When is it better to use 2.4GHz?

You connect to the router and see that you can use two networks: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Thinking that the second one is going to offer better speed, you use it to connect all your devices. Can you do it? Yeah. Is it the best? No. This is a very common error that can lead to problems with the stability of the connection, so today we are going to explain when to choose one network or another.

How a 2.4GHz network works

The 2.4GHz network is the oldest, the one we have had and continue to have for many years. It is slower to transfer a large volume of data, but in exchange waves can reach a greater distance and allows you to pass through objects, walls and furniture.

The problem with this network is that it can often become saturated because it is the frequency that is also used by Bluetooth, microwaves and a large part of the routers, especially the older ones. Therefore, if we are in a city and we are surrounded by neighbors and, above all, devices, we may experience a less stable connection.

With this we can make something clear: as long as you want to use a device that does not require transferring a lot of data, such as a robot vacuum cleaner, it is advisable to choose this network so that it can move throughout the house without losing the WiFi connection.

In other words: Imagine that the 2.4GHs network is like a very long, one-lane secondary road. You go far, but you go slowly and there are potholes (interference).

Why do I want to use a 2.4GHz network? For devices that you are not going to use to download anything. The best examples are robot vacuum cleaners, which connect to WiFi to use them with your mobile phone (among other things), and smart plugs or lights, which do not require large data transfers.

How a 5GHz network works

The interesting thing about the 5GHz network is that it uses a higher frequency to transfer more data in less time than the 2.4GHz network. The good thing is that this network is usually less congested with devices, which favors having a more stable connection.

But there is a disadvantage, and that is that 5GHz network waves are shorterwhich means that if you connect the robot vacuum cleaner to this network it is possible that if it goes under the bed it will lose the signal. Keep in mind that the more walls, furniture or objects the waves have to pass through, the less effective the 5GHz network will be.

If we explain it in other words: the 5GHz network is a five-lane highway. You go very fast, but it cuts off soon if there is a mountain (wall) in front of you.

What do I want to use a 5GHz network for? to download data, especially. It is interesting to use on a computer if you are going to download many files, even more so if they are very large. It is also suitable for playing online with a console or downloading video games, and even for watching a movie on Netflix, especially if it is in 4K.

The important thing: know when to use one network or another

There are devices that we do not usually move around, such as televisions, consoles or desktop computers, so we will normally prefer that they be connected to the 5GHz network (as long as they are close to the router) so that they can download a lot of data in a short time. We will want many others to be connected to the 2.4GHz network to have greater stability and range in the connection.

But there are others who It may be useful for us to have them connected to one network or another depending on the situation.. The best example is found in mobile phones or smartphones: if we are next to the router, we want it to be connected to the 5GHz network so that the speed is much faster. But if we are in the bedroom and we want to surf the Internet or look at social networks, since we are far from the router it is preferable that we use the 2.4GHz network.

It is also important that we know what the device we want to connect is like. Some manufacturers use 2.4GHz chips because they are cheaper, offer greater range, and generally consume less power. We normally see this connection in the devices we have already discussed, such as smart plugs.

The good and the bad of both options, face to face

We do the math to see which one can compensate you more.

Many routers automatically choose the network to connect the devices to, but It may be the case that we have to choose. If on your mobile you only see one WiFi name to connect to, don’t worry, it’s probably because the router is deciding for you. But if you see two (such as MiCasa and MiCasa_5G), follow these tips to choose manually.

As we can see, both networks have their positive and negative points. What we must take into account is what device we are going to connect, and then choose one network or another.

If you want to connect devices that work by transferring little data, it will pay you much more to use a 2.4GHz network.

• Actual use: Let’s say you want to connect a robot vacuum cleaner and a smart plug.
• The accounts: These types of devices work without the need to transfer a lot of data. The important thing here is that they have a stable connection.
• So? By connecting, for example, the robot vacuum cleaner to a 2.4GHz network, it will be able to operate without interruptions in all corners of the house where the WiFi signal reaches. Walls or furniture may affect stability, but much less than the 5GHz network.

On the other hand, if what you want is to connect a device that requires transferring a large volume of data, what you will be most interested in is using a 5GHz network.

• Actual use: You want to connect a television, a computer or a console.
• The accounts: These devices usually need to transfer a lot of data. The TV to play content on streamingthe computer to browse the Internet and download files and the console to play online or download video games.
• So? If you are going to use the devices and they are next to the router, and especially if you are going to need to transfer or download a lot of data in a short time, the connection will be much faster (and will even be more stable) with the 5GHz network.

In summary:

👉 Choose 2.4GHz network if: You are going to connect a device that does not require transferring a lot of data or if you want to connect to WiFi from a room that is far from the router.

👉 Choose 5GHz network if: You want to connect devices that need a higher data transfer speed, such as the console to play games over the Internet or if you are going to watch a movie or series on streaming.

Recommended models

The most balanced: ASUS RT-AX52 (entry range)

He ASUS RT-AX52 It is a particularly interesting router because it is capable of choosing for you where the devices connect. It is “all-terrain” as it has both WiFi networks and is better than the router that comes with the operator.

For maximum speed: TP-Link Archer AX58 (mid-high range)

He TP-Link Archer AX58 It’s an AX3000 class router, which means it has a much wider “highway” for data. If you put your PC or console near this router, the lag will be very noticeable.

Do you want to see more models?

If after buying a new router you still have a bad connection in the farthest room, it is not the fault of the 5GHz or 2.4GHz networks: perhaps you need a WiFi Mesh system.

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Images | Laura Lopez and Eva R. de Luis, Misha Feshchak and Dreamlike Street in UnsplashASUS, TP-Link

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