2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wifi?

[halal jamal]

So I have a 2.4 GHz connection and 5 GHz connection to pick from. When I use the 5 GHz connection for gaming and downloading it works fine. Download speed it a bit higher. However when I'm using the 5 GHz it shows on my windows that I have like 1-2 bars out of 4. Why is this? How come I have only 1-2 bars of connection but it is still fast and good for gaming?

[halal jamal]

2.4 GHz is a bit slower but has full bars all the time, which one should I use?

[Amuro0079]

5 Ghz of course. 5 Ghz has shorter range because higher frequency of the signal, higher frequency makes it faster even when the signal is weaker. 2.4 has more range and coverage but lower frequency and therefore slower and also easier to get interference.

[halal jamal]

cool I will keep using 5 GHz

[Kargor]

It all depends on how reliable things are.

5GHz is "better", and it's generally much less crowded (if you're in an area with a lot of WLANs) since not every device supports it.

However, none of this mean anything if it's not reliable. 5GHz is much more sensitive to obstacles such as walls, and really prefers a direct line of sight if that can be arranged.

As an example, my own access point is sitting on top of some furniture in my living room. I don't generally use it since I have no WLAN devices, but when I do, even the 5GHz gets "perfect" conditions out of it. And almost no "in range" neighbor uses the 5GHz band.

[SMIFFY]

I use 5GHz because one day my Vive (which had been working perfectly for 2 years) all a sudden decided it didn't like me using 2.4GHz.

[Mr. Megidramon]

5 if your device can use it, but the range isn't as good.