Modern WiFi 6 mesh routers enhance connectivity across spaces.
Modern WiFi 6 mesh routers enhance connectivity across spaces.
Don't let fancy labels mislead you. I received a $400 router that didn’t meet expectations and got a Unifi enterprise-grade AP instead. It’s still solid, but it falls short of what you need. Consumer Wi-Fi is like a Civic Ultra with all the upgrades, while an enterprise setup is like a Ferrari—certainly faster and more reliable in real use. If you need top performance, go for a Unifi Dream Machine.
The WiFi 6 specifications are still being finalized, according to what I've learned. Many devices are in the early stages of development, so what they expect from the standard might differ. Unless all your gadgets support WiFi 6, those enhancements probably won't benefit you much. I'm leaning toward sticking with AC wireless since it's been around longer and has been thoroughly tested.
The final changes won't be approved until mid-2020, though all details are settled. Several firms already have fully WiFi 6 devices deployed, meeting every standard, with remaining upgrades coming through software if available. New capabilities will appear in the next few years, like WiFi 6E which introduces 6GHz support and other improvements. Roughly after October 2019, most items should be operational with the 6E update, though hardware changes will likely require new equipment. Everything else will remain software-based.
I believe it's wiser to wait for two generations of products. Early models usually have issues. Once the second generation releases, they learn what went wrong.
I still see your argument about the current lack of value in WiFi 6 because of limited options and the need for hardware upgrades. Regarding mixed environments, I’m struggling to find clear guidance on combining WiFi 6 and WiFi 5. From what I read, the AP checks for a specific message in the preamble header to identify WiFi 6 support. If it detects the message, it accepts the device; otherwise, it treats it as non-capable. Still, it should offer some advantages even in mixed setups.