 7 | IEEE 802.11be | 30 Gbps | 25 Gbps | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz |
| Wi-Fi 6E | IEEE 802.11ax | 10 Gbps | 8 Gbps | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz |
| Wi-Fi 6 | IEEE 802.11ax | 10 Gbps | 8 Gbps | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 5 | IEEE 802.11ac | 6,7 Gbps | 1-5 Gbps | 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 4 | IEEE 802.11n | 600 Mbps | 8-500 Mbps | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 3 | IEEE 802.11g | 54 Mbps | 40 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 2 | IEEE 802.11b | 11 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 1 | IEEE 802.11a | 2 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
| Wi-Fi | IEEE 802.11 | 2 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 2.4 GHz |
A Brief Overview of Wi-Fi Standards
Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn)
The latest standard (still under development), with a planned release date of 2028. Theoretical speeds could reach ~100 Gbps. The primary focus is on connection stability and minimal latency. The plan is to use new frequency bands, 42 and 71 GHz, but it’s important to note that at these ultra-high frequencies, the range will be very short—10–15 feet (1–3 meters). The standard is overkill for home use; it will likely be more in demand for businesses.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Up to ~30 Gbps. Operates in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. Key improvements include multi-link operation; it is overkill for home use and is primarily aimed at businesses and public spaces.
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
An extension of Wi-Fi 6 with the addition of the 6 GHz band. Speeds up to ~10 Gbps. The main advantage is theoretically less interference and more stable performance due to the “clean” spectrum.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Up to ~10 Gbps, 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. The main focus is on efficiency: it allows connecting a large number of devices (smartphones, TVs, smart home devices). During transmission, it combines multiple channels into one depending on the frequency spectrum load. Improved signal encoding.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Up to ~6.7 Gbps, 5 GHz only. A significant speed boost compared to previous standards. Well-suited for video streaming and online gaming. Speed is increased thanks to new encoding technologies and MIMO technology.
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Up to 600 Mbps, 2.4 and 5 GHz. MIMO technology (multiple antennas, for simplicity) was introduced for the first time; in practice, special transmitters are used that allow the signal to be split and directed to different antennas, which increased the speed.
Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g)
Up to 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz band. An improved version of Wi-Fi 2 with higher speeds.
Wi-Fi 2 (802.11b)
Up to 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz. One of the first widely adopted standards, but susceptible to interference.
Wi-Fi 1 (802.11a)
Up to ~2 Mbps, operated in the 2.4 GHz band. Its use was limited because, back in 1999, Wi-Fi was not yet widespread; one could say it was fighting for recognition.
Wi-Fi (1997)
The very first version of the standard, introduced in 1997, which laid the foundation for all subsequent Wi-Fi technologies.
