Which Smart Plugs Support 5GHz Wi-Fi?

While the majority of routers are dual-band and broadcast on both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency, there are some that are restricted to just the higher frequency.

Unfortunately, most smart home devices, such as smart plugs, only run on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. So that begs the question, are there any smart plugs that support the 5GHz frequency?

In this article, I give a rundown on compatible 5GHz smart plugs available for those with these router restrictions

Update: Only the 1st Gen versions of Leviton linked below support 5GHz. The newer 2nd Gen versions only work on the 2.4GHz band. Also, the 1st Gen device was recently discontinued, so I recommend getting it while it's still available!

As mentioned above, most 5 GHz routers available are dual-band and have two radios; one 2.4 GHz and one 5GHz. The very latest models are tri-band with an additional 6 GHz frequency.

With dual-band and tri-band routers, either all frequencies are broadcast with the same Wi-Fi network name or they could be available under slightly different network names.

If your router is restricted to just a 5GHz frequency, then read on to see which smart plugs are compatible.

As the Leviton DW15-P smart plug operates on 5GHz Wi-Fi, you don't need a hub for it to work. The downside to that is it is not fully “local only” – you need to sign in to the Leviton app for it to work.

I've reviewed a lot of smart home devices over the years and I can tell you that as a brand, Leviton is very well regarded in the sector.

Smart Plug Features

It's packed with various features and settings, such as the ability to customize sunset/sunrise times, create lighting scenes, use the auto-shutoff feature, and even set up a vacation (randomization) function when you are away.

To make your settings and commands easier, the smart plug is compatible Alexa and Google Assistant as well as IFTTT and SmartThings.

The device can support a capacity of up to ¾ horsepower, 15A general use, 5A LED/CFL, and 1500W incandescent bulbs. So it's ideal for electronics, appliances, and lamps in your home.

Using the Leviton DW3HL-1BW 5GHz smart plug, you will be able to control your home lighting from anywhere through its smartphone app.

The smart plug is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices – to allow for voice commands and smart home integrations. 

Integrating a protected memory function, the smart plug maintains an On/Off status during minor power fluctuations.

The plug is ideally designed for table-, floor-, and hanging lights – allowing for dimming functions as well.

When you are away, you can set up the vacation randomization mode for automatic lighting control. 

Other 5GHz Smart Plugs

Broadlink Smart Plug Mini

Despite hours of research, the only other 5GHz smart plug I could find was this one from Broadlink. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing it has been out of stock for the last 5 months and has possibly been discontinued.

It also operates on the older 802.11.b/g/n standard which was the first version of the Wi-Fi standard to support 5GHz.

The 802.11ac and 802.11ax Wi-Fi standards were introduced in 2013 and 2019 respectively and offer much faster data rates. So this Broadlink smart plug may not work with newer routers that operate on these newer standards.

Difference between 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz Frequencies

2.4GHz

The 2.4GHz band is the most commonly used frequency as it is supported by nearly all wifi-enabled devices. It also has better range and is able to penetrate walls and other obstacles more effectively than higher frequencies.

However, this band tends to be crowded, since many devices including microwaves and cordless phones also operate on this frequency, leading to interference and slower speeds.

5GHz

On the other hand, the 5GHz band is less congested and can provide faster data transmission rates due to its higher frequency. However, its range is shorter compared to the 2.4GHz band, and it is less effective at penetrating obstacles.

6GHz

The 6GHz band, introduced with Wi-Fi 6E in 2021, offers even faster speeds and more available channels than the 5GHz band, providing more bandwidth and less congestion. However, similar to 5GHz, its range is limited and it is less capable of penetrating solid objects.

Alternatives to 5GHz Smart Plugs

From researching this article, I've listed a few alternative approaches to consider.

Option 1: Utilize a Zigbee Hub like the Amazon Echo 4th Gen and a Zigbee Smart Plug

An alternative to finding a 5GHz smart plug is to use a Zigbee hub, such as the Amazon Echo 4. Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol commonly used in smart home devices (I've written a full guide on Zigbee here). The Amazon Echo 4, amongst other hubs, comes with built-in Zigbee compatibility. With this in place, you could then purchase a Zigbee smart plug. Check out my guide on Zigbee smart plugs here.

Once you have your Zigbee smart plug and your Amazon Echo 4 (or any other Zigbee hub), you can connect them directly without needing to worry about your Wi-Fi frequency band.

Option 2: Change your Wi-Fi Router or add an additional dual-band Router to your network

Since a majority of smart devices operate on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, if you are serious about using smart home technology, you'll need a router that supports this frequency. So, it might be worth considering a change to your current router. If a full replacement isn't practical, an alternative option would be to add an additional dual-band router to your existing network setup.

This would not only allow for support of the more common 2.4GHz smart devices but also retain the benefits of the faster 5GHz band for suitable devices.

Once you have a router that can support the 2.4GHz band, you can then buy any of the standard smart plugs on the market.

Sources

leviton.com