What are the Differences Between 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Faster speeds are usually a prime reason why a person or small business upgrades their internet network. However, how much speed they receive from the change is often difficult to determine. The vendor’s advertised top speed is an unrealistic scenario where everything works perfectly, which rarely, if ever, happens. Moving information from one place to another involves a complex series of interactions that often slows the connection down. Adding to the equation, some type of Wi-Fi network is usually needed to communicate between devices in a home or a business and to connect to the internet. Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data via an adaptor in the device and a modem linked to a router. Wi-Fi networks rely on two slices of wireless connectivity, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, to deliver its services. There are pros and cons to both connections so let’s take a look.
5 GHz Strengths and Weaknesses
5 GHz Wi-Fi is faster, typically having a theoretical top speed of more than 1 Gbps, though users experience about half of the advertised numbers because transmissions slow down as data moves from place to place. That said, for videoconferencing or gaming, 5 GHz may be the way to go.
Wireless networks are susceptible to outside interference from both other wireless local area networks (WLANs) and different equipment, like wireless baby monitors, appliances, and garage doors. The US government determines which devices can use each slice of wireless bandwidth, and some segments are cleaner than others.
However, the 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequency band has little interference. There are fewer devices on this frequency so while a nearby Wi-Fi router may interfere with a transmission, users do not have to worry about the neighbor’s baby monitor causing a problem – although the baby crying might be annoying.
Transmission range is a definite downside with this option. Devices typically need to be within about 50 feet of an access point to use the network. When they are farther away, the signal becomes too weak to consistently carry the information.
Also, the surroundings play a role in how well signals function. 5 GHz transmissions typically are not able to penetrate surfaces, like concrete walls or steel found in buildings.
2.4 GHz Band Features Broad Coverage
While the 2.4 GHz band offers less bandwidth, its range allows you to move around a little. The top speed is usually pegged at about 500 Mbps, but users typically experience response times of only a few hundred Mbps. For many internet users, this is plenty fast.
However, this band is widely used: cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, microwaves and other devices run here. Because so many products use the 2.4 GHz band, the resulting congestion can cause dropped connections and slower-than-expected speeds.
In addition to having to share with a multitude of devices on this bandwidth, competition also stems from other Wi-Fi users, like neighbors or coworkers sitting in the next cubicle, making connections sometimes iffy and slow.
A plus is the 2.4 GHz signals are quite strong. They transmit information up to a few hundred feet and often are robust enough to penetrate dense objects, such as concrete and steel.
Which Spectrum is Best for You?
Application needs drive users’ choices. High speeds are not required for simple interactions, such as checking email or browsing the web. So, either band can support them/
How much interference an application can tolerate is very important in certain cases. If a person runs high-speed, real-time applications like video streaming, gaming, and business data analytics, then they probably need the higher speed and less interference that comes with 5 GHz.
The physical setting also plays a big role. With the move to hybrid work, a growing number of employees regularly work from home. They may run into interference because everyone else’s router is on and constantly ready to send information. They would not want to miss parts of a key meeting with their boss because of bandwidth contention. 5 GHz Wi-Fi is better at avoiding interfering signals from other routers and wireless devices.
In other cases, their home may be older and the walls thicker. Here, a 2.4GHz signal frequency is a good fit because it has a stronger signal and typically can go through walls, traits that 5 GHz connections lack.
Costs for 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi
Good news! It does not matter to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) which bandwidth you use, so there is no additional cost to jump from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz or back. It really comes down to what bandwidth will fit your needs the best.
How to Set the Right Wireless Frequency
Once they understand their needs, customers usually can tune the router configuration to the spectrum that best suits them. All Wi-Fi routers support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; however, older routers equipped with Wi-Fi version 4 or earlier—which are about 10 years old—support only the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. Newer routers—Wi-Fi 5 or later—offer both bands in assorted configurations and go by various names. Dual-band and tri-band routers are the most common although the two have nuanced capabilities.
A selectable dual-band router offers a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, but customers can only use one at a time. In most cases, they must flip a switch to change from one to another.
A simultaneous dual-band router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks simultaneously. Each user picks one when they set up the device.
Some routers let clients assign a PC to the two bands. The computing device only sees a single network — even though it may flux between each spectrum. While these routers are easier to deploy, they are often more expensive than selectable dual-band routers.
A tri-band router broadcasts three networks simultaneously — two 5 GHz signals and one 2.4 GHz signal. This helps to alleviate network congestion. If multiple devices are bandwidth hogs, like streaming high-resolution or even 4K video, then this router may be the best choice.
In order to add more bandwidth to their systems, Wi-Fi network equipment suppliers had to be creative. Recent dual wireless spectrum solutions provide different connectivity experiences. Users that demand high speed and low interference opt for 5 GHz connections. Those who need strong signals and a broad coverage area find 2.4 GHz the better choice.