Which Wi-Fi standard offers the highest throughput currently available?

The Wi-Fi standard that offers the highest throughput currently available is 802.11ax, also known as Wi-Fi 6. This standard builds upon the advancements made in previous Wi-Fi technologies, particularly 802.11ac, by introducing several enhancements that significantly increase data transfer rates and overall network efficiency.

One of the key features of 802.11ax is its ability to utilize multiple channels more effectively through technologies such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), which allows multiple devices to share the same channel simultaneously, enhancing overall throughput. Additionally, 802.11ax supports higher capacity and improved performance in congested environments, enabling faster speeds even when numerous devices are connected.

This standard can theoretically achieve maximum throughput speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps under ideal conditions. In comparison, 802.11ac typically supports maximum speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps, while earlier standards such as 802.11n and 802.11g fall significantly short of these figures.

Understanding the capabilities of each standard reveals that 802.11ax stands out as the most advanced option for maximizing network performance, especially in environments with many devices requiring simultaneous connections.