What Is A Dual-Band Router And Why Is It Important For Good Wi-Fi?

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Two frequency bands give your devices more room to connect.

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As the name implies, a dual-band router broadcasts Wi-Fi on two radio frequencies at the same time: 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz. It's a simple explanation for a profoundly useful feature, especially when the average US household burns through over 700GB of data a month. With as much data as 4K streaming and gaming consume, imagine every device in the house depending on a single lane of traffic. Dual-band routers help relieve those potential bottlenecks, though each band has its own weakness and strength.

The 2.4GHz band has more reach and penetrates walls or other household obstructions more effectively. It's useful for devices in distant rooms or for less demanding smart home accessories. However, it's also the slower of the two and tends to be more crowded, with most devices defaulting to a 2.4GHz connection. The 5.0GHz band offers more wireless...

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