Which Wi-Fi bandwidth should I use?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 18, 2026
If you're able to use most of your devices near your router, 5 GHz is your best choice to take advantage of higher speeds. Similarly, if you're doing a lot of high-bandwidth activities online, such as gaming or videoconferencing, it's best to use this frequency and move as close as possible to the router.
Should I use 20 or 40 MHz bandwidth?
You should use 40 Mhz instead of 20 Mhz, or use combination if your device needs it and the router supports it. Any channel with the least amount of interference will do. The chances are you are free to use any channels.What bandwidth is best for 5GHz WiFi?
5 Ghz offers significantly more bandwidth than 2.4 GHz. All of the 5 GHz channels offered support at least 20MHz channel width without overlap. When using 5 GHz, it is recommended to use at least 40 MHz channel width, as some client devices may not prefer 5 GHz unless it offers a greater channel width than 2.4 GHz.Is it better to connect to 5GHz or 2.4 GHz?
If you want a better and a longer range for your devices, use 2.4 GHz. If you need higher r speed and could sacrifice for range, the 5GHz band should be used. The 5GHz band, which is the newer of the two, has the potential to cut through network clutter disturbance and interference to maximize network performance.Should I use 40MHz for 2.4 GHz?
Using a 40 MHz channel in 2.4 GHz doesn't work well, because there just isn't enough room for it. It has a higher chance of causing and receiving adjacent and co-channel interference. In 2.4 GHz, we recommend using 20 MHz channels only.2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz WiFi: What is the difference?
Does 40MHz increase range?
Yes. If your NIC supports channel bonding, setting up your wireless access point's channel width to 40Mhz will double your throughput as you get double the connection speed. Depending on your wireless NIC you can get up to 300Mbps, or even theoretically up to 600Mbps, and this means you have a higher real speed.What is best channel for 40MHz?
On a non-MIMO setup (i.e. 802.11 a, b, or g) you should always try to use channel 1, 6, or 11. If you use 802.11n with 20MHz channels, stick to channels 1, 6, and 11 — if you want to use 40MHz channels, be aware that the airwaves might be congested, unless you live in a detached house in the middle of nowhere.Does turning off 5 GHz improve WiFi?
The highest speed can be achieved on the 5GHz network by means of the AC-wifi standard. The 2.4GHz network has the best range. If you prefer, switching off 5GHz will reduce wifi radiation from the router even more.Does 5 GHz WiFi go through walls?
5 GHz networks do not penetrate solid objects such as walls nearly as well as do 2.4 GHz signals. This can limit an access points reach inside buildings like homes and offices where many walls may come between a wireless antenna and the user.Can I use both 2.4 and 5 GHz at the same time?
Simultaneous Dual Band supports two separate WiFi networks simultaneously using both 2.4- and 5-GHz frequency bands. It not only doubles the available bandwidth but also allows for a more reliable dedicated WiFi network for video and gaming (5GHz) to be created.Should I use 80 MHz 5g?
5 Ghz Wi-Fi: When to Use 80 MHzIf Wi-Fi clients are close to your router, your Wi-Fi devices support 80 MHz, interference isn't a big issue, and you want to maximize throughput, consider 80 MHz.
Should I enable 160 MHz bandwidth?
Best answer: To get as much speed as possible from your Wi-Fi 6 router, 160MHz is a must. For most homes, however, the speeds available at 80MHz are more than enough. The frequency ranges open to our Wi-Fi routers can be broken into several different channels typically 40MHz or 80MHz wide.Why is my 2.4 GHz so much slower than 5GHz?
You're Using the Wrong Spectrum BandThese frequency bands affect how far and how fast data can travel over WiFi. The 2.4 GHz band gives you slower speeds at a longer range, while the 5 GHz band gives you faster speeds at a shorter range. So, if you want the fastest WiFi speeds, you should always use the 5 GHz band.
How do I make my WiFi faster?
How to improve your internet speed
- Turn things off and on again. ...
- Move your router to a better location. ...
- Switch your Wi-Fi frequency band. ...
- Adjust your router's antennas. ...
- Extend your Wi-Fi network. ...
- Prune unnecessary connections. ...
- Change your Wi-Fi frequency channel. ...
- Upgrade to faster internet.