Slow Your Roll. Wi-Fi 7 Is Fast, but Only These Devices Work With It

Upgrading your Wi-Fi router probably isn't at the top of your to-do list, but Wi-Fi 7 may change your mind, especially if you struggle to keep a stable internet connection. A CNET survey found that 86% of US adults have experienced Wi-Fi disconnections or signal drops. Those problems are most common when streaming shows and movies (46%) and when using multiple devices (39%). CNET broadband expert Joe Supan says one way you may be able to solve that problem is by upgrading your router.

Wi-Fi 7 is the latest Wi-Fi generation, offering faster speeds and a more reliable, stable connection than earlier generations, such as Wi-Fi 6E. It seems like a promising router upgrade, especially if your Wi-Fi is spotty. But there's a catch. You'll need Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices for all the newest features and the potential speed boost. Yet even some of the latest gadgets aren't Wi-Fi 7-friendly. Here's a checklist to help you buy a new router or mesh system.

This story is part of Crossing the Broadband Divide, CNET's coverage of how the country is working toward making broadband access universal.

Why do you need devices that support Wi-Fi 7?

You'll need Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices to fully take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 speeds. Wi-Fi 7 devices will let you use features like Multi-Link Operation, which keeps a consistent connection across multiple devices and bands. and 4096-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (4K QAM) modulation for better data transmission. Your Wi-Fi connection will still work without a Wi-Fi 7-enabled device, but you'll miss out on some of these feature upgrades.

CNET Lab Exclusive: Is upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 actually worth the higher price?

If you have Wi-Fi 7 devices, it may be worth upgrading your router. Check out CNET's latest lab exclusive and router recommendations.

What devices currently support Wi-Fi 7?

Here's a list of phones, tablets and computers to check before you buy a Wi-Fi 7 router. If you don't see your device listed below, check its technical specifications online through the manufacturer's website. Check for "Wi-Fi 7" or "802.11be" in the "Wireless," "Connectivity" or related section of the specs. Your internet provider may also have a list of supporting devices along with Wi-Fi 7 router recommendations. We'll continue to add to this list so it's easy for you to check.

Smartphones

Laptops and computers

Tablets

Read this before buying a Wi-Fi 7 router

Since Wi-Fi 7 is the latest generation, it may seem like the obvious choice, nut not so fast. You need to choose the right router and make sure your devices can connect. Supan recently tested over 30 routers in a 15,000-square-foot testing facility and found that Wi-Fi 7 was faster than other Wi-Fi generations at every distance. However, his testing shows the best Wi-Fi 7 router is a tri-band model. It's significantly faster than dual-band models. Even though tri-band routers are more expensive, their prices have come down since Wi-Fi 7 was released in 2024. CNET recommends the TP-Link Archer BE550 as the best router. It's a tri-band router that's easy to set up. It costs $200 and can be paired with other TP-Link routers to build a mesh system.