Shopping for a new router that broadcasts separate 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands

Your subject is confusing. All routers broadcast separate 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz bands.

Whether or not they broadcast separate SSIDs is another matter. Some routers allow you to separate them, some don't. Some let you disable one band while others don't.

People often ask for that when it is not necessary or even recommended. Take this:

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SpikyPets wrote:

I will be connecting 2 computers, a printer, iPad 6 gen that controls many Kasa smart switches, plugs and lights.  The Kasa devices only operate using 2.4ghz speed so the iPad must also connect to the 2.4ghz band. 

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Which band an iPad connects to is in the hands of the iPad not the router. Even if the SSIDs are separate, the iPad will pick the "best" band.

In any case, there is no reason why a device connected to wifi at 5 GHz cannot control devices connected to wifi at 2.4GHz. As long as they are on the same network, my 5 GHz mobile phone and tablet have no problem printing to my 2.4 GHz printer, for example. They can also work with my 2.4 GHz Iot cameras.

This is on an R7800. I also have Orbi stuff that will also work with devices regardless of the broadcast SSIDs.

What you need is a router that happily talks to both. That is what networks do. They allow devices on them to communicate with each other.

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I see a thread here there was an issue with the Netgear Nighhawk R7800 broadcasting separate bands as it doesn't have Smart Connect.  It this still the case or was there a firmware update that added Smart Connect?  I don't want the Smart Connect feature or a way to disable it.

 

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Bit of confusion there. Not sure what "smart connect" has to do with anything, but the R7800 supports it and always has in my recollection. (But it sounds like this is what you say you don't want because it uses the same SSID for both bands.)  So we don't know what this anonymous thread you mention was really on about. Perhaps another confused poster.

When it comes to choosing a router, try plugging your needs into the filters on the product pages:

Wireless Routers for Home | NETGEAR

WiFi Range Extenders: Boost Your WiFi Range | NETGEAR

and

Orbi: Whole Home WiFi System for Better WiFi Everywhere | NETGEAR

Then check back here for reports on the things you are considering, but remember that people turn up in this community with problems, not compliments. So look at reviews on Amazon, for example.