Wifi7 remains effective even without client device support.
Wifi7 remains effective even without client device support.
He could see better coverage by switching to a newer router, but only if it supports Wi-Fi 7. Since none of his devices can use that standard, upgrading would likely be limited to Wi-Fi 6. Adding new wiring might be the best choice given the old setup and lack of access.
Some part of the WiFi standard shares information about the speeds each device can handle. Therefore, achieving WiFi 6 capability would require upgrading the router to WiFi 7. The simplest option is selecting a channel that isn’t being used by nearby users. Another approach is to discuss with neighbors to minimize their wireless range.
The lowest common standard here is Wi-Fi 6. This means your friend won’t gain any advantage from features only available in Wi-Fi 7, but could benefit slightly by moving from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6. Generally, newer standards don’t improve coverage or reduce blind spots; they mainly boost speeds over short distances or enhance protocols for busy networks. If there’s channel overlap with nearby users and he can switch to the 6 GHz band (which they don’t), that might help. However, 6 GHz offers a shorter range and doesn’t penetrate walls as effectively as 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz.