08/24/2026
Question from a client:
I have older WiFi 5 wireless access points and thinking about getting newer WiFi 7 access points. I have 6 total throughout my home should I replace a few of them or should I replace them all?
Answer: It is best to replace all 6 if your budget allows. Things to keep in mind.
Backward Compatibility: Wi-Fi 7 access points work fine with older Wi-Fi 5 devices.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Wi-Fi 7 access points need faster 2.5GbE or 10GbE switch ports and higher Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) budgets to reach top speeds, which may force a wider network upgrade.
Range Constraints: The new 6 GHz band used by Wi-Fi 7 has a shorter range and weaker wall pe*******on than 5 GHz, meaning proper placement matters more than total replacement.
Device Support: Most older phones, laptops, and smart home gadgets cannot use Wi-Fi 7 features, so they will not see major speed gains from a blanket upgrade.
Again if budget allows we recommend to replace all the access points at the same time.