
We’ve tested practically every router, mesh system and wireless extender available, so we can help when it comes to deducing the best models from the worst. This is particularly of note if you only have poor Wi-Fi in one area of your home. Buy one of our best Wi-Fi extenders, on the other hand, and you can fix poor wireless for less.īest of all, Wi-Fi extenders will work with any router you’ve got, so you don’t have to replace anything else. While a mesh network may be the answer in a lot of homes, these systems are expensive. Ruining a work meeting, an important phone call, a streaming session or more, poor Wi-Fi is a frustrating beast to deal with. What extenders can’t do is increase your data speed unless it’s wired to the router.There’s nothing (if you’ll allow a little artistic licence) worse than a poor Wi-Fi signal.

Extenders have amplified antennas, so if you get a -80 dBm signal from your router while standing next to the bookcase, a Wi-Fi extender in that spot may broadcast a -38 dBm signal, which is far better-the closer to zero, the stronger the signal. This term applies to all Wi-Fi extenders because they “boost” your Wi-Fi range. This mode has the fastest data throughput if you use a wired connection, but it ties up the Ethernet port. It creates a new Wi-Fi network, so you must manually connect your wireless devices upon first use-they reconnect when you move outside the router’s range. With the access point mode enabled, the extender connects to your router using Wi-Fi, an Ethernet cable, or a coax cable.

But your data throughput doesn’t increase in speed because there’s no wired connection to the router. It then captures and repeats your router’s Wi-Fi through amplified antennas, so you don’t need to manually disconnect and reconnect as you roam. To set it up, press the WPS button or log in to your Wi-Fi network through the repeater’s app or web interface.
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We’ll explain both modes and how an extender can boost your Wi-Fi.īy default, an extender connects to your router using Wi-Fi. Most Wi-Fi extenders now have two modes you can toggle from the bottom or the side: repeat and extend. All three terms apply to the same thing: a standalone device for capturing your network signals and sending them into areas your router can’t reach.
