Get guidance on setting up a router for a 130 square meter home with robust 2.4 GHz coverage.
Get guidance on setting up a router for a 130 square meter home with robust 2.4 GHz coverage.
Hello, I’m relocating to a new area and thinking about upgrading my router while keeping the old one at home. I’ve been using a TP-Link Archer C2300 v1.0 for around 6 to 7 years now. It usually works well, but I’d like an OpenVPN server. I’ve handled this with Tailscale. At my parents’ place, I have an ASUS TUF Gaming AX3000 V2, and it seems its Wi-Fi coverage is actually worse than the Archer’s. The new space is about 130 square meters, so I’m considering a fresh router. I was looking at the TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro, but I read somewhere that Wi-Fi 6 only combines the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, not both at once. My worry is that some devices need both for optimal performance. Also, I need strong coverage throughout my home since I work from there. Any suggestions or advice would be really helpful. Thanks!
WiFi 5 and newer routers must handle dual-band operation simultaneously. This means they possess both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transmitters working together. With WiFi 6E you gain an additional third channel at 6 GHz. What some might hear is that a device can only connect to one frequency at once, which is accurate except for WiFi 7, where multi-band functionality should be supported. Another point is that certain routers merge the SSID, causing devices to join the available band based on what they detect. I favor keeping separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks since mixing them can lead to coverage issues. The 2.4 GHz band offers greater range and better signal penetration. However, it’s prone to interference from other networks operating on the same channel—like WiFi, Bluetooth, microwaves, or cordless phones. It’s hard to guarantee a router will perform well in any environment because radio wave behavior varies widely. You did well with TP Link; they appear reliable and affordable, though their latest models may include WiFi 6 support. For now, consider devices that offer WiFi 6, as WiFi 7 is still emerging.