The Best 5GHz Wi-Fi Channel for Your Router [Oct. 2023]

To most people, all variations of Wi-Fi might seem the same. As long as your router is correctly connected to the internet, a network is a network, allowing you to stream Netflix, check Facebook, send emails, and anything else you’ve built your online life around. However, those in the know understand that a lot of technology goes into networking, and depending on how you configure your Wi-Fi signal’s hardware and software, you can improve your experience with faster speeds and more reliable connections.

Wi-Fi bands make a significant difference in how your network operates. The 5GHz Wi-Fi band—which, to be clear, is very different from the 5G network roll-out your carrier has been pushing—is immensely better than the 2.4GHz band your router used to use exclusively. It’s faster, can transfer far more data in shorter amounts of time, and has more available channels. That makes fine-tuning your router not just a possibility but a must.

Picking the right channel for you isn’t as simple as selecting the default option. A lot of consideration goes into choosing the right one for 5GHz networks, and if you’re ready to pick the right one to suit your needs, you’ve come to the right guide.

Channels on the 5GHz Wi-Fi Band

While the old 2.4GHz network has only three available channels, the more modern 5GHz network has 25 predefined channels. The channels at 5GHz are split into four bands intended for different types of users. Here’s a brief rundown of each range before we skip to the selection process and considerations.

5GHz Bands: UNII-1

Starting at the bottom, the lowest four channels at 5GHz are collectively called the UNII-1 ban. Channels 36, 40, 44, and 48 make up the roster. This band covers frequencies from 5,150MHz to 5,250MHz. The vast majority of devices run on one of these four channels. They are designated for general domestic use, and you can access them freely anytime.

While these channels are often the most popular choice for users, they can lead to some degree of congestion, and there’s a reason for that. UNII-1 ban channels are by far the best ones to use at home, and there are ways to mitigate the risks of network congestion. Use a secure password to keep unwanted guests off, and consider disconnecting devices you aren’t using.

5GHz Bands: UNII-2

The UNII-2 section also contains four channels—52, 56, 60, and 64. They occupy bandwidths from 5,250MHz to 5,350MHz. This range is also referred to as UNII-2A. The UNII-2B range sits between 5,350MHz and 5,470MHz. The UNII-2C/UNII-2 Extended range is found between 5,470MHz and 5,725MHz. This range includes channels from 100 to 140. To use this range, your device needs to be equipped with Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC). These ensure it doesn’t interfere with weather stations, radars, and military devices.

5GHz Bands: UNII-3

The UNII-3 or the UNII-Upper range goes from 5,725MHz to 5,850MHz. It contains the following channels: 149, 153, 157, 161, and 165. Due to the overlaps with the frequencies designated to the ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) band, it is often called the UNII-3/ISM range. You will need SPF and TPC on your device if you intend to use the channels in this range.

5GHz Bands: UNII-4

The highest region is named UNII-4 or DSRC/ITS. DSCR stands for Dedicated Short-Range Communications Service. Channel 165 is the lowest in this region. The channels in this range are reserved for licensed radio amateurs and DSRC. It is not recommended to use these channels even if your device can use them.

Which 5GHz Wi-Fi Channel Should I Consider?

With a complete understanding of how these 5GHz bandwidth channels work, it’s time to pick the best one. While UNII-1 is the best option for most consumers, there’s much to consider before you lock in on one of its channels. From the size of your house to the interference of surrounding antennas, here’s what you need to consider.

Wi-Fi Interference

By far, the most common cause of slow internet and frozen pages is caused by interference. There are two types of interference—interference that comes from other Wi-Fi devices and interference that comes from other electronic devices that are not using Wi-Fi. For example, you might have appliances that could interfere with your Wi-Fi signal even though they don’t use the Wi-Fi signal.

• Devices using the UNII-1 channels are primarily incapable of producing signals that can cause substantial interference. Therefore, they rank low on the interference table.
• The UNII-2 and UNII-2 Extended channels have the lowest amounts of interference. These are channels from 52 to 140. However, for them, you’ll need TPC and DFS.
• The UNII-3 range tends to have the biggest interference problems. Like with the UNII-2 channels, you’ll need TPC and DFS to use them.

Channel Traffic

Next, you should consider the traffic on a channel before hooking up. If there aren’t many users, it might be a good option. However, if the interference is substantial, you’ll be better off on a busy channel with weak interference. That’s why the UNII-1 range tends to be the best choice.

You might want to examine each available channel in crowded neighborhoods and skip to the one with the least amount of traffic. You also might want to coordinate with your neighbors if the traffic situation is terrible.

Location

Depending on where you live, you should know the laws and regulations regarding using 5GHz Wi-Fi. In most countries, including the US and Canada, the UNII-1 channels are recommended for general use. You can use UNII-2 and UNII-3 spectrums in the US, but certain restrictions apply. Because the UNII-3 range allows more potent devices, it is more likely that you’ll get substantial interference if you opt for a UNII-3 channel.

DFS

In the United States and much of the world, you’ll need Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to hook up to a UNII-2 or UNII-2E channel. DFS listens for radars and will only allow you to hook up to the channel if no radars are using it. Typically, the scanning time is only 30 seconds.

What’s the Verdict?

When searching for the best 5GHz channel for your device, you should go for a channel with low interference and low traffic. If you’re going anywhere above the UNII-1 range, having DFS and TPC on your device is recommended. And again, if you don’t need faster than the 450 to 600 Mbps that 2,4 GHz offers, it might not be worth the hassle to switch to 5 GHz.

Have you switched your Wi-Fi from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz? Did you notice a difference? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!