When purchasing a Wi-Fi extender (also known as an amplifier), there are certain things you need to know. Below we have provided you with everything you need to know when buying a Wi-Fi extender, so look no further, and let's dive into it.
How does a Wi-Fi extender work?
Wi-Fi extenders do the job of expanding the Wi-Fi network coverage by connecting to your Wi-Fi and then rebroadcasting the signal from your existing Wi-Fi network. By doing this, the Wi-Fi range extends. The two antennas of the extender do the vital job of receiving incoming signals while the other is responsible for transferring them. This signal transmission uses MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output). The MU-MIMO is the practice of having more than one antenna within a wireless device. Having more than one antenna enables it to receive and transmit data. MU-MIMO works by doubling the number of antennas in a device.
In simple terms, the more antennas on a single device, the more it can receive and transfer data, which in turn provides better data rates. The number of antennas within a device can not only increase by two but also tripled.
Wi-Fi extender types
Among the types of Wi-Fi extenders, the plug-in type is more common. However, there are Wi-Fi extender types computer users can add to their desktop. Below we have provided you with their pros and cons and which to choose for the right occasion.
Plug-in type Wi-Fi extender
As the name suggests, you plug in the Plug-in Wi-Fi extender in sockets of houses and offices, and from there does its job. People use the plug-in type more often when compared to the desktop type due to its ease when setting up. It is better to use the plug-in-type Wi-Fi extender when at home or in a place you do not have to move often. Below we have provided some of its pros and cons.
Desktop type Wi-Fi extender
Users are to embed the desktop-type Wi-Fi extender into their desktop or PC, which serves as a Wi-Fi extender. This Wi-Fi extender type is best for those who move a lot as they can easily use it without having to find sockets to use. Below we have provided some of its pros and cons.
Where to place your extender for optimal coverage?
Placing your Wi-Fi extender in the right place goes a long way in just how much coverage it will have. The realistic option will be to put it in the middle between the router and the dead-zone. However, it is possible to experience a lack of proper network coverage still. Below we have listed key things to keep in mind when placing your Wi-Fi extender.
Check for areas that are not covered
Before we dive into the detail, it's essential to know what a Wi-Fi dead-zone is. In simple terms, a Wi-Fi dead-zone is an area within your apartment, home, or any place where your device can't get a signal. Detecting a dead-zone is not difficult as all you have to do is pick up any wireless device, connect to your Wi-Fi, and take a stroll around your house while keeping an eye on the Wi-Fi signal strength. If the signal takes a fall to zero, that's your dead-zone.
Users can also use a heat map to scan for Wi-Fi dead-zones. Heat maps are detailed maps with colors that highlight Wi-Fi dead-zones in apartments.
Obstacles that might disturb the signal
Sometimes a poor Wi-Fi connection is not the problem as external factors can also cause a drag on your Wi-Fi network. Solid objects such as full concrete walls and furniture can block the Wi-Fi signal. Lifting the router/extender above the furniture level could serve as a fix for such problems. Below we have provided you with some ways to fix a weak Wi-Fi signal.
- Get a modern router
- Do not hide your router
- Get a Wi-Fi extender
- Update router regularly
- Use a long-range router
- Test the signal strength
It is imperative that you test your signal strength so you know just how strong or weak it is.
How to test
You can test the strength of your Wi-Fi signal on your smartphone or tablet using the Airport Utility App for iPhone. You can use the Wi-Fi analyzer app for android. Both of these apps are easy to use. You can use the NetSpot application to test your signal strength.
What are the optimal results
For your Wi-Fi signal strength, anything below -50dBm is quality signal strength. Anything below -60dBm is fair enough. However, -67dBs is the minimum value if you need smooth data traffic.
Will the Wi-Fi extender impact the connection speed?
Yes, the Wi-Fi range extender impacts the connection speed. How? As stated earlier, these Wi-Fi extenders rebroadcast signals in an attempt to avoid a feedback loop. These Wi-Fi range extenders delay transmissions a little bit. But as you already know, the word 'tiny' is relative. So this tiny delay could result in some transmission delay.
What can you do about this delay?
By nature, these Wi-Fi range extenders reduce speeds while increasing latency because they receive and then rebroadcast signals, thus reducing the speed by half. One way to combat this is by using a Fastlane setup. You can also optimize your Wi-Fi range extender by ensuring the firmware is updated regularly. Also, ensure that you use the least congested channel.
Keep this in mind before buying
When choosing a Wi-Fi amplifier, there are vital features that you should keep in mind, such as wireless security, dual-band system, and tri-band system. Below we have elaborated on the mentioned.
Wireless security
One way to secure these extenders against malware, spams attacks, hacker intrusions is by keeping them up-to-date at all times and also upgrading the firmware. However, there is a security standard for devices with wireless internet connections known as WPA, which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access developed to provide even better data encryption. There are three different types of encryption, namely WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Let's briefly elaborate on them.
WEP
WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It is one of the security protocols in the IEEE Wi-Fi standard. In today's world, information security is of critical importance. Thus ensuring that your devices and networks are secure is mandatory. The WEP helps secure your connection by adding a layer of security to your network through encryption of data. This way, only the intended receiver can recognize the data sent
WPA
As mentioned earlier, WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protection Access. WPA was created by the Wi-Fi Alliance and offered more intricate data encryption when compared to the WEP. The arrival of the WPA was due to specific weaknesses found in The WEP protocol. The WPA secures your network by accessing your device credentials. That way, anyone who wants to connect to your network will be required to authenticate. WPA also has a quality authentication protocol.
WPA2
Just as WPA is more secure than WEP, WPA2 is more secure than WPA. The WPA2 boots your Wi-Fi security by using even more powerful wireless encryptions when compared to the WPA. The WPA2 does not permit the use of TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol). The TKIP is an algorithm used in the past and limitations and weak spots. In comparison with the three mentioned, it is obvious the WPA2 is more secure.
Dual-band system
The Dual-Band system is a system that operates on two distinct frequency bands known as the C ku band and the Ku/Ka band. Unlike the single-band system, the Dual-Band system offers a consistent and efficient performance by operating on two frequency bands simultaneously. On phones, tablets, and other smart devices, dual-band routers operate on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, respectively. These bands complement each other and create a stable and broader connection, and here's how.
2.4GHz
The 2.4GHz band offers more expansive coverage. However, the 2.4GHz will transmit data at a slower speed. Various devices with Wi-Fi use the 2.4GHz band, such as the microwave and garage door openers. The 2.4GHz band tends to experience the issue of overcrowding when multiple devices connect to the same network. This is because it has only 11 channels devices can use.
5GHz
Unlike the 2.4GHz, the 5GHz provides less Wi-Fi coverage but compensates by transmitting data at a faster speed. The 5GHz offers you the ability to download and upload files very quickly. The 5GHz does not have the issue of overcrowding like the 2GHz band because it has about 23 channels that multiple devices can connect to. Also, fewer devices use the 5GHz band.
Tri-Band system
As the name suggests, the tri-brand system makes use of three radios/bands. The third radio/band of the Tri-Band system is responsible for backhaul communications with the router and its satellite. In simple terms, the tri-band system creates a virtual wire with the sole responsibility of data transfer between the router and satellite. The efficiency of the tri-brand is increased by a large 50% when compared to the dual-band. Theoretically, the speed of the tri-band is at 1.7Gbps, which is a lot faster than the standard internet speed.
What else should you consider?
When choosing a Wi-Fi extender, the above are not the only things to consider. You should consider the compatibility, the design, the ease of connection, and the Wi-Fi range the extender can provide.
Compatibility
There are various Wi-Fi network standards, and older devices may not be compatible with the newest standards. Therefore, even if you buy an extender that offers the latest standard or highest speeds, if the devices do not support the standard, it will not provide the speed that would otherwise be available if the devices themselves supported such speeds. Instead, the highest available speed will be the one that the device supports. In this case, there is no need to buy an extender with the latest standard support, as it will be more expensive.
It is imperative that you check the compatibility of the Wi-Fi range extender you wish to buy with whatever device you plan on connecting to it. That way, you can avoid the disappointment of having a fast Wi-Fi range extender and not being able to access its full potential. You can get routers with the latest Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6 / 802.11ax, provided your device supports the latest versions. The Wi-Fi 6 has an average speed of 1,320Gbps. The primary advantage of the Wi-Fi 6 is its speed.
What extra features does it offer?
The importance of extra features on a device is vital as the more the features, the more handy the device is. When buying your Wi-Fi amplifier, you should look out for extra features such as ethernet ports, speaker jacks, additional antennas, and more.
Design
The design of any device is essential and not only for those who plan the design of their homes. This is because some devices can be bulky and would stick out design-wise. Some are more discreet, while others can be stylish and compliment the design with their looks
How easy will the connection be?
Complicating set-ups can be frustrating, so when choosing a Wi-Fi range extender, ensure that it is easy to connect or set up. Extenders can be as simple as plug-and-go or just by turning on the WPS button. Others might be more complicated to set up. Others still might have apps that help when it comes to setting up the device.
The range the extender can provide
One primary purpose of getting a Wi-Fi range extender is to increase the range of your Wi-Fi. So it's a no-brainer that you go for a Wi-Fi amplifier with a long-range rather than that with a short-range. However, this depends on the size of the area you want to be covered.