The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in mission-critical applications has amplified the need for wireless communication protocols that can deliver ultra-low latency, high reliability, and energy efficiency. Among the most influential contributors to network performance is the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, which orchestrates how devices access shared wireless mediums. This paper presents a comparative analysis of four key communication technologies—IEEE 802.11ah (WiFi HaLow), LoRaWAN, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC in 5G), and WiFi 7 (IEEE 802.11be)—with a focus on MAC layer innovations that reduce latency and energy consumption for real-time IoT deployments. Each technology provides unique advantages: 802.11ah offers low-power long-range connectivity with features like Target Wake Time (TWT) and Restricted Access Window (RAW); LoRaWAN supports energy-efficient, long-distance transmissions with star topologies and class-based operations; URLLC, a 5G innovation, focuses on ultra-low latency and high reliability through features such as grant-free transmissions and intelligent scheduling; and WiFi 7 enhances throughput and latency handling through multi-link operation and coordinated MAC schemes. The study identifies common MAC challenges and trends, including contention management, QoS differentiation, and jitter control. It highlights the potential for AI-driven, cross-layer MAC frameworks to enhance scalability, adaptability, and efficiency in future IoT deployments.