Wi-Fi extenders can be a great solution to some network problems. Especially if you have an aging router and are experiencing dead or weak spots, a Wi-Fi extender or booster can solve your problems. And it’s usually more affordable than having to buy a new router.
It’s no surprise that Wi-Fi routers and mesh networking systems are selling like hotcakes these days, as working from home with Zoom calls and watching Netflix endlessly can really put a strain on your home Wi-Fi router. However, buying a new router can be expensive. Mesh network systems, which typically contain two or three separate routers, can be even larger.
Fortunately, they are not always the best solution. If you can get good Wi-Fi in most of your home but only have problems in one or two rooms, buying the best Wi-Fi extender your budget allows may be a quick and affordable solution.
The name is pretty self-explanatory as these handy devices can help extend the coverage of an existing Wi-Fi network to hard-to-reach places without the higher cost of a brand new router or mesh system. But to get a better idea, let’s delve deeper to see if you should buy a Wi-Fi extender.
Wi-Fi extenders vs mesh routers
Range extenders and mesh network systems often sound very similar, but the differences between the two options are quite simple. Most mesh systems provide “whole-house Wi-Fi” and the goal of a mesh system is to use two or three routers connected together to create a really extensive whole-house Wi-Fi network.
It’s a good option for homes that have three or more bedrooms, especially if they’re on separate floors, or if you have thick walls or other barriers that can block your Wi-Fi signal.
The range extender is a more targeted solution and instead of providing “whole house Wi-Fi”, the range extender focuses on extending your existing Wi-Fi network to one specific place – for example, an upstairs bedroom where Wi-Fi is a bit dodgy and can go out into the garden to listen to a BBQ playlist on Spotify.
You need to find a midway point where the range extender can still pick up the Wi-Fi signal from your main router, and the range extender can then transmit its own Wi-Fi signal which boosts the Wi-Fi to that tricky bedroom or garden exit.
Price and options
Most router companies also make range extenders – although you can mix and match as you like and you don’t have to buy a range extender from the same company that made your existing router or the company you originally bought your broadband deals from.
A quick search on Amazon shows you can pick up a basic range extender from a well-known company like Netgear or TP-Link for as little as $25 / £20 / AU$35, although the latest models using the new Wi-Fi 6 technology can cost as much as $320 / £250 / US$440.
These cheaper range extenders won’t be super fast, of course, typically offering speeds around 300 megabits per second (Mbps). Still, it’s still fast enough to stream Netflix or Baby Yoda on Disney+, and the range extender can be a really inexpensive option if you just want to improve Wi-Fi in one or two rooms.
A single range extender placed in a central corridor can even cover several nearby rooms, although some manufacturers also sell kits containing two or more range extenders.
Plug and play
There are two main types of Wi-Fi range extenders. Larger models, such as Netgear’s high-end Nighthawk series, look like regular routers and are meant to sit on a desk or shelf.
There are also smaller models that plug directly into the mains socket. Plug-in models are really convenient, but their compact design means they may not have a lot of extra features.
The desktop range extender will be larger and will require a separate power cord to plug into a nearby power outlet, but this gives you more flexibility to place the range extender where it works best. Desktop models may also include additional features such as Ethernet ports for devices such as gaming consoles and smart TVs that work better with a wired network connection.
The setup process with range extenders varies by manufacturer, although most range extenders now provide good apps to help you get started. The main thing to note is that many range extenders create a separate WiFi network of their own, with its own name and password that are different from the network name of the main router (the network name is often referred to as the ‘SSID’ – service set identifier – so watch out for that jargon in the manual).
So, if your home’s main Wi-Fi network is called “Pete’s Wi-Fi,” you may have a range extender in your upstairs bedroom that creates its own network called “Mary’s Bedroom.”
If Mary takes her laptop into the bedroom to Zoom chat with her friends, she may have to manually select a new Wi-Fi network and enter the password before she can connect to the new Wi-Fi network in the bedroom.
It’s a bit of a pain, so some of the newer Ranger extenders may use the same network name and password as your existing Wi-Fi network, and this allows you to roam around your home so that your laptop or other devices automatically switch to the range extender when you move away from your main router.
There are also a few other things to watch out for. Many range extenders, such as the Devolo Magic kits, also include a feature called Powerline, which allows you to send your internet connection through the electrical wiring in your home.
This has always seemed magical to us, and is really useful if you have a “dead spot” in your home where the Wi-Fi just shuts down completely. Some of the latest range extenders are also jumping on the “whole house” bandwagon, calling themselves “mesh extenders” and allowing the creation of a wide-ranging new mesh network by connecting several extenders together.
But, as we’ve already noted, range extenders are designed to provide a more affordable and targeted Wi-Fi solution, so they’re best suited to homes where you only need to improve Wi-Fi in one or two specific rooms or outdoor spots.