Wi-Fi 7 devices: How to check if your devices will be compatible

Understanding Wi-Fi 7 device standards is an important step in staying current with technology. This guide includes the main points that network engineers and business owners need to know about what hardware changes are required to leverage Wi-Fi 7's advancements in speed, bandwidth, and latency.

What you’ll discover:

• The standards for Wi-Fi 7 devices
• How to determine whether or not your current devices will support Wi-Fi 7
• A brief discussion on Wi-Fi 7 routers
• How to future-proof your network for upcoming technologies
• What Wi-Fi 7 will require of your network
• Early adoption challenges of Wi-Fi 7
• How Meter can simplify the transition process

Wi-Fi 7 device standards

Compatible hardware is essential to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7’s faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and lower latency. 

Built on the IEEE 802.11be protocol, Wi-Fi 7 introduces advanced features like 320 MHz channels, 4096 QAM modulation, and multi-link operation (MLO) to boost performance, especially in busy, device-dense environments.

These improvements, however, require support from both your router and connected devices. If your router is Wi-Fi 7-ready but your devices aren’t, you won’t fully experience the benefits. Similarly, older routers won’t support Wi-Fi 7’s key features, such as MLO, which lets devices connect across multiple bands simultaneously for a smoother experience.

It’s also worth noting that while these upgrades sound impressive, real-world performance gains depend on your network environment and the number of Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices in use.

How can you tell if your current devices support Wi-Fi 7?

There are a few key steps to determine whether your current devices support Wi-Fi 7, but it's not as straightforward as just checking a box on a feature list. Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) is still a relatively new technology, and not many devices support it natively.

Look at the device specs

Check your device’s technical documentation or search online for the model number to see if it mentions "Wi-Fi 7" or "802.11be." But even here, you may hit a wall.

As of early 2024, Wi-Fi 7 was officially launched, and many manufacturers are now marketing devices as "Wi-Fi 7-ready." While not yet fully standardized, newer devices released from late 2023 onward are more likely to support the Wi-Fi 7 protocol. 

However, double-check specs to confirm compatibility—some products may carry the label but may not be fully optimized for Wi-Fi 7’s features just yet.

Use network tools

Software tools like Wi-Fi analyzers or network scanners can identify what Wi-Fi version your device is using. If your device is connected to a Wi-Fi 6 or earlier router, you won’t see any Wi-Fi 7 activity.

These tools help you see whether your device is compatible with higher frequencies like the 6 GHz band, which Wi-Fi 7 leverages. 

That said, even if your device uses the 6 GHz band, it may not mean it supports Wi-Fi 7 outright—it could just be operating on Wi-Fi 6.

Consider the device’s release date

If your device came out before 2023, it almost certainly doesn’t support Wi-Fi 7. Even some newer devices might not, as many manufacturers are waiting for Wi-Fi 7 to become fully standardized before jumping on board.

The first batch of Wi-Fi 7 devices, primarily from brands incorporating chipsets from companies like MediaTek and Qualcomm, may emerge before flagship devices from brands like Samsung and Apple.

While these steps can help you determine if your device is ready for Wi-Fi 7, there’s still a significant amount of ambiguity right now. Manufacturers are slow to label devices as "Wi-Fi 7 compatible," and even if your device technically supports it, there’s still the issue of needing a compatible router and infrastructure to actually make use of those capabilities.

Right now, most users—even those with high-performance needs—are likely to get by just fine with Wi-Fi 6 for the foreseeable future. Wi-Fi 7 will certainly be a powerful tool, but it's still early days, and widespread adoption will take time.

Understanding Wi-Fi 7 routers

To fully benefit from Wi-Fi 7, both your router and the devices using the network must support the standard. Wi-Fi 7 routers are built to handle higher data rates and leverage multi-link operations (MLO), which allow devices to connect across multiple bands simultaneously for better performance.

However, it's essential to ensure Wi-Fi 7 router compatibility with your devices to make the most of these features. If your devices don’t have Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, you won’t see the full benefits of these advancements.

Most current devices—like laptops or smartphones—still operate on Wi-Fi 5 or 6, meaning even with a Wi-Fi 7 router, those older devices will be limited to their own maximum performance. The router adjusts to these older standards, so you get the best performance possible for each device, but it’s a far cry from what Wi-Fi 7 can deliver.

When evaluating whether to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, it’s worth considering how many devices in your network will actually take advantage of it. Without Wi-Fi 7-ready devices, upgrading your router might not give you noticeable benefits.

Do you need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 right now?

There’s no immediate need to rush into Wi-Fi 7. While it brings impressive new features like faster speeds and better handling of dense environments, Wi-Fi 6 is still more than capable of managing current network loads effectively.

The improvements with Wi-Fi 7—such as wider channels and 4096 QAM—are indeed notable, but unless your network is struggling to meet bandwidth demands or has a unique need for those new capabilities, you likely won’t see a dramatic benefit right away.

Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early stages, and adoption will be slow. The devices that fully support it are just starting to emerge, and many networks are still catching up with Wi-Fi 6 deployments. Most businesses won’t experience the need for Wi-Fi 7’s features for some time, especially considering that many enterprise environments are far from saturating their current Wi-Fi 6 setups.

However, if you're in the process of reworking your infrastructure or expect heavy network demands in the near future, it could make sense to consider a Wi-Fi 7-ready router. This allows for gradual integration of new devices as they come onto the market.

Meter, for instance, will introduce Wi-Fi 7 access points in Spring 2025 as part of our NaaS offering, which will automatically upgrade customers' networks without additional effort on your part.

Future-proofing your network with Wi-Fi 7 devices

Investing in Wi-Fi 7 is certainly a strategic move if you're looking to future-proof your network, especially as demands for connectivity continue to grow. The promise of multi-gigabit connections, better traffic handling, and improved performance in dense environments is appealing. However, it’s worth questioning whether the upgrade is truly necessary right now.

Most current networks running on Wi-Fi 6 are already more than capable of meeting today’s demands. They're handling everything from high-speed Internet and streaming to multiple device connections with ease.

The leap to Wi-Fi 7 will undoubtedly bring advancements, but unless you’re facing real bottlenecks or planning rapid expansion, the practical benefits might not justify the immediate cost.

It's also important to consider that Wi-Fi 7 adoption is still in its early stages. Few devices support it today, and for most businesses, upgrading would involve replacing a significant amount of hardware.

That's not just an investment in a new router, but a broader overhaul of the devices that connect to it—smartphones, laptops, IoT systems. Those costs add up quickly, and without immediate returns, the upgrade can feel more like an expensive gamble than a calculated improvement.

Before jumping in, take a hard look at how your current network performs. Does it handle your present and near-future needs? Wi-Fi 7 might be the right choice eventually, but for now, upgrading based on marketing promises rather than tangible benefits could leave you with a lot of new hardware—and not much to show for it in terms of immediate improvements.

Network requirements for Wi-Fi 7

Upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7-compatible router has its perks, but it’s worth taking a step back and evaluating the broader picture. Sure, a Wi-Fi 7 router can support newer devices and maintain backward compatibility with Wi-Fi 6, but without the right client devices, those performance gains are mostly theoretical.

If your devices don’t support Wi-Fi 7’s enhanced features—like wider channels or improved modulation—you’re essentially upgrading part of the equation while the rest lags behind. It's future-proofing to some extent, but the gap between your router’s capabilities and your device's limitations might leave you underwhelmed in the short term.

Wi-Fi 7 is built for blazing speeds, but if your Internet service plan can’t deliver high enough bandwidth, then you're not going to see much of a difference. A Wi-Fi 7 router might support speeds in the multi-gigabit range, but if your ISP is providing a fraction of that, it's like driving a race car on a city street—potential that you just can't tap into yet.

Even after the router upgrade, optimizing network settings will be necessary to truly benefit. With Wi-Fi 7’s advanced capabilities, configuring settings like channel widths, frequency bands, and access point selection becomes more involved.

This isn’t something you can just set up and walk away from; ongoing adjustments will be necessary, particularly in dense environments where interference from other networks or devices could impact performance.

While a Wi-Fi 7 router upgrade might be a step toward future-proofing your network, it's not a standalone solution. Without compatible devices and proper network tuning, along with an ISP plan that supports higher speeds, the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 could remain just out of reach for now.

Challenges with Wi-Fi 7 adoption

Wi-Fi 7 introduces impressive advancements, but adopting it comes with several challenges that businesses need to consider.

Device compatibility

A primary issue is device compatibility. Many older devices, particularly those relying on Wi-Fi 5 or earlier, won't support Wi-Fi 7's features. For companies with large device fleets, upgrading each piece of hardware becomes a costly and time-consuming endeavor.

Upgrade costs

Then there’s the expense. The cost of Wi-Fi 7-ready routers, access points, and compatible client devices can be significant, particularly for large organizations. If your current infrastructure is running Wi-Fi 6 and still meets operational needs, moving to Wi-Fi 7 might feel like an unnecessary investment at this stage.

Large network complexity

For businesses managing larger, more complex networks, such as corporate campuses or educational institutions, the transition to Wi-Fi 7 adds another layer of complexity. Phased upgrades are often necessary to avoid network disruptions, meaning your environment will likely need to support multiple Wi-Fi standards at the same time.

Jumping to Wi-Fi 7 is not a decision to be made lightly. While it offers impressive advancements, businesses must carefully assess whether the benefits justify the cost and complexity at this stage. For many, waiting for more widespread adoption and stability may be the smarter route.

How Meter’s NaaS simplifies the process

Meter’s Network as a Service (NaaS) is a practical way for businesses to stay ahead of emerging technologies, including Wi-Fi 7 devices, once they become available. With Meter, all aspects of the network lifecycle—installation, maintenance, and upgrades—are fully managed, freeing up IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives. 

While Meter currently offers Wi-Fi 6 devices, we plan to introduce Wi-Fi 7 access points in Spring 2025. These devices will be automatically integrated into your network through Meter’s NaaS, allowing businesses to upgrade without managing the complexities of hardware replacements.

Here’s how Meter’s NaaS supports future Wi-Fi 7 adoption:

• Automatic hardware upgrades: Once Wi-Fi 7 access points are available, Meter will automatically upgrade your network, removing the need for manual installations or costly overhauls.
• Comprehensive hardware management: Meter handles every step of the network hardware lifecycle—from installation to ongoing maintenance—so businesses can focus on core operations rather than network upkeep.
• Scalability for future growth: Whether your organization expands in terms of devices, locations, or bandwidth needs, Meter’s scalable infrastructure adapts easily to growing demands.
• Security by design: Meter’s network infrastructure incorporates regular firmware updates and advanced security appliances, helping to protect against evolving threats without added effort from your IT team.
• User-controlled monitoring: Businesses can monitor their network performance through the Meter patented Dashboard, allowing for easy oversight of all connected devices and quick identification of potential issues.

Allow Meter to make the transition as smooth as possible. Sign up for our trial program to test out our equipment and software before committing to a full deployment.