Wi-Fi standards at a glance
The table shows the common Wi-Fi standards and their maximum theoretical speeds. These are best-case numbers from the standard’s specification under ideal conditions with top-end hardware. Real-world speeds are lower, often well below half of the maximum.
| Name | Standard | Bands | Maximum theoretical speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2.4 and 5 GHz | about 600 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 5 GHz | about 6.9 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2.4 and 5 GHz | about 9.6 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 802.11ax | adds 6 GHz | about 9.6 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz | about 46 Gbps |
Older standards such as 802.11g (54 Mbps) and 802.11b (11 Mbps) still appear in some old documentation. Treat these maximums as a ranking of generations rather than numbers you will see in a speed test.
Why real speeds are lower
- Shared airtime. Wi-Fi is a shared medium, and every device and nearby network takes turns.
- Distance and walls. Speeds fall as the signal weakens.
- Device limits. Many phones and laptops have a small number of antennas. A typical device may connect at a much lower rate than the router’s top rate.
- Overhead. Part of the speed goes to managing the connection itself.
- Interference. Neighboring networks, microwaves and other electronics can slow things down, especially at 2.4 GHz (see dual-band vs tri-band routers).
What AC1900 or AX3000 mean
Many routers are labeled with a combined number such as AC1900 or AX3000. It is a marketing figure that adds up the theoretical speeds of all the router’s bands. For example, a dual-band router might add a 2.4 GHz rate and a 5 GHz rate. No single device gets that total, because each device connects on one band at a time. Use the label to compare routers within the same generation, not to predict your speed.
Wi-Fi speed versus internet speed
These are two different things.
- Wi-Fi link speed is how fast your device and router talk to each other inside your home.
- Internet speed is how fast data arrives from your provider, set by your plan and modem.
You will not get more internet speed than your plan, however fast the router is. And a plan faster than your Wi-Fi can deliver will not be fully used on wireless. A fast router mainly helps when several devices share the connection or when you move large files inside your home.
Internet plan speeds in Mbps
As rough everyday guidance, light browsing and video calls need a modest connection, HD streaming needs more, and 4K streaming and many simultaneous users need still more. Providers and streaming services publish their own recommendations, so check those for exact figures. For a household of several people, plans between roughly 100 and 500 Mbps are common and often adequate. If you want to know how many devices a plan supports, see how many devices a router can handle.
Does Wi-Fi affect download speed?
Yes. Wi-Fi is often the slowest part of the chain at home, and wired Ethernet usually gets closer to your plan. If a wired test is fast and Wi-Fi is slow, the router’s wireless side, distance or interference is the cause. Our Netgear slow-internet guide has a step-by-step approach to this test.
Is my router limiting my speed?
Test by Ethernet, then by Wi-Fi. Check which Wi-Fi standard your router and device support, and look at the router’s Ethernet port speeds. A router with 100 Mbps ports cannot pass more than that on a cable. A router with only Wi-Fi 4 will be limited on wireless. Learn more in does your router or modem affect internet speed.
Choosing based on the chart
For most homes, Wi-Fi 6 is a sensible balance of price and performance, and Wi-Fi 7 mainly benefits people with compatible devices, very fast plans or heavy local transfers. Your devices must support a standard to use it, though they still work on older ones. For a closer comparison, read AX vs AC routers.