Why an Expensive Wi-Fi 7 Router May Deliver Slower Speeds Than Expected
Users who have switched to the newest Wi-Fi 7 standard often report speeds below what was promised. Common causes include where the router is placed and how many devices are connected.
Users of the Wi-Fi 7 wireless standard are increasingly asking on online forums such as Reddit why speeds fall short of expectations after buying a new and costly router. Technology site Engadget has outlined several of the most common causes worth checking first.
What Wi-Fi 7 promises
The Wi-Fi Alliance launched Wi-Fi 7 in 2024. Compared with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, it can in theory be about four times faster, and some estimates put the top figure around 46 Gbps. The standard also offers lower latency and more capacity for congested networks and high-density environments, which may help in homes where even light bulbs are online.
It is backwards compatible, so older devices keep working, although they will not gain the speed or new features. According to Ookla, a connectivity intelligence firm, Wi-Fi 7 accounted for 7.2% of the market at the start of 2026, up from 1.8% a year earlier.
What can slow the connection
The first factor is router placement. Routers are often hidden in closets or corners, but XDA explains that when a router sits too close to drywall, its signal bounces back toward the antennae and degrades. The fix may be moving it to an open shelf, or at least three feet from the corner, then rerunning a speed test.
The second factor is the number of connected devices. Netgear says most homes have at least 20, including wearables and appliances. If slowdowns occur when everyone is home streaming, load may be the cause. A router needs a fast processor and at least two frequency bands, and the internet service provider must supply enough bandwidth.
Netgear also notes that Wi-Fi 7 introduced multi-link operation (MLO), which lets compatible devices use the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands at once, ideally for faster and more reliable connections.
