Should you choose 2.4 or 5 GHz?
We're here to help you get started with your router at home – here's how to set up your wifi network in the best way.
On modern routers, there are two different frequency bands to use when creating a wifi network: the traditional frequency band of 2.4 GHz and the newer 5 GHz – but which one should you choose and why?
Wifi and Wireless Networks
When the wireless network technology that we know as wifi was launched for private users, we no longer needed to have our computers connected with a network cable to access the internet or the local network – suddenly the network traffic was sent wirelessly, at the expense of speed.
Over time, however, the wifi standard has become better and better, and with a modern router, it is possible to reach speeds of up to (at least theoretically) 5.4 Gbit/s on the 5 GHz frequency band – an incredible figure for wireless data transfer.
Interference
One disadvantage of wifi and wireless networks is that anything that comes between you and the router will disturb the signal in one way or another. This could be a microwave oven, a baby monitor, or a concrete wall – they will all interfere with your wifi signal and give you slightly worse performance.
The reason why a microwave oven interferes with a 2.4 GHz signal is that it heats your food with a microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz; so, if you are in the kitchen warming food, it is not surprising if you notice a sudden drop in performance – suddenly your computer's traffic has to share space with a lot of irrelevant radiation.
Because wireless networks are so sensitive to interference, it is difficult to reach the most extreme speeds, but as long as you know the advantages and disadvantages of the different frequency bands, you can plan around them yourself.
Multiple networks at the same time
Modern routers have features such as dual-band and triband, which allow you to have two or three different wifi networks running simultaneously. You can have both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on your router, and use 5 GHz where it works well – this is what I do for my streaming devices in the living room, while my phones use 2.4 GHz to work throughout the house.
2.4 GHz Frequency Band
The first frequency band for wireless home networks was 2.4 GHz, which is one of the most common frequency bands used for wireless transmission – for example, it is precisely the same frequency band that baby monitors, Internet of Things devices, and similar gadgets use.
Advantages of 2.4 GHz
The biggest advantages of 2.4 GHz are:
- Longer range
- More robust communication that passes through objects more easily
Disadvantages of 2.4 GHz
The biggest disadvantages of 2.4 GHz are:
- Lower speed
- The 2.4 GHz frequency band is crowded with other wireless devices, such as baby monitors
5 GHz Frequency Band
When the new frequency band of 5 GHz was launched, it did not make much difference in terms of performance, but as the technology has been built and refined over the past few years, it is now possible to achieve theoretical transmission speeds of up to 5400 Mbit/s – that is, 5.4 Gbit/s.
Although the speed is considerably higher than when using 2.4 GHz, it comes with a few disadvantages, such as a shorter range for the wifi network as a whole and the network not passing through objects (such as concrete walls) as easily.
Advantages of 5 GHz
The biggest advantages of 5 GHz are:
- Much higher speeds
- Not as many devices use the frequency band
Disadvantages of 5 GHz
The biggest disadvantages of 5 GHz are:
- Shorter range
- Network does not pass through objects as easily
Conclusion
So, to wrap it up; should you use the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band? The answer varies depending on what you're looking for. I prioritize stability over performance, which is why I primarily use 2.4 GHz in my own home. I can use the same router over two floors of my house without experiencing the range problems that I get when using 5 GHz.
However, if you do not have multiple floors in your home, you can most likely use 5 GHz without any problems and achieve higher speeds than I do with my 2.4 GHz network. It's all about trying it out for yourself in your home environment – and if it doesn't work or you lose the signal, then you can switch to a different frequency band.