After looking into WiFi solutions, it appears that most projects that use WiFi instead of a different RF module are commercial applications, IoT (Internet of Things, interfacing with the web or with mobile), or home automation projects where a device that sits in one place is controlled over WiFi, usually through mobile or over a browser.
WiFi is more power hungry than comparable wireless networks, but this would not be a problem if the device was used in a fixed location. This looks harder to use than XBee imo.
Here’s a comparison between WiFi and XBee from http://arduino.stackexchange.com/questions/3270/whats-the-difference-between-rf-options-wifi-xbee-nrf24l01 :
WiFi: High data rate (54Mbit/s +) but also high power consumption. Used when you need to connect directly to the internet, such as an internet-of-things device, and have an external power source.
XBee: Low data rate (250kbit/s) and low power consumption. Used to make mesh-type sensor networks; each XBee device can communication with each other, and through each other via the mesh to devices that are out of range. Used for networks of devices, particular home automation and sensors. Link.
If we were to use a WiFi device, it looks like the most accessible device we would use is the ESP32 or ESP8266, which is cheap ($9) and has lots of tutorials etc online. It is a microcontroller that can be programmed using arduino. It does less stuff, but would probably do all we need.
More Comparisons of WiFi and XBee/ZigBee:
Arduino basic Wifi setup tutorial for WiFi Arduino ($37):
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