When it comes to extending the range of your WiFi network, you may find yourself stuck between two options – Wifi boosters and repeaters. Wifi boosters and wi-fi repeaters are devices that help in enhancing the overall signal strength and range of the wi-fi network. These gadgets are easy to set up and install and they can also come with multiple connectivity ports. Installing these gadgets provide you with better streaming, and web surfing experience. Choosing the right device for improving your wi-fi network becomes easy when you know what is the difference between wi-fi boosters vs repeaters.
What is a Wi-Fi Booster?
A wi-fi booster is a device that is used to extend the range of your wi-fi signal without causing any impact on the speed and bandwidth of your wi-fi system. It increases the coverage area of your wi-fi by providing you with a reliable signal speed. Wi-Fi boosters can have wired connections for better signal transmission. You can install them in areas where you want high-speed wi-fi connectivity. This will not leave any dead zone or corner in your house.
What is a Wi-Fi Repeater
A wi-fi repeater is also a range-extending device but it mainly re-broadcasts the wi-fi signals through other channels. This means a wi-fi repeater will create a new wi-fi network that you can use on your local devices. The new network signal will give you better coverage and range, but it may present problems like higher latency and low bandwidth. It is beneficial to install a wifi repeater in places where you don't get any wifi network range.
Wifi Boosters Vs Repeaters
Set-Up
Installation is easy with both, wifi boosters and repeaters, but setting up wifi repeaters will require less time and effort. This is because wifi boosters will require a wired setup and connecting all the ports to the power outlet can take some time. On the other hand, wifi repeaters can be set up anywhere in your home, wirelessly. You can also go with wireless wifi extenders for quick setup.
Cost
There is not a big difference in the cost of Wifi boosters Vs repeaters. The price range of wifi boosters is between $40 to $150. You can buy a good-quality wifi extender for around $80 to $100. The cost of repeaters is generally lower than wifi boosters. You can buy a good quality wifi repeater for $50 to $60.
Bandwidth
The bandwidth of your wifi system stays at its highest potential with wifi boosters. You can experience some dip in the bandwidth with wifi repeaters. This is because it is connected wirelessly and then re-broadcasts the existing wifi network. The Zhrmghg Extender has a frequency range of 2.4-2.4835 GHz and can speed up your wifi network to up to 300 Mbps.
Buy the Best WiFi Boosters and WiFi Repeaters
iHEYTEK WiFi Extenders Signal Booster
The reviews of iHEYTEK WiFi Extenders Signal Booster make it the perfect way to increase the range of your existing wifi network. It can extend the coverage area to up to 35 square feet with a transmission rate of 1200Mbps. This device is really easy to step up. It can support upwards of 45 devices at once.
Beenate Ap Repeater
The Beenate Ap Repeater has got excellent reviews because of its dual-band 2.4G & 5Ghz WiFi system. This repeater can boost your wifi signal to up to 1200Mbps and you can select high-quality frequency bands for better performance. It has 4 dual external antennas to make the relay signal more stable and extend coverage to 360 degrees.
GRT WiFi Extender
The GRT WiFi Extender is a wireless signal repeater that can boost your existing wireless signal to up to 300Mbps for 2.4GHz, and up to 867Mbps for 5Ghz, a total rate of about 1200Mbps. It is equipped with 4 high-gain antennas to offer you a coverage area of up to 3000 square feet with higher penetration through walls and minimal loss of signal. It has got good reviews for its easy setup and wider compatibility.
NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX6400
The reviews of Netgear WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX6400 are good because of its excellent 2100 sq ft range. It has fast AC1900 speeds that allow you to connect up to 35 devices at a time. This device eliminates blind spouts so you can use your devices anywhere in your home without worry. It is universally compatible meaning you can use it with any router.
TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Extender
The TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Extender is a great device thanks to its dual-band technology that offers speeds up to 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps on 5GHz. It allows you to connect to up to 35 gadgets seamlessly. This device comes with an app that lets you access and manages your network with ease. It comes with 3 antennas which cover an area of up to 2800 Square Feet.
Is it better to connect to 5GHz or 2.4 GHz?
It is dependent on your specific situation. Although 5GHz provides faster speeds, which can be advantageous for large file transfers or streaming, it has a shorter range than 2.4GHz. If you want a stronger signal at a greater distance, 2.4GHz may be the better choice. 2.4GHz may be the better option if you are in a crowded environment with many other wireless networks because it is less prone to interference. Most older devices may not be compatible with 5GHz
Conclusion
Wifi boosters and repeaters are used for improving the wifi range and coverage. Both these devices have similar operations, but they use different working mechanisms. It can be tricky to choose between Wifi boosters Vs repeaters, but with the above-mentioned pointers, you can make a worthy selection. You can read through our blog to understand wifi routers and modems in detail.
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