In this article, I’ll explain why and where you should choose the correct WiFi band.
With advancements in the WiFi protocol as well as with routers, WiFi issues are not as prevalent as they once were. However, the two bands remain suitable for different locations and purposes, which is what we’ll discuss here.
WIFI 2.4 GHz Band: While the 2.4 GHz band is substantially slower than the 5.0 GHz band and potentially more susceptible to interference, it provides greater range and superior wall penetration. This is the main reason that most IoT devices, such as smart lights, door cameras, etc., support 2.4 GHz only by default.
WIFI 5.0 GHz Band: On the other hand, while the 5.0 GHz band provides superior signal strength, that signal tends to degrade more quickly over distance and struggles to penetrate through walls.
So, essentially, it all boils down to the locations of the devices in relation to the location of the router.
WIFI 2.4 GHz Best Uses: 2.4 GHz has a longer wavelength, allowing it to travel further (up to 150 feet indoors) and penetrate walls more effectively, so is more suitable for devices that are distanced from the router and/or separated from the router by walls.
WIFI 5.0 GHz Best Uses: 5.0 GHz provides significantly higher speeds (up to 1,300 Mbps) and can handle more data simultaneously, so is eminently more suitable for high-bandwidth activities such as 4K streaming and gaming. However, for best performance, these devices should be as close to the router’s location as possible (30-40 feet is the recommended maximum) and, preferably, with no separating walls.
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BOTTOM LINE:
Choosing the correct band per device often comes down to trial and error. In my home, our iPhones and iPads are on the 2.4 GHz band for best performance. Even though they are within the recommended range of 30-40 feet, they are generally separated from the router by three walls.
In Australia, newly built homes are typically being fitted with internal Ethernet cabling and strategically placed connections during the building phase. So, for future generations, weak and/or disrupted WiFi signals should largely become a thing of the past.
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