Ever caught yourself squinting at your router, trying to decode the cryptic 2.4 GHz and 5GHz labels? Well, you’re not alone! These numbers may seem like techy mumbo-jumbo, but don’t sweat it, we got your back. Consider us on a mission to turn you into a Wifi whiz!
By the end of reading this blog, you will know exactly what’s up with these Wifi frequencies and which ones give a boost to your internet. Ready to geek out? Let’s go!
Before jumping into the nitty-gritty, let’s clear the air first. 2.4 vs 5 GHz Wifi is all about the frequency at which the signals of your Wifi is transmitted. Just like in a radio station how FM and AM radio operates on different frequencies, the same goes for your Wifi.
An old school frequency that’s been here for quite a while now. It’s like a favorite classic oldie station that everyone would tune into.
Since we are giving radio references, it’s a faster station that plays all the latest hits with a much crispier sound and fewer commercial breaks.
What is the difference between 2.4 and 5 GHz when it comes to speed and range? It’s all about trade offs, like a tug-of-war between speed and range.
If you’re all about speed (and like who isn’t?) 5 GHz Wifi is your go-to. With this frequency, faster data rates can easily be handled. This means that your downloads, streams, and gaming sessions will be smoother than a jazz sax solo.
But there is a downside, just like every exclusive club downtown, it has a shorter range. You’ll need to be closer to the router to enjoy its perks.
On the brighter side, the 2.4 GHz Wifi has a better range just like in a cozy neighborhood cafe where you can easily access wifi in every corner. This frequency is better at penetrating the obstacles and walls compared to 5 GHz. This makes the 2.4 GHz an ideal choice for large homes and spaces having multiple rooms. The only catch is, it is slower than 5GHz so you won’t always get the high speeds you want.
In short, if you have an open compact space and want to have a fast internet without compromise, then you should opt for a 5GHz otherwise a 2.4 GHz will be more suitable for you.
You might be fond of your WiFi slowing down when everyone in your home is using it or when the microwave oven is turned on. This happens because your WiFi is sharing its frequency with other devices which leads to interference in it.
This is the most commonly used frequency. Its usage is not just restricted to WiFis, but equipment like Bluetooth, microwave ovens, baby monitors etc. have this frequency in them. This can easily cause interference and slow down your internet in populated areas.
This frequency is being adopted by new devices hence it is not as mainstream like the 2.4 GHz. This means you can enjoy fast and reliable internet speeds without any chances of interruption from your neighbor’s WiFi or other gadgets.
Not all devices have the ability to support 5GHz. Most of the devices from the years before only have the capability to support 2.4GHz. The new devices that are being manufactured have the tendency to support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously.
Up till now, all of your devices support this frequency because it has been the industry standard since ages. If you have a mix of old and new tech at your home, then using 2.4 GHz will ensure all your devices are connected to the internet.
This frequency comes in the newly manufactured devices these days. All the latest gadgets including mobiles, laptops etc. manufactured within the last few years have the tendency to support 5 GHz WiFi. However, your old devices will not work on it.
If you are caught up in the dilemma of choosing between 2.4 vs 5 GHz Wifi, then just get them both! Yes you heard it right, you can get a dual band router that supports both bands at the same time making your life much easier.
These are the latest routers being manufactured. They have the ability to support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously. They are a tad bit pricier than single band routers, but they are reliable and solve the issue of having just a single band. With dual band routers, all of your old school devices can connect online and the new ones supporting 5 GHz can benefit from the added speeds. It’s like having the best of both worlds!
If you happen to stream online content in one room and download large files in another, then this type of router will solve your needs without compromising the speeds on both tasks.
We hope now you know what is the difference between 2.4 and 5 Ghz WiFi. The 2.4 GHz has better range and penetration hence allowing for more area coverage with limited speeds. It is supported by all the old school and newer devices all together.. The 5 GHz gets you shorter range yet powerful speeds. It is supported only by newer devices and gadgets. If you are caught up having to choose between 2.4 vs 5 GHz Wifi, simply opt for a dual band router to avoid this hassle and enjoy both bands together. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than having a single band router, but the convenience alone is worth it. We hope this guide has helped you understand the differences and all the pros and cons of both bands. Happy surfing!
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