The difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz
You might have noticed that some Wireless products mention being Dual-Band (or even Tri-Band if they are really fancy). You might also have noticed the words 2.4G and 5G printed on your router and wondered what is the difference. So without further ado, let’s get into the differences between the two and whether dual-band is a must-have feature for your home.
What does 2.4G or 5G mean?
These two numbers represent two frequencies that your router uses to broadcast Wi-Fi on. Hence when you see it says 2.4G, the “G” is short for GHz (Gigahertz).
The Pro's and Con's
Range
Speed
Compatibility
Interference
2.4G:
Longer Range
2.4G has a lower frequency so it travels further
Slower speeds
2.4G can generally support a maximum speed of up to 300Mbps
Wide Compatibility
Most wireless devices can see the 2.4G band and connect to it
More interference
More compatible devices means more interference from other devices
5G:
Shorter range
5G has a higher frequency so it doesn't travel as far
Faster speeds
5G can generally support a maximum speed of up to 900Mbps
Less compatible
Accessing the 5G band requires a newer, higher spec Wi-Fi adapter
Less interference
Less compatible devices means less competition, so less interference
Is Dual-Band worth it?
Dual-band is a great option for adding flexibility to your internet setup and helping you squeeze a few extra Mbps out of your line. If you can answer yes to the following 3 questions Dual-Band could be worth looking into:
- Do you have more than 10 devices that will be connected to the internet at the same time?
- Are at least a few of these devices compatible with 5G? (Check the specs for an AC Wireless adapters)
- Do you have LTE or a Fibre/ADSL line with a line speed of 20Mbps or more?