The difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi

Your wireless router uses radio frequencies to transmit internet to your WiFi-connected devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets and more. The difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi comes down to speed and range. Let’s take a closer look at the differences.

2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz pros and cons

2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz: Which frequency should you choose?

A 2.4 GHz connection travels farther at lower speeds, while 5 GHz frequencies provide faster speeds at shorter range. Your choice of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz will depend on where and how you use your WiFi connection.

A lot of electronic devices and appliances use the 2.4 GHz frequency, including microwaves, baby monitors, security cameras, and garage door openers. If you have many of these in your home, or if you live in an apartment or condo, that 2.4 GHz band is likely to be congested, which can damage speed and signal quality.

5 GHz will give you more signal strength and faster speed over a shorter range, compared to 2.4 GHz.

Use 5 GHz for a device closer to the router

If you're able to use most of your devices near your router, 5 GHz is your best choice to take advantage of higher speeds. Similarly, if you're doing a lot of high-bandwidth activities online, such as gaming or videoconferencing, it's best to use this frequency and move as close as possible to the router. If you're in an apartment or condo with many other units surrounding you, 5 GHz will help you avoid wireless congestion.

Use 2.4 GHz for a device farther from the router

On a device that moves around a lot throughout the day (like your smartphone), especially if you have a large home, the 2.4 GHz frequency is your best bet. This wavelength has a longer range and can penetrate solid objects more easily than the 5 GHz band, making it ideal for devices that are taken from room to room or are further away from the router. The exception to this is newer routers running 5 GHz 802.11ac WiFi, which can, in the right conditions, get range coverage equal to 2.4 GHz. 

How do you change frequency settings?

Make sure wireless is enabled on your modem/router and set to use the same frequency.

Check your specific model of router for compatibility and frequency capabilities.

A dual-band router can transmit at both frequencies at the same time. You see two networks (SSIDs) on your network list, with identical names except for a "5" or "2.4." You can connect each individual device to either network.

Open the sections below for more detailed information about WiFi speed and range.