HomeKit 5Ghz WiFi Homekit devices - where are there???

[mlody]

I am looking for HomeKit gear advice. We live in MDU type structure, and there are tons of Wi-Fi interference around us. Obviously moving to a single-family house would be the best option (if you ask my wife), but that is a distant reality, so I have been toying with killing the 2.4 GHz band and switching to 5.0 GHz only.

My problem is HomeKit and the lack of devices that operate on 5.0 GHz band. I need to find the 5.0 GHz replacements for the following

-Garage door opener (currently have Meross, which is only 2.4 GHz)
-wall switches, dimmers, 3-way (currently have few WeMo - only 2.4 GHz, unfortunately)
-home kit secured video camera (currently have Logitech Circle View - also only 2.4 GHz)
-thermostat (I currently have Ecobee 3-4 years old EcoBee, I believe a newer EcoBee might be 5.0 GHz, so that is an easy fix)
-not really homekit device, but we will also need a wireless laser printer/copier/scanner - preferably b/w, but we would consider color too.

The 5.0Ghz coverage is not the problem, as I have hard wired Asus AI mesh network and can add another node easily to cover another floor if needed. The rest of our devices are 5.0Ghz, including nearly 10 years old Panasonic Plasma TV.

So in the summary, need 5.0Ghz capable garage door opener, HSV camera (indoor only is OK), wall switches (dimmer, 3-way and 2-way) and a laser printer.

I appreciate the help

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

You'll find a lot of them don't because it's unnecessary. 2.4GHz is longer range (twice as far as 5GHz) and those devices don't require large data throughput which would requiring more energy/power so if I'm a company it's my last priority. People with smart devices want to be able to connect anywhere in the house, 5GHz isn't great for that. Additionally some devices don't play well if on two separate bands and since 2.4GHz is the most common then that's the safe bet.

If I were you I would create two separate SSID's, one for 2.4GHz stuff and one for 5GHz. Additionally, downloading a free product such as NetSpot to determine what channels the different bands are using from others around you and then changing the channel appropriately would benefit from congestion as well. You could even go as far as hiding your SSID's as simply broadcasting them adds to network congestion.

 

[Phil77354]

I agree with @Sheepish-Lord, and I've also had my share of difficulties with 2.4GHz devices and getting them to work with my home network. After struggling with those issues I realized that 2.4GHz was unavoidable for many HomeKit compatible products. My own difficulties had more to do with my Google Wi-Fi router, and this is one of the reasons I continue to be tempted to replace it with something that would work more seamlessly with both 5.0GHz and 2.4GHz devices.

The new ecobee specs state: Dual-band Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4GHz, 802.11 a/n/ac @ 5GHz. If you have a router with both bands then I don't know which would be used by the ecobee, but I suspect it will default to 2.4GHz if both are available.

 

[mlody]

Thanks for the responses, but I am not looking for a debate and opinion on whether I should be using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wifi or what is necessary or not. I am looking for device recommendations for HomeKit that offer 5 GHz capabilities in the categories I listed. I am hoping to build a less susceptible network to interferences, and I think 5.0 GHz might be the way to go because where I live, there are close to 100 2.4 GHz networks, all fighting for the same frequencies, unfortunately. Thanks

 

[Phil77354]

Understood. Unfortunately it seems that you may not have many choices, but perhaps someone here will suggest something that suits your desires. Good luck.

Have you tried the Apple Support Community forums, on the Apple website? You might find someone there with the right technical knowledge to help. I've had good luck there in the past.

Perhaps try posting on this thread:

Home - Apple Community

Find answers with millions of other Home users in our vibrant community. Search discussions or ask a question about Home.

discussions.apple.com

 

[bbednarz]

Look into devices that use zigbee and z-wave. Youre not going to find many devices running 5ghz because it makes little sense in smart home gear. Adds to the cost and takes away functionality.

 

[Itinj24]

If you don’t mind reverting to a previous version, the Logitech Circle 2 supports the 5GHz band. They’re obviously discontinued but I was able to get a few of them brand new off eBay.

I agree with bbednarz though. I’d go zigbee (or anything similar like Lutron Caseta’s Clear Connect) where applicable. I don’t have any issues with Wi-Fi connectivity in my house, 2.4 or 5GHz and still choose zigbee over Wi-Fi. Sure it requires a bridge (usually, relatively inexpensive) but it’s well worth the cost for the reliability and speed you get with it.

 

[Ashbash75]

zigbee and/or z-wave is the best choice currently.