Which Wi-Fi band is best: 2.4ghz, 5ghz, or 6ghz and why?

[BeemerBiker]

The info in the box was obtain using ChatGPT

The 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands each have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different use cases. Here's a comparison of these bands:

2.4 GHz Band

• Range: Longer range, better at penetrating walls and obstacles.
• Speed: Lower maximum data rates compared to 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands.
• Interference: More prone to interference because many devices (e.g., microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices) operate on this frequency.
• Channels: Fewer non-overlapping channels (usually 3 in most regions), leading to potential congestion.

5 GHz Band

• Range: Shorter range compared to 2.4 GHz; less effective at penetrating walls and obstacles.
• Speed: Higher maximum data rates, making it suitable for high-bandwidth applications like streaming HD video and online gaming.
• Interference: Less interference compared to 2.4 GHz because fewer household devices use this frequency.
• Channels: More non-overlapping channels, reducing the likelihood of congestion.

6 GHz Band

• Range: Similar or slightly shorter than 5 GHz due to higher frequency.
• Speed: Even higher maximum data rates than 5 GHz, ideal for the latest high-bandwidth applications and future-proofing.
• Interference: Currently the least interference as it is less congested, being a newer band with fewer devices operating on it.
• Channels: Significantly more non-overlapping channels, greatly reducing congestion and allowing for more simultaneous connections.

Use Cases and Considerations

• 2.4 GHz: Best for general use, especially in larger homes or environments with many walls and obstacles. Good for devices that do not require high-speed connections, like IoT devices.
• 5 GHz: Ideal for high-speed applications and environments with fewer obstacles. Great for apartments or open spaces where range is less of a concern but higher speeds are needed.
• 6 GHz: Best for the latest devices that support this band, offering the highest speeds and least congestion. Ideal for very high-speed internet connections and dense urban environments with many Wi-Fi networks.

Compatibility

• 2.4 GHz: Supported by almost all Wi-Fi devices.
• 5 GHz: Supported by most modern Wi-Fi devices.
• 6 GHz: Supported by the newest Wi-Fi 6E devices.

Choosing the right band depends on your specific needs regarding range, speed, and device compatibility.

Bands have channels. The 2.4ghz band, for example, has 14 channels but not all of them are available depending on what country you are in.

Wikipedia has a list of WLAN channels that show which are available.

if you wish to use the 5ghz band for your laptop (speed) but the 2.4gh for the printer (long range) then your modem may need to have different names (SSID) for the bands to ensure the correct connection.  Alternately a band could be either recommended or forced to be used depending on the device driver properties.

For example, the AX210 series allows a preferred band

Some printers have the option of selecting the 2.4ghz or the 5ghz band or "auto".  Unfortunately, If that option is not available then printer needs to connect to a named band.  This requires that the modem be accessed and the default name of one of the bands be changed.