2.4 ghz vs 5 ghz wifi what is the difference

The difference between the two is pretty simple: it all comes down to range and speed. 2.4 GHz has a longer range, meaning it reaches a lot further than 5 GHz Wi-Fi.1 However, even though you can connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi from your basement, it will have a slower speed.1

5 GHz Wi-Fi is faster. But faster also means it won’t reach as far. Techie lingo aside, you trade one benefit for the other when it comes to your internet connection. Keep in mind that not all routers support both versions of Wi-Fi—many older routers only have 2.4 GHz, while newer routers usually have both.1

The same goes for devices. If you have a really old PC, it might not have an option for changing Wi-Fi frequencies. But your new smartphone very likely does. In order to experience the full benefits of 5 GHz Wi-Fi, you should use a device and router that supports it.

Is it better to connect to 2.4 GHz or 5 Ghz Wi-Fi?

It really depends on your situation. 2.4 GHz can travel further, which means the signal can go through walls and solid objects more easily. This means your device will have an easier time connecting. It’s also the signal that’s been around for the longest time, so many devices can connect to it.

However, sometimes the 2.4 GHz bandwave is overused. There’s a bunch of devices that use this frequency, such as microwaves, any bluetooth devices, and even wireless landline phones.

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Having lots of devices connected to the same wave of Wi-Fi can cause more disruptions. (If you are experiencing trouble with your Wi-Fi and you have a newer device, try switching to 5 GHz and see what happens.)

The great thing about 5 GHz is that there’s typically fewer devices using it. If you can connect your device to this frequency (just go to Wi-Fi settings) then chances are you’ll have fewer glitches. However, keep in mind that the signal from your router won’t reach as far as it would at 2.4 GHz.

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Written by

Chyelle Dvorak

Chyelle works as a freelance writer for The Daily Beast and edited articles for Forbes, Inc.com, Fox News and other review sites. Chyelle tests, writes, and researches products and services related to internet consumption. She found her passion for public speaking and writing in her childhood when she won the Voice of Democracy speech and essay competition. Chyelle has a degree in International Relations from Crown College, Minnesota. Outside of work, Chyelle loves to spend time reading, kayaking, and running.

Wireless signals can transfer all sort of data. They are essentially just electromagnetic waves traveling through the air on specified spectrum of frequencies - the rate at which a signal vibrates. So our mysterious numbers means that router exchange information on 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies.

What is the difference between the frequencies?

The main difference is speed.

Under ideal conditions, 2.4 GHz WiFi will support up to 450 Mbps or 600 Mbps, while 5 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 1300 Mbps. But be careful! The maximum speed dependent on what wireless standard a router supports — 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac.

Second case is bursts of noise around the 2.4GHz spectrum.

The 2.4 GHz band is a pretty crowded place. It's used by many devices, such as cordless telephones, Bluetooth devices, or even microwave ovens. This can cause a significant decrease in speed, or sometimes the total blocking of the WiFi signal. The 5 GHz band is much less congested, which means you will likely get more stable connections and witness higher speeds.

What about network coverage?

The longer waves used by the 2.4 GHz band are better suited to longer ranges and transmission through walls and solid objects. The shorter waves used by the 5 GHz band makes it less able to penetrate walls and solid objects.

So which router is better?

As always in life, it depends. Mostly 5 GHz router is more perspective choice, but sometimes changing from one version to another may turn out useless if we cannot use it fully. If we live in place where there are few other networks, and our Internet connection is less than 25-50 Mbps, we can think about a 2.4 GHz router in order to save money. On the other hand, if we have a very fast Internet connection and we live in a place where there are many networks, then we should invest in a 5GHz router to escape from crowded 2.4 GHz band and fully utilize our Internet connection.

Is it better to connect to 5GHz or 2.4 GHz?

Does 5GHz go through walls?

Do I need both 2.4 and 5GHz?