For mainstream gamers, the choice between WiFi 7 and WiFi 6 is clear

Networking enthusiasts in the gaming scene have embraced WiFi 7 from the very start. Its advantages are just too hard to ignore. The biggest one, of course, is its raw speed boost, but there’s plenty to like with its handling of multiple bands and support for wider channels. But how about mainstream gamers? Now that there’s a WiFi 7 router available for every budget, gamers in need of a networking upgrade are weighing whether they should stick with WiFi 6/6E or take the leap into WiFi 7.

If you’re on the hunt for a new router, you may have found a tempting deal on a WiFi 6 option. But hold on just a moment. The advantages of an ROG WiFi 7 router go so far beyond the underpinning technologies of the wireless standard that they'll give you much more long-term value. And you don’t even need a top-of-the-stack router to get that value. A mainstream choice like our just-announced ROG Strix GS-BE7200 will get you there.

Access next-level wireless speeds

Let’s start with speed, since that’s a headlining feature for the newer standard. WiFi 7 routers can achieve astonishing bandwidth, especially when you're talking about a quad-band router that unleashes not one but two 6GHz bands on your network. But even dual-band WiFi 7 routers have tricks up their sleeves that give them the edge over last-gen models. Through 4K-QAM, WiFi 7 packs more data into the same amount of spectrum, allowing for high-density data transmission. That’s a 20% data rate increase right off the bat.

This means that WiFi 7 routers typically enjoy a speed boost over comparable WiFi 6 models, and that’s before you factor in any other considerations. The ROG Strix GS-BE7200, for example, offers 7200 Mbps of aggregate bandwidth across the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. That’ll be a game-changer if you have multiple high-bandwidth activities running at the same time, or if a housemate starts downloading a new game while you’re in the middle of an online match. WiFi 6/6E routers can offer comparable bandwidth, but you’ll have to look in the higher-end segment, as speeds of 6000 Mbps or less are much more common. WiFi 7 routers are also capable of doing more with the bands that they have access to through Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a tech that allows them to connect to multiple bands simultaneously for elevated stability or bandwidth.

With previous generations of wireless technology, many gamers felt like they had to rely on wired connections, no matter how inconvenient or expensive it was to run Ethernet cables in their home. That paradigm is changing with WiFi 7. Advances in wireless technology are giving more gamers than ever wire-like reliability and performance over wireless connections, freeing them to game without limits.

Wired network options ready for today’s internet connections

Back when WiFi 6 routers became broadly available, most folks didn’t have access to gigabit internet plans, so they were quite content with gigabit Ethernet ports. Higher-bandwidth port options were available for users with higher-end use cases, like connecting a network-attached storage device, but they weren’t the norm.

Fast forward to today, and things are quite different. 2.5G Ethernet ports have become increasingly common, especially in the desktop PC space. Many folks are connecting multiple routers to create a single whole-home mesh network, an arrangement that’s a great use case for high-bandwidth wired connections. And it’s not just about the traffic inside of your network, but your connection to the outside world, too.  In many regions, gigabit internet plans have become standard, and multi-gig plans are rolling out, as well. Most users will get longer-term value out of a router with Ethernet port options that break the gigabit barrier.

If you’re looking at routers from the WiFi 6/6E era, you’ll need to look at more premium offerings to get such ports. The ROG Strix GS-BE7200 gets you rolling with four 2.5G LAN ports and a 2.5G WAN port. Two of those ports are dedicated gaming ports that will prioritize the traffic of any devices you plug in, no setup necessary. Need even more Ethernet ports? Grab the ROG Strix GS-BE18000, which offers eight 2.5G ports, one WAN and seven LAN. Either way, you’ll get the flexibility and options you need for the backbone of your network.

A svelte design that you won’t want to hide in the closet

You’ll get the best performance from your wireless router if it’s out in your primary living spaces, unobstructed by any nearby walls, ductwork, or washing machines. But too many routers just aren’t made for public view. Take a broader perspective of ASUS WiFi routers, and you’ll find an aesthetic for any décor, ensuring that you have access to a router that you won’t want to immediately hide on top of the hot water heater.

Favor a minimalist design that does less with more for a timeless, elegant look? Check out the pristine white surfaces of a ZenWiFi mesh WiFi system. Prefer to announce your gaming allegiance loud and proud? Go with an ROG Rapture model. Looking for a ruggedized, no-nonsense style that’ll feel right at home above the workbench in your garage? TUF Gaming routers await.

The ROG Strix GS-BE7200 fills a unique niche in this lineup through a sleek and compact design that not only coordinates with your gaming gear, but maintains a small footprint. Its all-white finish and clean lines give it a minimalist look that fits seamlessly into any modern battle station, while the signature semi-transparent top panel reveals layered ROG patterns and subtle details, creating a dynamic, futuristic vibe from every angle. And since it does its work without the bulk of external antennas, it’ll fit easily on most desks, shelves, or entertainment centers.

Effortless security, versatile management tools

As time has marched onward, it’s not just the performance of networking hardware that’s taken a leap forward. When you opt for a WiFi 7 over WiFi 6, you’re almost always getting a more advanced security and management feature set that’s better equipped to handle your house’s devices.

Grab a standard WiFi 6 router, and you’ll have a basic level of security. ASUS WiFi 7 routers take the triple-level network security powered by AiProtection and run with it. You'll get multi-layered threat intelligence that protects all connected devices — PCs, smartphones, smart home accessories — against malware, intrusion attempts, and malicious websites. For an added layer of anonymity and online safety, top-tier VPN providers such as NordVPN or Surfshark come pre-installed, enabling users to secure their entire home network or individual devices via intuitive interfaces.

Smart homes thrive on reliable and secure device connections. Smart Home Master, available with ASUS WiFi 7 routers, allows users to easily establish separate WiFi networks (SSIDs) for specific types of devices, such as IoT sensors, cameras, or appliances. This approach isolates less secure devices for better network safety and streamlines managing access for a growing array of connected tech. It also includes user-friendly wizards for configuring VPNs, device groups, and parental controls, meaning setup and ongoing management are accessible even for folks without a networking degree.

Homes and offices are getting larger and more complex, but dead zones and weak coverage are problems of the past with WiFi 7-enhanced ASUS AiMesh technology. This makes it easy to combine routers like the ROG Strix GS-BE7200 with other compatible ASUS routers to build a feature-rich, seamless, and secure mesh network. Users can roam effortlessly from room to room, maintaining optimal performance for 4K streaming, voice calls, or smart home routines.

The advanced features of WiFi 7 routers, both hardware and software, call for boosted performance under the hood. Across the ASUS WiFi 7 lineup, you’ll see beefed-up CPUs, RAM, and storage so that your router is ready for action.

WiFi 7 routers offer more long-term value for gamers

The ASUS WiFi 7 router lineup redefines high-performance home networking for gamers, streamers, and advanced digital homes. By harnessing the latest WiFi 7 technology with forward-looking hardware and exclusive software intelligence, these routers deliver not just raw bandwidth, but also an ecosystem of features that make it easy and convenient to keep a diverse array of devices connected securely.

Best yet, you’re spoiled for options when it comes to picking a WiFi 7 gaming router in 2025. High-end options with cutting-edge features built for networking enthusiasts are out there, but mainstream options designed for gamers everywhere are, too. The balanced feature set and effortless style of the ROG Strix GS-BE7200 makes it a compelling pick. It’ll be available for sale soon. For more information on pricing and availability, contact your local ROG representative.

The ROG Strix GS-BE7200 is just one of the many new products we’re announcing for Gamescom 2025. Check out the full lineup to see all the ways we’re preparing your ROG battlestation for the future. Also connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Discord, YouTube, and Twitch to keep up with all our latest announcements.