There’s only so much speed you can get out of a 2.4 GHz network, even under ideal conditions. If you’re experiencing dropped connections or if you need more speed for watching videos or playing games, then you probably need to move to 5 GHz. If you currently use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and are wondering whether you need to upgrade to 5 GHz, it’s really all about what you need to do with it. That said, we’re here to talk about wireless. Wired connections offer a lower latency, no dropped connections due to interference, and are just plain faster than wireless connections. If you have a device that supports a wired Ethernet connection and it’s not to awkward getting a cable to the device, we highly recommend using a wired connection over a wireless one. Ethernet: How Much Better Is a Wired Connection?įirst things first. Should I Select 2.4 or 5 GHz for My Devices? If you have multiple devices that really use a 5 GHz connection heavily - like streaming high-resolution or even 4K video - you might benefit from spending a bit more on a tri-band router. The reason for this is to help alleviate network congestion. The advantages of having both bands operating simultaneously usually outweigh the cost difference.Ī tri-band router broadcasts three networks simultaneously - two 5 GHz signals and one 2.4 GHz signal. These tend to be a bit more expensive than selectable dual-band routers, but not by much. Some router brands also let you assign the same SSID to the two bands so that devices only see a single network - even though both are still operational. A simultaneous dual-brand router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks at the same time, giving you two Wi-Fi networks that you can choose from when you set up a device. You actually have to use a switch to tell it the band you want to use. A selectable dual-band router offers a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, but you can only use one at a time. A dual-band router is one that broadcasts both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal from the same unit, essentially providing you with two Wi-Fi networks and the best of both worlds. The good news is that most modern routers act as dual- or tri-band routers. RELATED: What Are Dual-Band and Tri-Band Routers? Of course, you may also be able to mitigate that shorter range through the use of range extenders or mesh Wi-Fi systems, but that will mean a bigger investment. It’s also got a shorter effective range than the 2.4 GHz band. On the other hand, the shorter waves used by the 5 GHz band makes it less able to penetrate walls and solid objects. The 5 GHz band is much less congested, which means you will likely get more stable connections. RELATED: What Is Mesh Wi-Fi and How Does It Work? However, because so many devices use the 2.4 GHz band, the resulting congestion can cause dropped connections and slower-than-expected speeds. So it’s arguably better if you need better range on your devices or you have a lot of walls or other objects in the areas where you need coverage. The longer waves used by the 2.4 GHz band are better suited to longer ranges and transmission through walls and solid objects. Old cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and other devices tend to use the 2.4 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is a pretty crowded place, because it’s used by more than just Wi-Fi. The second big caveat is that important phrase we mentioned: “ideal conditions.” RELATED: Why You Should Upgrade Your Router (Even If You Have Older Gadgets) You can learn more about how those standards affect things in our guides on whether you need 802.11ax and whether you should upgrade your wireless router. First, the maximum speed you might see is also dependent on what wireless standard a router supports - 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, or 802.11ax.
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