Choosing an appropriate router for wireless system. Home is 3,000sq ft
I am in need of a wireless router which has a minimum of 2,500 sq ft coverage. Our new service utilizes a roof-top antenna for a signal beamed down to us from a mountain top transmitter. I also need to know what the purpose of dual band capacity is. I am very confused as to which product will serve my best interests. I am not a gammer but use WiFi primarily for business purposes.
I also need to know what the purpose of dual band capacity is. I am very confused as to which product will serve my best interests.
@FURRYe38has provided some good links to Netgear networking articles. Just in general terms:
The type of WiFi system depends to a large degree on the physical layout and construction of the building. If the building is essetially "square" (50ft x 50ft.) with ordinary drywall construction, and the WiFi system can be located in the center of the building, then a single WiFi node may be sufficient.
However, if that internet link is located at one corner of a building such that large parts of the building are 70-80 ft. away, that single WiFi unit probably will not cover the entire building.
"Dual Band" refers to a single WiFi access point having radios for both 2.4G WiFi devices and 5G WiFi devices. Nearly every WiFi system manufactured in the past 10 years is "dual band".
You will see some models described as "Tri Band" because they use a separate radio channel to communicate between the base station and "satellite" stations. In theory, this provides greater overall capacity because the one radio does not have to serve both purposes (user devices and "backhaul" connection). Whether this is significant in practical terms depends on the ISP service level and type of usage. For example, if the ISP is providing a maximum of 100mb, then both dual band and tri band system will most likely appear to be the same.
This is an awkward time to be purchasing a new WiFi network. Every major manufacturer is busy releasing WiFi6 (AX) systems to augment their existing WiFi 5 (AC ) systems, and the FCC has just announced that (yet another) frequency band will be made available to residential use, so they are also rushing to product products that will make use of it. WiFi right now is a mess. Few products are widely available that can use WiFi 6, and the vast majority of home automation devices (smart plugs, light bulbs, security cameras, garage openers, etc. etc.) use the oldest (and cheapest) 2.4G WiFi band.
My own personal opinion is that the decision can be boiled down to:
When do need a new system? (now, or in four months?)
How important is cost?
What is the maximum bandwidth available from the ISP?
Do you already have any WiFi 6 products?
Are there any features that are really important?
There are lots of WiFi 5 systems that are widely available and reasonably priced. You could put one in today and wait for the market to "shake out" to take the plunge into newer technology. And be sure and purchase with a generous return policy (Amazon, Costco).
I have an Orbi RBR50 system that I bought in 2016, own zero WiFi 6 devices, and have only a 200mb service from Spectrum.
I have no intention of investing in a new WiFi system until "something changes", and will look at what is on the market at that time.
