WiFi 6 or 7 adapter for PC/Laptop/MacBook

[dazzlr]

I am currently on BT with a Smart Hub 2 and considering upgrading my router to an EE Smart Hub Pro Router Tri-Band 6GHz 5GHz 2.4GHz (from eBay). 

When using this router, does upgrading your PC or laptop WiFi hardware to 6 (or 7) via a plug-in USB adapter have a noticeable effect on speed? I currently use a TP-Link Archer T4U AC1300 Dual Band Wi-Fi Adaptor and may be looking to replace it with  something that has the additional 6Ghz speed - if it's worth it. 

Advice welcome. Seem to be lots of 802.11ax devices on Amazon, but no 802.11be USB (that I can see). 

[dazzlr]

I see. Thanks!

• Wi-Fi 6 and 7 is able to offer significant improvements in speed, capacity, and efficiency in certain situations. 
• The actual benefits you experience would very much vary base on many different factors. Its complex!
• So upgrading could be worthwhile, but  if your current setup meets your needs the upgrade might not provide a noticeable improvement.

[dazzlr]

p.s. very useful set of tools https://www.wiisfi.com/#tools

[JimM11]

@dazzlr Glad the info was off help, there are 2 parts local/external for network, with a 300/500mbs pipe you are not going any faster...

WiFi 5 covers it all.

[dazzlr]

OK So, first of all, many thanks to the contributors, especially. @Jim & @Bob 

I reviewed my PC device settings using the tools already mentioned on this website https://www.wiisfi.com/#tools WI.BAT -- Display "Wi-Fi Information

.. and it turns out my USB2 Wi-Fi adapter was on the 2.4 GHz channel. This is often better for longer ranges, but since I am fairly close to the router, I switched to the 5 GHz channel (IEEE 802.ac) and noticed an immediate speed increase. I obviously now feel a bit of a chump for never even checking this setting after I plugged in my USB Wi-Fi adapter ages ago. 

I am now receiving 150 megabits per second over WiFi to my PC which is the maximum supplied by my fibre connection. If I upgrade my fibre connection to 300 or 500 then in theory this should also be reflected on my PC. 

I have parked the idea of upgrading my router to Wi-Fi 6 or 7 for now since I will probably only see the benefit on mobile devices such as iPhones, but they already work fine already so not going to mess with that. 

p.s. the reason I chose WiFi over wired connection is that I mirror devices like my iPad onto my PC for training and demos and WiFi makes this easy. 

[JimM11]

@dazzlr It's just one off those things, learning curve and sometimes just asking someone else get's it out off the hole.

Now with the tools, fresh insight and all the information you are gathering just keep your eye and focus for what you need best.👍

[dazzlr]

25/04/25

FYI just called BT 

As mentioned am out of contract and was looking to upgrade and keep the price down. Since BT are moving their consumer products to EE was expecting to be ported over, and sure enough the product I was offered was EE 308 GHz for £31.99 for 12 months rising to £34.99 after 12 months and then a lot more after the 24 month deal. 

Clearly this post is only relevant at the time of posting since prices change all the time. 

I was hoping they may offer an EE Wifi 6E hub in with the deal but no-go I keep my BT Hub 2. 

Upgrade in speed happens in a few days with 14 day cooling off period so will see how it goes!

[Mustrum]

@dazzlr   alas EE do not offer a WiFi6E router, but seems you got a decent price for the upgrade in speeds.

If you do not already have them, perhaps the BT WiFi extenders may help improve your coverage around your property?

Some more things to catch up on with your bedtime reading - or a secondhand WiFi5 third party mesh system - there are lots going cheap as people upgrade to WiFi6/7 that they dod not need. Just a thought..

[JimM11]

@dazzlr Moving along in the right direction then, the BT Smarthub2 is way good on the FF300 feed, but you can start saving towards your needs, looking at what you want to do, lets hope BT/EE don't stuff up your service... And good advice from @Mustrum good home in need off a free Complete Wireless setup gladly accepted, go for it...

[XRaySpeX]

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@dazzlr wrote:

I was offered was EE 308 GHz for £31.99 for 12 months

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You mean EE Full Fibre 300 Megs! GHz is for WiFi not BB.