What’s the difference between WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7?

WiFi Man’s Guide to WiFi Terms

If you’ve ever tried to upgrade your home or office WiFi, you’ve probably been hit with a wall of confusing jargon: WiFi 6, WiFi 7, Mesh systems, Ethernet cables, access points, routers… the list goes on. At WiFi Man, we deal with these terms every day – but we know most people just want one simple thing: fast, reliable WiFi that works everywhere.

This guide cuts through the noise and explains the essentials in plain English – so you can make confident decisions about your WiFi setup.

What Is WiFi Anyway?

WiFi is broadcast from a device called a router or a wireless access point, and different standards of WiFi determine how fast and efficient that connection can be.

WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7 – What’s the Difference?

One of the most common questions we get is, ‘Should I get WiFi 6 or WiFi 7?’. Both WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are modern wireless standards, but WiFi 7 is the newest and fastest. Here’s what that actually means for you.

WiFi 6 (802.11ax)

WiFi 6 is the current gold standard WiFi found in most modern routers and devices. It’s reliable, fast, and most new gadgets support it. Compared to older WiFi (like WiFi 5), WiFi 6 offers:

Faster overall speeds
Better handling of busy networks
Improved ability to handle lots of devices at once
More stable connections
Better battery efficiency for phones and laptops
Speeds up to around 9.6 Gbps (in ideal conditions)
More stable connections in crowded areas (like London flats)

WiFi 6 was designed to handle busy homes with dozens of devices (phones, smart TVs, laptops) without the network slowing down. If you have multiple people streaming, gaming, video calling, and using smart home devices at the same time, WiFi 6 is a huge improvement over older systems.

WiFi 7 (802.11be)

WiFi 7 is the very latest WiFi technology. It is roughly five times faster than WiFi 6. Its secret weapon is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which enables a device to connect to multiple frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) simultaneously. WiFi 7 offers:

The newest generation of WiFi
Much faster speeds, up to 46 Gbps
Lower latency (great for gaming, VR, and video calls)
Even better handling of multiple devices at once
More efficient use of the wireless spectrum

In real-world terms, WiFi 7 is built for 4K and 8K streaming, large smart homes, heavy home-office use, and future-proofing your network.

So, Which Should You Choose?

For most households, WiFi 6 remains a powerhouse. If you’re a pro gamer, an 8K streamer, or running a high-traffic office, WiFi 7 is the future, but you’ll only benefit if your devices support it. At WiFi Man, we help clients choose the right solution based on their actual needs, rather than flashy marketing.

What Is the Difference Between Cabled and Mesh WiFi Networks?

This is another question we’re often asked, so let’s look at how Mesh WiFi and cabled WiFi systems work.

What is Mesh WiFi?

Mesh WiFi is a way of extending wireless coverage. Think of a traditional router like a single lightbulb in the middle of a dark house – the further you walk away, the darker it gets. Mesh WiFi is like having a series of lamps in every room. It consists of a Main Node (connected to your router) and several Satellite Nodes placed around your home. They all work together to blanket your entire home or business in strong, seamless WiFi without running cables.

How Mesh works:

You have a main router
Additional nodes are placed around your space
They communicate with each other and pass the signal around your home
Your device automatically connects to the strongest signal

Why people love Mesh:

It’s easy to install
No cables are required
Great for eliminating dead zones
Flexible and scalable. Easy to expand by adding more nodes
Perfect for large homes, townhouses, or thick London walls
Smooth roaming. Move from room to room without dropping signal
One name, one password. Unlike old-fashioned WiFi boosters, you don’t have to switch networks as you walk upstairs. Your phone or laptop automatically grabs the strongest signal.

The Downsides of Mesh

However, Mesh systems have limitations:

Slightly slower than wired
Speeds can drop the further you are from the main unit
Performance depends on placement. Can be affected by thick walls or wireless interference
They are never as reliable as a properly cabled system
Large properties often need many nodes

What Is a Cabled (Wired) Network?

A cabled network means devices are connected using physical cables rather than relying purely on wireless signals. These cables are called Ethernet cables.

A typical cabled setup might include:

A router
Ethernet cables running through walls or ceilings
Fixed access points around the building
Devices like PCs, TVs or workstations plugged directly into the network

Why Cabled Networks Are Better

A wired connection is always faster, more stable, more reliable and more secure. No wireless interference. No dropouts. Just solid performance. That’s why in offices and high-end home installations, the backbone of the network is almost always cabled.

Benefits:

Ultra‑reliable
Fastest possible speeds
No interference
Perfect for gaming, streaming, CCTV, and business setups

Downsides:

Requires cabling work
Less flexible
Not always practical in rented homes

Cabled Access Points vs Mesh – Which Is Best For Me?

Both have their place, so which should you choose? A small flat might be fine with a good router. A large period property or an office often needs a professionally designed, cabled WiFi system. It all depends on:

The size of your property
The thickness of walls
How many devices you have
How important reliability is
Whether you work from home
Your internet speed

Choose Wired if:

You want maximum speed
You work from home
You’re a gamer
You run a business
You use CCTV or smart security systems

Choose Mesh if:

You want whole‑home coverage
You can’t run cables
You want a simple, tidy setup
You have WiFi dead zones

Best of both worlds?

This is where professional installations make a big difference. The best possible setup for any property is…

Ethernet cables + proper wireless access points

Instead of wireless mesh nodes, we install dedicated access points that are:

Hard-wired back to the main router
Professionally positioned
Properly configured
Far more powerful than consumer Mesh systems

This gives you:

Full WiFi speeds everywhere
Seamless roaming
Rock-solid reliability
No dropouts when moving around

This is exactly the kind of system used in hotels, offices and large commercial buildings. And it works brilliantly in homes too. Ultimately, Mesh is convenient. Cabled is superior.

What Is a Wireless Access Point?

You’ve probably heard us mention access points a few times already – but what exactly are they? A wireless access point (WAP), often called an AP, is a professional grade device that creates additional WiFi zones throughout your home or business. They’re similar to mesh nodes, but they work in a more structured, reliable way, especially when connected by Ethernet. Think of an access point as a WiFi hotspot you place exactly where you need strong, stable coverage.

How Access Points Work

In a proper installation, access points are:

Connected back to the main router using Ethernet cables
Mounted on ceilings or walls
Strategically placed around a property
It broadcasts its own high‑quality WiFi signal
Your devices connect to whichever AP is closest
You get consistent coverage across large or complex spaces
Configured to work together as one seamless network

Instead of relying on one single router in the corner of the house, multiple access points spread strong WiFi evenly throughout the building.

Why Access Points Are So Effective

Access points are the gold standard for businesses and larger homes because they offer:

Superior stability compared to wireless-only mesh
Higher speeds, especially with wired backhaul
Professional-grade performance
Better roaming between rooms
Better handling of many devices (perfect for busy homes, offices, restaurants, salons, schools)
Longer lifespan than consumer mesh systems

Ideal for:

Hotels and offices with multiple rooms
Restaurants, cafés, and retail spaces
Large homes or properties with thick walls and multiple floors
Homes with garden offices or outbuildings
Any environment where reliability is critical

Instead of fighting with repeaters or adding more mesh units, a properly installed access point system gives you rock-solid WiFi everywhere.

Access Points vs Mesh – What’s the Difference?

This is where people often get confused. Both access points and mesh systems aim to improve WiFi coverage – but they do it in very different ways.

Mesh WiFi:

Nodes connect to each other wirelessly
Easy to install
Convenient
But speeds can reduce between units
More prone to interference

WiFi Access Points:

Connected by Ethernet cable
Full speed at every location
Much more stable
Used in professional environments
Far more reliable for large homes and offices

In short, Mesh is great for convenience. Access points are great for performance. If you want WiFi that just works everywhere, especially for work, streaming, or security systems, access points are often the smarter long‑term choice.

What Is an Ethernet Cable?

The humble Ethernet cable is the unsung hero of the internet. It’s that plastic-tipped wire (usually a “Cat6” or “Cat6a” these days) that plugs into the back of your router that connects devices to your network. It looks a bit like a phone cable but slightly larger. WiFi signals can be blocked by walls, mirrors, and even microwaves. A cable is immune to interference.

Ethernet cables are used to connect:

Routers
Computers
Smart TVs
Games consoles
Access points
Mesh nodes
CCTV cameras
Network switches

Why Ethernet matters:

It’s faster than WiFi
It’s more stable
It avoids interference
It guarantees consistent performance

Think of it as the ‘motorway’ of your network – fast, direct, and reliable, and WiFi as the local roads.

Bringing It All Together

Here’s the simplest way to think about everything:

WiFi 6 / WiFi 7 = different generations of wireless technology
Mesh WiFi = multiple wireless units working together
Ethernet cables = physical wired connections
Access points = professional WiFi transmitters connected by cable

Other Useful WiFi Terms

Router

The box, quite often given to you by your internet provider, that broadcasts WiFi.

Bandwidth

How much data can flow at once. More bandwidth = smoother performance.

Latency

How quickly data travels. Low latency = better gaming and video calls.

Backhaul

How your mesh nodes talk to each other (wireless or wired).

Need Help Improving Your WiFi?

That’s exactly what we do. At WiFi Man we specialise in:

Troubleshooting slow or unreliable WiFi
Fixing dead spots
Designing professional home networks
Whole‑home WiFi optimisation
Mesh system installation
Wired Ethernet networks
Business WiFi solutions
Smart home connectivity
Upgrading outdated systems

Whether you’re in a flat, house, office, or retail space, we’ll design a setup that actually works for the way you live and work.

Get in Touch

If you’re unsure whether you need WiFi 6, WiFi 7, Mesh, or a fully cabled system, we can help. No confusing jargon – just fast, reliable WiFi that actually works.

Email info@wifiman.london or call us on 020 3369 0669 today for expert advice and installation, because good WiFi shouldn’t be complicated.