Beamforming is a wireless router technology that provides better WiFi range and performance for your client devices. Beamforming shapes a directional WiFi signal aimed at a WiFi client based on the client’s location, instead of radiating the signal out in all directions. This feature improves WiFi range and performance.
Routers can use two types of beamforming:
- Explicit beamforming requires client devices to support beamforming in order to benefit from improved range and performance. Most 802.11ac (WiFi 5) and newer clients support explicit beamforming.
- Implicit beamforming does not require client devices to support beamforming in order to benefit from improved range and performance. Implicit beamforming can improve the performance of most WiFi clients, including older devices without explicit beamforming support.
All NETGEAR routers that support beamforming can perform explicit beamforming. Most NETGEAR routers that support beamforming can also perform implicit beamforming. For more information, see What is implicit beamforming and how do I enable it or disable it on my NETGEAR router?
Last Updated:07/07/2025
|
Article ID: 25347