Assessing the Flint 3 Router: Is the Wi-Fi 7 Powerhouse a Justifiable Purchase?
The Flint 3 router, equipped with Wi-Fi 7 technology, is poised to revolutionise home networks in 2025. Offering significant benefits over many other routers on the market, this device is an ideal choice for tech-savvy users seeking high-speed, multi-device support.
Benefits of the Flint 3 Router with Wi-Fi 7
The Flint 3 router leverages tri-band Wi-Fi 7 technology, splitting signals across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. This results in combined speeds of up to 9300 Mbps (688 Mbps on 2.4GHz, 2882 Mbps on 5GHz, and 5765 Mbps on 6GHz). By dedicating separate pathways for different device types and tasks, this reduces interference and enhances performance [1][3][5].
In addition, the Flint 3 features Multi-Link Operation (MLO). This allows simultaneous connection to multiple bands, increasing connection stability and consistency during heavy use, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and busy households [1][3].
Advanced Wi-Fi 7 protocols, including OFDMA, 4096-QAM, and preamble puncturing, improve data packet transmission efficiency, reduce latency, and enhance reliability compared to Wi-Fi 6E [1][3].
The Flint 3 boasts powerful hardware, with a Qualcomm quad-core CPU at 1.5 GHz, 1GB DDR4 RAM, and 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, offering robust wired and wireless performance suitable for small offices or demanding home networks [3].
Customizability and features are another strength of the Flint 3. Its OpenWrt-based firmware allows installation of 5,000+ plugins, supports VPNs (WireGuard and OpenVPN-DCO) with speeds up to 680 Mbps, provides parental controls, ad-blocking via AdGuard Home, multi-WAN failover, and mesh network support [1][2][3].
The high bandwidth and low latency make the Flint 3 suitable for cutting-edge video calls and streaming 4K/8K content [2][3].
Drawbacks of the Flint 3 Router
Despite its advantages, the Flint 3 has some drawbacks. Its VPN throughput is limited, with speeds of up to 680 Mbps (WireGuard and OpenVPN-DCO), which is lower than the previous Flint 2 model’s 900 Mbps [3].
Additionally, while technically advanced, Wi-Fi 7 routers like the Flint 3 tend to be expensive. Other premium Wi-Fi 7 routers, such as the Netgear Orbi 770, offer features like mesh networking and multi-link operation with potentially higher maximum speeds (~11 Gbps) and broader coverage for larger homes, which may provide better value depending on use case [4].
If most devices are Wi-Fi 6 or older, the advanced Wi-Fi 7 benefits may not materialize fully, making other routers more cost-effective [3].
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Flint 3 Router | Other Wi-Fi Routers (e.g., Netgear Orbi 770) | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Wi-Fi Technology | Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7, often in mesh configurations | | Max Theoretical Speed | Up to 9300 Mbps combined | Up to ~11 Gbps | | Bands | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz | Similar tri-band or mesh bands | | VPN Throughput | Up to 680 Mbps (WireGuard) | Varies; some might offer better VPN speeds | | Customizability | OpenWrt-based with 5,000+ plugins | Typically more closed ecosystem | | Mesh Support | Yes | Yes | | Additional Features | Parental controls, AdGuard, Multi-WAN | Dedicated IoT networks, premium mesh features | | Price | Premium, but competitive | Often higher; premium products with broad features |
In conclusion, the Flint 3 router excels in raw Wi-Fi 7 performance, advanced customization, and tri-band stability, making it ideal for tech-savvy users needing high-speed multi-device support. However, its VPN throughput is limited compared to its predecessor, and the premium price might not suit users whose devices don't fully leverage Wi-Fi 7 or who require broader coverage mesh systems offered by competitors [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] Flint 3 Router User Guide [2] Flint 3 Router Review [3] Flint 3 Router Specifications [4] Netgear Orbi 770 Review [5] Wi-Fi 7 Explained
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