BUYING GUIDE · Networking

Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7? When should you upgrade your router?

Wi-Fi 7 is a newer standard, but a router alone will not make the whole network faster. The benefit depends on client devices, your home, frequency bands and internet connection.

Published 22 September 2026 · Author: VertaaFiksusti editorial team

Our editorial approach: this guide draws on information from standards organisations, manufacturers and the operating system provider. We do not claim to have tested these products ourselves.

Start with the bottleneck

Measure speed near the router and in the problem area. If a wired connection is slow too, a new Wi-Fi standard will not fix an internet-service or modem problem. If speed drops only in one room, placement or a mesh system may matter more than the standard number.

What does Wi-Fi 7 add?

Wi-Fi 7 features include Multi-Link Operation, which can use multiple links to improve efficiency and reliability on compatible devices. The standard also supports wider channels in certain bands. Benefits require support from both the router and client device, and the relevant frequency band must be available locally.

Wi-Fi 6 is often enough ifyour current devices support Wi-Fi 6, your internet service is not multigigabit and your main need is a reliable everyday network.

Wi-Fi 7 may make sense ifyou are buying a network for several years, have compatible new devices and transfer lots of data locally.

Ports can limit maximum speed

Check WAN and LAN port speeds. A large wireless marketing figure does not mean that a single device, internet connection or one-gigabit Ethernet port will reach the same speed.

Security and update support

Choose a manufacturer that explains its software updates and support period. Change the default password, enable automatic updates and use a supported security mode. Ended update support can justify replacing an older device even if its speed is still adequate.

Before buying a new router

Measure the problem over Wi-Fi and by cable.
List the Wi-Fi versions your client devices support.
Check port speeds and mesh expansion options.
Check update support and security features.
Plan an open, central position.

Sources and verification

Sources checked on 22 September 2026. Always confirm compatibility with your particular device and the product you are buying with the manufacturer.