A Wi-Fi 7 mesh network can help large or busy homes support faster speeds, broader coverage, and smoother performance across many devices
Over the past several decades, technology has changed in numerous ways. People who once saw the internet as something to be skeptical of or even outright resistant to have since become far more technologically capable and articulate. Today, the internet is essential to many facets of modern life, and one of the most important aspects is Wi-Fi.
As households add more phones, laptops, smart TVs, cameras, gaming systems, and work devices, traditional Wi-Fi routers have struggled with coverage gaps and congestion. To this end, modern Wi-Fi problems require a modern solution, and Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems, such as NETGEAR’s Orbi 770 Series Tri-Band WiFi 7 Mesh 3-Pack, may provide a viable answer.
The history of Wi-Fi
In the late ‘90s, as home computers were just beginning to become commonplace, consumers found themselves increasingly in need of a more reliable network to efficiently surf the World Wide Web. Thus, in 1997, the first home router of its kind, the 802.11, was introduced. This router provided Wi-Fi coverage to the entire home, but crucially, it was only really needed for computer usage.
In the years that followed, various companies continued to elaborate on this basic router concept, introducing increasingly high-powered ones to the market. However, in tandem with this, consumers became more reliant on Wi-Fi, utilizing it for more technological tools in their homes and expecting greater coverage. This resulted in an ever-escalating cycle in which both the technical capabilities of Wi-Fi providers and the needs of consumers were constantly growing. However, in the early 2020s, it seemed as though those consumer needs may have finally won out.
Homes now depend on more connected devices
According to a recent report, the average U.S. household had 17 connected devices in Q3 2023, all of which utilized Wi-Fi. Compare this to the early days of Wi-Fi, when it was only needed to support a single device, and the difference between then and now comes into much starker contrast.
A huge contributing factor to this uptick has been the popularity of mobile devices and streaming services, all of which require Wi-Fi connectivity to function. To this end, every phone and television in your home is likely connected to your Wi-Fi at any given time.
Even devices you wouldn’t think of as needing Wi-Fi often operate through Wi-Fi usage now. Common appliances, such as refrigerators or even washing machines, offer highly advanced technological capabilities, many of which rely upon Wi-Fi connectivity in order to function. All of this can add up quickly and put a tremendous amount of strain on traditional Wi-Fi routers.
Wi-Fi 7 is designed for higher-performance home networks
While there have undoubtedly been great strides made in the past several decades, the core concept of a traditional Wi-Fi router has remained largely the same. But considering just how much has changed in how consumers use Wi-Fi today, mesh is posited as a bold new solution that rethinks the problem from the ground up.
These devices are built to support faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections. For example, Wi-Fi 7’s Multi-Link Operation can enable compatible devices to use multiple bands more efficiently, potentially improving throughput and reliability in busy environments.
Mesh networking helps solve coverage problems
Rather than using a single central source as the provider for a whole house’s worth of Wi-Fi service, mesh systems use multiple units to spread coverage throughout the home. This is especially useful for multi-story houses, home offices far from the router, outdoor-adjacent spaces, rooms with thick walls, and households where several people stream, game, or video call at the same time.
Use cases of mesh Wi-Fi
Such coverage can prove highly beneficial in many circumstances, including:
- A remote worker taking video calls while other family members stream in 4K.
- A gamer needs lower latency while smart cameras and speakers remain connected.
- A large home with dead zones in bedrooms, basements, garages, or patios.
- A smart home with cameras, locks, thermostats, TVs, and phones competing for bandwidth.
Why are homes upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 mesh networks?
Because more homes now rely on many connected devices at once, from laptops and phones to smart TVs, security cameras, and gaming consoles.
Does Wi-Fi 7 help with streaming and gaming?
It may help when paired with compatible devices and a strong internet plan, especially in homes where multiple people are online at the same time.
What makes mesh Wi-Fi different from a single router?
Mesh systems use multiple access points to spread coverage across a home, which can reduce weak spots in larger or multi-level spaces.
Who benefits most from a Wi-Fi 7 mesh system?
Large households, remote workers, gamers, smart home users, and people with coverage gaps may benefit most from a modern mesh setup.
Does every device need Wi-Fi 7 to benefit?
No. Older devices can still connect, but Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices are better positioned to use the newest performance features.
