HowToFixWiFiSimple fixes  •  Better connection
Wifi Guide

What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi? WiGig Options Listed

Introduction If you have ever wondered What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi?, you are not alone. The 60GHz band — marketed under the name WiGig — promises multi-gigabit wireless speeds that can rival a wired connection, but the ecosystem of supported hardware is sm

HowToFixWiFi

Introduction

If you have ever wondered What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi?, you are not alone. The 60GHz band — marketed under the name WiGig — promises multi-gigabit wireless speeds that can rival a wired connection, but the ecosystem of supported hardware is smaller and more specialized than the familiar 2.4GHz and 5GHz world. This guide breaks down exactly which laptops, routers, docks, phones, and VR headsets can use 60GHz Wi-Fi, lists the most notable WiGig options, and shows you how to verify and set up support on your own gear.

Table of Contents

What Is 60GHz WiFi (WiGig)?

60GHz Wi-Fi, commonly called WiGig, is a wireless networking technology that operates in the unlicensed 60GHz millimeter-wave band. While conventional Wi-Fi uses 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, WiGig taps into a much higher frequency range that offers enormous bandwidth — often enough for multi-gigabit throughput and even uncompressed 4K video streaming. The trade-off is range and penetration: 60GHz signals are easily blocked by walls, furniture, and even human bodies, so WiGig is best suited to short-range, line-of-sight use cases such as wireless docking, VR headsets, and in-room media streaming.

Because of these characteristics, WiGig is not a drop-in replacement for your whole-home Wi-Fi. Instead, it complements it. You might use 5GHz Wi-Fi for browsing and downloads across the house, then switch to a 60GHz link for a lag-free wireless dock or a cable-free VR session in the same room.

The 802.11ad and 802.11ay Standards

WiGig is defined by two main IEEE standards. Understanding them helps clarify which devices you can buy and what performance to expect.

802.11ad

802.11ad was the first WiGig standard, ratified in 2012. It supports theoretical speeds up to 7 Gbps using a single 2.16GHz-wide channel in the 60GHz band. Real-world throughput typically lands between 1 and 4 Gbps depending on conditions. Most first-generation WiGig hardware — including early wireless docks and routers — is based on 802.11ad.

802.11ay

802.11ay is the successor, ratified later and designed to push speeds far higher — up to roughly 20-40 Gbps in ideal conditions — by bonding multiple 2.16GHz channels and using improved MIMO techniques. It is backward compatible with 802.11ad in principle, though real-world interoperability depends on the specific chipset. 802.11ay is the foundation for newer VR and high-bandwidth wireless applications.

How 60GHz WiFi Differs From 2.4/5GHz

Before listing devices, it helps to understand the practical differences. 60GHz Wi-Fi offers dramatically higher peak throughput and lower latency than 5GHz, but its signal does not travel far and cannot penetrate obstacles. A 5GHz router can blanket an apartment; a 60GHz link is essentially room-bound. This is why WiGig shines in fixed, short-range scenarios and is rarely used for general internet access.

  • Speed: 60GHz can deliver multi-gigabit speeds; 5GHz typically tops out around 1-2 Gbps in real use.
  • Range: 60GHz works best within roughly 10 meters and line of sight; 5GHz can cover a whole floor.
  • Penetration: 60GHz is blocked by walls and even people; 5GHz passes through drywall reasonably well.
  • Latency: 60GHz offers very low latency, ideal for VR and gaming.
  • Interference: 60GHz is largely immune to interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks.

What Devices Support 60GHz Wifi?

So, What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi? The honest answer is: a relatively small but growing list of premium laptops, specialized routers, wireless docking stations, a handful of smartphones, and VR wireless adapters. Most mainstream consumer devices do not include 60GHz radios because the cost, power, and antenna requirements are significant. Below is a category-by-category breakdown.

Laptops and Notebooks

Laptops were among the first consumer devices to adopt WiGig, mainly to enable wireless docking — connecting to monitors, keyboards, and networks without cables. Support is concentrated in business-class machines.

  • Dell Latitude E-series and 5000/7000 series with optional WiGig modules.
  • HP EliteBook 800/1000 series with optional 802.11ad cards.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and T-series with WiGig options.
  • Microsoft Surface devices historically offered WiGig docking accessories, though built-in radio support varies by model.

Many of these laptops use Intel Tri-Band Wireless adapters (such as the Intel Wireless-AC 17265, 18260, or 18265), which combine 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi with a 60GHz WiGig radio. If your laptop has one of these adapters, it can speak 60GHz — provided the other end of the link also supports it.

Wireless Docks and Docking Stations

Wireless docking is the flagship consumer use case for WiGig. A WiGig dock connects to your laptop over 60GHz and exposes USB ports, Ethernet, and display outputs (HDMI/DisplayPort) as if the laptop were physically plugged in.

  • Dell Wireless Dock D5000 — one of the most widely sold WiGig docks, pairing with compatible Dell laptops.
  • HP Wireless Dock — designed for EliteBook systems with WiGig support.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad WiGig Dock — pairs with compatible ThinkPads.
  • Intel Wireless Dock reference designs — used by several OEMs.

These docks typically require the laptop to be within a meter or two and have a clear line of sight, which is why they work best on a desk setup.

Routers and Access Points

WiGig routers are tri-band devices that broadcast on 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 60GHz simultaneously. They are niche products aimed at enthusiasts and small offices wanting in-room multi-gigabit links.

  • TP-Link Talon AD7200 — one of the first consumer 802.11ad routers.
  • Netgear Nighthawk X10 (R9000) — a tri-band router with 802.11ad support and a 10Gbps LAN port.
  • ASUS RT-AD7200 — another early 802.11ad tri-band router.

Note that many of these models are now discontinued or in legacy status, reflecting the slow consumer adoption of 60GHz home networking. Used markets and refurbished units are common ways to obtain them.

Smartphones and Tablets

Smartphone support for 60GHz Wi-Fi is rare. A few devices shipped with WiGig radios, mostly for high-speed local transfers or wireless display use cases, but the feature never became mainstream.

  • Motorola Moto Z and Moto Mods ecosystem — experimented with high-speed wireless accessories.
  • ASUS ZenFone AR — one of the few phones marketed with 802.11ad support.
  • Samsung explored 60GHz in select Galaxy models and accessories, though broad support did not materialize.

On tablets, support is even scarcer. Most modern tablets rely on 5GHz/6GHz Wi-Fi 6 or 6E rather than 60GHz. If a phone or tablet does not explicitly list 802.11ad or 802.11ay in its specs, assume it does not support WiGig.

VR Headsets and Wireless Adapters

Virtual reality is arguably the most compelling modern use case for 60GHz. Wireless VR adapters use 60GHz links to stream high-resolution, low-latency video from a PC to a headset without a cable.

  • HTC Vive Wireless Adapter — uses a 60GHz link (DisplayLink-based) to cut the cable on the original Vive.
  • TPCAST Wireless Adapter — an early third-party 60GHz solution for Vive and Oculus Rift.
  • Oculus/Meta wireless solutions generally use 5GHz Wi-Fi rather than 60GHz, so they are not WiGig devices.

These adapters include a 60GHz transmitter that plugs into the PC and a receiver mounted on the headset, plus a battery pack. They illustrate WiGig’s strengths: huge bandwidth and low latency in a controlled, same-room environment.

Other Peripherals and Chipsets

Beyond finished products, the WiGig ecosystem is built on a handful of chipsets. Knowing them helps when shopping for niche gear.

  • Intel Tri-Band Wireless-AC 17265 / 18260 / 18265 — common 802.11ad client adapters.
  • Qualcomm Atheros QCA9500 / QCA9006 — used in routers and docks.
  • Peraso PRM2130 / PRM2140 / PRM3230 — millimeter-wave chipsets used in VR adapters and enterprise gear.
  • Wilocity (acquired by Qualcomm) — pioneered early WiGig silicon.

Enterprise and industrial devices — such as wireless backhaul units, kiosks, and fixed wireless bridges — also use 60GHz, sometimes under the broader millimeter-wave umbrella rather than the WiGig brand.

WiGig Options Listed: Comparison Table

The table below summarizes representative WiGig-capable device categories and notable models. Availability changes frequently, and many products are now legacy or refurbished.

Category Notable Models / Examples Standard Typical Use Case
Laptops Dell Latitude (WiGig option), HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad X1/T-series 802.11ad Wireless docking, fast local transfer
Wireless Docks Dell Wireless Dock D5000, HP Wireless Dock, Lenovo ThinkPad WiGig Dock 802.11ad Desk docking without cables
Routers TP-Link Talon AD7200, Netgear Nighthawk X10 R9000, ASUS RT-AD7200 802.11ad In-room multi-gigabit Wi-Fi
Smartphones ASUS ZenFone AR, select Motorola experiments 802.11ad High-speed local streaming
VR Adapters HTC Vive Wireless Adapter, TPCAST adapter 60GHz (WiGig-class) Cable-free VR
Chipsets Intel 17265/18260/18265, Qualcomm QCA9500, Peraso PRM series 802.11ad/ay Embedded in above devices

How to Check If Your Device Supports 60GHz WiFi

If you are unsure whether your hardware can use WiGig, follow these steps.

  1. Check the spec sheet. Look for “802.11ad,” “802.11ay,” “WiGig,” or “tri-band” in the wireless specifications.
  2. Inspect the wireless adapter. On Windows, open Device Manager, expand “Network adapters,” and look for an Intel Tri-Band or WiGig-labeled adapter. On macOS/Linux, use system information tools.
  3. Search the model number. Enter your exact laptop or phone model plus “WiGig” or “802.11ad” into a search engine.
  4. Check router admin panels. If you own a tri-band router, its admin interface will list a 60GHz band; clients must also support it to connect.
  5. Verify drivers. Even with compatible hardware, you may need the manufacturer’s WiGig driver or utility to enable the 60GHz radio.

How to Set Up a WiGig Connection

Setting up WiGig is more involved than joining a normal Wi-Fi network. Here is a general process.

  1. Confirm both ends support WiGig. The client (laptop/phone) and the access point or dock must both have 60GHz radios.
  2. Install drivers and utilities. Download the latest WiGig driver and any vendor app (e.g., Dell Wireless Dock utility) from the manufacturer.
  3. Position for line of sight. Place the laptop and dock/router within a few meters with no large obstacles between them.
  4. Pair the devices. Follow the vendor’s pairing flow, which may involve pressing a button on the dock or entering a PIN.
  5. Connect displays and peripherals. Once linked, attach monitors and USB devices through the dock.
  6. Test throughput. Run a speed test or large file transfer to confirm you are getting multi-gigabit performance.
  7. Fall back gracefully. If the 60GHz link drops, most systems fall back to 5GHz; keep that in mind for reliability.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Keep line of sight clear. Even a person walking between devices can interrupt a 60GHz link.
  • Use a wired backhaul where possible. WiGig routers still benefit from Ethernet for the upstream connection.
  • Update firmware. Early WiGig gear had stability issues; firmware updates often fixed pairing and throughput problems.
  • Don’t expect wall penetration. Plan your setup so transmitter and receiver share a room.
  • Consider 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E/7 first. For many users, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 on 6GHz delivers excellent speed with better range and broader device support.
  • Buy from reputable sellers. Because many WiGig products are discontinued, verify condition and return policies.
  • Match vendor ecosystems. Docks often work best with laptops from the same brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi?

A limited set of business laptops (Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad), tri-band routers (TP-Link Talon AD7200, Netgear Nighthawk X10), wireless docks (Dell D5000, HP Wireless Dock), a few phones (ASUS ZenFone AR), and VR wireless adapters (HTC Vive Wireless Adapter). Most mainstream consumer devices do not.

Is 60GHz Wi-Fi the same as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7?

No. Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 operate on 2.4, 5, and 6GHz. WiGig operates at 60GHz under 802.11ad/ay. They are separate technologies, though some routers combine them.

Can 60GHz Wi-Fi go through walls?

No, not reliably. 60GHz signals are absorbed and reflected by walls, furniture, and people, so they are best used line-of-sight in the same room.

Is WiGig still being developed?

Development continues under 802.11ay and in VR/enterprise niches, but consumer adoption has been slow, and many early products are discontinued. Wi-Fi 6E/7 on 6GHz has captured much of the mainstream high-speed market.

Do I need a special router for WiGig?

Yes. Only tri-band 802.11ad/ay routers broadcast on 60GHz. A standard dual-band router cannot.

Can my smartphone use 60GHz Wi-Fi?

Only if it explicitly supports 802.11ad/ay. Very few phones do. Check the spec sheet before assuming.

What speed can I expect from 60GHz Wi-Fi?

Real-world 802.11ad throughput is typically 1-4 Gbps under good conditions; 802.11ay can go higher. Latency is very low, which is why it suits VR and docking.

Conclusion

Answering What Devices Support 60ghz Wifi? comes down to a focused list: select business laptops, specialized wireless docks, a few tri-band routers, rare smartphones, and VR wireless adapters. WiGig remains a powerful but niche technology, excelling at short-range, high-bandwidth, low-latency tasks like wireless docking and cable-free VR. Before buying, confirm 802.11ad or 802.11ay support on both ends of the link, plan for line-of-sight placement, and keep firmware updated. For general home networking, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 may be the more practical path, but if you need true multi-gigabit wireless in a single room, WiGig still delivers.