Hi there! I‘m excited to provide you with a detailed look at some of the most anticipated Wi-Fi 7 routers expected to hit the market soon. These next-generation routers can‘t come soon enough, as our home wireless networks face increasing demands from high-bandwidth applications like 4K/8K streaming, VR gaming, video conferencing, and more.
Wi-Fi 7, the upcoming 802.11be standard, aims to solve these demands with some truly impressive capabilities. Compared to today‘s Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers, Wi-Fi 7 routers will provide:
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Up to 5X faster top speeds – We‘re talking outrageous 46 Gbps potential bandwidth!
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More spectrum flexibility – Using the new 6 GHz band reduces interference and congestion.
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Lower latency for lag-free gaming, calls, etc.
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Support for tons of simultaneously connected devices. No more spotty connections when your whole family is online!
Manufacturers are chomping at the bit to release the first round of Wi-Fi 7 routers, aiming for 2023 launches. Let‘s take a closer look at four of the most exciting models you‘ll be able to get your hands on soon. I‘ll summarize their key features, projected specs, when they might release, and how much they‘ll cost.
By the end, you‘ll have a solid overview of the new Wi-Fi 7 standard and what router upgrades make the most sense for your home or office network!
1. TP-Link Archer BE24000 – The Total Package Wi-Fi 7 Router
Kicking off the list, we have TP-Link‘s shiny new flagship router, the Archer BE24000.
TP-Link has dominated the mid-range consumer router market in recent years. But with the BE24000, they aim to compete head-to-head with premium brands like Netgear, Linksys, and ASUS.
Based on the details TP-Link has previewed so far, the Archer BE24000 is absolutely stacked with bleeding edge features:
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Quad-band Wi-Fi 7 chipset – Provides a ludicrous total bandwidth of 46 Gbps across four simultaneous bands – 2.4 GHz, two 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. This gives it an incredible 5X bandwidth potential over Wi-Fi 6E!
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12 detachable antennas – With 8 high-powered external antennas and 4 internal ones, the BE24000 means business when it comes to wireless range and performance.
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Powerful quad-core 2.2 GHz CPU – A fast processor is needed to manage Wi-Fi 7‘s multi-gigabit speeds.
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Modern wired connectivity – 2.5 Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, and standard Gigabit Ethernet ports allow for speedy wired connections.
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Dual USB 3.0 ports – For connecting storage drives and peripherals to share across your network.
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Sleek touchscreen interface – A 2.8 inch color touchscreen on the front lets you easily monitor device connections and network status at a glance.
Add in the latest WPA3 security protocol, compatibility with EasyMesh systems, and smart home integration, and you have one incredibly capable router suitable for just about any home or office!
While TP-Link hasn‘t revealed exact pricing yet, early estimates put the Archer BE24000 at around $599 based on the high-end components involved. It‘s expected to release sometime in Q3 2023.
If you want future-proof features and best-in-class Wi-Fi 7 performance, the Archer BE24000 looks like it will fit the bill!
2. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 – Hardcore Gaming Wi-Fi 7 Router
Gamers rejoice! ASUS‘s Republic of Gamers division is cooking up an absolute beast of a Wi-Fi 7 gaming router called the ROG Rapture GT-BE98.
ASUS saddled this router with just about every optimization imaginable for low latency blissful gaming:
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Quad-band Wi-Fi 7 chip pushes wireless speeds sky-high, up to a claimed 25 Gbps!
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Eight external antennas maximize range and signal strength, even through walls and floors.
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Three 10G Ethernet LAN ports offer instantly responsive wired connectivity for gaming PCs and consoles.
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Adaptive QoS prioritizes gaming traffic on the network for lag-free online play.
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DFS band support avoids interference from radar signals for smoother performance.
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AiProtection Pro Network Security blocks malicious attacks like DDoS. Gotta keep those game sessions safe!
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Funky angular design with programmable RGB lighting will complement any gaming cave (aka messy bedroom).
ASUS hasn‘t shared all the nitty gritty specs yet, but you can bet this thing will be a gaming powerhouse. The ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is expected in late 2023 for a premium price of around $699.
3. TP-Link Deco BE33000 – Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 7
Let‘s switch gears to the world of mesh Wi-Fi systems. TP-Link‘s Deco line of mesh routers has won over many homeowners needing seamless Wi-Fi coverage across every nook and cranny of their abode.
The upcoming BE33000 looks set to bring TP-Link‘s simple, reliable mesh system into the Wi-Fi 7 era. Some standout features:
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Dual unit system – One router unit and one satellite unit work together to blanket up to 8,000 sq. ft.
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Quad-band performance – Together the two units unlock a massive 32.8 Gbps of bandwidth!
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12 internal antennas on each unit – Provides strong backhaul links between nodes.
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AI mesh optimization – Automatically manages connections across nodes for smoother roaming.
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HomeShield security – Blocks outside attacks and controls family member device access.
The Deco BE33000 almost seems overkill for mesh systems considering most ISP plans max out well below 1 Gbps. But if you want truly elite whole home performance, the BE33000 duo should do the trick fabulously.
TP-Link plans to release the mesh system in Q4 2023 for $1199 – pretty pricey, but reasonable for bleeding edge Wi-Fi tech.
4. MSI RadiX BE22000 – New Gaming Brand‘s First Wi-Fi 7 Router
Our last entrant comes from MSI, who surprisingly tossed their hat into the networking ring after being known primarily for computing hardware like GPUs.
The RadiX BE22000 will be MSI‘s first Wi-Fi 7 gaming router. Even as a freshman effort, MSI packed it with gamer-pleasing goodies:
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Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 pushes wireless speeds up to 22 Gbps.
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Eight optimized high-gain antennas for maximum range and signal strength.
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Quad-core 2.2 GHz processing engine to handle multi-gigabit throughput.
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Link aggregation combines Ethernet ports for blistering 20+ Gbps wired speeds.
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Advanced QoS prioritizes gaming traffic for unfair latency advantages.
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Angular stealth bomber design fitted with unique controllable RGB lighting strips.
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Priced at $529, MSI aims to undercut competitors on cost while still delivering speed and features.
Considering MSI is new to the router game, I‘d be cautious about jumping on the BE22000 immediately. But if they apply their PC hardware know-how correctly, MSI could have a winner on their hands with some refinement.
Wi-Fi 7 Speeds, Specs, and Timeline
You might be wondering what exactly makes Wi-Fi 7 such a big leap forward compared to Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers available today. Here‘s a quick rundown of the key improvements:
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Feature | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
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Maximum Speed | 10 Gbps | 46 Gbps |
Spectrum Support | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
Bandwidth | 160 MHz | 320 MHz |
Spatial Streams | 8×8 | 16×16 |
Modulation | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
As you can see, Wi-Fi 7 enables significantly faster throughput thanks to wider channels, more spatial streams, newer modulation, and extra 6 GHz spectrum.
According to analysts at Dell‘Oro Group, over 70% of Wi-Fi routers shipped in 2025 are expected to be Wi-Fi 7 compatible. That goes to show how impactful this new standard will become!
The official 802.11be standard is still being finalized by the Wi-Fi Alliance as of early 2023 though. Certification isn‘t expected until late 2023, meaning mass market Wi-Fi 7 devices likely won‘t arrive until 2024.
But as we covered already, several eager manufacturers plan to release the very first Wi-Fi 7 routers in 2023. These early offerings will provide a glimpse into the future for bleeding edge adopters.
For most consumers however, 2024 is a more sensible target. By then, any kinks in first-gen hardware and firmware will be worked out. And your new phones, laptops, etc. are more likely to have Wi-Fi 7 compatibility built-in.
No matter which year you decide to take the plunge, Wi-Fi 7 is set to deliver a true generational leap ahead!
Final Thoughts on Upcoming Wi-Fi 7 Routers
Well, that wraps up our peek at some of the most enticing Wi-Fi 7 routers slated to hit shelves soon!
To summarize, Wi-Fi 7 aims to resolve modern network demands with faster multi-gig speeds, expanded capacity, and next-gen features. TP-Link, ASUS, and MSI all have exciting routers planned to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7‘s capabilities.
Here are a few closing takeaways:
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Archer BE24000 – TP-Link‘s high-end all-rounder primed for elite home/office performance.
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ROG Rapture GT-BE98 – ASUS hardcore gaming router optimized for low latency.
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Deco BE33000 – TP-Link mesh goes Wi-Fi 7 for flawless whole home coverage.
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RadiX BE22000 – MSI‘s first Wi-Fi 7 salvo targets gaming speed and flash.
Of course, these few models only scratch the surface of what‘s coming. We‘ll probably see many more manufacturers like Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, and others roll out their Wi-Fi 7 lineups soon.
It‘s an exciting time in wireless networking! For now, I‘d suggest most people stick with Wi-Fi 6 or 6E routers. But early adopters should keep an eye out for reviews on these Wi-Fi 7 pioneers later in 2023 and beyond.
I hope this overview gave you a helpful understanding of the key improvements Wi-Fi 7 will provide. Let me know if you have any other questions!