Wi-Fi 7 has only just gone mainstream, and the industry is already talking about Wi-Fi 8. If you’re thinking about a new router, should you hold off? The short answer is no. Here’s why.
What is Wi-Fi 8?
Wi-Fi 8 is the next generation of Wi-Fi, known technically as IEEE 802.11bn. Its official goal has a name that tells you everything: Ultra High Reliability.
Every previous generation chased higher top speeds. Wi-Fi 8 is different. Its top speed is similar to Wi-Fi 7. The focus is on making Wi-Fi dependable.
What will it improve?
- Steadier speeds at the edge of range. Fewer slowdowns in the far bedroom or the garden.
- Smoother roaming. Moving between mesh points or access points without the connection stuttering, which matters for video calls as you walk around the house.
- Less interference. Routers will coordinate better with each other, which helps in flats and terraces surrounded by neighbours’ Wi-Fi.
- Lower lag. More consistent response times for gaming, video calls and smart home devices.
- Better with lots of devices connected at once.
In short, it targets the problems people actually complain about: dropouts, dead spots and buffering.
When will it arrive?
- Chip and router makers have already demonstrated Wi-Fi 8, and early routers based on draft versions are starting to appear.
- The Wi-Fi Alliance is expected to begin certifying products around the end of 2027 or early 2028.
- The final standard isn’t due to be approved until 2028.
- Phones, laptops and TVs with Wi-Fi 8 will follow. It will be a few years before most of your devices support it.
Should you wait?
No. For three reasons:
- Your devices need it too. A Wi-Fi 8 router only helps devices that also have Wi-Fi 8. Those will take years to become common.
- First-generation kit is expensive and often needs firmware updates as the standard is finalised.
- Wi-Fi 7 is excellent and affordable now. A good Wi-Fi 7 router will serve most homes well into the 2030s.
If your current router is five or more years old, or struggles with your full-fibre connection, upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 now.
Fix reliability problems today
You don’t need Wi-Fi 8 to cure most dropouts:
- Add a mesh system if you have dead spots.
- Move the router somewhere high and central, out of cupboards.
- Use Ethernet cables for the TV, games console and desktop PC.
- Update your router’s firmware.
- Restart the router now and then.
- Split busy devices across the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands if your router allows.
💡 Tip: when a new Wi-Fi generation launches, the previous one drops in price. The arrival of Wi-Fi 8 will make Wi-Fi 7 routers even better value.
Wrapping up
Wi-Fi 8 will make wireless connections more reliable, and that’s welcome. But it’s a 2028 story. If your Wi-Fi is letting you down today, mesh, router placement and Wi-Fi 7 will fix it now.
Next in the series: Is Your Microsoft Office Still Safe? Older Versions Are Out of Support
Sources: Wikipedia: Wi-Fi 8 · Wi-Fi NOW: Wi-Fi 8 standard timeline · TP-Link: Wi-Fi 8 white paper · IoT Portal: What is Wi-Fi 8?
