802.11n Wi-Fi 4 Product Guide for IoT & Entry-Level Devices

As of 2025–2026, 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) has transitioned from a mainstream networking standard to a highly specialized legacy and entry-level solution. While its revenue share is declining as consumers migrate to Wi-Fi 6/7, it remains a dominant force in specific high-volume sectors.

📊 Market Trends & Insights (2025–2026)

* Segmented Dominance: Wi-Fi 4 continues to hold a significant portion of the installed base (approx. 42% of wireless routers in 2025) Snsinsider, primarily driven by older devices and cost-sensitive regions like Asia-Pacific and Africa Abiresearch.

* IoT & Smart Home Anchor: It remains the preferred standard for IoT devices (sensors, smart plugs, and appliances) due to its mature ecosystem, low power consumption, and the superior wall-penetration of the 2.4 GHz band Networkthermostat Extremenetworks.

* Cost vs. Value: The chipset cost for Wi-Fi 4 has dropped to historic lows (often under $1 for simple modules), making it the default choice for budget hardware where high throughput is not required Iotforall.

* Negative Growth in Mainstream: New shipments for general-purpose routers are shifting rapidly; Wi-Fi 4's share of new router shipments fell below 20% in 2025 and is projected to drop further as Wi-Fi 7 begins to scale Marketanalysis.

📦 Key Product Categories

The 802.11n market is now centered around high-volume, low-margin products:

* IoT Modules: Affordable modules like the Raspberry Pi Radio Module 2 ($4.10) Alibaba and ESP-32 modules (as low as $0.72) Alibaba provide 2.4GHz connectivity for industrial and home automation.

* Entry-Level Routers: Basic N300 routers for small apartments or developing markets are priced between $5.90 and $7.90 at wholesale Alibaba Alibaba.

* Legacy Adapters: USB Wi-Fi dongles remain a popular bulk commodity, costing as little as $0.70–$1.20 per unit for restoring wireless capability to older PCs Alibaba Alibaba.

The detailed product listings including pricing, MOQs, and supplier information are available in the attached files below.