2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz Wi-Fi: Which Should You Use?

By Gllownite Technology • Published 1 November 2026

Use 5 GHz when you are fairly close to the router and want speed. Use 2.4 GHz for longer range, for rooms behind several walls, and for smart home devices that only support it.

The difference at a glance

Which band for which device?

• TV, game console, work laptop: 5 GHz if the signal is strong, or better still an Ethernet cable.
• Phone: 5 GHz near the router, 2.4 GHz further away. Modern phones usually switch by themselves if both bands share one name.
• Smart plugs, bulbs and cameras: often 2.4 GHz only, so keep that band turned on.
• A device in a far room: try both and keep whichever gives the better speed test result.

How to get faster Wi-Fi

1. Place the router somewhere central and open, up high, and away from metal objects and thick walls.
2. Avoid placing it in a cupboard or behind a TV.
3. On 2.4 GHz, use channel 1, 6 or 11. These are the three channels that do not overlap each other, so one of them may be clearer than the channel you are on now.
4. Give 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz separate names if you want to choose the band yourself. Test both from the same spot.
5. Update the router firmware from its settings page.
6. For a large home, consider a mesh system or a wired access point when one router cannot cover every room.

While you are in the router settings, check your Wi-Fi password too. If it is short or still the default, create a stronger one with our Wi-Fi password generator, so that neighbours are not sharing your connection.

Still slow?

Test with an Ethernet cable. If a wired connection is also slow, Wi-Fi is not the main problem. Work through our guide to fixing slow internet.

Frequently asked questions