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Ask HN: When did wireless routers become so expensive?

7 points by hnburnsy 3y ago

Amazon released new WiFi7 routers today with eye watering prices: Eero routers, in packs of one ($599.99), two ($1,149.99), or three ($1,699.99).

LinuxBender 3y ago
When did wireless routers become so expensive? Just anecdotally I think this has been the case every time a new WiFi standard is commercially available. WiFi 6 TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 right now is $80 unless one wants the 2.5Gb ethernet ports and that one is $230. I want to say that one was about $500 not that long ago. When WiFi 8 is commercially available I would expect 7 to be the same as 6 is right now. Just me personally, I avoid anything that new. There are usually serious bug and compatibility issues in my limited experience. Unless one has a special need for 7 I think right now 6 would be a safer move in my opinion. I see several different WiFi 6 brands that range from $50 to $90.
teleforce 3y ago
Because Wi-Fi 7 is a plaid or extremely high throughput (EHT) version of the latest Wi-Fi that can support up to 46 Gbps for a single client using humongous 4096 or 4K QAM modulation [1]. It can also support 16 MIMO or 4 x 4 MIMO with 16 Tx & 16 Rx or a total of 32 antenna. [1]How is Wi-Fi 7 different from Wi-Fi 6/6E: https://www.commscope.com/insights/the-enterprise-source/wi-fi-7-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/ https://www.commscope.com/insights/the-enterprise-source/wi-...
b20000 3y ago
when devs turned into weak frontend wannabes
mattbrewsbytes 3y ago
When I use wifi for streaming, whatever app buffers content so I don't notice any difference with hard wired vs WiFi. I have fiber internet. For demanding devices I have ethernet ports so I hardly pay attention to WiFi versions. My router is a $150 price point thing with 3 antennas from at least 5+ years ago. Given that streaming video and gaming are the two likely most sensitive traffic types on my network and I notice zero issues - I can't fathom paying those amounts for something where I'd probably not notice. Do people regularly upgrade home routers? I typically just buy a new one when the old one dies.
- cpach 3y ago
  Depending on the layout of the home, running network cables can be a major PITA. But it’s not like eero Max 7 is a must have. I would say it’s a nice to have.
cpach 3y ago
Do you really need Wifi 7 though? If not, a two-pack of “Eero 6+” is $154.99. That’s a very good price IMHO. And one needs a quite large home in order to need a three-pack, so I think the two-pack is sufficient for most households.

7 points by hnburnsy 3y ago

Amazon released new WiFi7 routers today with eye watering prices: Eero routers, in packs of one ($599.99), two ($1,149.99), or three ($1,699.99).

LinuxBender 3y ago

When did wireless routers become so expensive? Just anecdotally I think this has been the case every time a new WiFi standard is commercially available. WiFi 6 TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 right now is $80 unless one wants the 2.5Gb ethernet ports and that one is $230. I want to say that one was about $500 not that long ago. When WiFi 8 is commercially available I would expect 7 to be the same as 6 is right now. Just me personally, I avoid anything that new. There are usually serious bug and compatibility issues in my limited experience. Unless one has a special need for 7 I think right now 6 would be a safer move in my opinion. I see several different WiFi 6 brands that range from $50 to $90.

teleforce 3y ago

Because Wi-Fi 7 is a plaid or extremely high throughput (EHT) version of the latest Wi-Fi that can support up to 46 Gbps for a single client using humongous 4096 or 4K QAM modulation [1]. It can also support 16 MIMO or 4 x 4 MIMO with 16 Tx & 16 Rx or a total of 32 antenna. [1]How is Wi-Fi 7 different from Wi-Fi 6/6E: https://www.commscope.com/insights/the-enterprise-source/wi-fi-7-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/ https://www.commscope.com/insights/the-enterprise-source/wi-...

b20000 3y ago

when devs turned into weak frontend wannabes

mattbrewsbytes 3y ago

When I use wifi for streaming, whatever app buffers content so I don't notice any difference with hard wired vs WiFi. I have fiber internet. For demanding devices I have ethernet ports so I hardly pay attention to WiFi versions. My router is a $150 price point thing with 3 antennas from at least 5+ years ago. Given that streaming video and gaming are the two likely most sensitive traffic types on my network and I notice zero issues - I can't fathom paying those amounts for something where I'd probably not notice. Do people regularly upgrade home routers? I typically just buy a new one when the old one dies.

cpach 3y ago
Depending on the layout of the home, running network cables can be a major PITA. But it’s not like eero Max 7 is a must have. I would say it’s a nice to have.

cpach 3y ago

Do you really need Wifi 7 though? If not, a two-pack of “Eero 6+” is $154.99. That’s a very good price IMHO. And one needs a quite large home in order to need a three-pack, so I think the two-pack is sufficient for most households.