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Wi-Fi extenders can be a great solution to some network problems. Especially if you have an outdated router and experience dead or weak spots, a WiFi extender or repeater can solve your problems. And it’s usually cheaper than having to buy a new router.
It’s not surprising that Wi-Fi routers and mesh networking systems are selling like hot cakes right now, as working from home with Zoom calls and binge-watching endless Netflix can really put a strain on your home Wi-Fi router. However, buying a new router can be expensive. Mesh network systems that typically include two or three separate routers can be even more.
Fortunately, they are not always the best solution. If you can get good Wi-Fi in most of your home, but you’re just having problems in one or two rooms, buying the best Wi-Fi extender that fits your budget can be a quick and affordable solution.
That name speaks for itself, as these handy devices can help extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi network to that hard-to-reach location, without the increased cost of an entirely new router or mesh system. But to give you a better idea, let’s dig deeper to see if you should buy a Wi-Fi extender.
Wi-Fi Extenders vs. Mesh Routers
Range extenders and mesh networking systems are often very similar, but the differences between the two options are fairly straightforward. Most mesh systems boast of providing “whole home WiFi,” and the goal of a mesh system is to use two or three routers connected together to create a truly comprehensive WiFi network that covers your whole house.
That’s a good option for homes with three or more bedrooms, especially if they’re on separate floors, or if you have thick walls or other barriers that can block the Wi-Fi signal.
A range extender is a more targeted solution, and rather than providing “whole home Wi-Fi”, a range extender focuses on extending your existing Wi-Fi network to one specific location – such as an upstairs bedroom where the wifi is a bit dodgy, or maybe out into the garden so you can listen to your BBQ playlist on Spotify.
You need to find a halfway point, where the range extender can still pick up the Wi-Fi signal from your main router, and the range extender can then broadcast its own Wi-Fi signal that boosts the Wi-Fi to that awkward bedroom or out into the yard.
Price and options
Most companies that make routers also make range extenders – although you are free to mix and match, and you don’t have to buy a range extender from the same company that made your existing router or the company where you originally got your broadband purchased offers from.
A quick look at Amazon shows that you can pick up a basic amp from a well-known company like Netgear or TP-Link for as little as $25 / £20 / AU$35, though the latest models that feature the new Wi-Fi 6 technology can only as much as $320 / £250 / $440 cost.
Of course, those cheaper range extenders won’t be super fast and usually only offer speeds around 300 megabits per second (Mbps). Still, that’s still fast enough to stream Netflix or Baby Yoda on Disney+, and a range extender can be a really affordable option if you’re just looking to boost the Wi-Fi in one or two rooms.
A single range extender placed in a central hallway may even cover several nearby rooms, although some manufacturers also sell kits with two or more range extenders.
Plug in and play
There are two main types of WiFi extenders. The larger models, such as Netgear’s high-end Nighthawk series, look just like regular routers and are designed to sit on a desk or shelf.
Then there are also smaller models that can be connected directly to a socket. The plug-in models are very useful, but due to their compact design they should not have too many extras.
A desktop range extender will be larger and will require a separate power cable to plug into a nearby power outlet, but that does give you more freedom to place the range extender where it works best. Desktop models may also include additional features such as Ethernet ports for devices such as game consoles and smart TVs that work better with a wired network connection.
The installation process with range extenders varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, although most range extenders now offer good apps to get you started. The most important thing to note is that many range extenders set up a separate Wi-Fi network, with its own name and password that differ from your main router’s network (the network name is often referred to as the ‘SSID’). ‘ – service set identifier – so watch out for that piece of jargon in the manual).
So if the main Wi-Fi network in your home is called “Pete’s Wi-Fi,” then you may have a range extender in an upstairs bedroom that creates its own network called “Mary’s Bedroom.”
If Mary takes her laptop into the bedroom for a Zoom chat with her friends, she may need to manually select the new Wi-Fi network and enter the password before she can connect to that new Wi-Fi network in the bedroom.
That’s a bit annoying so some newer ranger extenders can use the same network name and password as your existing Wi-Fi network and this allows you to roam around your house so your laptop or other devices automatically switch to the range extender when you moves further away from your main router.
There are also a number of other things to watch out for. Many range extenders, such as Devolo’s Magic kits, also include a feature called Powerline, which allows you to send your Internet connection through your home’s electrical wiring.
That always seemed like magic to us, and it’s really useful if you have a ‘deadspot’ in your house where the Wi-Fi just cuts out completely. Some of the latest range extenders are also jumping on the “whole home” mesh bandwagon, calling themselves “mesh extenders” and allowing you to create a comprehensive new mesh network by linking several extenders together.
But as we’ve pointed out, range extenders are designed to provide a more affordable and targeted Wi-Fi solution, so they’re best suited for homes where you only spot the Wi-Fi in one or two specific rooms or outside.