How to use a Wi-Fi extender or Wi-Fi booster, plus other tips to improve your internet

Improve your Wi-Fi with a Wi-Fi booster.

There are 2 different types of simple home devices that can help improve your network’s Wi-Fi strength and both — a Wi-Fi extender and a Wi-Fi repeater — are often referred to as Wi-Fi boosters. These Wi-Fi boosters may be simple desktop accessories or plug directly into outlets. Once set up, both create secondary networks — for example, your original “Network” becomes “Network1” — and your devices can automatically access whichever signal is stronger.

In addition to these add-ons, there's also a different type of option, called a mesh Wi-Fi system. It blankets your whole house with an improved Wi-Fi network but is more expensive and complicated to set up.

Extend range with a Wi-Fi extender.

The first Wi-Fi booster is a Wi-Fi range extender. A Wi-Fi extender picks up the Wi-Fi signal sent out by your router and lengthens it without negatively impacting overall internet speed. For example, if you get very poor service on a second floor and want to watch YouTube TV at night, you can place a Wi-Fi extender in a bedroom or bathroom. And, you can use multiple Wi-Fi range extenders to increase signal strength in different areas of your home. One key thing to note: check the signal on your router — typically a number such as 802.11 — and find a Wi-Fi extender that matches it.

Add signal strength with a Wi-Fi repeater.

A Wi-Fi repeater is a second type of Wi-Fi booster. This piece of hardware actually has 2 wireless routers — one to grab your existing network and a second which takes that signal to create an enhanced network with a bigger coverage area. To work well, the Wi-Fi repeater should be placed in a spot that already receives a strong signal — say, in the mudroom where it picks up the network from a router in the kitchen. The repeater can then increase the network strength to a deck so that you can work at home if the weather is nice. One tradeoff: the signal is generally strong with a Wi-Fi repeater but the bandwidth may decrease, so response time may lag a bit. 

Invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system for advanced home coverage.

What's immediately different about mesh Wi-Fi systems is the equipment: there's a router as well as a series of satellite modules. These are placed around your home to create a unified network that covers every room and location. Because of this, a mesh Wi-Fi system means there's no need to toggle back and forth between networks. However, much of the time just improving your router placement or investing in a less expensive Wi-Fi booster may be enough to meet your needs.

Choose the best way to boost your home’s Wi-Fi.

If you can’t improve the placement of your Wi-Fi router, you have options for tech that can help. If you need better signal in a particular room such as a bedroom, a Wi-Fi extender may be best. If you want to be able to access Wi-Fi more broadly — for example, when you’re outside — a Wi-Fi repeater may be a better match. Finally, if you have a large home needing better Wi-Fi everywhere and you have room in your budget, a mesh Wi-Fi system may be your best bet. Of course, to ensure you’re never without Wi-Fi — as a backup for your home internet or even when you’re not at home — consider a mobile hotspot or jetpack.