Why Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 Isn't Recommended, Right Now

Wi-Fi 7, or IEEE 802.11be, represents the cutting edge of wireless networking technology, promising ultra-fast speeds, improved efficiency, and enhanced support for multiple devices. However, for most users, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 right now might not be the most practical decision. Below, we’ll explain why upgrading at this point could be unnecessary, costly, and why current Wi-Fi standards may still be more than sufficient.

Limited Device Compatibility

A key reason why upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 is not recommended is the current lack of compatible devices. Most of the smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart home devices, and other gadgets on the market today are not yet equipped with Wi-Fi 7 technology. While routers supporting Wi-Fi 7 may soon enter the market, unless you own devices that can fully leverage this new standard, you won't experience the full benefits.

Without Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices, your network will still function based on the capabilities of your slowest device, meaning you'll still be operating with Wi-Fi 6 or 5 speeds. For now, most consumer electronics, including flagship devices, don't support IEEE 802.11be, rendering the upgrade more of a luxury than a necessity.

High Cost of Early Adoption

As with most cutting-edge technology, early adopters of Wi-Fi 7 are likely to face premium pricing. Wi-Fi 7 routers and compatible devices will initially carry a steep price tag, a common trend seen with past Wi-Fi standards during their early market phase. As the technology matures, prices will eventually decrease, and more affordable options will emerge. Waiting could save you hundreds of dollars, as the costs for Wi-Fi 7 hardware will drop with increased production and market adoption.

Moreover, it's also worth considering that the premium price doesn’t necessarily bring a significant increase in real-world performance for most users—at least not right away.

Wi-Fi 7 Speeds: Overkill for Most Users

Wi-Fi 7 promises theoretical speeds of up to 46 Gbps, an astronomical leap compared to Wi-Fi 6’s 9.6 Gbps. However, very few internet service providers (ISPs) offer plans that even come close to maxing out Wi-Fi 6 speeds. For everyday tasks like 4K streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers, Wi-Fi 6 (or even Wi-Fi 5 in some cases) provides more than enough speed.

For most households, even with heavy internet usage, Wi-Fi 7's speeds would be overkill. Unless you have specific requirements—like multiple high-bandwidth applications running concurrently—there's no compelling reason to upgrade for speed alone. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) remains capable of handling most home internet demands for the foreseeable future.

Stability and Firmware Updates

Another factor to consider with any new technology is the likelihood of early technical issues. Wi-Fi 7 routers may experience bugs, compatibility problems, and require frequent firmware updates to fix stability issues. This can lead to an inconsistent user experience, at least in the early stages of adoption. Waiting for the technology to stabilize and for manufacturers to release refined firmware updates will provide a smoother experience with fewer hiccups.

Limited Real-World Benefits Right Now

Even if you invest in a Wi-Fi 7 router, the lack of compatible devices will limit any real-world benefits. Until manufacturers roll out Wi-Fi 7-capable phones, laptops, and other devices in large numbers, your network will continue to operate at Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 speeds (Checkout our Wi-Fi 6 Reviews). Simply upgrading your router won’t change the capabilities of your existing devices, making the investment feel premature.

For most users, the bottleneck remains the speed of your slowest device, not the router itself. So upgrading your router to Wi-Fi 7 won’t provide a noticeable improvement unless you also upgrade your entire ecosystem of connected devices.

Adequate Performance of Current Standards

Currently, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provide more than enough performance for most home networks. Both of these standards support multiple devices, high-quality streaming, and online gaming without significant issues. If you're considering upgrading your Wi-Fi setup, moving from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 might be a more practical step than jumping all the way to Wi-Fi 7.

Wi-Fi 6 brings tangible benefits in terms of speed, efficiency, and battery-saving features for connected devices, and it is widely supported across various consumer electronics today. For most homes, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 ensures great performance without the need to future-proof too far ahead.

Future-Proofing Isn’t Always Cost-Effective

While the idea of future-proofing your network sounds appealing, it's not always the most cost-effective strategy. Wi-Fi technology evolves rapidly, and by the time Wi-Fi 7 becomes mainstream, newer, potentially better technologies may have emerged. Early adoption often comes with a premium cost, and there’s always the risk that new advancements will outpace your investment before you can fully utilize it.

For those who need a reliable, fast network today, sticking with Wi-Fi 6 makes more financial sense. You’ll benefit from better device support and lower costs, and you can revisit the Wi-Fi 7 upgrade later when it has matured and become more affordable.  Whether you are using Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 follow our "Secure Your Wifi" series.