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. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links 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 2.4ghz network 5ghz network THE GOOD 🟢 The signal will be able to reach a greater distance, passing through doors, objects and furniture more easily, which guarantees better stability in the connection of your robot vacuum cleaner. It is capable of transferring a large volume of data in a short time, making it perfect for watching 4K movies streaming. THE BAD 🔴 The connection is slow, so if you are downloading a large volume of data, it will take much longer. Additionally, sometimes the network can be saturated if there are many devices nearby that are also using it. The more walls, furniture or objects you have to go around or through, the worse the signal will work. Ideal for: Devices that do not require transferring a lot of data, such as robot vacuum cleaners, smart plugs and lights, or smart microwaves and refrigerators. Devices that need to transfer a large volume of data, such as televisions to watch streaming movies, computers or smartphones. 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 … Read more