What's the difference between Wi-Fi standards?
There are a few differences between each of the Wi-Fi standards in use today. See our table below for what sets them apart:
| IEEE Standard | Wi-Fi Alliance Name | Year Released | Frequency |
Maximum Data Rate
|
| 802.11a | Wi-Fi 1 | 1999 | 5GHz | 54Mbps |
| 802.11b | Wi-Fi 2 | 1999 | 2.4GHz | 11Mbps |
| 802.11g | Wi-Fi 3 | 2003 | 2.4GHz | 54Mbps |
| 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 | 2009 | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 600Mbps |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | 2014 | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 1.3Gbps |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 | 2019 | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | 10-12Gbps |
| 802.11ax-2021 | Wi-Fi 6E | 2021 | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, & 6GHz | 10-12Gbps |
| 801.11be | Wi-Fi 7 | 2024/2025 | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, & 6GHz | 40Gbps |
For any more questions about the differences, pros and cons of WiFi standards in use today, reach out to our support team!