Should I upgrade to WiFi 7? Six reasons to make the switch

WiFi 7 is here, and it brings a laundry list of enhancements over last-gen wireless standards. It’s faster. It’s better equipped to manage a crowded network, especially compared to the WiFi 5 routers that many people still have in their homes. WiFi 7 gives gamers, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts boosted throughput and reduced latency. Considering all the advantages that the new standard has on tap, many folks are going to be making the upgrade to WiFi 7 this year.

Perhaps you’re wondering whether you should also make the switch to WiFi 7. Here, we’ll walk you through six key reasons why you should consider upgrading. Then, we’ll give you some quick recommendations on how to get started.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 if you have a multigigabit internet connection

There’s a welcome trend happening around the world: multigigabit internet plans are quickly becoming more available and more affordable. If you have such a connection — or are likely to have one soon — you should get a WiFi 7 router so that you can get the most out of your blazing-fast internet connection.

These plans aren’t available everywhere, so you may have to be patient while your ISP builds the necessary infrastructure in your area. But AT&T, Frontier, Google, Verizon, and Xfinity all offer multi-gig plans in select regions with max speeds of 2Gbps or higher. These plans outpace the capabilities of last-gen WiFi technology.

Your ISP will rent a router to you that will let you access those upgraded download and upload speeds – but as always, it’ll almost certainly cost more in the long run to rent instead of buy, and you’ll almost certainly get a more powerful and feature-rich model by doing your own shopping. To get the most out of your multigigabit internet connection, you’re best off purchasing your own WiFi 7 router.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 if you can’t (or don’t want) to run Ethernet cables

For fast, low-latency networking, an Ethernet cable offers undeniable advantages. But for many folks, those advantages only come into play for devices that are in the same room as their router. When there’s a wall or two between your gaming PC and your router, running Ethernet cables is trickier – or not even a realistic option at all. Perhaps your home is constructed of stone or brick. Maybe your landlord wouldn’t take kindly to the thought of you drilling holes in the walls. Or perhaps you or your significant other simply can’t abide the thought of having cables stretched across your living space.

Whatever the reason, WiFi 7 is your answer for getting an upgraded networking experience without the need for wires. You’ll get faster speeds, less interference, and a more efficient network overall.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 if you’re still stuck on WiFi 5

We get it. Not everybody upgrades their wireless router for every generation of WiFi. But if your wireless router is two generations behind the times (or more), then you’re missing out on a wide range of advances that could have a huge impact on your everyday life.

Now that WiFi 7 is on the menu, there really isn’t a good reason to remain stuck in the past with WiFi 5. WiFi 7 retains or refines all the advantages of WiFi 6 and 6E while kicking your networking into higher gear with new features that deliver faster wireless speeds than ever. And at this point, it’s quite likely that you have smartphones, laptops, or custom PCs compatible with WiFi 6 and 6E, and you’re not getting your money’s worth out of them with your WiFi 5 router.

Simply put, WiFi 7 is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. If you’re using a router that’s more than one generation back, then you owe it to yourself to experience the latest refinements in wireless networking.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 if you’re a home network power user

Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to their home network. Some folks don’t do much online other than browse Instagram on their smartphones. But others expect their router to put in some serious work. They have a fleet of smart home and security devices. They use network-attached storage for streaming to their home entertainment center or for backing up their content creation projects. There’s a world of possibilities. Everyone from Twitch streamers to entrepreneurs to hardcore gamers all demand high-performance networking.

With our WiFi 7 lineup, that’s exactly what you’ll get. The top-of-the-line ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro was forged to push the boundaries of what’s possible for gaming and networking. With not one but two 6GHz bands, you’ll have a powerful option for a dedicated wireless backhaul. Dual 10G ports and four 2.5G ports give you ultimate performance and versatile options for connecting your network. And with a quad-core 2.6GHz CPU running the show, you’ll have the horsepower on tap to handle the most demanding networking scenarios.

A quick aside for anyone who’s currently using an AiMesh-compatible router — basically, just about any ASUS router made since 2018. Even as you upgrade to WiFi 7, you don’t have to replace this device or toss it in the recycling bin. You can put it to work as a node in a mesh networking system. With your new WiFi 7 router running the show, you can set up your older router to provide extended coverage to a hard-to-reach space in your home, like a garage, finished basement, or backyard patio.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 if you already have WiFi 7 devices

WiFi 7 is brand-new, but we’ve already been paving the way for the new wireless standard with compatible WiFi 7 devices. If you put together a PC with one of Intel’s latest 14th Gen Core CPUs, you may well have used one of our latest Z790 motherboards as your build’s foundation.

The ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero, for example, offers a show-stopping shadowy aesthetic, a high-speed 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and WiFi 7 support. If your router is holding back this beastly board, it’s time for an upgrade.

We’re busy bolstering our other product lineups with WiFi 7 support, as well. The all-new ROG Phone 8 blends pure gaming prowess and everyday excellence to elevate not only your gaming, but your entire mobile lifestyle – and it’s compatible with WiFi 7 right out of the gate. Look for even more WiFi 7 device announcements as the year unfolds.

You should upgrade to WiFi 7 the next time you need a router

Perhaps your biggest priority is getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to tech purchases. If for any reason you’re buying a wireless router in 2024, and you want your purchase to give you the most value over its lifespan, then you should upgrade to WiFi 7.

A WiFi 6 router might well meet your needs for today, and depending on your budget, it might be the choice that you roll with. But it’s hard to look at industry trends in entertainment, gaming, and creation and come away thinking that you’re not going to want more bandwidth and faster speeds in the near future. If your budget extends to making a longer-term investment, a WiFi 7 router is hands-down the better choice when it comes to value.

Get started with a WiFi 7 router

Ready to upgrade your home network to WiFi 7? Right now, we have two options for your consideration, with many more on the way in 2024: the ROG Rapture GT-BE98 and the ASUS RT-BE96U. WiFi 7 technologies let these wireless routers deliver a revolutionary networking experience.

The ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is the higher-end option of the two, and it’s tricked out with premium features, including not one but two 6GHz bands. One of these routers on its own would deliver a massive networking upgrade to just about any home, while a pair of these connected with AiMesh would create a stunningly powerful home network with incredible range. Gaming-first features including triple-level game acceleration and Mobile Ga me Mode equip you for a seamless experience as you chase victory in online battlegrounds.

The ASUS RT-BE96U brings WiFi 7 tech to a larger audience. This unit is ready to future-proof your connected home with the full suite of WiFi 7 features, dual 10Gbps Ethernet ports, and flexible network port configuration options that make it easy to connect a NAS device. You’ll also get subscription-free network security, advanced parental controls, and comprehensive VPN features, too. Our competitors often charge a yearly fee for these features, making their routers potentially hundreds of dollars more expensive than ours when you look at total cost of ownership for the lifetime of the device. Click here to learn more about how you can save money with ASUS routers.

*WiFi 7 features requires WiFi routers and client devices with WiFi 7-supported operating systems to support the corresponding features.

**The 320 MHz in the 6 GHz band may be unavailable in some regions / countries due to regulatory restrictions.