We have already seen WiFi 7 mini PCIe and M.2 modules from Compex for business customers, but I’ve recently noticed AsiaRF AW7991-AE2 M.2 module rated BE5000 offers an affordable alternative design for access points for just $58 plus shipping. But adding WiFi 7 to a consumer device can be cheaper than I expected as Intel BE200 or MediaTek MT7925-based M.2 modules can be purchased for around $20 to $30. Let’s have a look at some of the options available.
AsiaRF AW7991-AE2 dual-band WiFi 7 “access point” M.2 module
AsiaRF AW7991-AE2 specifications:
- SoC – MediaTek MT7991AV (Filogic 660?) with 32bit RISC-V MCU for Wi-Fi protocol and Wi-Fi offload
- Chipset – MT7976C WiFI 6 3×3 MIMO chipset
- System Memory – 8MB
- WLAN
- IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be compliant
- Frequency bands
- 2.4GHz – Bandwidth: 20/40MHz; 2T2R 2ss
- 5GHz – Bandwidth:20/40/80/160MHz; T3R 3ss
- Dual-Band Dual Concurrent (DBDC)
- Supports up to 4096-QAM
- Data rate of up to 688Mbps for 40MHz channel in 2.4GHz mode and 4323Mbps for 160MHz in 5GHz mode
- Integrated power detector to support per packet Tx power control
- Multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) for Tx and Rx
- Multi-user Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (MU-OFDMA) for Tx and Rx
- Support STBC, LDPC, Tx beamformer and Rx beamformee
- Support greenfield mode, mixed mode, and legacy mode
- Host interface – M.2 A-E Key edge connector with PCIe 3.0 x2 interface
- Security – WPA3, WPA2, WPA personal, WPS 2.0
- QoS – WFA WMM and WMM-PS
- Supply Voltage – 3.3V DC
- Power Consumption – Up to 11.5 Watts
- Dimensions – Module: 52x40mm; heatsink: 40x30x25mm
The AW7991-AE2 can be used as an access point running Linux. AsiaRF did not provide additional details, although they do offer a pricey development platform based on MediaTek MT7988A quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 processor and the AW7991-AE2 WiFi 7 module offering a 10Gbps SFP cage, 2.5Gbps and Gigabit Ethernet ports, and an additional M.2 slots for 4G/5G cellular connectivity.
Intel BE200 WiFi 7 module
I already tested the BE200 / BE200NGW WiFi 7 module when I reviewed the GEEKOM GT1 mega, albeit using WiFi 6 5GHz, since I don’t own a WiFi 7 router just yet. However, I never really looked at how much it costs and its features. It’s probably the safest way to add WiFi 7 to a machine with a spare M.2 socket that’s compatible.
Specifications:
- WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 compliant
- Bands – 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz
- Max Speed – 5.8 Gbps (320MHz, 4096QAM)
- Antenna – Two IPEX antenna connectors for 2×2 MIMO
- Host interface – M.2 Key-E with PCIe and USB signals
- Form factors
- M.2 2230 – 30 x 22 x 2.4mm
- M.2 1216 – 16 x 12x 1.7mm (+/-0.1)
- Weight
- 2230 model – 3.07 grams (+/-0.15)
- 1216 model – 0.75 grams (+/-0.04)
- Temperature Range – 0°C to 50°C
Intel provides Windows 11, Windows 10, and Linux drivers and I tested a BE200 module myself with the GEEKOM GT1 Mega mini PC in Windows 11 Pro and Ubuntu 24.04 up to “WiFi 6” speeds. This type of WiFi module is quite cheaper and sells for about $20 on AliExpress, $30 on Amazon, and it should be easy to purchase locally in most countries. What you can’t do is use those to create access points, so they are only for clients. You’ll have to consider whether you need antennas since they are not always included.
Azureware AW-EB600NF WiFi 7 M.2 module (MediaTek MT7925)
The MediaTek MT7925-based AW-EB600NF is an alternative to the Intel BE200 with the following specifications:
- Chipset – MediaTek MT7925 (Filogic 360) WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 network chip
- Tri-band support – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6 GHz
- Data rates
- Up to 574 Mbps at 2.4GHz (80MHz)
- Up to 2400 Mbps at 5GHz (160MHz)
- Up to 2400 Mbps at 6GHz (160Mhz)
- Antenna – Two IPEX antenna connectors for 2×2 MIMO
- Host interfaces – M.2 Key-E with PCIe and USB signals (not compatible with M.2 CNVIO)
- Dimensions – 30 x 22 x 2.3mm
- Weight – 2.6 grams
Software support is clear as mud on AliExpress as we’re being told “Windows 11 (64bit) and Linux” are supported followed by “we don’t have any support for Linux system, you should know it when you want to use the card to word (sic.) for Linux system”. I suppose that means users are on their own if they want to use the module in Linux. It should work since the drivers for MT7295 were submitted to Linux last year. There’s also a datasheet with more technical details.
Price-wise, I could find the AW-EB600NF on AliExpress for as low as $16.29 with free shipping, but that’s a “welcome offer” and the normal price is $23.99 shipped. You’ll find plenty of other MT7925 WIFi 7 M.2 modules on AliExpress for around $20, and AW-EB600NF is also offered for $25 on Amazon. Most people should likely stick to the Intel BE200, although it might be possible to save a few dollars on the MediaTek models.
It’s good that M.2 WiFi 7 modules are now pretty cheap, so I’ll probably have to upgrade my Xiaomi AX6000 router with a WiFi 7 model in 2025, maybe a Xiaomi Mi Router BE7000, or something else… I’ll have to think about it… It would have to be something purchased locally in Thailand because Thai customs have started asking for an NBTC license (similar to an FCC license but with local lab testing) to import routers, and I already lost an OpenWrt One router that way…
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
