WiFi Spatial Streams - how much do they matter?

Hi,

I’m trying to better understand WiFi spatial streams, particularly in the newer WiFI specs (6/6e/7). I can’t quite figure whether it’s primarily marketing or if having more spatial streams equates to actual better connections and device speeds - or if there’s some truth to both. I’ve read numerous articles but with varying perspectives, I still don’t know what to think.

My current router/gateway/AP is an AmpliFi Alien (by Ubiquiti) but the single unit setup - not the mesh. It’s rated at WiFi 6, 16 spatial streams, and 3K sq ft of coverage. But we don’t reliably get 100% WiFi coverage in our 1K sq ft apartment because we are limited in placement since the all-in-one router/switch/WiFI AP design necessitates us keeping the unit close to where the internet enters the apartment (at the far outside wall). So it can’t be very centrally located.

I’m considering moving to a small UniFi setup but their current WiFi 7 APs have 1750 sq ft coverage w/8 spatial streams (7 Pro Max) or 1500 sq ft w/6 spatial streams (7 Pro). I could more centrally locate the AP, since it’s separate from the gateway & switch but I don’t know if this is a step down in both actual (real world) coverage area and spatial streams from what I have now - since both UniFi APs have less coverage & streams. Clearly, coverage is always in a perfect test environment and our building is challenging, to say the least. I just don’t know what to expect from actual coverage or difference in spatial streams and I’d love to learn more. While the numbers on paper would seem to indicate the UniFi setup offers less coverage and capability, I can’t quite believe that would be true in real world usage. Any info would be really helpful. Thanks!