What is the difference between a WiFi extender and a booster? – Slashgear

Wi-Fi has become an integral part of contemporary life. It allows us to work from home, play online games and more – all without being bound to fixed locations or cables. But let’s be honest, even if you have a strong router, you will occasionally suffer from Wi-Fi connectivity problems. Think of problems such as a weak Wi-Fi signal and dropped connections. That said, if you are of most LAN party visitors, you will probably connect your Ethernet cable when you fall WiFi speed. Of course this can solve the issue. But it is worth noting that there are other simple but effective ways in which you can maximize your WiFi, without worrying about cable management.

If you want to eliminate these connectivity problems, a WiFi extender or a WiFi booster can be the solution for your WiFi problems. At a glance, these two may seem freely alike and even deliver the same results. And although both enable you to extend your WiFi range to rooms with a weaker signal, the only difference is that they tackle it in slightly different ways.

For example, a WiFi extender grabs your existing signal and extends to other areas where the connection is weak. Conversely, a WiFi booster reinforces the existing signal strength without making a second network. The results? Fewer interruptions, especially in medium and small houses.

If you are dealing with a spare internet connection, the first thing you want to check is the router. Although there are several reasons why your WiFi is no longer, the position of your router is usually the most common culprit. Of course, moving your router to a central location will maximize its effectiveness. But if that is not the case (even after placing the router in an elevated and open position), investing in a WiFi extender is a potential solution.

A WiFi extender is a device that works as a bridge between your router and devices that are outside the range of the signal of your router. The beauty is that it is super easy to install – simply connect the extender to an outdoor outlet and it creates a second access point for the extensive signal to connect to devices that are not within the reach of your router. In addition, compared to other options for expanding your Wi-Fi range (say mesh network), WiFi extenders are much more affordable. Despite these benefits, however, WiFi extenders have their own set of limitations.

For example, they will delay your WiFi speeds and only work perfectly in small spaces. You must also manually switch between networks unless you use updated models that support seamless roaming. The reason is that most Wi-Fi extenders work by creating a separate network (sometimes with a network name that differs slightly from your original network). For example, if the name of your lead router is ‘MyWifi’, the extender makes a new, separate network with a changed name such as ‘Mywifi_ext’. This means that you have to switch manually between networking when you go from one room to another, which can be quite frustrating – especially if you are a video call.

If you do not want the hassle of switching between networks, you may want to invest in a WiFi booster. In contrast to a Wi-Fi extender that broadcasts the signal that it receives, a Wi-Fi booster works by strengthening and strengthening your existing signal. This can be made without a secondary network. As such you have a more powerful signal that will penetrate obstacles more effectively and extends to rooms with weak signals smoothly. That means smoother connectivity and fewer network interruptions in your home.

Yet WiFi boosters, like all other technical gadgets, have their disadvantages. For example, if the router itself limits your speeds (perhaps because it is old or placed behind a sofa), a WiFi booster will not solve the problem. Instead, it will strengthen every speed it receives. That is why you want to maximize your Wi-Fi performance with this setup, check the condition of your router and its location. If possible, mount the booster halfway between your dead zone and the main router. You also want to be tempted to place the booster in your basement or an out-of-the-way location.