Family Encyclopedia >> Electronics

What are the differences between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands

By now we expect everyone to have heard of 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency spectra. These frequencies are mainly related to the Wi-Fi connection of your home and your professional establishment.

ContentsThe differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band explained5 GHz Wi-Fi band explained2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz frequency bands:which is better?What is the main difference between 2 .4 GHz and 5 GHz? Can I use both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz? Is 5 GHz the same as 5G?

The differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi

As for the main differences, the information below will help you a lot. So, keep reading to gain knowledge.

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band explained

Ok, so the 2.4 GHz contains 14 channels in total. Each of these channels is approximately 22 MHz wide, but not all countries support all 14 channels. When it comes to speed, this frequency peaks at 450 megabits per second (Mbps). It can reach 600 Mbps, but it all depends on the state.

Coverage with the 2.4 GHz frequency band is quite wide, which means you should be able to stay connected over longer distances.

5 GHz Wi-Fi band explained

People will take advantage of the 5 GHz frequency band because it has 24 non-overlapping channels. Each channel is only 20 MHz wide, but despite this, the number of channels exceeds the size. In terms of speed, you can expect this band to support speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Great speed support, right? We agree, but most people don't have that super-fast internet connection.

The higher transfer speed, while excellent, has one major downside, which is less coverage compared to the 2.4GHz band. It is more difficult for 5 GHz to penetrate solid objects, therefore you will need to be in an open space to best benefit from it.

2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz frequency bands:which is better?

From our point of view, neither is better. This is because both have major pros and cons. If you want a more consistent internet connection over longer distances, then 2.4GHz is your best bet. It will work quite well with walls and in crowded areas.

A 5 GHz connection, on the other hand, offers a faster Internet connection but at a short distance from the router. So if you intend to stream or play video games online, then 5GHz makes a lot of sense. Just make sure the video game system is near the router.

What is the main difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?

There are several main differences between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. These differences are important, but they will not be for all users. In fact, some of the things that make either frequency unique will take years to come into widespread use.

Now the main things that separate them are coverage and speed. We'll talk about that later.

Can I use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz?

Yes, you can. However, it all depends on the router you are connecting to. If it is not a dual-band device capable of receiving and transmitting on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies at the same time, unfortunately it will not work.

Is 5 GHz identical to 5G?

That's a very good question. Many people think that the two are one and the same, but that is not the case. 5 GHz is a frequency used by Wi-Fi devices, while 5G simply means fifth generation, and that's it. Strangely, some routers advertise their support for the 5 GHz frequency as 5G. This makes the issue even more confusing for consumers.