What is a Wi-Fi extender?
A Wi-Fi extender? A Wi-Fi repeater? Or a mesh system? These are all solutions for improving your home Wi-Fi network. At BASE, we choose a mesh system. In this article, we’ll explain why it’s the best solution for you.
What exactly is a Wi-Fi booster?
Wi-Fi extender – or Wi-Fi booster – is a general term for devices that pick up the Wi-Fi signal from your modem and re-broadcast it to extend coverage. These are useful if you want to improve your Wi-Fi in certain areas of your home. You usually place the Wi-Fi booster in a room where the signal is weaker.
Wi-Fi repeaters and mesh systems are two types of Wi-Fi extenders.
A Wi-Fi repeater or extender
Wi-Fi repeaters, or extenders, work with a main device that connects to your modem and separate boosters. They share the network either wirelessly or through your electrical wiring.
However, there are some drawbacks to using Wi-Fi repeaters:
- Repeaters broadcast their own network. For example, if you walk through your home with your smartphone and move from the modem’s range into an area covered by a repeater, your phone might not automatically switch to the repeater’s network. That’s not very practical, as you’ll still have a weak signal!
- Repeaters cut your internet speed in half. Paying BASE for a 200 Mbps plan? With a repeater, you might only get around 100 Mbps. Not exactly budget-friendly!
A Wi-Fi mesh
A mesh system consists of multiple devices that communicate smartly and seamlessly with each other. The benefits at a glance:
- You use just one network. Since the Wi-Fi mesh broadcasts its own network, you’ll need to disable the one from your modem. That way, all your devices stay connected to the same network at all times.
- You keep your full speed. Thanks to seamless communication between the different boosters, your internet speed remains consistent.
- Automatically connected to the strongest point. The boosters ensure that your devices always connect to the strongest signal in the house.
Because a mesh system offers so many advantages, we recommend the TP-Link Deco X60 as your Wi-Fi booster. As a BASE customer, you can get it at a better price than offered elsewhere. Check it out now!
