It is essential that, if you buy Smart Home WIFI module, it has support for both frequency bands, both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Just because they are dual-band doesn't mean you can connect to both bands simultaneously.
In fact, while the router and AP are dual-band simultaneously (broadcasting on both bands at the same time). one at a time), WIFI modules are selectable dual band (two bands can be connected, but one or the other, not both simultaneously) due to hardware limitation.
They do not have two chipsets inside which has only one band is compatible with both bands.
It is recommended to have Smart Home WIFI module that combines two antennas. Regarding whether they should be internal or external, if we are going to connect in places near the access point or router.
They can be inside without problems and we will get wireless performance very good, usually modules have very small internal antennas, ideal for connecting them to laptops.
If we will be connecting in places far from the access point or router, we recommend placing the antenna outside, otherwise we may have low coverage and therefore poor speed real low wire.
Typically, these types of Smart Home WIFI module with an external antenna are physically larger than those with an internal antenna. In addition, they often have a USB dock for connecting devices on a table, not inside. rear USB port where there is less Wi-Fi than Fi Speed reality.
If you don't care about the size of the module, you'll always get better performance with a WIFI module with an external antenna, but if you're going to be using it on a laptop constantly, the size is great. could be a problem.
However, there are Wi-Fi cards with two antennas, one inside and one outside for cases where we will be connecting from a great distance, this hybrid is ideal for not having many antennas outside.
When we go to buy a WIFI module, the most important thing is to always look at the compatible Wi-Fi version and also the Wi-Fi class, these two parameters will tell us the maximum performance that we will achievable, that is, the maximum speed that we will achieve.
Today we must buy a USB WIFI module that is at least Wi-Fi 5, this means that it is compatible with the 802.11ac standard, and therefore we will have excellent wireless performance.
We will soon see the first Smart Home WIFI module with Wi-Fi 6, allowing us to get high wireless transmission speeds if you have a Wi-Fi router or AP with this standard, some improvements which we will get with the Wi -Fi 6 card They are:
Support MU-MIMO so routers can send information to us along with other devices and optimize the overall performance of the wireless network.
OFDMA
Not only is the Wi-Fi version used very important, but we also have to check if Smart Home WIFI module supports the 802.11b / g / n standards, that is. If it supports the 2.4GHz band for connection connect. There are some models of Wi-Fi modules that do not support this band and only support the 5GHz band.
What matters is the Wi-Fi version of the module, which is the Wi-Fi class. Usually we can see a nomenclature like «AC1200» on the module, this means the combined speed of the two Wi-Fi frequency bands.
The higher this number, the higher performance (real speed) we will get. If we see that comes “AC”, it is Wi-Fi 5 and if we see “AX”, that has that means Wi-Fi 6.
Currently, we can find the following Wi-Fi classes in Smart Home WIFI module, depending on our needs (and budget) you should buy one or the other:
AC433: it is a converter with antenna, capable of up to 433Mbps in 5GHz band only with Wi-Fi 5, it is not dual band.
AC600: it is a WIFI module with antenna and dual band, we can reach up to 150Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and up to 433Mbps in the 5 GHz band with Wi- Fi 5.
AC750: it's a WIFI module with two antennas and dual band, we can get up to 300Mbps in the 2.4GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and up to 433Mbps in the 5GHz band with Wi- Fi 5.
It's a WIFI module with two antennas, capable of up to 867Mbps in the 5GHz band with Wi-Fi 5 only, it's not dual band.
SKW92A: it's a WIFI module with two antennas and dual band. We can get up to 300Mbps in the 2.4GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and up to 867Mbps in the 5GHz band with Wi- Fi 5.
SKW100: it's a WIFI module with two antennas and dual band. We can reach up to 400Mbps in the 2.4GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and 256QAM and up to 867Mbps in the 5GHz band with Wi-Fi 5.
AC1750: it is a Smart Home WIFI module with three antennas and dual band, we can reach 450Mbps in the 2.4GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and up to 1,300Mbps in the 5GHz band. with Wi-Fi 5. They are premium.
AC1900: it's a WIFI module with three antennas and dual band, we can reach up to 600Mbps in the 2.4GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 and 256QAM and up to 1,300Mbps in the 5 band. GHz with Wi-Fi 5. They are high-end.
Currently, manufacturers have not released Wi-Fi USB cards with the Wi-Fi 6 standard, but most likely they are up to the AX3000 class (2 antennas).
In the 5GHz band, with Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 standards, Wi-Fi access points and routers are capable of using 160 MHz channel widths. This means that, with the same number of antennas in the Smart Home WIFI module, we can achieve twice the speed.
Normally, Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-fi 6 have only 80 MHz channel width. If we double this channel width, we will double the speed without doubling the number of antennas WIFI inside (or outside) the module.
In this article we tested a large number of WIFI modules, both USB and PCIe. You can visit our ranking of the best USB WIFI modules where you will find all of them, both in-depth analysis and ranking.
Before buying any of Smart Home WIFI module, we must pay attention to their specifications, both in the Wi-Fi version, the WIFI class, whether it supports 160 MHz or not, and even if they with external or internal antenna.
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