The Best Wi-Fi Booster

Buying Guide

For many, a modern home doesn’t feel like home until the internet router is up and running. There are few things more satisfying than seeing those tiny lights turn on and knowing you can hook up the smart TV and all your other gadgets. And all too often, the letdown comes soon after that, when you discover those pesky “dead spots” where your wi-fi signal is weak or nonexistent.

It can be tempting to fix the problem the expensive way with a deluxe router or mesh router system, and your internet provider probably won’t discourage you. But there is a cheaper solution: A wi-fi booster.

These compact devices are also called wi-fi range extenders or repeaters, but they all work on the same principle. They wirelessly pick up the signal from your internet router and rebroadcast it to areas of your house where appliances or thick walls may have been blocking the transmission. They won’t work as well as a good mesh router system (which is essentially several routers working in concert) but they’re a solid fix for those who need to boost their wi-fi to an upstairs office or outdoor security devices.

If you’re not technically inclined, make sure you get a wi-fi booster with WPS (wi-fi protected setup) capability. This allows you to simply press the WPS button on your router, then do the same with your booster and let them pair up remotely. Keep in mind that if you’re using an older router that runs on a WEP security protocol, WPS may not be an option.

Speaking of compatibility, check to see if your router is one of the newer models that’s capable of Wi-Fi 6 ( a next-gen network protocol that started rolling out in 2019). If so, it can provide you faster internet speeds, and you’ll want a booster that’s also Wi-Fi 6 enabled so it won’t throttle that capability.

Of course you’ll want a booster with a lot of range, but the real thing to worry about is speed. Many older single-band boosters could extend your wi-fi into previously “dead” areas, but the process would cut your signal speed in half. Most modern boosters operate on a dual frequency band, which mitigates that loss. If you’re able to pay a little more for a tri-band booster, you’ll have that benefit and the ability to connect more devices.

The frequency type of your router (and your booster) also makes a big difference. Of the two main types, 2.4 GHz routers will have a wider coverage area at the cost of slower speed. 5 GHz is basically the opposite, with more bandwidth up close but smaller coverage.

You’ll have to take all these factors into account and weigh them against what you want to achieve with your booster. If you want to simply extend your range so that you’re able to walk through the house without dropping calls, you can get away with a cheaper booster. If you want to set up an office far from your router, make sure to get a booster with some extra Ethernet ports so that you can connect a printer and other peripherals.

Each wi-fi booster will have its own installation directions, but every home is different. A lot of things can affect the performance of both your router and your booster, so where you place them can be just as important as which ones you buy.

If you’re simply looking to extend your range, the best place for your booster is somewhere centrally located within the house. If you have a particular “dead zone” you want to get rid of, don’t place it in that area. Your booster needs to pick up the signal to begin with, so it must be in a place where the wi-fi is already strong.

If you have a specific smart TV or computer you want to reach, just place the booster roughly halfway between your router and that device. Most boosters come with a sensor that will tell you where the signal is strong, so don’t be afraid to move around until you find a sweet spot.