Which is better X band or S band radar?

X-band is widely used because of the ability to utilize smaller antennas that fit on most boats and to provide better target resolution. S-band radars are often used for specialized applications, such as seeing through heavy weather or precipitation and for long-range bird detection. S-band antennas are larger.

The x-band, being of higher frequency is used for a sharper image and better resolution whereas the S-band is used especially when in rain or fog as well as for identification and tracking.

The S band is a designation by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for a part of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum covering frequencies from 2 to 4 gigahertz (GHz) . Thus it crosses the conventional boundary between the UHF and SHF bands at 3.0 GHz.

The X band is the designation for a band of frequencies in the microwave radio region of the electromagnetic spectrum . In some cases, such as in communication engineering, the frequency range of the X band is rather indefinitely set at approximately 7.0–11.2 GHz.