Is Wi-Fi 7 worth the upgrade? Here's my advice after using this next-gen router for a week

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Asus RT-BE86U router is presently connected merchantability for $300.
• This supports Wi-Fi 7 delivering fast, wireless connections protected by aggregate information features.
• However, getting the astir retired of the instrumentality requires Wi-Fi extenders which tin beryllium an costly endeavor.

Wi-Fi 7 has been astir since past January, but wide adoption has been limited. The exertion requires devices to person the indispensable hardware to enactment it, and it appears that clip has arrived due to the fact that we're seeing much devices supporting the standard, specified arsenic the Asus RT-B386U. 

Also: I switched my high-end Wi-Fi 7 router to a much affordable enactment - and don't regret it

This is 1 of the company's latest midrange Wi-Fi 7 routers. "Mid-range" is an important word successful that condemnation due to the fact that it doesn't lucifer the speeds seen connected a high-end exemplary but inactive provides top-notch performance.

But earlier I get into immoderate numbers, I privation to reappraisal the router's design. There's a batch going connected here, and it impacts however the RT-B386U operates. Asus' gadget measures 9.25 x 3.5 x 12 inches. Instead of lying down flat, it sits connected a base, allowing it to beryllium placed upright. This makes uncovering a spot for the exemplary easier than if it were connected its side. 

On the front, a bid of LED lights correspond to assorted connections. The LEDs are beauteous bright, but luckily, the institution installed an on/off fastener connected the side.  

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Around the backmost are a bid of I/O ports, including a 10G WAN/LAN input for long-distance connections and respective 2.5G LAN inputs for section networks. Although this isn't a gaming router, it does person a dedicated "Gaming Port," which prioritizes connected devices. It is simply a precise utile enactment to person portion trying to play video games during high-traffic hours. Speaking from experience, this 1 larboard tin prevention online matches. Lag practically disappears since you won't beryllium warring for a unchangeable connection. 

But what astir wireless speeds? What is the Wi-Fi 7 acquisition connected the Asus RT-BE7U like? Simply put, it's amazing. Asus' router is brainsick fast. For testing, I ran the Ookla Speedtest connected my laptop, and it consistently achieved lightning-fast speeds of good implicit 500Mbps. I could watercourse movies, play online games, and download ample files simultaneously without experiencing a important slowdown. Ping velocity was beauteous good, hovering astir 20 to 22 ms, though determination were instances erstwhile it dropped somewhat lower.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

It wasn't each perfect. Asus states the RT-BE86U has a maximum sum country of up to 2,750 sq ft.; however, I had trouble connecting my devices to the router from the acold extremity of my apartment. Asus gave maine a brace of ZenWiFi BT10 extenders to boost the signal, and they were large -- erstwhile they worked. I did, however, person immoderate stableness issues with the nodes during testing.

Also: Slow Wi-Fi astatine home? 3 things I ever cheque archetypal for faster net speed

Another constituent of contention is the router does not person a 6Ghz band. It lone has 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. These channels met my needs respective times over, but if you and your household person a batch of devices, 2 bands whitethorn consciousness limiting.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Setting up the RT-BE86U is incredibly easy, acknowledgment to the Asus Router app. After installing the bundle and plugging successful my modem, I followed respective on-screen instructions to configure the device. The full process took nary much than a fewer minutes. The app plays a large relation successful the router's operation. Not lone does the bundle fto you acceptable up the RT-BE86U, but it besides offers entree to a wide array of features.

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You tin make aggregate sub-networks there. For example, you could person a web for your kids with parental controls, 1 for astute location devices, and 1 for VPNs. Online information is different ample aspect. Just to sanction a few, you person Safe Browsing to support you from malware online, DNS (domain sanction system) encryption to screen your integer footprint, positive an adblocker.

ZDNET's buying advice

Asus' RT-BE86U is presently connected merchantability for $300 connected the company's integer storefront, portion the ZenWiFi BT10 extenders outgo $360. Yes, those are precocious prices, but A) they're a large mode to bring next-gen Wi-Fi to your home, and B) they're much affordable than akin devices. You'll often find different Wi-Fi 7 routers spell for $500 starting. That said, the Asus is recommended, particularly if you're conscionable getting started with Wi-Fi 7.