What is dual band WiFi, and what makes it different from the single band one? This article should answer all dual-band Wi-Fi-related questions and explain why it is better than the single-band WiFi version.
Compared to single-band WiFi, dual-band is much better since it provides better speed. Most households have dual-band WiFi routers because the newer devices are fast and need a much stronger and faster internet connection. So, without further ado, let’s start and discover more!
What Is Dual Band WiFi?
The dual-band WiFi emits two signals with different wavelengths. It provides the devices with a much steadier internet connection and better performance. Depending on the router brand, the dual-band WiFi can support a speed of up to 1,300 Mbps.
The first wavelength of 2.4 GHz is the one that single-band WiFi routers emit. But after time, wireless device usage drastically increased, and this band became too cluttered. This is one of the reasons why router manufacturers decided to boost the routers with another better band of 5 GHz.
With dual-band WiFi, you can play games, watch movies, and chill on social media without facing connectivity difficulties and slow internet. The most significant advantage of dual-band WiFi is the enhanced speed that is incomparable to the single-band version.
Also, the interference from other devices is relatively decreased since this type of WiFi has the power to avoid it, but not all devices use the 5 GHz speed. For example, the newest smartphones use more 2.4 GHz frequency, which is a good advantage because they would not impact the speed and wavelength of the 5 GHz frequency.
Depending on the router you have, it might automatically change the band depending on the connected device. So, if the traffic increases, the router will redirect the devices to the 5 GHz band, where more channels are available. Let’s discover more about dual-band WiFi routers!
Dual-band WiFi routers
The dual-band router is the one that supports and shares the dual-band WiFi network. For now, two types of dual-band routers are available on the market, simultaneous and selectable.
The simultaneous router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Both networks are shared simultaneously, allowing you to choose the one you want to use at the moment. This router is good because separating the devices will prevent network overcrowding.
The selectable router supports one WiFi network, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. In other words. It works like a single-band WiFi router, but in this case, you choose which network frequency to use on your device.
If you wonder how to choose which network to use, determine the purpose of why you need the internet connection. If the purpose is social media, web research, and video watching on your smartphone, then you need the 2.4 GHz network. Simpler activities work perfectly on the lower frequency WiFi band.
However, if you need the Internet for streaming or playing video games of higher resolution and picture quality, then switching to the 5 GHz network might be an excellent option. More complex activities go perfectly with the more intense network option. Now, let’s take a look at the differences between dual-band and single-band WiFi!
Dual-band vs. single-band WiFi
To clarify, we will briefly compare the single and dual-band WiFi. Initially, single-band WiFi is more suitable for smaller homes since it covers a small area.
On the other hand, dual-band WiFi fits better in larger homes because its coverage area is larger than the single-band one. This automatically means dual-band WiFi can handle more devices without affecting the internet connection steadiness.
Secondly, the single-band WiFi is better for browsing, emailing, and watching videos. In contrast, the dual-band WiFi lets you stream and play games at high resolution without facing any speed or quality issues.
The signal strength you get from the dual-band WiFi is incomparable to the one you have from the single band. But, you must understand that everything has a price, and dual-band WiFi will cost you more than a single-band option.
Anyway, when you see the comparison, the dual-band WiFi routers are a money-worth product because no one uses single-band WiFi routers anymore. However, if you are wondering about the security properties of dual-band WiFi, you can discover more in the next section.
Read more: Which Is Better 2.4 Ghz or 5GHZ?
What Are the Security Properties of Dual-Band WiFi?
Because there are two different bands, you can secure them with two different passwords. But, it is not necessary until you have a strong network password. The only reason why setting different passwords might be a good idea is to separate the users based on their internet connection needs.
So, if you work from home but have smaller children who often play video games, you can connect their devices to the 5 GHz band while you research the web and send emails on the 2.4 GHz band without difficulties.
To make the separation, you can set two different passwords for the bands so the devices would not automatically switch from band to band because of different internet usage.
Also read: How to Tell if My WiFi Is 2.4 or 5
Conclusion
Well, we have come to the very end of this short article, and we hope it has helped you learn what is dual band WiFi and what makes it better than single-band WiFi.
So, a dual-band WiFi router simultaneously emits two signals from one unit. Both signals work with different intensities and provide two WiFi networks. One band emits 2.4 GHz, while the other emits 5 GHz bands. Together, these bands make up to a hundred times better WiFi bandwidth.
Most single-band WiFi routers are part of the past because the modern world requires modern and better solutions. Enjoy your web research, Netflix, and gaming on a separate network without crowding the single one. Choose the network connection for your internet needs, and enjoy!