When it comes to Wi-Fi routers, two of the most advanced standards available today are 802.11ac and 802.11ax. As a consumer looking to purchase a new router, understanding the key differences between these standards can help me make an informed buying decision.
Overview of 802.11ac
802.11ac, also known as Wi-Fi 5, was introduced in 2013 as a successor to 802.11n. 802.11ac routers support faster wireless network speeds, higher bandwidth, and improved reliability compared to previous Wi-Fi versions.
Some key features of 802.11ac include:
- Theoretical maximum speed of 6.9 Gbps (gigabits per second)
- Operates on 5 GHz frequency only
- Uses multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology – supports up to 4 spatial streams
- Uses 256 QAM modulation for denser data transfers
- Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n
Overall, 802.11ac brought considerable improvements in Wi-Fi performance and experience. It’s ideal for handling high-bandwidth activities like 4K video streaming, gaming, and file transfers.
Overview of 802.11ax
802.11ax, also known as Wi-Fi 6, is the newest Wi-Fi standard that was finalized in 2019. 802.11ax aims to improve efficiency and performance in dense, crowded environments with many connected devices.
Key features and benefits of 802.11ax include:
- Theoretical maximum speed of 9.6 Gbps
- Operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands
- Enhanced MIMO – supports up to 8 spatial streams
- Uses 1024 QAM modulation
- Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO for handling multiple devices efficiently
By improving traffic management and bandwidth allocation, 802.11ax excels in Wi-Fi congested areas like apartments, offices, and public spaces. It’s the ideal future-proof router technology.
Comparing 802.11ac vs 802.11ax
| Feature | 802.11ac | 802.11ax |
|-|-|-|
| Maximum Speed | 6.9 Gbps | 9.6 Gbps |
| Frequency Bands | 5 GHz only | 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz |
| MIMO Streams | Up to 4 | Up to 8 |
| Modulation | 256 QAM | 1024 QAM |
| Congested Environment Performance | Moderate | Excellent |
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Year Introduced | 2013 | 2019 |
As the table illustrates, 802.11ax edges out 802.11ac in terms of maximum theoretical bandwidth, frequency band flexibility, supported MIMO streams, and performance in crowded networking environments.
However, 802.11ac remains an excellent choice for those seeking fast Wi-Fi speeds today. It’s more widely available and affordable than the newer 802.11ax standard.
When to Choose 802.11ac
Here are some instances where 802.11ac is still the best fit:
- You have mostly modern devices from the past 5 years
- Your home or office Wi-Fi network is lightly loaded
- You want least expensive current-generation router
When to Choose 802.11ax
802.11ax is the ideal option when:
- You have many connected smart home devices and IoT products
- You regularly use Wi-Fi in public places or crowded buildings
- You want to future-proof your Wi-Fi network for next-gen devices
Final Thoughts
In summary, 802.11ax routers represent the future of Wi-Fi with their capacity to handle dense networking environments. But 802.11ac remains a reliable and affordable choice for achieving fast Wi-Fi speeds today.
Assessing your budget, networking needs, and device types can help determine if 802.11ac or 802.11ax is the better router solution for your home or office Wi-Fi network.
