Wi-Fi 7 vs. Wi-Fi 6: Which is better for your business network?

Wifi is the backbone of any business. From payments processing and kitchen display systems to security cameras and contactless menus, wifi is essential for running your business. More than that, wifi can drive more sales. According to 62% of business owners, customers spend more time at their stores when wifi is available. 

With the recent release of the latest wifi standard, Wi-Fi 7, you have the option of upgrading your wifi systems. But should you?

Learn how to compare Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6 and decide which is right for your business. 

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Also known as 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 is the sixth generation of the wifi network protocol. It builds on previous standards with faster speeds, increased capacity, and better efficiency.

Key features of Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 has several powerful features, including:

• Channel width – Wi-Fi 6 uses wider lanes for data than its predecessor, Wi-Fi 5, which means more information can travel at once. This helps keep performance steady even when many devices are connected.

• Coverage – Wi-Fi 6 can use up to eight antennas to improve signal strength and reliability.

• Capacity – Wi-Fi 6 supports up to eight spatial streams in MU-MIMO directions to connect more devices.

• Data transfer – Wi-Fi 6 uses orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) to provide multiple sub-channels that reduce latency and improve efficiency.

• Modulation –  Wi-Fi 6 can pack more data than Wi-Fi 5 into the same signal, making downloads faster and video streams smoother without using extra bandwidth. 

What is Wi-Fi 7?

Also known as IEEE 802.11be (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Wi-Fi 7 is the seventh generation of the wifi network protocol. It’s designed to provide faster wifi speeds, increased capacity, improved connectivity, and lower latency than previous wifi generations.

Overview of Wi-Fi 7 technology

Wi-Fi 7 is the newest generation of wifi that has become more widely available since 2024. Its standout feature is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to transmit data across multiple channels at once. This reduces lag, boosts reliability, and increases speed—especially useful for businesses managing many connected devices. 

Wi-Fi 7 features

Wi-Fi 7 is a powerful solution for business environments that demand network reliability and consistency:

• Multi-Link Operation (MLO) – Lets compatible devices use multiple bands and channels at the same time for higher throughput, lower latency, and more reliable connections
  

• Wider channel coverage – Wi-Fi 7 doubles the bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6 to 320 Mhz, giving more ‘room’ for data to flow. In practice, this helps businesses support more users and devices at the same time without slowing down.
  
  

• Higher modulation with 4K QAM – Each Wi-Fi 7 signal carries up to 20% more data than Wi-Fi 6, which can raise peak PHY rates at short range on supported devices, boosting real-world performance for video conferencing and downloads.
  

• Efficiency tools – Features like Flexible Channel Utilizations (FCU) and multi-resource units through orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) help work around interference and serve multiple clients simultaneously to reduce lag.
  

• Backward compatibility – Older devices can still connect over 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, even if they can’t use new Wi-Fi 7 features like MLO or 6 GHz

• Preamble puncturing – While first introduced with Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7 adds enhanced puncturing, which can keep data flowing even if part of a channel is blocked by interference. For example, if one lane of a highway is closed, traffic can still move smoothly in the remaining open lanes instead of coming to a complete stop. This reduces slowdowns and makes network performance more reliable in busy environments.

• Low latency – Wi-Fi 7 boasts a low latency of one millisecond, making it perfect for real-time applications like video conferencing, collaboration, and cloud computing.

Comparing Wi-Fi 7 to Wi-Fi 6

When deciding between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, the right choice depends on your business needs. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many devices need Wi-Fi? — If your business supports dozens of devices (POS systems, security cameras, staff laptops, and customer connections), Wi-Fi 7’s added capacity may help prevent slowdowns.

• Do you rely on real-time applications? — For video calls, virtual collaboration, or cloud-based tools where even small delays matter, Wi-Fi 7’s lower latency provides smoother performance.

• Is your network often congested? — If you experience interference or heavy traffic during peak hours, Wi-Fi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation and enhanced preamble puncturing help keep data flowing smoothly. 

• What’s your current infrastructure? — If most of your devices already support Wi-Fi 6 and performance is stable, upgrading may not be urgent. However, planning for Wi-Fi 7 now can future-proof your business as Wi-Fi7-compatible devices become more widely available and adopted. 

• Budget and ROI considerations —Wi-Fi 6 may still meet the needs of many small to mid-sized businesses. Wi-Fi 7 is best suited for high-demand environments where maximum performance and reliability directly impact operations.
  
  

Find the ideal business Wi-Fi solution with eero

The choice of Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6 depends on your network and business needs. For small businesses with basic needs, Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds, improved network security, and lower latency when compared to Wi-Fi 5 to support most operations. If it feels inadequate for your operations, consider switching to Wi-Fi 7.

If your systems and business activities demand high bandwidth, for example real-time media production, Wi-Fi 7 gives you a more stable connection with less lag and fewer slowdowns, even when lots of devices are connected.

The best business wifi solutions are more than just reliable hardware––they have software too. eero Business is a purpose-built solution combining eero mesh wifi systems with software to help small to medium-sized businesses thrive. Designed to help grow your business with performance and security you can trust, all without the need for IT.

With our Wi-Fi 7 lineup, there’s an eero for every business need—from high-performance models like eero Max 7, which can support over 200 devices, to flexible options designed for smaller networks. No matter the size of your operations, there’s an eero that delivers the speed, reliability, and coverage your small or midsized business requires. 

Explore our products and discover the ideal network solution for your business.

Sources:

Forbes. WiFi Marketing Essentials: Turn A Basic Utility Into A Profit Center.