If your home Wi-Fi feels slow or crowded, you’re probably eyeing a new router and wondering which standard to pick. Short answer: buy a Wi-Fi 6 router for most homes. Step up to Wi-Fi 7 if you have multi-gig internet or lots of high-bandwidth devices. Wi-Fi 6E is getting green lights in India, but it’s still rolling out, so check the latest before you spend.
Quick take
- Most people: Wi-Fi 6 hits the sweet spot on price, speed, and stability. It handles many devices better than Wi-Fi 5.
- Power users: Wi-Fi 7 brings 320 MHz channels, 4K-QAM, and Multi Link Operation for serious throughput and low latency. It’s pricey but amazing with multi-gig broadband.
- About Wi-Fi 6E in India: The government has issued draft rules to delicense the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for indoor use. That means 6E and 7 gear should see clearer legal footing, but watch for final notifications and power limits.
Wi-Fi standards at a glance
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) – the reliable workhorse
- 5 GHz only, up to 8 spatial streams, 256-QAM.
- Theoretical peak can approach ~6.9 Gbps in ideal lab setups, but real homes see far less.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) – efficiency upgrade
- Adds OFDMA, better MU-MIMO (uplink and downlink), 1024 QAM, Target Wake Time for IoT battery life.
- Theoretical ceiling ~9.6 Gbps across channels, with much better performance in crowded homes than Wi-Fi 5.
Wi-Fi 6E – extends into 6 GHz
- Brings a big chunk of new spectrum with many clean 80/160 MHz channels, which cuts congestion and lowers latency for nearby devices.
- In India, the lower 6 GHz band is moving toward indoor unlicensed use under draft rules. Good news for 6E gear, but check compliance when you buy.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) – next-gen performance
- 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to use multiple bands at once.
- Up to 16 spatial streams and much higher capacity in dense environments; theoretical max around 46 Gbps.
India: what’s the status of 6 GHz?
- 2024: COAI urged a ban on 6E router sales because 6 GHz policy wasn’t settled.
- 2025: The Centre issued draft rules to delicense 5925-6425 MHz for indoor use. Expect more 6E and 7 products to be sold and supported, with details like power limits still being hashed out. Keep an eye on final notifications before spending big.
Coverage and range basics
- 2.4 GHz travels farther through walls but is slower and crowded.
- 5 GHz is faster but has a shorter indoor reach.
- 6 GHz offers the cleanest air and lowest latency when you’re close to the router, but range is the shortest. These aren’t hard limits, just how radio physics tends to play out indoors.
How to choose in 2 minutes
- Match your plan
- 100-300 Mbps internet: Wi-Fi 5 is fine, Wi-Fi 6 is better.
- 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps: Go Wi-Fi 6 at minimum.
- Above 1 Gbps or multi-gig LAN: Consider Wi-Fi 7.
- Count your devices
- 10 to 20 active devices is normal now. Wi-Fi 6 and 7 handle many clients more smoothly thanks to OFDMA and better scheduling.
- Think layout
- 1 or 2 BHK apartment: a single Wi-Fi 6 router placed centrally usually works.
- 2 or 3 BHK with thick walls or multi-floor homes: consider a mesh kit.
- Gamers and creators: look for 2.5G WAN/LAN ports and Wi-Fi 6/7.
- Security
- Prefer WPA3 support. It’s required for 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 7 certification, and most new gear includes it.
Price snapshot in India
- Budget (₹1,500 – 3,000): Wi-Fi 5 AC1200 and entry Wi-Fi 6 AX1500.
Examples: TP-Link Archer C6 often ~₹2,399, Archer AX10 around ₹2,999. - Mid-range (₹3,000 – 8,000): Solid Wi-Fi 6 AX1500–AX3000 routers.
Example: D-Link R15 pricing typically ~₹2,600–3,000 from Indian retailers. - Premium (₹8,000 – 25,000): Higher-end Wi-Fi 6 and early 6E.
- High-end (₹20,000+): Wi-Fi 7 and mesh systems, sometimes starting lower during sales. Example: TP-Link Deco BE25 listings have shown sub-₹10k per node on Flipkart during deals. Availability fluctuates.
Recommended picks quick shortlist
Why these: one solid AC1200 for tight budgets, two easy upgrades for AX1500 and AX3000, a beefier AX6000 for big homes, a low-cost mesh option, and an entry Wi-Fi 7 mesh for future-proofing if you plan multi-gig or lots of simultaneous 4K streams. Prices swing by sale, so check current listings and warranty terms in India.
What to check before you click buy
- Ports: If you plan multi-gig, look for at least one 2.5G WAN or LAN port.
- Channels: For 6E or 7, confirm 6 GHz support aligns with India’s indoor rules.
- Mesh-readiness: Some brands let you mesh later with a matching node.
- Security: WPA3 on by default is ideal, and update firmware on day one.
- Placement: Center of the home, high shelf, away from metal and thick concrete.
Pro tips
- Name bands separately if smart bulbs won’t join. Put IoT on 2.4 GHz and keep 5 or 6 GHz clean for phones and laptops.
- Don’t chase lab speeds. Real-world performance depends on walls, interference, and device radios. Wi-Fi 6’s scheduling often beats raw Wi-Fi 5 “speed” in busy homes.
- 6 GHz is fantastic nearby. Use it for AR/VR or high-bitrate video in the same room. Expect shorter range than 5 GHz.
FAQs
Is Wi-Fi 6E legal in India now?
Draft rules to delicense the lower 6 GHz band for indoor use have been issued. That opens the door for wider 6E and 7 adoption, but watch for final notifications and device power limits. Earlier, industry groups had pushed back on 6E sales, which is why you saw mixed messaging.
Do I need Wi-Fi 7 right away?
Only if you have multi-gig plans or lots of high-bandwidth clients and want the best latency and capacity. Features like MLO, 320 MHz, and 4K QAM are real upgrades, just expensive today.
Will a new router make my internet faster?
It can help you fully use your plan, reduce congestion, and improve stability, especially moving from Wi-Fi 5 to 6. It won’t turn a 100 Mbps plan into 1 Gbps.
Mesh or single router?
Mesh is great for larger or tricky layouts. For a compact 1–2 BHK, one good Wi-Fi 6 router placed well often does the job.
Does 2.4 GHz still matter?
Yes. It reaches farther and helps IoT devices, while 5 and 6 GHz handle the fast stuff.
Bottom line
For most Indian homes, a Wi-Fi 6 router is the best buy today. If you’re building a high-end setup with multi-gig internet, Wi-Fi 7 is worth it. Keep an eye on 6 GHz regulations and availability as they settle, and always place your router well for the biggest real-world gains.
Source: Wikipedia | Cisco Meraki Documentation | Cisco | TP-Link
