When you think of small office or branch office network security, SonicWall TZ firewalls are often on the shortlist. In 2025, SonicWall has refreshed this popular lineup with the Generation 8 TZ Series — faster, smarter, and designed for the cloud-driven, multi-gigabit world we live in.
Whether you’re running a small office, retail outlet, or branch network, this guide will walk you through what’s new in Gen 8, how it compares to Gen 7, and whether it’s worth the upgrade.
1. What is the SonicWall Gen 8 TZ Series?
The TZ Series has always been SonicWall’s compact, desktop-friendly next-gen firewall line, aimed at SMBs, remote branches, and retail stores. They pack in enterprise-level features — intrusion prevention, anti-malware, content filtering, and secure VPN — but in a size and price that make sense for smaller deployments.
The Gen 8 release takes that proven formula and adds more horsepower, modern wireless, better ports, and AI-assisted cloud management.
Source: SonicWall Gen 8 TZ FAQ
2. Key New Features in Gen 8 TZ Firewalls
Here’s what’s new and exciting about the Gen 8 lineup:
- Faster performance: Multi-gigabit threat prevention, even on entry models like the TZ280.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) in TZ380W: More speed, lower latency, and WPA3 security.
- High-speed SFP ports:
- TZ280: Up to 1 Gbps SFP
- TZ380–TZ580: Up to 5 Gbps SFP
- TZ680: Up to 10 Gbps SFP
- Dual power supply support: Better redundancy for uptime-critical sites.
- Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Identity-based access without relying only on VPN.
- Cloud-native unified management + AI assistant (SAMI): Easier policy changes, AI-driven alerts, and multi-site visibility.
- Managed Protection Security Suite (MPSS): Co-managed firewall service with a built-in cyber insurance warranty (up to $200,000).
Source: NetworkWorld Coverage
3. SonicWall Gen 8 TZ Models & Specs Table
| Model | Threat Prevention (DPI) | IPS Throughput | Max Connections | SFP Speed | Wireless? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TZ280 | 1 Gbps | 1.5 Gbps | 1,000,000 | 1 Gbps | No |
| TZ380 | 1.5 Gbps | 2 Gbps | 1,100,000 | 5 Gbps | No |
| TZ380W | 1.5 Gbps | 2 Gbps | 1,100,000 | 5 Gbps | Yes (Wi-Fi 6) |
| TZ480 | 2 Gbps | 2.2 Gbps | 1,200,000 | 5 Gbps | No |
| TZ580 | 2.2 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps | 1,400,000 | 5 Gbps | No |
| TZ680 | 2.5 Gbps | 3 Gbps | 1,600,000 | 10 Gbps | No |
Source: SonicGuard TZ New Series
4. What’s New in SonicOS 7.1 for Gen 8
Gen 8 TZ firewalls ship with SonicOS 7.1, which is faster and easier to manage:
- Modern, responsive web UI for quicker navigation.
- Improved SD-WAN orchestration for multi-branch routing.
- TLS 1.3 deep packet inspection for stronger, faster encrypted traffic analysis.
- Tighter Capture ATP sandboxing integration for zero-day malware detection.
- Cloud-based reporting & analytics built-in.
- Unified policy view — see NAT, access rules, and SD-WAN routes together.
5. Gen 8 vs Gen 7 – What’s Changed?
If you’re upgrading from Gen 7 TZ series, here’s what stands out:
| Feature | Gen 7 | Gen 8 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU & RAM | Good | Faster processors, more RAM |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 5 (W) models | Wi-Fi 6 in TZ380W |
| SFP Ports | 1 Gbps only | Up to 10 Gbps (TZ680) |
| ZTNA Support | Limited | Native ZTNA |
| Cloud Management | Optional | Built-in Unified Management + AI |
| Cyber Warranty | Not included | Available with MPSS |
Bottom line: Gen 8 is faster, more future-proof, and better for cloud-managed, multi-gig networks.
6. Licensing & Subscription Options
Like previous models, the hardware is just the start — the real power comes with security subscriptions:
- Advanced Protection Service Suite (APSS) – EPSS + Capture ATP sandboxing.
- Managed Protection Security Suite (MPSS) – APSS + co-management and cyber warranty.
7. Pricing Overview (2025)
Pricing varies depending on region, bundle, and term:
- TZ280 – ~$550–$700
- TZ380/TZ380W – ~$800–$1,100
- TZ480 – ~$1,300–$1,600
- TZ580 – ~$1,800–$2,200
- TZ680 – ~$2,600–$3,000
Adding a 1- or 3-year security bundle can significantly increase cost — but it’s essential for full protection.
Source: SonicWall Store
8. Which Model is Right for You?
- TZ280 – Small offices, home labs.
- TZ380/TZ380W – SMBs with up to ~50 users, wireless-first setups.
- TZ480 – Growing offices, retail chains.
- TZ580 – Multi-branch organizations with high throughput needs.
- TZ680 – Large branch/enterprise edge with 10 Gbps SFP needs.
9. Pros & Cons of Gen 8
Pros:
- Faster hardware, more connections
- Modern Wi-Fi 6 option
- Multi-gig SFP ports
- Built-in AI cloud management
- Optional cyber warranty
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Subscription licensing adds recurring expense
- Learning curve for SonicOS 7.x for Gen 6 users
10. Final Thoughts
The SonicWall Gen 8 TZ Series isn’t just an incremental upgrade — it’s a significant leap forward for SMB and branch office firewalls. With multi-gigabit ports, Wi-Fi 6, cloud management, ZTNA, and AI features, these devices are built for the next decade of network security.
If you’re on Gen 7 or older, the performance gains and new management capabilities make Gen 8 a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you’re already scaling bandwidth or shifting to hybrid work.
Official resources:
SonicWall Gen 8 TZ FAQ
NetworkWorld Report on Gen 8
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Cybersecurity blogger with a focus on firewalls, network security, and tech trends making security simple for everyone, from IT pros to curious minds.
