The Difference Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (and why it matters)
Nowadays, we need Wi-Fi for virtually everything. It powers our laptops, smartphones, tablets, cameras, televisions, and more.
Yet, as we add more and more devices to our home network, and more and more other people are setting up their own networks, we may notice that our Wi-Fi speeds and range will begin to slow down.
That’s why it’s important to discuss the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi.
An Explanation
Wi-Fi was released to customers in 1997 by the 802.11 committee. It operates using electromagnetic waves. For most of Wi-Fi history, it operated on the 2.4 GHz spectrum.
2.4 GHz operates on one of 14 channels, as shown below. It was fine at the time when there wasn’t a huge demand for speed or wireless devices, but soon cracks began to show.
As more and more wireless devices and networks began to emerge, these channels started to become congested. Wireless networks in congested spaces (like apartments) began to interfere with one another, and 2.4 GHz didn’t allow for wireless technology to continually increase in speed (rather, it maxed out at around 600 Mbps).
That’s around when 5 GHz WiFi emerged on the market. Since it was essentially a higher bandwidth version of 2.4 GHz WiFi, the speeds could be faster. Also, there was less of a chance of congestion with other networks since there were many more channels than before.
However, 5 GHz WiFi isn’t perfect. While it does promise faster speeds, it doesn’t go as far as 2.4 GHz.
2.4 GHz is the longer wavelength, while 5 GHz is the shorter wavelength. Longer wavelengths penetrate walls and physical objects better, but it can’t carry as much bandwidth. Shorter wavelengths are more affected by the environment around them, but suffer from less outside interference and can have higher bandwidth.
Here’s a summary:
2.4 Ghz
- Generally better range than 5 GHz.
- More interference with other networks (which can lower range).
- Lower speeds.
- Not all devices support it yet —many older devices (and some smart home gadgets) still require this standard.
5 GHz
- This is essentially a higher bandwidth version of 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- It has shorter range and can have more interference with walls and physical objects.
- However, in most cases, it is faster and has less interference with other wireless signals and electronic devices.
So, what does this mean for me?
For most tasks, the advantages of 5 GHz WiFi outweigh the potential disadvantages of the technology.
For example, companies like Google are trying to solve the range problem of 5 GHz WiFi by using multiple routers throughout one’s house, which form a mesh of WiFi.
For now, if you want a 5 GHz-compatible router, make sure the router is labeled as “dual-band” when you are buying it. Also, when buying computers or phones, try to look to see if it supports the 5 GHz WiFi standard.
