One of the simplest ways of boosting the range of your wireless network is using a Wi-Fi range extender. In this article, you will find an explanation of how Wi-Fi range boosters work and you will be introduced to the best W-iFi signal boosters in the market right now.
Wi-Fi networks have liberated us from the constraints of the wired world. Nowadays, setting up of a home wireless networks is preferred over the older ethernet based Internet connections. However, they do come with their share of problems which includes weak reception at large distances and blind spots in connectivity range, created due to physical barriers. There are many ways in which you can get around this problem of poor wireless connectivity. One of the simplest ones is the usage of a Wi-Fi range boosters, which can easily solve your wireless signal range problems.
All radio wave communication suffers from an inherent problem of weak signal connectivity. This is not a problem that arises due to technology. It is due to the fact that radio waves are electromagnetic waves which decrease in amplitude with distance, according to an inverse square law. Neither can these waves penetrate through thick walls and other physical barriers. These limitations can be overcome by the usage of other electronic devices like amplifiers.
Working
A range booster is an electronic unit with a transreceiver and amplifier mechanism built into one. The device receives the transmitted signal from the wireless router, amplifies it and retransmits it beyond the existing limits of your network.
They should be ideally placed at the periphery of your Wi-Fi network’s existing range boundary. With powerful amplifiers built in, these devices can boost device range up to six times the existing range. Instead of spending on a new router, investing in a couple of Wi-Fi range extenders can solve all your wireless connectivity problems quite effectively.
Choosing One
What are the things that you should look out for when purchasing a Wi-Fi signal booster? Firstly, check the wireless networking standard to which the range booster belongs. Go for 802.11n based range extenders that are backward compatible with 802.11 a/b/g/n based wireless routers. They offer the best transmission speeds and overall range. The most important thing to check out is the compatibility of your Wi-Fi signal booster with your router and wireless networking equipment.
Best Range Extenders
After a brief review on the working of Wi-Fi signal boosters and the short buying guide, I provide you with a list of the best Wi-Fi range extenders which you could use. Most product prices fall within $100. Particularly recommended is the Hawking range extender that you find listed here, that is known to be most effective in terms of performance. Look for adjustable power settings that can help control the range of your network. Choose one which suits your router configuration and budget.
- ERB9250 11N 300MB 11N Range Extender Removable Antenna ($47.88)
- Netgear Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender ($69.99)
- Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender ($68.99)
- D-Link DAP-1360 Wireless N Range Extender ($69.36)
- Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G ($89.95)
- Hawking HiGain Signal Booster version 2 – HSB2 ($66.98)
Install any one of the best Wi-Fi range extenders listed above and say goodbye to blindspots and weak signal problems. As discussed before, make sure that the product you choose is compatible with your wireless router. With increased range, you bring in the additional problem of eavesdropping hackers trying to gain unauthorized access to your personal network. Make sure that you secure your network by enabling WPA2 or WEP encryption and switching on a firewall, that can effectively take care of hacking problems.