Only a few years previously, most routers used the 2.4 GHz WiFi frequency. Now, the 5 GHz frequency has begun to be utilized, resulting in the appearance of dual-band routers that can use any of the two frequencies mentioned above. But, how do you know whether your WiFi is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
In this article you will get the answer to this question and learn how to see if your WiFi network is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, but before we show you how to do it, let’s first see what 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are. We will also explain the difference between them.
What Are 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz?
5 GHz and 2.4 GHz are two separate radio wavelengths (commonly referred to as “bands” or “frequencies”) that most routers utilize to broadcast WiFi connections.
The majority of current routers are dual-band (supporting both bands).
Note: The latest Wi-Fi 6E adds a band of 6 GHz, but keeping in mind that it is still in the development phase, most people use the conventional bands of 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz.
The Difference Between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz
When we talk about the differences between 5ghz and 2.4ghz, we have to mention the two biggest ones, which are range and speed.
2.4 GHz wireless transmission covers a bigger space region, but the internet speed is lower, while 5 GHz covers a less area, but gives faster internet rates. Each router is made to offer a specific frequency band, so think about which Wi-Fi band is best for you to get the best performance for what you need.
If you may be wondering which is better, we cannot give you a completely precise answer, because it all depends on your needs and requirements. So if you intend to cover as much range as possible then we recommend 2.4 GHz. In case speed is your priority, then the right choice for you is the 5 GHz band, which is also a newer band.
More About 2.4 GHz
According to RouterCtrl, speed of 50-70 Mbps, the 2.4 GHz wifi frequency provides high network coverage and better “reaches” through walls. So, if you have a lot of obstacles or walls in your house or apartment, this frequency might be right for you.
With a lower bandwidth compared to 5GHz, you need to know that for the 2.4GHz band it is not uncommon for interruptions and interference to occur frequently.
More About 5 GHz
The 5 GHz frequency offers a data band greater than 2.4 GHz, so interference or interruptions in this band are really rare. And of course, as we have already mentioned, the speed is higher.
These are the advantages of the 5GHz band, and the disadvantages, in addition to less coverage, are the difficulty of overcoming obstacles and walls in your home.
Important Facts When Choosing the Frequency Range That Your Devices Should Use
Do You Live in a Large House/Apartment?
Do you have a big house? Then you need more coverage. Also, large houses usually have a large number of rooms – and that means a large number of solid barriers – use 2.4GHz.
If you own an apartment or a smaller house, 5 GHz will suit you perfectly – it will give you higher speed and connection without interference.
Interference
The main reason why the 2.4 range is interference is that it is used by a large number of devices: mobile phones, home appliances such as microwave ovens, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. This means that if you want a better signal, a connection without interruption, 5GHz is better (although the device must still be close to the router).
The Frequency Band’s Use
Which range is better depends on it and for which specific action you will use it. For example, if you want to perform “simpler” activities, such as searching for content on the net or watching clips on you tube, etc., then the 2.4 GHz band is fine, because lower bandwidth is used for activities of this type.
For activities such as streaming or playing online, you should definitely use 5 GHz because these operations require a higher bandwidth.
After we have introduced you in detail to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and explained the differences between them, below we will show you how to find out if you have a Wi-Fi network of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
Take a Look at the Networks That Are Available to You
Check your WiFi bar on your computer or phone to see whether your WiFi’s name has various options.
Check if there are any network names that are similar – “home_wifi” / “home_wifi_5G” or “home_wifi 2G” and “home_wifi”.
If there are several networks with high similarity, choose the one with 2G, 2GHz, or just no extras in the name. It should be a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
How to Check Network Band on a Windows Computer
- Connect your desktop computer to a WiFi network.
- From your taskbar, open the Networks panel (tap the WiFi symbol).
- Now, select Properties (below the WiFi network you are connected to)
- A new window will now open. In it scroll down to the properties area.
- The network band section will show if the network is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
How to Check Network Band on a MacBook Computer
- Connect your MacBook computer to WiFi.
- Press and hold the Option / Alt key and at the same time click the WiFi button on the top menu bar.
- The “Channel” section will show whether it is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
How to Check Network Band on Android
- Connect to the internet via your mobile phone
- Go to Settings, then Wi-Fi to get Wi-Fi details. Choose a network that is connected. Note that the settings on different Android phones may differ.
- Check the following, depending on the Android version:
- Look at the “Frequency” setting to see whether it says 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
- Check the “Network speed” setting; if it exceeds 400 Mbps, you’re on a 5GHz network.
How to Check Network Band iOS
There is no option on iOS to get information about the network band, so if you use iOS, we recommend that you do it using a computer. If you do not have a computer you can download
Apple Play WiFi Analyzer application.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this article carefully you know how to find out if you have a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network. Also, we believe that it is now clear to you that there is no answer as to which of these two bands is better, because both bands have their advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s summarize at the end – the 5 GHz band is recommended in situations where speed is your priority and when the devices are not too far from the router. The 2.4 GHz band is good when you have more space to cover – when the devices are away from your router.
Note: Remember that the modem / router and the device should be programmed to use the same bandwidth to make the most of the bandwidth and improve the quality of the Wi-Fi connection.
