Your wireless connection can be a reason for slow internet transmission while watching Netflix or playing PUBG.
You might be having a single band router that can’t handle your extensive data transfer needs.
Let’s understand the difference between Dual-Band vs Single-Band router in this article.
What Is Single-Band Router
A router that uses only one frequency for wireless connectivity, that is 2.4 GHz, is a Single Band Router.
Single-band router adheres to Wireless-N standard (802.11n) that provides internet speed limited up to 300 Mbps (in theory up to 800 Mbps).
Single-band routers are better in penetrating objects such as walls, doors, and furniture because of the low-frequency rate, making it a good choice for small homes or offices.
For example, if your primary purpose to use the internet is web browsing or reading news or articles and watching youtube videos, then a single-band router can take care of your needs.
But if you are heavy gamer or like to watch Ultra-HD videos over the internet, then you need a dual-band router that will provide you fast internet performance.
What Is Dual-Band Router
A dual-band router is a router that uses two frequency bands 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously for data transmission to provide you better performance.
In dual-band router, 1 channel of 2.4 GHz band works on 802.11n standard that provides similar speed of up to 300 Mbps, while 5 GHz works on 802.11ac standard which is blazing fast and provides you a speed up to 2 Gbps.
Dual-band router has better range coverage and better signal strength. A dual-band router is capable of switching bands automatically whenever required.
Dual-band router works well in open areas with fewer obstacles due to high oscillating radio waves. If you have a mid-size home or a small office, you can get better coverage with a dual-band writer.
For example, if there are 2 types of users connected on a dual-band router, one is browsing the internet while the other is playing an online game. Both will access the internet at different frequencies, so won’t get any slowness on the internet speed.
Dual-band router has strong signal strength double frequency bands, it’s highly suitable for online gaming, 4K video streaming, and uploading/downloading big files where you need high-speed data transmission.
Check out – Best dual band wifi routers
How To Identify Dual Band Router Or Single Band Router
To identify, you need to check out its specifications and if it shows bandwidth compatibility with a single 2.4 band, then it’s a single-band router.
But if it shows compatibility with two bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, then its a dual-band router.
Difference Between Dual Band Router Vs Single Band Router
#1. Network Speed
A single band router supports a maximum internet speed of up to 300 Mbps. Single-band router is less stable and users often complain about connection drop.
A dual-band router supports 5-7 times more internet speed which is a maximum of 2 Gbps.
A dual-band router is more stable and has better signal strength than a single band. Users get strong signals without any connection drop.
#2. Cost
Single-band routers are inexpensive and miss some features like MU-MIMO formation that is a better way of handling connected devices, whereas, dual-band routers are 3x more expensive than a single band.
You can buy a single band router in the range of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500, whereas, you can get a dual-band router in the range of Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 10,000.
Dual-band routers offer some important features like device prioritization for better utilization of the bandwidth but you have to pay extra money for that.
#3. Performance
If you compare performance-wise, a single-band router provides a shorter range and the signal is also not strong enough.
But if you have a small area to cover like 40-50 feet with walls and other objects in your home, then the single-band router will perform well because of the low-frequency range, it penetrates objects well.
Secondly, if your primary need is to browse the internet, read articles, or watch youtube for some time, then a single-band router won’t let you down.
Dual-band offers long-range (with fewer obstacles), strong signal strength, and switches automatically from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz and vice versa as per the requirement.
If you like to play online games or watch hi-definition videos then you need a dual-band router. You can use it in a mid-size home like 3 BHK.
If there are multiple WiFi connections in your building or locality, that may result in connection drops on a single-band router but you won’t find such an issue on dual-band writer.
#4. Compatibility
Compatibility is another important point to discuss because all devices are not compatible with both routers.
Single-band router being an old technology is compatible with most of the broadband modems and wireless cards because they use the 2.4 GHz band.
Dual-band router uses both frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), so it is compatible with both old and modern devices like smartphones, modems and wireless receivers.
Let’s compare both in the tabular form for better understanding.
| Specifications | Single Band Router | Dual Band Router |
| Operating frequency | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHZ and 5GHz |
| Signal strength | Medium | Very strong |
| Performance | Average | High |
| Designed for | Web browsing, email, listening to music | Online HD gaming, 4K video streaming |
| No. of connected devices | 3-4 | 5-10 |
| Signal strength | Medium | Very strong |
| Covering area | Small | Very large |
| Designed for | Web browsing, email, music | Online HD gaming, 4K video streaming |
| Suitable for | Small home | Large home |
| Price | Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 | Above Rs. 3000 |
You would like to read – difference between wifi and broadband
Which Is Best For You
If you use the internet for web browsing, listening to music online, video conferencing, and watching online youtube videos, then a single-band router is ideal for you because you can perform all such normal activities at 2.4 GHz without any issue.
On the other hand, if you are a heavy gamer who loves to play online and you watch 4K video streaming on Netflix or you are a video editor who needs to upload/download large files, need a dual-band for a faster and stable connection.
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