If you’re thinking about replacing your old router—or even upgrading from your ISP’s combined modem/router unit—you’ll probably come across phrases like “dual band,” which refers to a router that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Are you wondering what these numbers mean? Now you can stop wondering.
These numbers correspond to two separate “bands” of signal that your Wi-Fi may use. The primary distinction between the two is speed. In ideal settings, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi may handle up to 450 Mbps or 600 Mbps, depending on the router class. Wi-Fi at 5 GHz can support up to 1300 Mbps.
It’s worth noting that Wi-Fi 6E routers can broadcast at 6 GHz, and future Wi-Fi 7 routers can as well. The 6 GHz band offers a theoretical maximum speed of roughly 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps), although real-world speeds will almost definitely be lower. The main advantage of the 6 GHz band for everyday use is reduced network congestion, which should greatly enhance your connection if you live in an area with a lot of Wi-Fi networks.
Note: There are Wi-Fi 6E routers available that can broadcast at 6 GHz, and future Wi-Fi 7 routers will as well. The 6 GHz band offers a theoretical maximum speed of roughly 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps), although real-world speeds will almost definitely be lower. The main advantage of the 6 GHz band for everyday use is reduced network congestion, which should greatly enhance your connection if you live in an area with a lot of Wi-Fi networks.
Of course, there are certain limitations. First, the greatest speed you may experience is also determined by the wireless protocol supported by your router — 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax. More information on how these standards influence things may be found in our recommendations on whether you need 802.11ax and whether you should update your wireless router.
The second major drawback is the crucial term we stated earlier: “optimal conditions.”
Because it is utilized by more than just Wi-Fi, the 2.4 GHz band is rather congested. The 2.4 GHz band is commonly used by old cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and other devices. The 2.4 GHz band’s longer waves are better suited to greater ranges for transmission through walls and solid objects. So it may be preferable if you want greater range on your devices or have a lot of walls or other things in the regions where you require coverage. Because so many devices utilize the 2.4 GHz band, congestion can result in lost connections and slower-than-expected rates.
Dual-band capability. A selectable dual-band router provides a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, but you can only use one at a time. To inform it which band to utilize, you must use a switch.
Dual-band operation in parallel. A simultaneous dual-brand router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks at the same time, providing you with two Wi-Fi networks from which to configure a device. Some router manufacturers additionally allow you to give the same SSID to both bands so that devices only see one network — even if both are still functioning. These are slightly more costly than selected dual-band routers, but only marginally. The benefits of having both bands operational at the same time generally exceed the cost difference.
A tri-band router transmits three networks at the same time, two at 5 GHz and one at 2.4 GHz. This is done to assist decrease network congestion. If you have many devices that rely significantly on a 5 GHz connection, such as streaming high-resolution or even 4K video, you may benefit from investing a little more on a tri-band router.
First and foremost. If you have a device that supports a wired Ethernet connection and it isn’t too difficult to attach a cable to it, we recommend utilizing a wired connection over a wireless one. Wired connections are quicker than wireless connections because they have reduced latency, no lost connections due to interference, and they are just faster.
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That being stated, we’re here to discuss wifi. If you’re currently using 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and wondering if you should upgrade to 5 GHz, the answer is basically all about what you need to accomplish with it. If you’re seeing lost connections or need greater speed for streaming films or playing games, you should probably upgrade to 5 GHz. Even under perfect conditions, a 2.4 GHz network can only provide so much speed. If you reside in a densely populated apartment complex with hundreds of wireless routers, baby monitors, and other 2.4GHz band devices, you should seriously consider upgrading to the 5 GHz band (or perhaps the 6GHz band) if you haven’t already.
If you already have a dual- or tri-band router with both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands accessible, you’ll need to decide which one to connect your devices to. It’s tempting to use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for any device that supports it and 2.4 GHz for the rest — and you can, and it’s a good decision in most cases — but it’s not always the ideal plan.
Related: Netgear Nighthawk Router will be brand’s first WiFI 6E
Instead, consider how you utilize each gadget. If a gadget only supports 2.4 GHz, you’ve already made your selection. If a product supports both, consider if 5 GHz is truly necessary. Is that gadget in need of a faster connection, or are you just checking email and browsing the web? Is the device dropping connections on the 2.4 GHz network, and do you require it to be more reliable? Are you satisfied with the gadget having a limited effective range because it uses the 5 GHz band?
Modern apps consume a lot of data, thanks to the availability of 4K material available, high-resolution photographs all over the internet, video and phone talking via Wi-Fi, and numerous more applications. Always use the band that provides the optimum connection.
In most applications, the 5 GHz frequency will enough, while the 2.4 GHz band may be preferable in some circumstances. If you live in an area with a lot of Wi-Fi networks, the 6 GHz band is a good option if your device supports Wi-Fi 6E.
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