Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Is the 6GHz Band Worth It?
If you are shopping for a new router to handle your NBN or Fibre connection, you have likely noticed two very similar terms: Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. While that little "E" might look like a minor update, it actually represents the biggest upgrade to wireless networking in two decades.
The Problem with Normal Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
For years, all routers have operated on two main radio frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Think of these frequencies as highways. Because every single device in your house—and your neighbors' houses—uses these same two highways, they are incredibly congested. This congestion causes buffering, lag spikes, and dropped connections, even if you pay for Gigabit internet.
Enter Wi-Fi 6E and the 6GHz Band
Wi-Fi 6E takes the efficiency of Wi-Fi 6 and adds an entirely new, massive highway: the 6GHz band.
Because this band is brand new, it is completely empty. There is zero interference from your neighbor’s baby monitor, old smart TVs, or microwaves. It provides ultra-low latency and massive Gigabit speeds.
The Catch: Device Compatibility
Your router might broadcast a 6GHz signal, but your devices need a Wi-Fi 6E chip to actually "see" and connect to it. Currently, only the newest devices (like the iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23, and modern gaming PCs) can utilize the 6GHz band.
How Mesh Systems Use Wi-Fi 6E Secretly
Even if you don't own any Wi-Fi 6E phones yet, a Wi-Fi 6E Mesh system (like the TP-Link Deco XE75) is still a massive upgrade. Why? Because the Mesh nodes use that empty 6GHz highway exclusively to talk to each other (known as wireless backhaul). This frees up the 5GHz band entirely for your older devices, making your whole network drastically faster.
The Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
- Stick with Wi-Fi 6 if: You live in a standalone house, have an internet plan under 500 Mbps, and want to save money.
- Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E if: You live in a dense apartment building, pay for Gigabit Fibre/NBN 1000, or are buying a multi-node Mesh system for a large home.