Many routers marketed as Wi-Fi 7 lack a core capability of the standard, according to recent analysis. Trademark rules and a federal certification block add further complications for US buyers. The situation leaves consumers paying premiums for products that may not deliver expected performance.
Wi-Fi 7 refers to the IEEE 802.11be standard, which includes 320 MHz channels, 4K-QAM modulation, and Multi-Link Operation. MLO, available in STR or NSTR modes, is required for official Wi-Fi Certified 7 status from the Wi-Fi Alliance.
A February 2026 test of 25 routers by RTINGS.com found that most support only the less capable NSTR mode rather than true simultaneous operation. Some products labeled "Wi-Fi 7" without the hyphen avoid trademark requirements and can omit MLO entirely.
On March 23, 2026, the FCC halted certification of new wireless devices made outside the United States. Brands including NETGEAR and eero later received exemptions after pledging US manufacturing, while TP-Link, ASUS, and Linksys remain restricted to pre-ban models.
Only recent devices such as laptops with Apple's M5 chip support Wi-Fi 7. Older models and most current smartphones still use prior standards, limiting real-world benefits even when faster routers are available.
