Difference Between Dual Band and Single Band Wifi Routers have a very big impact on our daily lives as they solely drive the quality of our WiFi connections. Considering that most of the work, be it at the office or at home, is done in the presence of WiFi, it is essential to choose the correct router.
Generally, there are two types of routers: one is a single band router, and the other is a dual band router. Choosing between them often brings a lot of confusion because both of them have their respective pros and cons. If you are one of those confused people who cannot choose between the two, then our article is perfect for you.
In this article, we will explain all the details of both the routers and mention their advantages and disadvantages, so that you can choose the best one for your needs. So let us get started on learning the difference between dual band and single band WiFi routers.
What is a Single Band WiFi router?
The 2.4GHz frequency range is often associated with the single band router. When purchasing a single band router, look for “2.4GHz frequency” in the router specifications.
In comparison to dual band routers, single band routers often have poor signal and cover only a narrow region. If you have a tiny house or office and only have a few devices, a single band router should be your first pick. A single band router (2.4GHz) is sufficient for web browsing, emailing, and viewing movies.
For tasks that demand higher bandwidth, a single band router may not suffice your requirements. Single band routers are available at a low cost, with prices starting at around Rs. 800 only.
The single band router is also called Wireless-N, as it supports only one frequency band. Technically, a single band router can offer a speed of 800 Mbps, but it is subject to your internet service provider.
Features of a Single Band Router:
Antennas are associated with better signal directionality and optimum speeds. A single band WiFi router has only one antenna, so it has less bandwidth compared to routers with multiple antennas. Single band routers use a lower frequency on the 2.4GHz band, which has fewer channels and is thus more congested.
In fact, most domestic equipment works on this frequency, including your microwave, mobile phone, and Bluetooth devices. Single band routers use the 802.11g standard, which was launched in 2003 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and limits transmission throughput to 54 Mbps, but the theoretical speed of single band routers is 800 Mbps.
Theoretical because, due to technological bars like internet providers and other factors, the speed of the single band router will never go up to 800 MBps. They are quite economical and best suited for small rooms, as the signal faces numerous obstructions while transmitting.
Advantages of Single Band Router:
The most important aspect of any router is its compatibility. Some devices are not compatible with the 5GHz frequency, whereas most devices are compatible with the 2.4GHz frequency band. So, we can say that the single band router is compatible with most wireless cards and receivers.
A single band router has a limited range and insufficient signal power, which makes it ideal for folks who want to use an app to browse the web, check their emails, and view movies. Moreover, it is economical and easily accessible in the market.
You can get yourself a single band WiFi router for under Rs. 1000. In fact, the single band routers start from as low as Rs. 700 and can go up to Rs. 2500. So, it is very cheap and will perfectly suit your small home.
What is a Dual Band WiFi Router?
A dual band router, as the name implies, sends out wireless signals on two different frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Dual band routers give you greater options in terms of how you connect to the internet because they use two bands.
Because more devices connect to the 2.4GHz band, you’ll likely see slower internet connections and more interference. If you reside in a densely populated area, this is especially true. As a result, there are fewer connections on this band, which means quicker internet speeds.
On the other hand, the 5GHz band allows you to have stronger signal strength, but it does not have a larger coverage area like the 2.4GHz band. Dual band routers divide your internet traffic between these two bands, increasing speed and dependability.
Nowadays, most modern devices are compatible with the 5GHz band, but older models may have to connect to the 2.4GHz. But this is not an issue for the Dual band WiFi router as it transmits both frequencies simultaneously.
Features of a Dual Band Router:
Many antennas create multiple streams for transferring data over radio channels, giving your devices extra bandwidth. The dual band WiFi router has two antennas, so it operates on two bandwidths. As mentioned above, both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are supported by dual band routers.
The 5GHz spectrum can provide more data at quicker rates, but it has trouble travelling around walls and furniture and can’t travel as far. The dual band router operates on the newer 802.11ac standard. Because it uses both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, this standard is speedier and sends more data.
Some dual band routers come with extra features that weren’t available on previous models. Many, for example, feature MU-MIMO technology, which increases your WiFi’s interaction with many devices. Routers without MU-MIMO can only focus on one device at a time, but MU-MIMO allows you to connect to numerous devices at the same time.
Dual band routers are generally a little more expensive, but that is only fair given the number of features they offer. Moreover, they cater to the needs of a large number of devices and are seldom affected by obstructions because they have better penetration capabilities than single band routers.
Advantages of a Dual Band Router:
With a dual band WiFi router, you can browse the internet or play games with minimal interruption because traffic is distributed among several different paths. As a result, you’ll find that dual band routers offer excellent performance in terms of speed and dependability.
This router gives you more flexibility because some devices are on the 2.4GHz network while others are on the 5GHz network. Each network usage might have a speed limit specified as per the user. Users can also connect to their desired network based on their needs. For example, for video streaming and online gaming, the 5GHz network is recommended.
Other electrical devices that use the 2.4GHz frequency, such as microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones, do not interfere with the dual band router signal. This means that devices will not get disconnected very often.
Dual band routers are a perfect buy if you are a working professional or a gamer because you can switch to higher bandwidth and lower traffic anytime you wish. But it is even suitable for daily usage like surfing, emailing and other stuff.
What is the difference between a Dual Band and a Single Band WiFi Router?
The difference between a single band WiFi router and a dual band WiFi router is mainly the frequency bands. In a single band router, we have only one frequency band, which is operated at 2.4GHz. Whereas, in a dual band router, two frequency bands are present.
One operates at 2.4GHz and the other at 5GHz. Consequently, users will have the option to switch between the two bands according to their needs. Moreover, unlike single band routers, dual band routers do not interfere with devices like microwave ovens, mobile phones, and Bluetooth devices.
Hence, the connection is very smooth and devices seldom get disconnected. Dual band routers have a larger coverage area and have lesser penetration capability, so that the internet strength remains unwavering.
But, single band routers can be used in small rooms because of their lower penetration capability. Single band routers are economical, whereas dual band routers are a bit pricey. But again, dual band routers can be used for streaming video and gaming.
Dual Band Router Vs Single Band Router: Performance
A single band router has a limited range and insufficient signal power. It’s ideal for folks who want to use an app to browse the web, check their emails, and view movies. But a dual band router has a long range and a stronger signal, and it can switch between the two bands automatically as needed.
The dual band router is perfect for online high-resolution gaming, video streaming, and high-resolution music because of its robust signal.
A single band router’s speed is restricted by the internet connection and the router’s own speed. As a result, the user may experience frequent connection problems or interference, reducing Wi-Fi speed and stability. Whereas, dual band routers use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, allowing for higher speeds and greater versatility.
As a result, the dual band router eliminates connection difficulties and interference while also increasing stability. Dual band routers clearly outdoes single band routers in terms of performance.
Dual Band Router Vs. Single Band Router: Pros And Cons
Single Band WiFi Router:
Dual Band WiFi Router:
FAQs:
Yes, in terms of stability and performance, the dual band router surely outperforms the single band router. However, they may be a little pricey compared to single-band routers.
Compared to triple band routers, they may be slower. But they are faster compared to single band routers. Since they operate on the 802.11ac standard, they can scale up to a speed of 2167 Mbps, theoretically.
A dual band supports the 5GHz frequency band, which provides very fast internet speed but is accessible to a smaller area. The dual band router can offer a speed of up to 2167 Mbps, which is theoretical as there are many factors that decrease the efficiency of the router.
In general, you can connect up to 32 devices to 5GHz WiFi at the same time, although this depends on your router. Some routers can support over 250 devices, which is only theoretical. Pratically, the number is quite lower.
Yes, connecting too many devices to your router will subsequently decrease the internet speed.
Conclusion:
We hope by now you have quite well understood the major differences between the single band router and the dual band router. However, both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The single band router is more than enough for minimal needs like surfing the web or watching YouTube.
However, in order to meet your high-end requirements like video streaming, and gaming, a dual band router will perfectly meet your needs. The point is, the best type of router for you will depend on your requirements.