Wi-Fi 8 is an attempt to fix the biggest problem with wireless internet

Because perfection currently remains just out of range.

By Will Shanklin Nov. 15, 2026 4:15 pm EST Vladimir Soldatov/Getty Images Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Sometimes, better doesn't mean faster. With Wi-Fi 7 realistically capping out at about 23 Gbps (a number virtually nobody will see in the real world), speed is more than covered in the current generation. At this point, the biggest concern is reliability. Released in 2024, Wi-Fi 7 has been known to suffer from pain points like poor stability, weak wall penetration, and relatively short range.