An unstable internet connection can bring much trouble to your life and work. When you search to improve your WiFi, you might notice two terms: WiFi booster and WiFi extender. It might get you confused. They both can claim to make your WiFi cover more areas.
However, which one is better? Here we will provide everything you need to know about WiFi boosters and extenders, helping you decide which one is better for you.
What Is a WiFi Extender?
A WiFi extender is a device to expand a network’s coverage area. It can capture WiFi signals from your router and amplify them, then send them out again to where has weak signal strength. You should place it near your router.
What Is a WiFi Booster?
A WiFi booster can receive signals from the router and amplify them. These signals will be transmitted to the connected devices. It also is known as a WiFi repeater.
You should place it where stay away from walls or physical obstructions.
Understanding the Differences
WiFi boosters and extenders have a similar goal to make sure your WiFi covers more areas. Overall, they don’t have distinct differences just emphasize different aspects.
Wi-Fi extenders rebroadcast the existing WiFi signals with weak connectivity. On the other hand, WiFi boosters aim to improve the quality of WiFi signals. The mutual result is expanding the WiFi coverage area.
In addition, WiFi boosters are easier to install. And WiFi boosters might have a slight impact on the internet speed.
Related: How to Share WiFi Password on iPhone, Android, PC, Mac
Which Is Better? WiFi Booster or Extender?
As we discussed above, they both can lead to more coverage areas. It depends on your specific needs and budget.
If you prefer easy setting up, a WiFi booster might be a better choice for you. It is suitable for small spaces. The best location to place your WiFi booster is where no interference in the signal. It might be a little difficult to find.
If you want to cover dead spots, you might need a WiFi extender. Besides, you can just connect it with your router. However, a WiFi extender might cost more than a booster since it requires more installation steps.
Do WiFi Boosters Change the Internet Speed?
A WiFi booster can have some small influence on your bandwidth. However, your internet speed is decided by your internet service provider. A WiFi booster can’t straightforwardly increase or slow down it. It can only amplify your WiFi signals and expand the coverage.
Why Buy a WiFi Extender or Booster?
Poor Connection
Even if you set the router in the center of your house, it can’t cover every area especially if you have a large house. When you use devices in these areas, the slow internet speed can be very frustrating.
Home structures and obstructions will block signals. In addition, there might exist dead zones where you can get zero WiFi connection. A WiFi extender or booster can easily expand coverage.
Outside WiFi
Since WiFi plays a more important role in our lives, we want not only to access the internet at home but also use it outside our house like a yard or swimming pool. Imagine you lying down comfortably on the lounger near the swimming pool, enjoying browsing social media. What a pleasant experience. A WiFi extender or booster can cover more areas including outdoors.
Enhance Signal Strength
A weak signal can result in slow internet speeds, which can greatly influence your daily use and decrease your working efficiency. A WiFi booster can capture and amplify WiFi signals. It can improve the strength and quality of WiFi signals. So your internet connection can be more stable.
Cheaper Solution
If you contact your internet service provider about the weak connection, they might suggest you upgrade your subscription plan. That might cost extra money. On the contrary, installing a WiFi extender or booster won’t cost much and it can effectively fix your connection problems.
How to Improve Your WiFi Connectivity
Apart from setting up a WiFi booster or extender to enhance your connection, you can follow the below solutions to achieve this goal.
Find the Right Place for Your Router
The location of your router can influence your internet connectivity. The best place is the center of your home and it stays away from stairs, walls, and other electronic devices. Or your WiFi signals can be disturbed.
Update Your Router
The function of a router not only depends on its location but also its lifespan. Old and damaged routers can’t provide you with a stable internet connection. Besides, you should update your router firmware in time. Router manufacturers improve software to enhance WiFi connection and increase internet speed.
Change Your WiFi Password
If you never change your SSID and password, others can easily connect to your WiFi and affect your bandwidth. Imagine your neighbor is using your network to download movies, it will influence your WiFi connectivity.
In addition, hackers might use this to attack your network. They will access your data and threaten your network security. You should change your default name and set a strong password. Don’t include your birthday date or other private information in the passwords.
Change Your Antenna
Make sure the antenna of your router is clean and connected properly. Otherwise, you might need to consider buying a stronger antenna. It can effectively improve your WiFi signal strength.
Change Your WiFi’s Channel
Your router uses a particular channel. If the nearby routers use the same channel, it will cause congestion. You can use some tools to find channels that have fewer networks.
Tip:
if your connection problem is solved and want to stream with unlimited speed, you can try LightningX VPN. Provide 2000+ servers, it can give you a stable browsing experience. Compatible with multiple devices, you can log in to three devices at the same time. With the strict no-log policy, you can assure absolute anonymity.
Conclusion
We hope you can decide whether WiFi boosters or extenders are right for you after reading this. Enjoy a stable internet connection wherever you are.
