The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best WiFi Extender 2022 for Your Home or Office
A WiFi extender or wireless extender is a device that extends the range of your Wi-Fi network. They are most commonly used to increase the range of a wireless router in order to provide an internet connection to devices that are too far away from the router. It is also used by people who want to create their own personal hotspot with their smartphones and connect it to other devices within range.
How to Choose a Wifi Extender That Fits Your Needs
A wifi extender is a device that extends the range of your current network. It does this by picking up your wifi signal and broadcasting it from an antenna in a different location.
There are many different types of extenders on the market, but they all have the same goal: to extend your network's reach.
Some people might be wondering why they would need a wifi booster for their home when they already have access to WiFi in their home. The answer is simple: if you want to stream video content or download large files, you'll need more than one bar of signal strength.
One of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to buy a WiFi extender or an access point. To do this, first, identify the type of wireless network you are currently using - 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac - and then match it to the specs of your Wi-Fi adapter for your computer.
802.11g networks are limited by their short range and speed (54 megabytes per second at best), but they are also compatible with older computers that only have an 802.11b/g wireless card installed in them;
802.11n networks offer increased range (200-250 feet) and speed (up to 300 megabytes per second), but they require newer computers with an 802.11n/g
As you are now well aware of WIFI extenders, a device that is used to improve the WIFI signal coverage in your home. There are several types of WIFI extenders that do the same work but in a different way.
A WiFi range extender is like a specialized tool, and there are many factors to take into account when you're buying one. What frequency should it be? What kind of antenna should it have? How long will the cable be? All these elements come together to make up your perfect WiFi extender purchase.
Types of WiFi Extenders
There are many different types of wifi extenders and they all work differently. For example, some wifi extenders use radio waves to extend the range of a wireless network, while others use wired connections to extend the range.
There are many different factors that determine which type of wifi extender is best for you. These factors include: distance from router, cost, type of home (single-story or multi-story), and whether you want an external or internal system.
The three different types of WIFI extenders are
- WIFI Repeaters.
- WIFI Network Extenders.
- WIFI Mesh System.
Let’s see what’s the difference between each type and how they work.
WIFI Repeater
WIFI repeaters are the first wireless type of WIFI extender and are also known as WIFI range extenders. This wireless device can easily install between the router and the area that needs better signals. A WIFI repeater is a WIFI booster device that catches wireless signals and rebroadcasts the signals to the far ends. But there is a big catch, using a WIFI repeater will not improve the signal strength it will only extend the range. For example, if a device receives a weak or low signal it will extend the same quality weak signals it receives.
However, the repeaters may improve the signal strength but it will cut the potential speed of your WIFI network. This is because one radio needs to flip-flop for transmitting or receiving a new signal.
Advantages of WIFI Repeaters
- Eliminates dead zone.
- Cost-effective.
- Can work with the traditional or regular router.
- Gives WIFI coverage to your entire home.
- One device is sufficient for setup.
Disadvantages of WIFI Repeaters
- Bandwidth halved because of the rebroadcast signal.
- Requires manual switch to turn to the new network.
WIFI Network Extenders
A WIFI network extender is the best consistent, reliable and fast WIFI extender that can directly communicate with your router. The WIFI network extender reduces the distance of WIFI signals from the router to your wireless devices. It receives the signals from the existing network, amplifies them, and then transmits the fast-boosted signals. The WIFI network extenders increase the speed of your existing WIFI network and extend the reach at every corner of your home.
Advantages of WIFI Network Extenders
- Budget-friendly.
- Gives WIFI coverage to your home.
- Can work with the traditional or regular router.
- Eliminates dead zones and boost WIFI signals.
- One device is sufficient for setup.
Disadvantages of WIFI Network Extenders
- Compatibility issues.
- Not suitable for large homes with many floors.
- Difficult to configure
WIFI Mesh System
A Mesh WIFI system is a wireless whole-home system that climates all the dead zones and gives you uninterrupted WIFI coverage to your entire home. The mesh system connects directly to your modem and gives access to all of your wireless devices like laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc. All users can connect to a single network and can share the same network wirelessly. The Mesh WIFI system gives multiple access points to minimize traffic delays.
So, if you have a big house with multiple floors or an office with many floors Cuka-M1200C Mesh WIFI system is best for you that gives you faster, reliable, and greater coverage.
Advantages of WIFI Mesh System
- Great for large homes, offices, and buildings.
- Eliminates dead zones and boost WIFI signals.
- Smartphone management.
- User-friendly.
- Less connection failure.
Disadvantages of WIFI Mesh System
- Expensive.
- May lack some advanced features.
- Does not work with a traditional router.
Conclusion:
If you are not satisfied with your WIFI network and planning to change your system then WIFI boosters are the best option.
Blueshadow offers so many WIFI boosters that are easy to use, install and eliminate all the dead spots inside/outside of your home. The Blueshadow long-range WIFI extender is the best high-performing WIFI booster that gives great WIFI coverage, whether it is through ethernet, MoCA, or WIFI.
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