WiFi 7: The future of wireless networking

Educational
Written By Xander Jake

Ever wondered how the invisible waves of WiFi have become the backbone of our digital lives? Well, buckle up, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through the latest leap in wireless technology - WiFi 7. And hold on, because we're not just stopping there; we've also got an up-close and personal review of the eero 7.

What is WiFi 7?

WiFi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be, is like the cool new kid on the block, making its predecessors look, well, a tad old-school.

WiFi 7 isn't just a slight upgrade; it's a giant leap in wireless technology. Imagine downloading your favorite movies in the blink of an eye or streaming 8K videos without that annoying buffering symbol. That's the kind of speed we're talking about! With a jaw-dropping maximum data rate of 46.1 Gbps, WiFi 7 is about to revolutionize our digital experiences.

But it's not just about speed. WiFi 7 is bringing its A-game to the table with support for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, ensuring more robust and reliable connections. And with its fancy Multi-Link Operation (MLO), your devices can simultaneously connect over multiple channels. Goodbye, weak signals and dropped connections!

In short, WiFi 7 is set to change the game for gamers, streamers, and anyone who just wants their internet fast and reliable. It's like upgrading from a bicycle to a sports car in the world of wireless networking!

WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 7 Comparison

Picture this: you’re watching the evolution of cars, from the humble beginnings of the Ford Model T to the sleek, electric Tesla (Or I should say the Sony Afeela). That's kind of like the journey from WiFi 5 to WiFi 7. Each generation has brought something new and exciting to the table, making our online experience smoother and faster.

Check out this overview table of the differences, just so cool.

WiFi 5 got us to where we needed to go with a maximum speed of 3.5 Gbps. Then came along WiFi 6, pushing speeds up to 9.6 Gbps and introducing us to the wonders of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It was faster, could handle more devices, and was more energy-efficient. Pretty cool, right?

But hold onto your hats. With a mind-blowing speed of 46.1 Gbps (yes, you read that right!), WiFi 7 is almost 13 times faster than WiFi 5 and 4.8 times faster than WiFi 6. And with its support for the 6 GHz band, it's not just fast; it's got the range and reliability to match.

The difference is stark in terms of data density and channel width too. WiFi 7's 320 MHz bandwidth and 4096 QAM technology mean more data can be transferred more efficiently. It's like having wider, multi-lane highways compared to the single-lane roads of WiFi 5.

So, whether you’re a gamer needing the lowest latency or a household with dozens of connected devices, WiFi 7 is ready to meet the challenge. It's not just an upgrade; it's a whole new world of wireless possibilities!

How Does WiFi 7 Change the User Experience?

Speed Like Never Before: The most noticeable change? The speed. With WiFi 7, you're not just online; you're flying through the digital universe. Downloading, streaming, gaming – everything is supercharged. It's like having a personal express lane to the internet.

Reliability and Range: WiFi 7’s tri-band operation means your connection is not just faster, but also more reliable. Whether you're in a cozy corner of your home or out in the backyard, expect a strong, steady signal. Say goodbye to those frustrating 'dead zones.'

Reduced Latency: Gamers, rejoice! With significantly lower latency, every move in your game is almost instantaneous. It's like your console or PC is reading your mind.

Connecting the Smart Home: With more and more smart devices in our homes, WiFi 7 is a game-changer. From smart fridges to security cameras, everything works in harmony, without the bandwidth bottleneck.

Eero 7 Wifi 7 router

Before you ask, no, Amazon didn’t sponsor me, but one can dream. I bought the Eero 7 router myself and I’ve been using it for a good while now, here are some of the findings:

  1. Setup - As Easy as Pie: Have you ever dreaded setting up new tech? Well, fear not with the eero 7. It's a breeze, really. Unbox, plug in, and let the eero app guide you – you'll be up and running in less than 10 minutes. It's so easy, you'll almost wonder if you've missed a step. But no, it's just that simple.

  2. Smart Home Integration - Your Home, Smarter: eero 7 isn't just another router; it's the central nervous system of your smart home, if you use other Alexa devices. It flawlessly connects all your smart devices, ensuring they work together in perfect harmony and even features a built in Thread router. I personally use Home Assistant, but I can appreciate having it in the router for those super minimalistic homes.

  3. Coverage and Speed - Covering All Bases: Say hello to robust, wall-to-wall coverage. Whether you have a cozy apartment or a sprawling house, eero 7 has got you covered – literally. With its mesh technology, you can add more eero devices to eliminate any dead zones, ensuring a strong signal in every corner of your home. And the speed? It's like having a personal autobahn for your internet – fast, efficient, and reliable. Having said that, the further you go, the slower it gets, but it definitely has a way better coverage than any of the WiFi routers I’ve used in the past. I ended up hard-wiring the second mesh node for even lower latencies, but if you’re not an online gamer who swears by wired connection, the latency increase was extremely negligible.

  4. The eero App - Control at Your Fingertips: The eero app is where the magic happens. It's your command center for everything related to your home network. From setting up parental controls to pausing the internet for family dinner, it's all just a tap away. The app also keeps you updated with automatic firmware updates, ensuring your network is always at its best. My biggest gripe with it is that it offers no Web interface, so if you don’t have a phone or a tablet handy, you’re out of luck. In addition, Eero doesn’t offer any of its subscription features in Ireland, so I’m stuck with the basics, which are still very good, but I would have loved to try them.

Pros:

  • Super easy setup.

  • Excellent mesh coverage.

  • High-speed connectivity.

  • Intuitive eero app for easy management.

  • Aesthetically pleasing design.

Cons:

  • Setup requires a mobile device.

  • Eero Plus not available in many countries.

In conclusion, the eero 7 is not just a router; it's a powerhouse of connectivity and ease. It's perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their home network to match the speed and reliability of WiFi 7.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! We've zoomed through the revolutionary world of WiFi 7 and taken a close look at the eero 7, a device that's not just keeping up but setting the pace in this new era of wireless technology.

WiFi 7 is like a glimpse into the future - faster, more reliable, and ready to handle whatever we throw at it, be it high-definition gaming, streaming, or the ever-growing ecosystem of smart home devices. So, whether you’re a tech guru, a gaming aficionado, or just someone who loves a seamless internet experience, the future of wireless networking looks bright and incredibly fast. The era of WiFi 7 is here, and it's exciting!

Xander Jake

It’s me, Jake!

http://xanderjake.com
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Feature WiFi 5 WiFi 6 WiFi 7
Speed Maximum data rate of 3.5 Gbps. Maximum data rate of 9.6 Gbps. Maximum data rate of 46.1 Gbps, almost 13 times faster than WiFi 5 and around 4.8 times faster than WiFi 6.
Bandwidth Operates in bands of 20/40/80/160 MHz. Operates in bands of 20/40/80/160 MHz. Doubles the bandwidth to 320 MHz, increasing WiFi speeds and supporting more devices.
Data Density (QAM) Supports 256-QAM. Supports 1024-QAM. Introduces 4096 (4K) QAM, boosting peak rates and increasing throughput.
Frequency Bands Operates on the 5 GHz band. Supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Supports 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) N/A N/A Allows devices to establish connections on multiple channels simultaneously across different bands, enhancing speed and reliability.
MU-MIMO Technology N/A N/A Features 16×16 MU-MIMO technology, allowing data transfer to 16 devices simultaneously.
Latency N/A N/A Offers 100 times lower latency compared to WiFi 6, resulting in better stability and higher reliability.
Applications Suitable for standard browsing and streaming. Enhanced performance for streaming and gaming. Ideal for streaming 4K and 8K video data without lag or stutter, competitive gaming, and smart home gadgets.