Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6 for Printers: Do You Need the Upgrade?

Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6 basics

Wi-Fi 5, also known as 802.11ac, has been the common wireless standard for several years. It operates on the 5 GHz band and offers speeds that are more than adequate for internet browsing, file sharing, and most office applications. Wi-Fi 6, officially 802.11ax, is the successor, designed to handle many devices on the same network more efficiently, with improvements in capacity, latency, and power efficiency.

For printers, the difference between these two standards rarely shows up in daily print jobs. Printer data transfers are small compared to video streaming or large file downloads. A typical text document is only a few hundred kilobytes, and even a high-resolution photo is a few megabytes at most. The Wi-Fi connection can transfer such data in a fraction of a second, so the bottleneck is almost always the printer engine itself, not the wireless link.

In fact, the time it takes for a printer to process and print a page is measured in seconds, while the wireless transfer takes milliseconds. Therefore, upgrading from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 will not make your printer print faster. It may only reduce the chance of network congestion delays if you have many devices competing for bandwidth.

How printers use Wi-Fi

When you send a print job, your computer or phone packages the document and sends it over the network. The printer receives the whole file before starting to print, so the connection must be stable but not extremely fast. Even for large photo files with multiple pages, the transfer time is just a few seconds, which is negligible compared to the total printing time.

The actual print speed depends on the printer's engine, which includes paper handling and the printing mechanism. You can learn more about print speed metrics in our guide on what IPM means. Network latency can cause a short delay before printing starts, but this is measured in milliseconds and rarely noticeable. If you experience long delays before a job starts, the cause is often the printer's processing power or the wireless signal strength, not the Wi-Fi generation.

Additionally, modern printers often use a persistent connection to receive print jobs. This means that after the initial negotiation, data flows continuously, and even Wi-Fi 5 can sustain rates far above what a printer needs. So, worrying about Wi-Fi 6 for printing is like worrying about having a 100-lane highway for a single car.

Modern wireless printing standards

The ease of wireless printing depends more on software protocols than on the Wi-Fi version. The Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) Everywhere, developed by the Printer Working Group (PWG), is a standard that lets personal computers and mobile devices find and print to networked and USB printers without using vendor-specific software. According to the PWG, 98% of all printers sold today support IPP/2.0 and DNS-SD, which enables IPP Everywhere printing. This standard works over any Wi-Fi network, whether it is Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6.

Similarly, the Mopria Alliance provides print and scan apps for Android, Windows, and other platforms, making mobile printing straightforward. Mopria certification ensures that a printer works seamlessly with Android devices, and Windows also supports Mopria certified printers. These standards eliminate the need for manufacturer-specific drivers, so your printing experience is consistent regardless of the router or Wi-Fi version.

When choosing a printer, look for support for IPP Everywhere and Mopria, as these ensures broad compatibility. You can read more about how printers connect in our article on printer network protocols. These protocols work over any IP-based network, so Wi-Fi 5 is fully adequate.

When Wi-Fi 6 matters

Wi-Fi 6 offers improvements in crowded environments. If your home or office has dozens of devices competing for bandwidth, such as laptops, smartphones, streaming devices, and smart home gadgets, Wi-Fi 6 can reduce latency and improve overall network efficiency. However, a printer is not usually the bandwidth hog; it sends and receives small bursts of data only when printing.

If you notice print jobs stalling or timing out, the bottleneck is often network congestion, not the Wi-Fi generation. In such cases, Wi-Fi 6 can help, but upgrading your router and printer to Wi-Fi 6 is a larger change than simply adjusting router placement or using a wired Ethernet connection. For most users, the practical benefit is minimal.

If your network is truly overloaded, a better solution might be to connect the printer via Ethernet, which is faster and more stable than any Wi-Fi. You can learn about the differences in our guide on Ethernet vs Wi-Fi printer speed. For most people, Wi-Fi 5 is more than enough for printing.

Energy and environmental considerations

Wireless connectivity also affects energy use. ENERGY STAR certified imaging equipment must meet strict efficiency criteria, including automatic duplexing and power management features. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR certified printers save up to 35 percent energy versus conventional equipment by using the least amount of energy when working, and most importantly, when they are doing nothing. This certification is not tied to the Wi-Fi version, so both Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 printers can be energy efficient.

When replacing an old printer, consider recycling the old one. The EPA provides resources for recycling used electronics and batteries, which reduces environmental impact and prevents hazardous materials from ending up in landfills. You can find more about eco-friendly printing in our guide to Energy Star printers.

Additionally, modern printers come with power-saving features like sleep mode, which are required for ENERGY STAR certification. These features work the same regardless of the Wi-Fi standard, so the upgrade decision should be based on other factors.

How to decide

For most people, the printer's Wi-Fi standard is not a deciding factor. Focus on print quality, speed, and running costs. If you have a very busy network, check whether your router supports Wi-Fi 6 and whether your printer does too, but this is unlikely to change your printing experience. The main benefits of Wi-Fi 6, such as better performance in dense environments, are more relevant for streaming and gaming than for printing.

If you are buying a new printer, choose one that supports current networking standards like IPP Everywhere and Mopria, as these will work with any Wi-Fi router. Our best wireless printers comparison highlights models with strong connectivity and overall performance. For a broader look at printer features, see the best all-in-one printers or best laser printers depending on your needs.

Remember, the printer itself is a long-term investment. Even if your current network is Wi-Fi 5, a printer with Wi-Fi 6 will still connect and work fine. Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible, so you can upgrade your router later without replacing the printer. For most users, the wisest choice is to buy a printer that meets your printing needs and has good wireless reliability, regardless of the Wi-Fi version.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does Wi-Fi 6 make printing faster?

No. Print speed is determined by the printer engine, not the network. Wi-Fi 6 reduces network congestion but does not speed up the mechanical printing process. Even a large document transfers wirelessly in a few seconds, while printing takes much longer.

Do I need to upgrade my router to Wi-Fi 6 for my printer?

Not necessarily. If your printer works fine on Wi-Fi 5, upgrading the router rarely improves printing, unless you have many devices causing congestion. Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible, so a Wi-Fi 5 printer will connect to a Wi-Fi 6 router, and vice versa.

Can a Wi-Fi 5 printer connect to a Wi-Fi 6 router?

Yes. Wi-Fi 6 routers are backward compatible with Wi-Fi 5 devices, so your existing printer will connect fine. You may need to ensure that the router is set to allow older standards, but most default settings support mixed mode.

Is Wi-Fi 6 worth it for a home office?

If you have many devices and heavy network usage, Wi-Fi 6 can help, but for printing alone, it is not essential. Focus on printer features and energy efficiency first. A wired connection is always an option for reliability.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and how is it different?

Wi-Fi Direct lets you print directly from a device to the printer without a router. It creates a temporary network between the device and the printer. It is a separate feature from the Wi-Fi standard and is useful for mobile printing. See our guide on Wi-Fi Direct.