How to Pick the Best Wi-Fi Channels and Improve Your Speeds

• Wi-Fi routers emit three frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz.
• If your internet runs on 2.4 GHz, the best channels are channels 1, 6, and 11.
• Wi-Fi analyzing apps can scan your internet connection to help you find the best Wi-Fi channels automatically.

Your router and modem are set up, and you’re ready to connect to the internet. You could just finish connecting to your Wi-Fi and leave it at that, but what if there was a way to figure out how to get the fastest internet speeds from the start? This point is where Wi-Fi channels come in.

It takes some work and configuring, but finding the best Wi-Fi channels for your internet will save you from the stresses of sluggish internet and congested bandwidth. We’ll take you through the concept of Wi-Fi channels and tell you how to find the best ones for your internet connection.

What Are Wi-Fi Channels?

If the term “channels” makes you think of radio stations or TV channels, you’re not far off. The concept is very similar, but we’ll explain exactly how it relates to your Wi-Fi speeds.

Wi-Fi Frequency Bands

Before discussing Wi-Fi channels, we need to talk about frequency bands, also known as radio bands. When you connect to the internet, your router communicates with your device by sending wireless data through radio waves. Most routers will transmit this data using one of two radio frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If you have a newer router, you might have a third frequency: 6 GHz. Single-band routers on the market will offer the 2.4 GHz frequency band only. However, most people have dual-band routers with a second frequency band called 5 GHz.

Using the radio analogy, let’s imagine that the router in your home is like a radio. When you turn on the radio in your car or a portable radio at home, it receives signals from a nearby tower to transmit information to your device. Switching frequency bands on an internet router is similar to switching radio stations on a radio. Both actions require you to tune in to a specific frequency to receive certain radio signals. In other words, frequency bands are the “radio stations” for routers.

But this begs a new question: Which frequency should you use for the best internet experience? The short answer: It depends. Each frequency has its perks and drawbacks, and depends entirely on factors such as the number of devices or your location in your home.

You’ll want to use 2.4 GHz if you are farther from your router and don’t mind slightly slower speeds. If you need faster internet and can move closer to your router (or your nearest Wi-Fi extender/node), we suggest using the 5 GHz band.

Densely populated urban areas where congestion in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands is a concern or homes using Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E may necessitate using the 6 GHz frequency. While 6 GHz offers higher bandwidth and data transmission speeds, it may not be essential for the average homeowner.

Wi-Fi Channels

Now that you’ve tuned in to the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz frequency, you might find that your speeds might slow down after a while. In this case, you will need to fine-tune your router to get a better signal by choosing the right Wi-Fi channels for each frequency.

Within each Wi-Fi frequency band is a set of smaller bands, each having a set width; these are the Wi-Fi channels. The right channels will provide faster internet speeds, as other channels can become congested due to traffic. Each frequency has a specific number of channels: 2.4 GHz has 14 channels, 5 GHz has roughly 45 channels, and 6 GHz has 59 channels.

Using the radio analogy again, you can imagine the Wi-Fi channels as fine-tuned versions of radio stations. Let’s say that station 98.7 is your default station. Some days, you may find that the duplicate station channel 98.9 gives you a better signal than 98.7, while other days, 98.7 comes in perfectly clear. Depending on where you are and your signal from the radio transmitter, you have to adjust the channel to a specific frequency to get the clearest radio signal (or, in the case of the internet, the fastest speed).

What Causes Wi-Fi Interference?

Taking the time to pick the best Wi-Fi channel for your devices is a good way to deal with Wi-Fi interference. When that happens, radio signals overlap, disrupting the connection to your devices.

But where exactly does interference occur? As mentioned earlier, there are 14 channels on a 2.4 GHz frequency band, each with a channel width of 20 MHz. Each channel has to intersect with one another to fit inside the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which results in overlapping. Tuning into a channel overlapping with another can cause Wi-Fi interference, resulting in a drop in Wi-Fi speeds.

However, three channels within the 2.4 GHz frequency band do not overlap each other: channels 1, 6, and 11. Tuning into one of these three channels can almost guarantee that your connection won’t interfere with other channels within that frequency.

If Wi-Fi interference occurs, it will usually be one of two types. Co-channel interference occurs when multiple users and connections are in the same channel and alternate using the network. If these users are on different channels and overlap each other instead, they are experiencing adjacent-channel interference. You can think of co-channel interference as a group of people in a meeting where everyone waits their turn before speaking, whereas adjacent-channel interference is similar to a group of people talking over each other. Although both types of interference are bad for internet connections, you’ll want to avoid adjacent-channel interference as much as possible.

Many factors can cause Wi-Fi interference and slow down your internet speeds. Here are some reasons why you might have Wi-Fi interference in your home:

• You have multiple devices in your house on the same frequency. Routers are not the only devices that can transmit radio signals. Electronics like microwaves, portable heaters, and cordless telephones can transmit signals at 2.4 GHz, the same frequency as a single-band router. Unless you only use one device at a time, using all of these devices simultaneously could cause Wi-Fi interference, which can slow your internet down or even disconnect you from your internet.
• You’re tuned into an overlapping channel. As mentioned earlier, a 2.4 GHz frequency band has three channels that do not overlap each other: channels 1, 6, and 11. If you tune in to any other channel, however, you might find yourself in the middle of Wi-Fi interference that can impact your connection speeds.
• Physical objects are blocking the signals from your router to your devices. Is your router inside a cabinet? Are there objects placed in front or around it? If so, there’s a high chance that these objects are blocking the Wi-Fi signal and could be the culprit behind your internet’s Wi-Fi interference.

What Are the Best Wi-Fi Channels?

So, which Wi-Fi channels are the best ones for your internet? We’ve listed some of the non-overlapping channels within the frequencies listed below that will offer fast internet speeds with little to no interference. Finding the best channel depends on several factors, such as the time of day, frequency band, and the number of devices in use.

Best Wi-Fi Channels for 2.4 GHz

The best Wi-Fi channels on a 2.4 GHz frequency band are channels 1, 6, and 11. While each of the 14 channels overlaps, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only channels considered non-overlapping, meaning their bandwidths do not interfere with each other.

Best Wi-Fi Channels for 5 GHz

The 5 GHz frequency band is much wider than 2.4 GHz, so there is more room for non-overlapping channels. There are about 24 non-overlapping channels within the 5 GHz band — way more than the 2.4 GHz frequency band. You could use any of the 24 channels available, but we recommend using channel 36, 40, 44, or 48 for the least interference.

Best Wi-Fi Channels for 6 GHz

Similar to the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band offers even more channel options, which also means more non-overlapping channels available due to the extended bandwidth (almost double what you’d find in either a 2.4 GHz or a 5 GHz frequency band). While it’s more than capable of transferring large amounts of data, it does have its drawbacks. This frequency band is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E devices only. Additionally, it has a shorter range than 5 GHz, so any data transfers would have to occur at a very close distance (within the same room, for example). With that said, some of the best Wi-Fi channels for a 6 GHz frequency band are 37, 69, 117, 181, and 213.

How Do You Find the Best Wi-Fi Channel for Your Home?

Like fine-tuning a radio, you could manually choose a Wi-Fi channel and test to see if it’s fast enough, but a better option is to use any tool that can assess traffic levels on each channel within your network. Many phone apps can analyze your Wi-Fi connection and show you which channel provides the fastest internet speeds. For Android users, here are some of our favorites:

• WiFi Analyzer: One of the more popular apps on the market, WiFi Analyzer checks your connection to see which channels are experiencing high or low levels of traffic and shows you the changes in real time through time graphs and channel charts.
• WiFi Meter: Wi-Fi signal, frequency, and channel are just a few pieces of information you’ll get when using WiFi Meter. You’ll be able to see the signal strength of your internet connection in real time as well.
• WiFiAnalyzer: Spelled as one word, WiFiAnalyzer helps locate the best Wi-Fi channel by offering channel ratings, giving users a better idea of which channels to use at specific times.

How to Use WiFi Analyzer to Select the Best Wi-Fi Channel

Because of its high ratings and positive reviews, we chose to use WiFi Analyzer to see if it could help us find the best Wi-Fi channels for our internet connection. We took the following steps to make it happen:

Step 1: Download the app.

Search for the app on Google Play and download it to your phone. We were glad that Wi-Fi Analyzer was free, as other apps require a purchase (though it does come with ads).

Step 2: Open the app and allow permission to use your location.

Similar to other apps, Wi-Fi Analyzer requires location permission. It will use it only to scan your Wi-Fi. It does not collect your location or track you.

Step 3: Use the tabs at the top of the app screen to switch between windows.

You can toggle between the channel graphs, time graphs, channel ratings, and access points displayed within the app.

Step 4: Using the information provided, toggle the channel settings on your device.

Once you’ve figured out which Wi-Fi channel offers the best internet speeds, use the settings in your device to select the frequency band you’re in and choose your preferred channel. Based on that data, you can then go into your router and change your Wi-Fi channel for optimal performance.

What If Changing Your Wi-Fi Channel Doesn’t Improve Speeds?

Sometimes, changing the Wi-Fi channel might not affect your internet speeds. If that’s the case, you’ll have to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi. Consider the following tips to see if it fixes your connection issues.

• Make sure you’re connecting to the correct frequency band. Routers commonly default to the 2.4 GHz frequency band. If you’re trying to connect to a 5 GHz or 6 GHz frequency, check the settings to confirm that your device did indeed switch over.
• Check to see if you switched to the correct Wi-Fi channel. If you’re on the correct frequency band, make sure you’ve switched to the correct channel. Since channel traffic can change over time, you might need to switch again once or twice before experiencing faster speeds.
• Move physical objects between your device(s) and the router. Interference doesn’t just happen within frequency bands. If objects are between you and the router, try moving them around to clear a path.
• Consider upgrading your internet connection. When all else fails, you may want to consider upgrading your internet plan. You might need more bandwidth or a stronger signal — both of which are available with a stronger internet connection.