Wireless networks use 802.11 protocols to send and receive data, and new protocols arrive every few years, with each one giving rise to a new generation of routers and client devices. Currently, the most widely used is 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6. Some inexpensive networking equipment uses the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) generation, while cutting-edge routers use the 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) standard. If you're shopping for a router right now, you should mostly narrow your search to devices that support Wi-Fi 6 or its variant, 802.11axe (Wi-Fi 6E). The main differences between each generation are the maximum speeds they support and how advanced their connection technologies are. For example, Wi-Fi 5 allows for maximum (theoretical) data rates of up to 5,400Mbps and operates on both the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands. Compare that with Wi-Fi 7, which can operate on the 6GHz band in addition to the other two, and is capable of speeds up to 40Gbps. For more on the differences between the various Wi-Fi generations, see our explainer. While each generation has a maximum theoretical speed, not every router that supports that generation is capable of achieving it. You'll see routers from all Wi-Fi generations with labels like AC1200, AX1400, AXE6000, and so on. This designates the theoretical maximum speed of the router. For example, a Wi-Fi 5 router that can achieve a maximum link rate of 450Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band is considered an AC1750 router. It's important to note that routers rarely, if ever, reach these "maximum speeds" in real-world applications, but if you're looking for performance, consider one of the high-speed routers (but be prepared to pay a premium).