Are higher 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi frequency bands better than 2.4GHz ?

There are both advantages and disadvantages of using the higher 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi frequency bands, as follows.

Advantages of higher frequency 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi bands over 2.4GHz:

Bandwidth: 5-6GHz bands have more available bandwidth, which means faster data transfer speeds and less congestion.
Interference: 5-6GHz bands have less interference from other devices compared to 2.4GHz, making them more reliable.
Capacity: 5GHz and 6GHz bands are able to support more devices at the same time, providing better network capacity.
Load distribution: Most 5GHz and 6GHz devices are also compatible with 2.4GHz clients, so routers have more available bands to distribute over multiple clients without interference.
Mesh networking: Many mesh networks can utilize one of the newer, less congested high-frequency bands for wireless backhaul, freeing up other frequencies for clients.
Future proofing: Newer client devices support newer standards in the higher frequency bands.


Disadvantages of using higher frequency 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi bands over 2.4GHz:

Range: 5GHz and 6GHz have shorter range than 2.4GHz, even though 6GHz has longer range than 5GHz.
Obstacles: 5GHz and 6GHz signals have a harder time penetrating walls and other obstacles, reducing the effective range of the signal.
Compatibility: Some older devices may not support the 5GHz or 6GHz bands, limiting the devices that can connect to the network.
Cost: Devices that support the 5GHz and 6GHz bands tend to be more expensive than those that only support 2.4GHz.

Overall, the choice between using the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the network, such as range, speed, number of clients, compatibility with devices, price, etc. Essentially, 5-6GHz should be used by devices that require higher bandwidth like video streaming, while 2.4GHz should be used by more distant devices with lower bandwidth requirements.