Ah, the age-old battle of "which Wi-Fi to choose?" Like picking the perfect song for a road trip, it's all about finding the rhythm that matches your needs. While Wi-Fi 6 is like that trusty classic rocking out on the radio, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are the fresh beats pumping through your headphones, ready to blow your mind.

Think of your home network as a highway. Wi-Fi 6 is a bustling two-lane road, efficient but prone to traffic jams when everyone's streaming, gaming, and zooming at once. Wi-Fi 6E is like adding a whole new, pristine eight-lane freeway – spacious, smooth, and ready to handle the future's data deluge. You get lightning-fast speeds, lower latency (that means less lag, woot!), and more breathing room for all your devices to dance without bumping into each other.

And then there's Wi-Fi 7, the supersonic jet soaring above it all. It's the cutting-edge, future-proof option, designed to handle even the craziest bandwidth demands. Imagine downloading movies in seconds, VR experiences feeling as real as your living room, and smart homes reacting to your every whim with the blink of an eye. Pretty heady stuff, right?

Of course, both options come with their own grooves. Wi-Fi 6E is still rolling out, so finding devices might be a bit like a vinyl hunt, and it doesn't offer the bleeding-edge tech of Wi-Fi 7. On the other hand, Wi-Fi 7 is brand new, so the price tag might make your wallet sing a sad blues.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you're rocking a happy home with moderate needs, Wi-Fi 6 might be your jam. But if you're a tech enthusiast craving the smoothest, fastest connection with room to grow, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 might be the future-proof playlist your network needs. So crank up the volume, do your research, and pick the Wi-Fi that keeps your digital life dancing!

All that sounds good, but can I be sure that WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 are backwards compatible?

Absolutely! Both Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are backwards compatible, which means they can play nicely with your existing devices that might still be rocking older Wi-Fi standards like 5 and 6. Think of it like this:

Imagine your home network as a big party. Everyone, regardless of their age or dance style, is welcome to join the fun.
Wi-Fi 6E and 7 are like the coolest DJs on the block. They spin the latest tunes (faster speeds, lower latency) while still keeping the classics going (compatibility with older devices).
Your older devices, like those on Wi-Fi 5 and 6, might not be able to bust out the fanciest moves (take full advantage of the new features). But they can still groove to the beat and have a good time.

Here's a breakdown of the compatibility situation:

Wi-Fi 6E: Works seamlessly with Wi-Fi 6 and older devices. It uses the same 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands as older standards, but adds the brand new 6 GHz band for extra speed and less congestion.
Wi-Fi 7: Plays nice with Wi-Fi 6E and 6 devices on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. However, its newest features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) that utilizes both 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands simultaneously, won't be accessible to older devices.

So, to answer your question, you can definitely upgrade your router to Wi-Fi 6E or 7 without worrying about leaving your older devices behind. They might not experience the full potential of the new standards, but they'll still be able to connect and enjoy a more stable and efficient network overall.

Remember, just like at a party, the more people who join the fun on the new Wi-Fi standards, the better the experience will be for everyone! As more and more devices start supporting Wi-Fi 6E and 7, the entire network will benefit from the increased speed and capacity.

So, go forth and upgrade your Wi-Fi! Your devices (and your party guests) will thank you for it.

Hang on! So WiFi 7 is absolutely new to the market and there's nothing to worry about in terms of compatibility, let alone prices?

Glad you wanted to make it doubly sure!

While Wi-Fi 7 boasts impressive backward compatibility, there are a few potential compatibility issues you might encounter:

Limited device availability: Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early stages, and devices supporting it are just starting to trickle out. This means you might have limited options for routers, laptops, phones, and other gadgets that work with the new standard.

Feature limitations with older devices: Even existing Wi-Fi 6E devices won't be able to access all of Wi-Fi 7's bells and whistles. For example, some of the most exciting features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which utilizes both 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands simultaneously for increased speed, won't be usable by older devices. They'll still connect on the familiar bands but miss out on the full Wi-Fi 7 experience.

Security protocol limitations: Although both Wi-Fi 6E and 7 offer the latest WPA3 security, some older devices might only support WPA2. While still secure, it's not as robust as WPA3, potentially leaving your network more vulnerable.

Driver and firmware updates: New technologies often require updated drivers and firmware for optimal performance. Ensure your compatible devices have the latest updates installed to avoid any hiccups when connecting to a Wi-Fi 7 network.

Early adopter challenges: As with any new technology, there might be unforeseen compatibility issues or bugs that emerge in the early days. These will likely be ironed out over time through firmware updates and software patches, but expect to be a bit more tech-savvy if you're an early adopter.

Cost: Currently, Wi-Fi 7 devices are relatively expensive due to their newness and limited availability. This might not be a deal-breaker for tech enthusiasts, but for casual users, the price premium might not justify the upgrade right now.

Future-proofing vs. present needs: Depending on your usage habits and current devices, the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 might not be immediately noticeable. If you're not experiencing major network congestion or latency issues with your current Wi-Fi 6 setup, waiting for wider device availability and potentially lower prices might be a wiser move.

Overall, while Wi-Fi 7 offers exciting potential, it's crucial to be aware of its current limitations and compatibility challenges. Weighing these factors against your specific needs and budget will help you make an informed decision about whether to upgrade now or wait for the technology to mature.

Remember, there's no rush to jump on the bleeding edge unless you're a tech enthusiast or have specific needs that Wi-Fi 7 uniquely addresses. For most users, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are still excellent options at present.

Recommendations as I would see fit in 2024 starts with WiFi 6E, and only an honorary mention for WiFi 7 if one feels the absolute need for it

First, WiFi 6E

Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router

TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75)

TP-Link Deco AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System(Deco XE75)

Google Nest WiFi Pro - Wi-Fi 6E

Second, WiFi 7

Amazon eero Max 7 tri-band mesh wifi router

TP-Link Deco BE33000 Quad-Band WiFi 7 Mesh System (Deco BE95)

NETGEAR Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router (RS700S)

As always, I would recommend visiting the complete online store of the best brands in networking devices. You might find something quite different from these recommendations that will suit your needs and bring you all the Internet thrills starting in 2024!