2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz: which Wi-Fi band should I use?
Understanding Wi-Fi bands for faster, more reliable office Wi-Fi
Modern Wi-Fi uses up to three radio bands. Each is a trade-off between range and speed.
| Band | Range | Speed and congestion | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | Longest. Goes through walls well. | Slowest, and crowded. Neighbours, microwaves and Bluetooth all use it. | Smart devices, printers, sensors, far corners |
| 5 GHz | Medium | Fast, with far more channels | Laptops, phones, video calls: most everyday use |
| 6 GHz | Shortest | Fastest and least crowded | Newer devices close to an access point |
6 GHz needs Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 on both the access point and the device. Older laptops and phones won't see it.
Tips for staff
- If you see two networks with the same name, one ending in "5G" for example, use 5 GHz when you're reasonably near an access point.
- Slow Wi-Fi at your desk? Try moving closer to an access point before assuming the internet is down.
- For regular large uploads or video editing, a network cable still beats any Wi-Fi.
Tips for IT leads
- Prefer 5 GHz and 6 GHz for staff devices. Use band steering, or a single network name with both bands.
- Use narrower channels (20 or 40 MHz) in busy offices. Wider channels are faster in theory but clash more.
- DFS channels give you extra 5 GHz capacity, but access points must move off them if radar is detected, which can cause short drop-outs.
- Available channels vary by country. Set your access points to the correct region.
- Put smart and IoT devices on their own network (a separate SSID or VLAN) so they can't reach business systems.
Still slow?
Raise a ticket with your location in the building, the time it happens and a speed test result. We can review coverage and channel planning.