Dual Band vs Tri Band- Finding the better frequency for both home and office use

Choosing the right one for you becomes even more difficult because of the high quality options available in the market. This is why this article analyzes Dual Band and Tri Band to analyze which of the two is the best option for you.

While in some cases more is better, in the Wi-Fi world, choosing between dual band and tri band is not that easy. There are all sorts of quality devices that utilize either of these technologies.After careful consideration of all the available products in the market right now, this article has narrowed down to the differences between each.

This dual band vs. tri band reviewis going to critically analyze each of these options so as to help you choose between the two. They are both reputable versions that are highly popular among many people. However, they do have their own subtle differences that make each stand out depending on your own needs. For instance, tri-band is a rather recent addition to the Wi-Fi connectivity scene with ramped up technology features.

What are the differences between Dual Band and Tri Band?

Dual Band vs. Tri Band- How do they compare to one another? 

Frequency

Broadly, when you connect your gadgets to your network cable through a Wi-Fi router, the two frequency bands are 5GHz and 2.4GHz. These radio waves are what transmit the internet signal to your phone, digital TV or Xbox. For a dual band router, it is compatible with both 5GHz and 2.4GHz by making use of one of each. Depending on your needs, the router should be able to bounce off from one frequency to another so as to deliver good Wi-Fi performance.

For tri-bands on the other hand, they come with 1 2.4GHz radio band and dual 5GHz radios that come in handy for intensive tasks. For example, if you have a large home and many connected devices that are streaming 4K or downloading high definition movies, a tri-band comes in handy. This is because the additional 5GHz is able to handle this traffic more efficiently. Most modern devices are compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Speed

As already stated, a tri-band router is arguably faster because of the way it works. If you are likely to have many connected devices around the same area, a tri-band router comes in handy to boost speeds. To add, if you have a Gigabit service, a three-band router is an essential so that you get decent speeds.

Pointer: Before settling on either of these routers in the market, make sure you keenly check the tech-specifications to be sure you are getting the right device. Recently, some manufacturers have been releasing routers that are not up to task. Go for a router that is designed with the latest technology like Wi-Fi 802.11n.

Also keep in mind that both systems come with options of adding router extenders or additional nodes. Whether or not you are living in a large or small apartment, you might need the extra boost if you tend to have backhaul traffic. This happens where you have many people in one area congesting the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This is where an additional 5GHz band to maintain high speeds even when there is heavy traffic.

Performance in speed tests

Beyond their theoretical speeds, routers are often compared on speed tests. For dual band routers, they can average do up to 450Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band. This is when in close proximity. For tri-band routes on the other hand, they can hit 1300Mbps on each of the 5GHz bands.

Coverage

Realistically, more nodes ought to mean better coverage. Nonetheless, the tri-band and dual-band both offer impressive coverage areas. For Velop tri-band, for instance, it utilizes its antenna number as well as beam forming technology so as to reach up to 6,000 square feet of coverage. This is enough for all kinds of houses ranging from ranch-style to L-shaped even if you have large bedrooms.

On the flipside, dual-bands like that by Linksys Velop use their two nodes to deliver decent coverage areas of 4,000 to 4,500 square feet. This is more than enough if you have a small area and you are not usually worried about dead zones or areas where the signal significantly degrades.

Also keep in mind that other factors might limit the coverage you get with your router. For example, if your house was constructed with heavy materials like metals or concrete, coverage might be weaker.

Design

For both versions, there are sleek, modern devices available. If you are one for compact sized routers, ASUS and Netgear Orbi Mini are some of the quality options. Others like Linksys are rather lanky but sleek looking nonetheless.

Wireless Compatibility

Both dual band and tri band are also highly compatible with modem-router, ISP modem, and just about any internet service provider plan in the market. This design makes them a good fit for a wide range of users. In terms of wireless compatibility, both dual band and tri band routers support the current wireless protocols including 802.11ac and 802.11n. For faster connections, consider going with 802.11ac compatible routers that use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This is the newest version that is able to keep up with resource intensive tasks.

Dual Band vsTri Band- Overview and Key Features

Dual Band

Like their names suggest, a dual band router uses two bands to seamlessly connect devices to the internet connection. For tri band routers on the other hand, they make use of an additional band. Ordinarily, dual- band routers connect using 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

Simply put, a dual band supports both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequency bands. This makes it well enabled to cover large areas without signal degradation. Some brands offer coverage of up to 4,500 square feet in more than 5 rooms. Linksys Velop dual band for example can cover patios through multistory houses. For ranch houses especially,dual bands can offer coverage as well without dead zones.

Depending on the design of your home or office, you can either have the nodes wall mounted or strategically placed around the areas. They come with cable management so you will not have to worry about unsightly wires around.

They are also widely compatible with all kinds of devices and internet service provider plans. Modem-router and ISP modems are also supported by this system. Other impressive feature is that some like Velop has Future Proof. To add, they come in modern, sleek designs. If you are one for a compact sized system, ASUS dual band AC1300 is one of the quality options. Others like Linksys Velop are lanky but they still have that modern look particularly when in white.

The only drawback of this kind of router is that they may underperform for expansive spaces. One might need to consider purchasing router boosters.

Pros

• Reasonably priced
• Offers good range and connection stability
• Compared with a wide range of devices like iPhones, the Google Pixel and the latest PlayStation
• Efficient bandwidth

Cons

• Slower speeds when many devices are using the same Wi-Fi connection at once
• Shorter range when it comes to dealing with fixed objects like walls

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Tri Band

A tri-band uses an additional 5 GHz beyond the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands that a dual band has. This technology enhances the speed and strength of any router. This means that you get to enjoy some added benefits as tri band routers are able to deliver multiple fast speeds on each of these bands. Practically, this translates to the efficiency, strength and dedication you get while using it. For example, the two 5GHz bands ensure that you get minimal signal interference when you have connected your device to the router. Also, if you are likely to use many devices on the same mesh system, a tri-band router ensures less lagging because the extra 5 GHz band works by speeding up the entire configuration system.

No matter the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi, a tri band router is better suited to handle tasks such as online gaming and streaming HD movies so that speeds are not affected because of many connected devices. This is simply because the additional band comes in to maintain devices that usually hog on resources.

However, if you do not have many devices that can be synced with 5 GHz, going for a tri band router can be seen as a bit too extra as the upgrade will not be easily felt. To add, another thing to consider with a tri-band router is that they usually cost more. This should not come as a surprise given the speeds and high performance features you get with these routers. For example, file transfer speeds are arguably faster on tri-band routers compared to dual bands.

Pros

• Can handle many connected devices without unduly compromising on the WiFi speeds
• Offers more bandwidth
• More bandwidth suitable for use in offices or homes with multiple rooms and users
• Comes with the option of dedicating specific bands for particular devices

Cons

• Costs significantly more than dual-band routers

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Conclusion

This article has highlighted all the subtle differences that make each version (dual and tri-band) stand out. For dual-band systems, they offer decent coverage, high performance and good speeds all at a reasonable price. On the flipside, tri-bands offer faster and steadier performance as well as wider coverage in case of any extra nodes. Ultimately, choosing between dual band and tri band depends on your specific needs that ought to be carefully considered.

Some factors that come into play are the size of your home/office, your internet service plan as well as the general design of your house. For example, before settling on one, you need to check on the speeds you are already getting. You need to be sure your Internet Service Provider plan is able to deliver fast speeds or the additional band will not count for much. Dual band routers are best suited for plans that do 100mbps while tri band routers are appropriate for those that can deliver speeds of 300mbps. You would not want to splurge on a tri-band only to find out your internet service plan cannot keep up or you need an upgrade.

Verdict: Which is better between dual band and tri band?

While choosing between dual band and tri-band depends on your budget and specific needs, there are clear reasons why the tri-band is better.

Nowadays, most tasks are resource intensive. For example, to properly stream 4K/ HD movies as well as play online games comfortably, one 5GHz band might not cut it. Therefore, a tri band router wins out as it can effortlessly handle right about any task ranging from gaming to streaming.

If you require more out of your Wi-Fi system, than the normal day-to-day tasks,a tri band wins out by being a more stable and faster connectivity device for all kinds of tasks.

Frequently asked questions

1. Does a tri-band provide more coverage?

Naturally, the more nodes a mesh system has, the wider the coverage will be. However, tri-bands usually have a wider coverage of up to 6,000 square feet while dual bands usually deliver 4,000 square feet coverage. Both provide decent coverage so as to avoid dead zones in your home/office area.

2. What should you consider before settling on either a dual band or tri-band?

Beyond poring through the technical specifications of each of these systems, the price tag matters. Ordinarily, dual bands cost way less (up to a hundred dollars cheaper) than a tri-band. If you are on a budget you might opt for dual bands which still deliver good performance.