two routers vs. single tri-band router

[AxSD]

I'm deciding whether to setup multiple routers with the same 5ghz wifi SSID spread out at different locations, or have a single router with 3 bands (one 2.4ghz and dual 5ghz), or multiple tri-band routers and let the channels overlap.

It's good practice for stability and speed to not have the wifi channels overlap. So with that in mind, should I buy 2x routers with single 5ghz band, or two different routers with dual 5ghz capabilities, and let the channels overlap with each anyways?

The single router running two simultaneous 5ghz band probably won't work for me because I need to have better coverage.

 

[smitbret]

You have quite a bit going on. Could use a bit more info.

It sounds like you are thinking that band=channel. It doesn't. For instance, on the 2.4GHz band there are 12 channels and it is best practice to only use 1,6 and 11. You could run three routers, at the same location, each with a 2.4GHz signal and none of them would be overlapping. 5GHz has many, many more channels than that.

However, when it comes to WiFi, less is always more. You should probably just survey the area where you want signal and set up just enough Access Points (APs) to make sure you have the coverage and set the channels to avoid overlap.

Multi-band routers are useful if you have a lot of devices that are all using a lot of bandwidth since you aren't forcing devices to split the bandwidth of a single stream. But if a single band can feed all of your devices, you are better off just getting multiple APs and expanding your range.

Too answer your question in the context of the subject line:
I will always take 2 routers spread out for better range over a single tri-band unless I have a lot of devices at one single point that are accessing simultaneously. People tend to spread out over a floorplan and access from different spots.

 

[boomhower]

It sounds as if coverage is your issue. As smitbret advised you need access points, not routers. Routers can certainly be used as access points, just disable DHCP on the one(s) being used as access points. Essentially you have your main router and run an ethernet cord to the second router. Use the same SSID/security for both but can use different channels. Alternatively you can buy dedicated access points. How much square footage or floors are you trying to cover? What type of construction materials? Budget?

 

[JackMDS]

For nice Wireless Two Wireless Routers (one configured as an Access Point) is always better No matter what.

Using Wireless Routers (or Modem/Wireless Router) as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html