Wi-Fi 7: Is It Time to Upgrade Your Router?

Is it time to upgrade to WiFi 7 or should you wait since most of your devices are still running WiFi 6?

We know that Wi-Fi technology is constantly evolving, with each new generation offering faster speeds, improved capacity, and enhanced reliability.

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) brought significant advancements over its predecessors, but now Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is here, promising even greater performance gains. But is it time to upgrade your router?

To find out, I partnered with Asus to test the Asus RT-BE92U which is a tri-band WiFi 7 router. I tested WiFi 6 devices and WiFi 7 devices to determine if there is any real value in upgrading to WiFi 7 so that I could answer the most common WiFi 7 questions.

The most common question is: Does WiFi 7 deliver on that fast wifi and fast internet speed?

What do all these WiFi 7 terms mean?

Wi-Fi 7 introduces several key technologies that significantly enhance the Wi-Fi experience. This is achieved with all these really geeky terms that no normal human can actually understand, so here is what these Wifi 7 terms in simple English:

• Wider Channels and Higher Frequencies: Imagine a highway with multiple lanes. Wi-Fi 7 is like adding more lanes and increasing the speed limit! It utilizes wider 320 MHz channels in the 6 GHz band (more lanes for data) and may potentially utilize higher frequencies compared to Wi-Fi 6 (a higher speed limit for data). This allows for greater throughput and much faster speeds.
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Think of your devices having multiple antennas, each capable of tuning into different Wi-Fi “channels” simultaneously, like having multiple radio tuners in your car. MLO allows devices to connect to multiple bands at the same time, combining signals for faster speeds or switching to a less congested channel for a more stable connection. This leads to improved performance and reduced latency.
• 4K Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (4K-QAM): Imagine a flashlight that can send messages using different brightness levels and colors. 4K-QAM is like a super-efficient flashlight for your Wi-Fi, packing more data into each transmission. This means faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved performance for demanding applications.

What are the reasons to Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7?

If you’re considering upgrading your router, here are some compelling reasons to make the leap to Wi-Fi 7:

1. Blazing-Fast Speeds: Wi-Fi 7 offers theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, compared to Wi-Fi 6’s 9.6 Gbps. This translates to significantly faster downloads, smoother streaming, and improved performance for demanding applications.
2. Increased Network Capacity: With the rise of smart homes and multiple connected devices, network congestion can become a bottleneck. Wi-Fi 7’s wider channels and MLO technology significantly increase network capacity, allowing more devices to connect simultaneously without sacrificing performance.
3. Reduced Latency: Wi-Fi 7 tackles latency (the delay between your action and seeing the result) by sending data faster, using multiple paths with MLO, and prioritizing important information. This means smoother online gaming, clearer video calls, and more responsive applications.
4. Improved Reliability: Wi-Fi 7 incorporates features that enhance connection stability and reduce interference, ensuring a more reliable Wi-Fi experience.

Wi-Fi 7 in your home – what are the benefits?

Here are some examples of how Wi-Fi 7 can benefit a typical household:

• Seamless Streaming: Enjoy buffer-free movie nights in 4K or 8K, even with multiple devices streaming simultaneously.
• Lag-Free Gaming: Experience smooth, responsive gameplay in online and VR games without frustrating lag.
• Uninterrupted Video Calls: Work from home with clear video conferencing, even while others are streaming or learning online.
• Effortless Smart Home Control: Connect and control all your smart devices seamlessly for a truly responsive home environment.
• Lightning-Fast Transfers: Quickly transfer large files, back up data, and download updates in a fraction of the time.
• Enhanced AR/VR: Explore immersive augmented and virtual reality applications with unprecedented clarity and responsiveness.

Do your WiFi 6 devices work with a WiFi 7 router? Are there any benefits?

Even if you don’t have Wi-Fi 7 devices yet, a Wi-Fi 7 router can still offer some benefits for your current Wi-Fi 6 devices:

• Reduced Congestion: Wi-Fi 7 routers are better at managing network traffic, so even your older devices will experience less congestion and smoother performance, especially in busy households.
• 6 GHz Benefits: If you have Wi-Fi 6E devices, they can utilize the 6 GHz band more efficiently with a Wi-Fi 7 router, enjoying faster speeds.
• Future-Proofing: Your router will be ready for when you eventually upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 devices.
• Potentially Better Range: Some Wi-Fi 7 routers may offer improved range for all your devices.

Keep in mind that you won’t get the full speed benefits of Wi-Fi 7 without Wi-Fi 7 devices, and the cost of a Wi-Fi 7 router might not be justified for some users.

Is Wi-Fi 7 Right for You?

While Wi-Fi 7 offers significant advantages, upgrading your router may not be necessary for everyone. Consider the following factors:

• Internet Speed: If your internet plan offers speeds significantly lower than what Wi-Fi 6 can handle, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 may not provide noticeable benefits.
• Number of Devices: If you have a small number of devices and don’t experience network congestion, Wi-Fi 6 may still be sufficient.
• Budget: Wi-Fi 7 routers are currently more expensive than Wi-Fi 6 routers.

So in summary:

Wi-Fi 7 represents a significant advancement in wireless technology, offering faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved reliability. If you’re looking for the best possible Wi-Fi experience and have a need for high bandwidth and low latency, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 is worth considering. However, if your current Wi-Fi 6 setup meets your needs, there’s no immediate rush to upgrade. As Wi-Fi 7 technology matures and becomes more affordable, it will eventually become the standard for wireless connectivity.

Check out more info on the Asus router and if you are planning on any holiday travel, make sure you check out this travel router!