2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Whenever you use a device on your Wi-Fi network, it’s actually made possible by radio waves, which are called frequency bands. Most routers use two frequency bands to transmit data: the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Each band has its pros and cons, but odds are, you’re using one of them right now. We’ll go over each one and explain what they are, what they do and why they matter.

What is a Wi-Fi frequency?

A Wi-Fi frequency is a range of radio waves that your network uses to transmit data between devices. The most common Wi-Fi frequencies are the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency, or ‘Wi-Fi’ bands.

Your router and other devices use radio waves to transmit data to and from your device and the internet. This is why you will usually see frequency bands advertised on a router’s product description. The bands tell you how much and how fast data can be transmitted over those bands.

What’s the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?

The difference between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands is mainly speed capacity and range.

The 2.4 GHz band transmits data at slower speeds but provides more range. The 5 GHz band transmits data faster than the 2.4 GHz band but has more coverage limitations. 

The 2.4 GHz band is also more susceptible to interference from other devices that use the band, such as baby monitors, garage door openers, microwaves and security cameras. The 5 GHz band uses shorter waves, so it isn’t as effective in environments where there are many solid objects it must penetrate.

Is 2.4 GHz better than 5 GHz?

This is a tricky question since each band has its pros and cons. The 2.4 GHz band is slower but has a better range. The 5 GHz band is faster but at a closer range. Luckily, you may not necessarily have to choose between them.

Dual-band routers are now the norm, which means they use both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to transmit data to your devices. Tri-band routers are also common, which use an extra 5 GHz band to improve optimization. If you want even better network performance, you can get a quad-band router that uses a 6 GHz band, which is capable of transmitting data even faster than the 5 GHz band.

Most modern routers determine the best frequency for your device and block access to the other, which is called band steering. This means that if you’re in close range to your router, you’re probably using the 5 GHz frequency, but as you move away from its range, you’ll be switched over to the 2.4 GHz band.

Not all routers use band steering, especially if they’re older, so you may have to manually switch between the frequency bands if you want to optimize your Wi-Fi connection.

Is 5 GHz faster?

Yes, the 5 GHz band transmits data at faster speeds than the 2.4 GHz frequency band — but it’s no longer the fastest band out there. The 6 GHz frequency band was introduced a few years ago and is used for devices compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. This band can transmit data even faster than the 5 GHz band.

Use both bands

Most modern devices are dual-band, so you likely won’t have to think about switching between them if your devices have band steering. But, if you want to, you can manually switch between them based on your needs.

Use the 2.4 GHz band if you don’t have many other devices that could cause interference or if you are in an area with physical objects, like walls or doors. Use the 5 GHz band if you want to prioritize speed and don’t have any obstacles blocking your connection. This band is useful if there are more users online at once since it has more channels than the 2.4 GHz band.

Either way, each band can serve you well if you use it in the right situation, and your device is more often than not selecting the best one for your connection.

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