Are you having trouble connecting to WiFi in some parts of your home? Maybe the signal is weak, or there's no signal at all. Whatever the case, getting a quality WiFi booster can solve your connectivity issues. But, how does a WiFi booster work and what are its advantages? Keep reading and find out.

What Is a WiFi Booster?

A WiFi booster is a device that extends WiFi network coverage by amplifying existing signals. It allows all wireless devices within that boosted coverage to connect to the internet. This unique solution works by pulling in WiFi from the router and amplifying it before broadcasting the transmission to the areas with a weak or non-existing signal.

WiFi boosters help effectively expand your WiFi network, reaching multiple rooms, floors, and corners of your home, including your garden or yard. However, don’t confuse signal reach with signal strength. They don’t make a weak signal more powerful, so ensure it’s potent in the first place. Otherwise, you would be extending a weak signal.

How Does a WiFi Booster Work?

Wifi booster

WiFi booster wirelessly connects to an access spot, like a router. It grabs the signal transmitted by the router and amplifies it for broader coverage. Typically, WiFi boosters have powerful antennas, broadcasting the signal and covering large areas.

It’s crucial to position your WiFi booster in the right place. It should be somewhere close enough to the router to receive the signal but far enough to cover areas that aren’t receiving it. Look for the spots without a strong WiFi connection and place your booster halfway between those areas and the access point.

Generally, WiFi boosters’ setup processes are pretty straightforward. Many feature the WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) button, making the process fast. When you press the buttons on both devices, the booster will connect to the router. However, different WiFi booster producers may require additional steps. Once the setup ends, your WiFi booster can start fulfilling its purpose - extending the existing WiFi signal.

Finally, you will connect your wireless devices to the WiFi booster. To do that, you need to go into the WiFi settings on your devices and click on the booster’s network name. Then, enter the password. Once connected to your WiFi booster, you can enjoy a stable internet connection in areas that didn’t initially receive a good signal.

Types of WiFi Boosters

Two types of WiFi boosters are wireless and wired WiFi boosters. Choosing the type for your network depends on where you need to boost the signal and the position of your access point.

Wired WiFi Boosters

A wired WiFi booster is ideal for fast connection speeds without disruptions or lag. It connects to the existing coaxial cable, extending the wireless network to the low-signal areas. The wired connection prevents interferences that can trigger a wireless booster to drop out or slow down, ensuring a reliable connection where a wall or other electronic devices are in the way.

For example, a powerline WiFi booster is a wired WiFi booster that uses electrical cables to rebroadcast the signal from the access point. You only need to plug it into an electrical outlet where the signal is low to experience its perks.

Wireless WiFi Boosters

On the other hand, a wireless WiFi booster connects to the existing network wirelessly. Its installation is similar to connecting a wireless device, such as a laptop, to a wireless router.

Typically, they include a simple setup button. You only need to press it, and the booster will connect to the router. Ideally, place it where it can pick up the router’s signal, away from thick walls and appliances that can cause disruptions, such as phones and microwaves.

Other WiFi boosters are based on range, amplification power, design, and frequency band usage.

  1. Most routers have a range of 150 to 300 square feet. Devices outside that range will have connectivity difficulties. Depending on the WiFi booster, they can extend the range by 300 to 2000 square feet.
  2. There are two types of WiFi booster design. Some boosters are plugged into a power source and are excellent for boosting the signal in one room. Others sit on a shelf or desk and use antennas, improving network signal in several rooms.
  3. There are two types of boosters regarding frequency bands - single-band and dual-band. The first type uses only one frequency band to transmit data (2.4GHz or 5GHz). The second uses both GHz frequencies - one talks to the router while the other communicates with the wireless devices.

The Difference Between a WiFi Extender and a WiFi Repeater

WiFi extenders and WiFi repeaters share similarities but work slightly differently. Extenders work by pulling a reception from the router before transmitting it to a wireless device.

However, they aren’t using the same network name as the original network. For example, if your initial network’s name is Wireless1, the extender will make up a new name, like Wireless2. So, if you want to connect to it, you must choose its name.

WiFi repeaters work a bit differently. They repeat the received signal while it’s transmitted to a wireless device, meaning you’ll use the same network name as the original network.

Nonetheless, many WiFi boosters have the option to use an extender as a repeater. Depending on the booster, it may be simple to change the settings to use an original network name. Some WiFi boosters will allow you to use several network names with separate passes.

Are WiFi Extenders Safe?

WiFi boosters feature the same level of security as the routers - WEP, WPA, and WPA2, with WPA and WPA2 providing more protection. WPA3 was introduced in 2019, boasting improved security features within private and public networks, making it more challenging for hackers to access the network.

Will a WiFi Extender Increase Internet Speed?

A WiFi booster won’t increase your internet speed. However, they use powerful antennas and amplifiers to broadcast and boost signals effectively, which can seem as if they accelerate the internet speed.

Let’s say you have a booster that supports up to 850 Mbps, but your internet provides a maximum of 400 Mbps. Your WiFi booster won’t boost the internet speed, as it works with what’s available. However, it will enable stronger signal, allowing the connected devices to feel faster internet speed.

Do You Need a WiFi Booster?

If you’re unsure you need a WiFi booster, check the reasons below why you might.

  1. Some areas of your home or office have a weak WiFi signal or don’t have it at all.
  2. You have the latest WiFi technology, but you’re still dealing with dead spots, buffering, and slow internet speed.
  3. Your WiFi connection weakens as you walk around your home or office.

You could use a WiFi booster if you can relate to at least one of these statements. Sometimes even the latest WiFi technology can’t cover the entire home or office. That's especially true if their size exceeds the router’s range. WiFi boosters can easily improve your network coverage and are a much cheaper solution than buying a new router.

Pros and Cons of WiFi Extenders

Typically, WiFi boosters are a cheap way to extend your WiFi network compared to upgrading your internet plan. Check out its advantages below.

  1. WiFi boosters are generally compatible with any router, so you won't have to buy a new router.
  2. A booster can considerably expand the reach of your network. If you put it in the right place, you can even get coverage outdoors.
  3. They don't take up much space.

However, sometimes they aren't an ideal solution.

  1. With some WiFi boosters, you'll have to connect to a different WiFi network in one area of your house and a different network in another.
  2. Even though boosters extend the network, they can have less bandwidth than the router. That can lead to lower internet speed.

Get the Best WiFi Booster for Your Home

If you realize you need a WiFi booster, why not buy the best one for a fair price? There's no point in buying something that won't do its job, so ensure you get a high-quality WiFi booster and start enjoying the perks of full network coverage.