

If you can't spare a wall outlet, look for a plug-in model that offers a pass-through outlet. Due to their size, plug-in extenders usually have only a single LAN port and lack USB connectivity, making them less versatile but more affordable than desktop extenders.

Some models have external antennas, while others use internal antennas to present an unobtrusive profile. Plug-in extenders are much smaller than their desktop counterparts and are inserted right into a wall outlet. Most desktop extenders look just like a wireless router and are typically equipped with external adjustable antennas, multiple LAN ports for connecting to devices like TVs and gaming consoles, and USB ports for attaching to peripherals such as storage drives and printers. There are two types of Wi-Fi range extenders: desktop and plug-in. Do You Need a Desktop or Plug-In Extender? If you recently bought a new router that supports these standards, you'll certainly want to make sure any range extenders support them as well. The same goes for the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E technologies, the current fastest flavors of Wi-Fi. If your router supports Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming, which provides enhanced performance by sending data to compatible clients simultaneously rather than sequentially, look for an extender that supports this technology if you want to extend your MU-MIMO network. For example, if you have a dual-band AC1900 router, get a dual-band AC1900 extender (or better). When shopping for a range extender, it's important to find one that matches your router's specs. Range extenders provide a relatively easy way to deliver Wi-Fi without having to run cables. In most homes, however, the router's location is tied to the room where the internet enters the house, which means relocating the router will likely require running an Ethernet cable to the desired area. In some cases, you can relocate your router to a central location to deliver a stronger signal to those dead zones that were previously out of reach. Likewise, homes with multiple floors and many walls are more susceptible to signal loss than a one-story home with an open floor plan. But for homes built with dense materials like brick, concrete, plaster, and metal, some level of signal degradation is almost a certainty. Range extenders come in various shapes, sizes, and speeds, but they do have their limitations they are typically half as fast as your primary router, and they create a separate extended network that makes seamless roaming difficult.ĭepending on the size and layout of your home, a mid-to-high-end router may provide all the Wi-Fi coverage you'll need. When paired with a budget-priced router, you can build a tandem system that gets coverage that can rival what you'd get from a single high-priced router or mesh system.
#WIFI BOOSTER AND EXTENDER INSTALL#
What makes range extenders so attractive compared with a bespoke mesh system is that they are easy to install and inexpensive. Our top-rated models are below, followed by a detailed guide to selecting the range extender that meets the needs of your home. Aptly named, range extenders pick up your router's Wi-Fi signal, amplify it, and rebroadcast the boosted signal. Chances are, a range extender will get the job done. Well, hang on before you do that, because for well under $100 in most cases you have another option.
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#WIFI BOOSTER AND EXTENDER UPGRADE#
Most folks figure they need to upgrade their Wi-Fi in that situation, so they either buy a new Wi-Fi router or upgrade their internet service (or both). See more tech deals available in Australia right now, here.
