Summary of How to tell if you have 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network
- Is it better to connect to 5GHz or 2.4 GHz?
- How do I know if my WiFi is 2.4 GHz?
- Does 5GHz go through walls?
- Can you connect to 2.4 and 5GHz at the same time?
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AI Overview
AI Overview
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are the two primary Wi-Fi frequencies, offering a tradeoff between range and speed. 2.4 GHz offers a longer range and better penetration through walls but slower speeds. Conversely, 5 GHz provides significantly faster speeds and less interference, but has a shorter range, making it best for high-bandwidth activities near the router.
This video explains the key differences between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi:
57s
Teltonika Networks
YouTube • Feb 25, 2025
Key Differences and Use Cases
Range & Coverage: 2.4 GHz covers a larger area, often reaching 150+ feet, making it ideal for large homes or outdoor, long-distance connections
. 5 GHz typically has a shorter, ~50-foot range, as higher frequencies struggle to penetrate walls and solid objects
.
Speed & Performance: 5 GHz is much faster, often supporting over 500 Mbps, which is ideal for streaming 4K video, gaming, and large file downloads. 2.4 GHz is generally limited to around 100-300 Mbps.
Interference & Congestion: 2.4 GHz is more prone to interference because it is used by many household devices (microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth). 5 GHz is less congested and offers more, non-overlapping channels.
Best Use Cases:
2.4 GHz: Smart home devices (IoT), security cameras,, and devices located far from the router.
5 GHz: Laptops, gaming consoles, and streaming devices in the same or adjacent room.
Summary Table
Feature 2.4 GHz 5 GHz
Speed Slower (up to 300 Mbps) Faster (up to 1 Gbps+)
Range Longer Shorter
Penetration Excellent Poor
Interference High Low
Most modern, dual-band routers broadcast both, allowing devices to automatically switch or letting users choose the best network for their needs.
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How to tell if you have 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi network
All Nexx Smart Devices work on 2.4GHz WiFi network frequency only.
Look at your available networks
- Open up your WiFi menu on your phone or computer and see if there are multiple options with your WiFi’s name.
- See if there are multiple similar network names, for example:
- “home_wifi” and “home_wifi_5G”
- “home_wifi” and “home_wifi 5.0”
- “home_wifi” and “home_wifi5”
- “home_wifi 2G” and “home_wifi”
- If there are multiple similar networks, pick the one with either 2G, 2GHz, or nothing extra in the name. That is most likely the 2.4GHz WiFi network.
For example:
If that is not the case, try the following options. We recommend you check through a computer as easiest.
There is no information on iOS regarding the network band, so we recommend you check your network through a computer. See the instructions for Apple or Windows computers.
If you don’t have a computer here are some options for finding out your network band on an iOS:
- Install a WiFi analyzer app from Apple Play.
- Obtain the information via your router settings. For more information on this process, please consult your specific router’s manufacturer or user manual for more details.
- Click on the WiFi icon in the top nav bar while holding down the Option/Alt key.
- You will see detailed information in grey about your Wi-Fi. In the middle it will show which channel your Wi-Fi is using.
- “Channel” will either say in the brackets 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
- From Notification Panel press and hold the WiFi icon until you enter WiFi settings screen.
- Select the network properties (tap the gear icon or menu icon).
- Depending on the Android version check:
- Read the “Frequency” setting – shows as 2.4 or 5GHz.
- Read the “Network speed” setting – if speed is over 400 Mbps then you are using 5GHz network.
- Connect to the WiFi network.
- Open your networks panel from your taskbar (click the WiFi icon in the bottom right).
- Click on “Properties” of your WiFi network.
- In the new window that opens, scroll all the way down to “Properties”.
- “Network Band” will either say 2.4GHz or 5GHz.