Without a reliable WiFi signal, you could find yourself losing connection in certain parts of the house, or particular corners having slower speeds – a frustrating issue when you need speedy WiFi in every room.

If you’re having trouble with your WiFi, and you’re not getting the coverage you need in your home, a WiFi booster, repeater, or extender might be for you. But what is the difference between them, and which is the best solution for your home or business?

At Quickline, we’re committed to providing WiFi without disruption – because it’s what you deserve. But, if you’re not sure which would work best out of a booster, repeater, or extender, we’ve put together a guide to help you choose.

WiFi Boosters

A WiFi booster extends your WiFi signal across your home.

It’s usually placed in between a ‘dead zone’ (an area with poor or no signal) and your router. The booster then picks up your signal and amplifies it, re-broadcasting it to the areas you need.

How does a WiFi booster work?

A WiFi booster connects to a wireless access point, such as a router or a hotspot. It uses the existing signal from the router, gives it a boost, and broadcasts the signal further for more coverage.

When choosing where to put your WiFi booster, make sure to place it in an area that can easily pick up your router’s signal. This means keeping it away from thick walls, furniture, and electrical or home appliances that could interfere with the signal!

Do WiFi boosters increase Internet speed?

Not exactly. Whilst boosters can amplify your Internet speed, they can only work with the existing signal.

If, for example, your Internet speed is already slow, that won’t change with the new booster – it won’t improve the core upload or download speeds. But, with the booster amplifying the signal, your devices will have better connection. Your Internet speed will appear to have improved.

WiFi Extenders

WiFi extenders can be an effective way of getting consistent, high-speed coverage in every corner of your home.

The extenders work by shortening the distance between your devices and the router’s signal, meaning that your WiFi speed and performance are improved.

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

The terms are often used interchangeably, which can get confusing. Whilst a WiFi booster re-broadcasts existing signals, a WiFi extender can communicate directly with your router using a wire.

Additionally, extenders re-broadcast your network’s existing signal into the desired areas, while boosters capture the existing signal and amplify it into other parts of your home.

Is a WiFi extender better than a WiFi booster?

An extender isn’t necessarily better than a WiFi booster. However, the challenge with a WiFi booster is often the location. It’s tricky to place it somewhere that won’t disrupt the signal that needs to be re-broadcasted. But, by using an extender, you can wire it directly to your router, improving the speed of the entire network.

Do WiFi extenders reduce Internet speed?

Potentially – but it depends on the type of extender. A wireless extender might reduce your Internet speed by a small amount, as your devices and the extender are communicating with your router by using WiFi.

However, using an extender that connects directly to your router bypasses the problem. You shouldn’t notice a drop in speed.

Either way, if you’re struggling to get a consistent, usable connection in one part of your home – it’s likely to improve the real-world usability of your internet.

WiFi Repeaters

A WiFi repeater uses two wireless routers, similar to the router you would already have at home, to send the WiFi signal to low-coverage parts of your property.

WiFi repeaters are perfect for areas that have a lot of interference, either from other appliances or multiple devices.

How does a WiFi repeater work?

Similarly to a booster or extender, one of the two wireless routers picks up the existing WiFi network. Then, it transfers the signal to the other wireless router, which transmits the boosted signal.

Do WiFi repeaters reduce Internet speed?

Yes. WiFi repeaters do offer a slower connection than a direct connection to the router. Although a WiFi repeater won’t impact the speed of your original network, devices connected to the repeater will only get around half the bandwidth.

Quickline – No Connection Left Behind

You don’t deserve slow speeds or poor connection. At Quickline, we’re the rural broadband specialists, and it’s our mission to deliver reliable broadband everywhere that needs it – no matter where you live.

So, if you’re still struggling with your connection, you know where to go! Click here to see whether you can access reliable broadband for your home today. Or, click here for your business.

Stay in-the-know with tips, events and more from Quickline, follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out.