Do WiFi extenders work?
WiFi extenders (or sometimes called boosters) have gained popularity as effective solutions for expanding network coverage and getting rid of dead zones in homes or offices. While these devices offer undeniable benefits, it’s crucial to understand how they work, their limitations, and a few factors influencing their effectiveness.
Understanding WiFi Extenders
How WiFi Extenders Work
WiFi signals struggle to navigate through obstacles like walls and furniture, leading to weak spots or dead zones in larger spaces and tricky layouts. A strategically placed WiFi extender acts as bridges between your router and devices in such areas, picking up and rebroadcasting the existing signal, thereby extending coverage.
Factors Influencing Performance
The effectiveness of a WiFi extender depends on various factors, including the extender’s quality, operational settings, compatibility with the router, space layout, and interference from other wireless devices.
What extenders can’t do
While WiFi extenders are a great option for expanding WiFi coverage within your home or office, they unfortunately won’t work in situations where you need coverage outside of the building. For example, if you’re trying to get WiFi to the sleepout, shed or external garage, the distance and obstacles between the router and extender are too big for the extender to work properly.
It’s also important to know that WiFi extenders won’t necessarily make your internet faster or handle lots of devices at once. The speed of your WiFi this is usually pre-determined the type of service available at your address.
Downsides of WiFi Extenders
While WiFi extenders can be advantageous, they come with potential downsides. Signal degradation, latency, and intermittent connection issues can be a problem. However careful placement, quality equipment, and compatible settings can mitigate these problems, so it’s not all bad news!
Position and Placement
Finding the right spot for the extender can be tricky. The ideal placement balances proximity to the existing WiFi source for a strong signal, and sufficient distance to extend coverage into weaker WiFi zones. In some dwellings a single extender may not be enough to do the job.
Brand or Type of Extender
Using the same type of extender as the router enhances performance and communication between devices, reducing the risk of lag or disruptions to the WiFi connection. This is the main reason we only offer extender services to customers who have the specific type of router that we have tested and know works well with the extenders we supply.
Exploring Alternatives
While WiFi extenders are a quick solution, alternatives like mesh systems and hardwired cables with access points also exist. Each option has its merits, and users should explore them based on their specific needs.
