Wi-Fi 5(ac) and Wi-Fi 6(ax) : A Comparison and Analysis of Heatmaps

This project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 technologies through heatmap visualizations. We'll explore signal strength, coverage, and performance to understand the practical differences and improvements that Wi-Fi 6 offers over Wi-Fi 5.

Wi-Fi 5(ac) vs. Wi-Fi 6(ax): Why It Matters to Consumers and Enterprises

The evolution from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) marks a significant milestone in wireless technology, bringing crucial advancements that matter to both consumers and enterprises. For consumers, Wi-Fi 6 means faster speeds, improved range, and better performance in device-crowded areas, enhancing everyday internet activities such as streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity. For enterprises, the transition is transformative, offering higher capacity, increased data rates, and improved efficiency, which are essential for supporting a large number of devices and high-demand business applications. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6's multi-band support ensures more reliable connections across various environments, while advanced security features protect sensitive data. Overall, the shift from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 represents not just an upgrade in speed and bandwidth, but a fundamental improvement in how wireless networks perform in an increasingly connected world.

Technologies and Devices Used

NetSpot (Wi-Fi Analyzer)
NETGEAR ax1800 (Rax10) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router
Linksys ac1200 (E5400) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)

Operating Systems Used

macOS Sonoma

Testing Methodolgy

For the Wi-Fi 5 (ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (ax) comparison, I used my MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021), which supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking. Like all Wi-Fi 6 (ax) devices, it is backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Additionally, I employed a program called NetSpot Wi-Fi Analyzer, which is used for Wi-Fi network planning, wireless site surveys, analysis, and troubleshooting. This software identifies areas of channel interference and dead zones, providing various Wi-Fi metrics such as signal level, download and upload speeds, signal-to-noise ratio, and frequency band coverage. It also aids in troubleshooting by revealing specific issues like low signal levels, overlapping channels, high noise levels, and more. To use the program for Wi-Fi heatmapping, a floor plan of the residence or facility is required so that the heatmap can be superimposed over the existing floor plan. The specific residence used is approximately 2,088 square feet in size for reference.

The floor plan mentioned above

The two routers used in this comparison are the Linksys ac1200 (E5400) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router and NETGEAR ax1800 (Rax10) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router. The Linksys ac1200 (E5400) operates on Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), suitable for standard internet activities on dual-band frequencies, ideal for users with moderate connectivity needs. In contrast, the NETGEAR ax1800 (Rax10) utilizes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), providing enhanced speeds, greater efficiency, and increased device capacity, catering to environments with higher demands and more connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 not only improves battery life in mobile devices and offers better network management in crowded areas compared to Wi-Fi 5, but it also introduces enhanced security features including WPA3 support, which provides more robust data protection and strengthens user privacy in open networks. This advanced security protocol, exclusive to Wi-Fi 6 devices, ensures a more secure and private browsing experience, making the NETGEAR ax1800 a superior choice for those requiring both high performance and enhanced security in their network environment.

NETGEAR ax1800 (Rax10) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Router

Linksys ac1200 (E5400) Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 Router

The Results

Let's see how the various improvements showcase themselves in this comparison.

1. Signal Level

WiFi signal level, often measured in decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm), indicates the strength of the wireless signal received by a device from a WiFi router or access point. -96dBm (min) to -10dBm (max), Critical at -70dBm, acceptable at -40dBm.

WiFi 5: -33dBm is the best-observed signal level.

WiFi 6: -28dBm is the best-observed signal level showing improvement in signal strength compared to WIFI 5.

2. Signal-to-Noise Ratio

(SNR): The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of WiFi is a measure that compares the level of the WiFi signal to the level of background noise, with higher values indicating clearer and better quality signals. 0dB (min) to 86dB (max), Critical at 10dB, acceptable at 30dB.

WiFi 5: A Maximum observed SNR of 58dB.

WiFi 6: A Maximum observed SNR of 64dB, there is a 12.28% improvement in SNR from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6, indicating better signal clarity and reduced noise.

3. Download Speed

WiFi download speed refers to the rate at which data is transferred from the internet to a user's device over a WiFi connection, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps). 0Mbps (min) to 161Mbps (max), Critical at 1Mbps, acceptable at 10Mbps.

WiFi 5: A best-observed download speed of 79.14Mbps.

WiFi 6: A best-observed download speed of 149.88Mbps. The download speed has improved by 89.38%, which is a significant increase, reflecting the higher efficiency and throughput capabilities of WiFi 6.

4. Wireless Transmit Rate

The WiFi Wireless Transmit Rate is the speed at which data can be sent from a wireless router or access point to a connected device, usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

WiFi 5: A maximum observed Wireless Transmit Rate of 866Mbps.

WiFi 6: A maximum observed Wireless Transmit Rate of 1200Mbps, the wireless transmit rate has improved by 38.57%, indicating a significant increase in the overall data transmission capability of WiFi 6 compared to WiFi 5.

In conclusion, the comparative analysis between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 within a single-story environment showcases the clear technological advancements enabled by WiFi 6. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in key metrics such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, and, most notably, download speeds, which have nearly doubled compared to WiFi 5. This improvement is crucial for meeting the increasing demands for higher bandwidth in contemporary smart homes and offices.

However, it is essential to recognize that the actual benefits of upgrading from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6 will vary based on individual environments, use cases, and budgets. Despite these variations, my analysis strongly indicates that WiFi 6 leads to superior network performance and user experience. Therefore, for those evaluating the transition from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6, this data provides compelling evidence of the advantages, especially in terms of efficiency and connectivity. Upgrading to WiFi 6 could be a strategic investment, particularly in settings with intensive data needs, ensuring that your network infrastructure meets current standards and is prepared for future technological demands.

Refrences

NETGEAR. (n.d.). AX1800 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (RAX10). NETGEAR. Retrieved from https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/routers/rax10/

Linksys. (n.d.). Linksys WiFi 5 Router Dual-Band AC1200 (E5400). Linksys. Retrieved from https://www.linksys.com/linksys-wifi-5-router-dual-band-ac1200-e5400/E5400.html

NetSpot. (n.d.). NetSpot: WiFi Site Survey Software for MAC OS X & Windows. NetSpot. Retrieved from https://www.netspotapp.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84CvBhCaARIsAMkAvkKPaE4aNAi4q6AEv_cvEZw81eUW6zX9MIAi9iAmfKo1uqPnIYiwxMwaAjafEALw_wcB

Reolink. (n.d.). WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: What Are the Differences and Which Is Better? Reolink Blog. Retrieved from https://reolink.com/blog/wifi-5-vs-wifi-6/#wifi-5-vs-wifi-6-detailed-distinctions

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