2.4 or 5 GHz — which one is right for your wireless network?
Both 2.4 and 5 GHz WIFI offer reliable connections for your devices. The primary differences are speed and coverage. While 5 GHz offers higher data transfer rates, 2.4 GHz is better at penetrating solid objects, such as walls and ceilings.
When it comes to WIFI, there’s no “right” choice — 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz offer benefits and drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know about how these frequencies work, finding your WIFI best fit, optimizing device compatibility, pinpointing potential use cases and enhancing connections with next generation technology.
Understanding 2.4 GHz Frequency
Both 2.4 and 5 GHz are bands on the radio frequency (RF) spectrum and have been approved for general wireless use. Each band has two key components: coverage and range. Coverage is how far WIFI signals travel on average, while speed refers to the rate of data transfer.
The 2.4 GHz band repeats its frequency wave pattern 2.4 billion times per second. While this is a substantial number, it’s less than half the rate of 5 GHz.
Pros of using 2.4 GHz
There are several benefits of 2.4 GHz bands. First is the longer wavelength. With fewer cycles per second, waves are longer, making it easier for them to pass through objects such as walls or doors.
The longer length of 2.4 GHz waves also means they travel further, which provides a larger coverage area than comparable 5 GHz connections.
Cons of connecting with 2.4 GHz
When it comes to potential cons, two problems are common.
First is slower speeds. Fewer cycles per second means less data can be transferred over 2.4 GHz than its 5 GHz counterpart. In addition, 2.4 GHz bands are often crowded (or overcrowded). Where 5 GHz offers 24 channels for connection, 2.4 GHz has only 11. And with 2.4 GHz still being the standard for many businesses, these channels are often congested.
Exploring 5 GHz Frequency
5 GHz connections repeat their wave patterns five billion times per second. However, not all devices are compatible with 5 GHz networks. Much like their 2.4 GHz predecessors, there are both benefits and drawbacks to deploying 5 GHz.
Pros of 5 GHz frequencies
The biggest benefit of 5 GHz frequencies is speed. While a typical 2.4 GHz connection can deliver approximate speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps), 5 GHz frequencies support speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
In addition, 5 GHz bands tend to be less crowded than 2.4 GHz connections. In part, this is because more channels are available. These channels are also wider than those of 2.4 GHz — 80 MHz compared to 20 MHz.
Cons of 5 GHz bands
While 5 GHz frequencies offer higher data transfer rates and wider channels, the shorter waves produced by higher cycle volumes reduce the total range of 5 GHz networks. These waves are also more likely to be absorbed by barriers such as doors or walls, rather than passing through.
Another con to 5 GHz adoption is compatibility. Older devices may not support 5 GHz connectivity, making it difficult to create a consistent performance.
Choosing the Right Frequency for Your Environment
Both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies offer benefits. As a result, finding the right WIFI frequency depends on a combination of physical layouts, user devices and business IT needs.
Physical layouts
The layout of your home or workspace plays a role in selecting the best wireless networking frequency.
For example, 2.4 GHz is often the better choice for older buildings with thicker walls or those that are divided into multiple small office spaces since lower cycle frequency makes it easier for 2.4 GHz signals to provide consistent coverage.
Smaller spaces or open-plan offices, meanwhile, can benefit from the higher WIFI speeds of 5 GHz without facing issues with signal absorption.
Existing devices
Your best-fit frequency also depends on the type and number of devices used.
Consider a business undergoing digital transformation, replacing older devices such as printers and fax machines with cloud storage and mobile applications. In this case, 5 GHz is likely the best choice, since newer devices support this standard.
For a business still relying on paper processes or leveraging legacy devices that offer limited WIFI band support, 2.4 GHz offers the best chance of creating a consistent network performance, since both new and old devices alike can utilize this standard.
Business and home needs
Depending on your business and home needs, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz may be the better choice.
If your company relies on high-bandwidth, high-performance applications such as 3D modeling software or cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools, the speed and channel size of 5 GHz make it a great choice. When it comes to residential internet, meanwhile, 5 GHz is the preferred choice if you leverage technologies such as cloud-connected smart home devices or security systems.
If connection reliability is key — for example, if operations require continual monitoring or if you provide services that come with uptime guarantees — 2.4 GHz may be your best fit. For tech-savvy consumers selecting whole-home WIFI, 2.4 GHz can provide optimal performance if you need top-to-bottom coverage in your home that isn’t hampered by walls, floors, stairs or doors.
It’s also worth noting that frequency alone isn’t enough to ensure optimal performance. If you find that devices are struggling to connect or speeds aren’t what you expect, there are several steps you can take to improve the end-user experience.
First, make sure your wireless router is in a central location. The greater the distance between devices and routers, the weaker the connection. For example, if your router is located in a basement or IT “closet,” consider moving into the main office or workspace.
You can also improve performance by minimizing interference. This interference can come from several sources including microwaves, wireless telephones and Bluetooth devices. Ensure the area immediately around your WIFI router is kept clear of potential digital disruptions to help boost performance.
Optimizing Device Compatibility With Your Chosen Frequency
Once you’ve selected the best-fit frequency, your next step is optimizing device compatibility.
Consider available channels. Depending on local regulations and use patterns, only certain 5 GHz channels may be available. Given its high speed over a short range, 5 GHz is often used for airport traffic control operations. These operations are given priority and often assigned a specific channel, meaning that if you operate near an airport, you may need to adjust your router settings to ensure optimal channel use.
Another option to improve compatibility and enhance performance is through channel bonding. By default, most routers use a single 80 MHz channel which provides approximately 130 Mbps. Channel-bonding pairs two 80 MHz channels to provide speeds up to 300 Mbps.
You can also optimize compatibility by using a dual band router that supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz connections. Not only does this provide a way for older devices to connect with WIFI networks, but also provides an option to switch between frequencies if one band is especially crowded or is experiencing connection issues.
Common Use Cases for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
2.4 GHz WIFI connections provide enough speed to handle daily tasks such as using the Internet, accessing cloud-based productivity apps, and sharing data with other local users. This frequency band is ideal for companies using older model or legacy devices and those that benefit from coverage area over speed.
5 GHz WIFI, meanwhile, is the preferred choice for bandwidth-intensive applications such as video calling, cloud-based 3D modeling software and multimedia streaming. This higher frequency benefits companies with smaller physical footprints that prioritize faster speed over scope.
Enhancing Wireless Connections With Advanced Networking Technologies
Networking isn’t a static solution — new tools and technologies can help improve both wireless connection speeds and reliability.
One example is the development of 6 GHz WIFI, also called WIFI 6E, which supports 160 MHz channels and can deliver speeds up to 2 Gbps. While the network coverage is smaller than that of 5 GHz, 6 GHz is a great choice for bandwidth-intensive applications.
Also on the rise is mesh networking, which connects all “nodes” in a system to each other, allowing data to travel along multiple pathways to both improve resiliency and enhance speed. These nodes may be routers, switches, peripherals or any other wireless device connected to the network.
Finding Your Frequency
2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
There’s no “right” answer — both offer benefits and drawbacks depending on your needs, use case and device environment. To make the most of WIFI connections consider which frequency delivers the best balance between coverage, speed and reliability.
To ensure optimal performance over time, regularly assess your WIFI needs to find the frequency that delivers consistent connectivity.