Conclusion
Proper channel selection can boost your Wi-Fi performance without changing a gear. To me, it is more important to consider “improper” channel selection can hurt your Wi-Fi performance. So if “Auto” channel selection is built into your system, which many wireless routers and APs do, my suggestion is use it first and see how it works. If it provides you what you consider good performance, just use it rather than playing around. “Do no harm”. However, if you have an issue that is potentially related to improper channel setting, consider changing channel.
References
- Why Channels 1, 6 and 11? MetaGeek
- Channel Planning Best Practices (Cisco Meraki)
- Reducing Wi-Fi Channel Interference (Network Computing)
- Interference from Non-WiFi Sources Part 1 (CWNP)
- Interference from Non-WiFi Sources Part 2 (CWNP)
- Whats The Difference Between Single vs MultiChannel Wi-Fi?
- UniFi – Fast Roaming
- Exploiting Partially Overlapping Channels in Wireless Networks: Turning a Peril into an Advantage (2005)
- The Ars Technica semi-scientific guide to Wi-Fi Access Point placement
- Cisco AP Channel Utilization (WiFiNigel)
- On the Goodness of Using Orthogonal Channels in WLAN IEEE 802.11 in Realistic Scenarios