WiFi 5 vs WiFi 6: What Changes for Console Gaming

What the names mean on a listing

WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 are names given to generations of wireless networking hardware. WiFi 5 refers to the older standard that was widely used for years; WiFi 6 is the newer standard that came after it. These names appear on console listings, on router specifications and on many devices that connect to the internet. The technical name for WiFi 6 is 802.11ax, though most listings use the simpler WiFi 6 label.

On a console listing, the wireless standard usually appears in the bullet list as one line, for example "WiFi 6" or just "wireless". When a line reads only "wireless", the standard is not stated by the seller. That is an unknown; it does not mean the console lacks a WiFi standard, only that the listing does not tell you which one it has.

Latency and bandwidth in everyday terms

Online gaming depends on two things in the network: latency and bandwidth. Latency is the delay between an action on the controller and the response in the game. Bandwidth is how much data the connection can carry at once. A network with low latency responds quickly; a network with enough bandwidth can handle downloads and updates without everything else slowing down. Both matter for online play, and both are affected by the router, the distance to the console and the number of devices sharing the connection.

WiFi 6 and busy networks

WiFi 6 was designed for households where many devices use the same network at once. An older standard can become crowded when phones, laptops, speakers and consoles all connect at the same time, and that crowding can show up as latency and unsteady connections. WiFi 6 handles more concurrent devices and shares the network more efficiently. In plain words, it helps the network hold up when many devices are active.

This matters most when the console is far from the router or separated by walls and furniture. If the console sits in the same room as the router and few other devices are active, the newer standard is less likely to be the thing you notice. The practical takeaway: WiFi 6 helps most in a crowded home with a distant console.

Router compatibility and placement

A WiFi 6 console needs a WiFi 6 router to use the newer standard. When a WiFi 6 console connects to an older router, the two devices fall back to the older standard they both support. The same is true in reverse: a WiFi 5 console on a WiFi 6 router uses WiFi 5. So the console and the router have to work together; the console alone cannot decide the standard.

Placement matters as much as the standard. A console close to the router, in the same room or with a clear path between them, will usually have a steadier connection than one that is far away, inside a cabinet or across a thick wall. This holds for both WiFi 5 and WiFi 6. If you can move the router or the console, that may change your experience more than the standard itself. See Console Wi-Fi Setup for setup guidance.

Handhelds and handheld gaming PCs

Handheld consoles and handheld gaming PCs connect to the same kinds of networks as home consoles, but they are used in different places. A handheld may be played on a couch, in a bedroom or outside the home, so the distance to the network changes as the player moves. The WiFi standard is still one factor, but the position of the device at the moment of play matters more for handhelds than for a console that stays in one place.

When you read a handheld listing, look for the WiFi standard in the same bullet list that states the screen size, storage and other details. Some handhelds list WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E; others do not name a standard. If the standard is missing, treat it as unstated. For help choosing between a home console and a handheld, compare home consoles and handheld consoles.

What to check before you buy

Before choosing a console on the WiFi standard, read the stated details, not the title. The console name rarely tells you the wireless standard. Look for the line in the bullet list that mentions wireless, WiFi, or a standard name like WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E. WiFi 6E is an extension of WiFi 6 that adds a different frequency band; it appears on some newer consoles and handhelds. If the listing says only "wireless" or says nothing, the standard is not stated by the seller.

Also think about the household network. What generation is your router? The router's own specifications will say which standards it supports. How many devices share the network during the hours you play? Is the console going to sit close to the router or far from it? These questions determine whether the WiFi standard on the console will matter for you. For more on the wireless and wired options, see Wired or Wi-Fi for Your Console? Which Network.

When the standard does not decide much

The WiFi standard matters less in a few situations. If the household has only a handful of connected devices, the network rarely gets crowded, so older and newer standards behave similarly. If the console sits in the same room as the router, the distance is short and the difference narrows. And if you plan to connect the console to the network with a cable, the wireless standard is removed from the equation entirely. Many home consoles include an Ethernet port; a cable between the console and the router gives the most direct connection.

For most buyers, the WiFi standard is a detail to note, not the main reason to choose one console over another. The console family, the disc or digital edition, the storage size and the form factor matter more for everyday use. When you compare consoles, keep the WiFi standard in context with those other stated details. Start with the main console guide to build your shortlist.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Is WiFi 6 always better than WiFi 5 on a console?

WiFi 6 is the newer standard and is designed for networks with many devices. Whether you notice a difference depends on your router, the distance to it, and how many devices share the network. The standard is one factor, not the whole picture.

Do I need a WiFi 6 router to use a WiFi 6 console?

Yes, for the console to use WiFi 6, the router also has to support WiFi 6. A WiFi 6 console can still connect to an older router, but both devices have to use a common standard, and that will be the older one.

What is WiFi 6E?

WiFi 6E is an extension of WiFi 6 that adds a different frequency band. Some newer consoles and handhelds list it in their stated details. If a listing does not name it, the standard is not stated by the seller.

Should I use a network cable instead of WiFi?

A wired connection can remove the wireless network from the equation, which is useful when the router is near the console. Many consoles include an Ethernet port. WiFi is convenient when a cable is not practical.

Can I tell the WiFi standard from the console name alone?

No. The console name does not always tell you the WiFi standard. Read the stated details on the listing; if the standard is not listed, treat it as unknown.