I have an ac1900 dual band router. There are a couple of bedrooms that are behind corners and walls to where the WFi connection is spotty. I don't have a McMansion. Just need an extender that will make the wi-fi connection more stable in those bedrooms. I assume it's best to purchase an extender that's the same brand as my router. What AC number would you recommend the extender be?
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WiFi Extender
- Thread starter Matte2
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I looked into the same thing a while back. Check with Amazon as they have a large variety of WiFi extenders and many different prices that go along with the design and range.
You don't necessarily have to buy the same name brand as your current router, just one that is compatible and meets your needs.
You don't necessarily have to buy the same name brand as your current router, just one that is compatible and meets your needs.
Thank you. I looked on Amazon and the different extenders boost the coverage up to a certain number of square feet. I'm assuming since the connection is spotty in certain bedrooms, that I would only need an extender that covers the least amount of square feet.
As long as the extender covers the area you're trying to reach, the amount of square feet that it provides is not important provided it works where you need it.
In certain instances, (like a 2 story home with basement) you may need more than one extender. That's where it gets tricky trying to set the network up. In those type of homes, it's best to go with a mesh system. (more expensive)
In certain instances, (like a 2 story home with basement) you may need more than one extender. That's where it gets tricky trying to set the network up. In those type of homes, it's best to go with a mesh system. (more expensive)
Thank you for the input. Besides better/extended coverage, are there any other benefits to a mesh system?
Depends on who you talk to or read up on. Here's one such blog:
www.link-labs.com
Mesh Topology Advantages For M2M Communication | Link Labs
Should you deploy a mesh network? Take a look at this list of the disadvantages and advantages of mesh topology for M2M communication before moving forward.
www.link-labs.com
And don't forget powerline adapters. You can put an ethernet port most anywhere you have an outlet...and then put a wired AP there.
Or...go to straight wifi extenders (mesh), as mentioned. If it were me, I would spend the $ for some good gear. Have not used these myself, would be at the top of my list.
I do have wired UBNT APs (and have installed quite a few for others), and love them. Never going back to consumer brand APs.
Or...go to straight wifi extenders (mesh), as mentioned. If it were me, I would spend the $ for some good gear. Have not used these myself, would be at the top of my list.
I do have wired UBNT APs (and have installed quite a few for others), and love them. Never going back to consumer brand APs.
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A true mesh system typically means no data cables. If you can't get data cables (or power line adapters) to the right area...mesh APs are a great alternative.
The downsides are:
• Reduced maximum throughput/speed, compared to wired APs.
• One has to pair them (join the wifi network), and if they have issues or lose the connection, one may have to re-pair them.
Wired APs don't suffer from this.
Regardless of wired or wireless, a good goal is to have a single network, and that as you move around, devices seamlessly change APs (commonly called a "handoff"). If one has different brands of APs (that don't work together seamlessly), then one risks having separate networks...which is messy and frustrating.
If you decide to go for a mesh then I really think you need a compatible router because the mesh depends on how well the software works and I believe they both really need to use the same software. I think yours is Netgear so I'd look up about Netgear mesh and check which routers are compatible with what you have.
An extender is much simpler.
I have two Asus routers in a mesh and they work impeccably
The powerline adapters are a really good option too but bear in mind you need at least 2 because you need one to send the signal over the power lines and one to receive. That can make them quite expensive for good ones.
I've had those as well with no problems and I've always used Devolo. Their software is really good.
One downside of powerline adapters is noise on the lines from things like fluorescent lamps and you might get away with one in an extension lead but usually you won't and they will become unstable at best.
They can be very picky. I have a socket here where one works perfectly but on the adjacent wall it has never been able to connect at all.
Something else to bear in mind is maybe changes to your router could make a difference.
You could try using a different channel and sometimes you'll find one with better range though walls. I don't know why it makes a difference but having tried it, I know for a fact it does.
Placing the router higher usually works better too and you'll also be surprised how something like a mirror in the right place can bounce the signal. I had one in a cupboard out of sight against an outside wall so I covered the back of the cupboard with aluminium foil and saw a marked improvement.
It might also be possible to use a cable and better position the router altogether but even a couple of feet can make a difference. But experiment.
Best
An extender is much simpler.
I have two Asus routers in a mesh and they work impeccably
The powerline adapters are a really good option too but bear in mind you need at least 2 because you need one to send the signal over the power lines and one to receive. That can make them quite expensive for good ones.
I've had those as well with no problems and I've always used Devolo. Their software is really good.
One downside of powerline adapters is noise on the lines from things like fluorescent lamps and you might get away with one in an extension lead but usually you won't and they will become unstable at best.
They can be very picky. I have a socket here where one works perfectly but on the adjacent wall it has never been able to connect at all.
Something else to bear in mind is maybe changes to your router could make a difference.
You could try using a different channel and sometimes you'll find one with better range though walls. I don't know why it makes a difference but having tried it, I know for a fact it does.
Placing the router higher usually works better too and you'll also be surprised how something like a mirror in the right place can bounce the signal. I had one in a cupboard out of sight against an outside wall so I covered the back of the cupboard with aluminium foil and saw a marked improvement.
It might also be possible to use a cable and better position the router altogether but even a couple of feet can make a difference. But experiment.
Best
I would shy away from extenders. A typical "extender" will halve the network speed/bandwidth as half is used for the connection to the router.
For best performance (if any kind of streaming is done in those rooms) you want a dedicated mesh system that uses a dedicated "backhaul" channel to connect to the main unit. Google WiFi or eero seem to both be well regarded.
I would avoid setting up powerline networking and wired APs, devices might have difficulty switching from one to another as they move through the house.
For best performance (if any kind of streaming is done in those rooms) you want a dedicated mesh system that uses a dedicated "backhaul" channel to connect to the main unit. Google WiFi or eero seem to both be well regarded.
I would avoid setting up powerline networking and wired APs, devices might have difficulty switching from one to another as they move through the house.
Matte2--
What is the brand and model number of your router? Where is the router located?
Our router is on one side of the house and, like you, had significant dead spots on the other side of the house, I tried various routers but could never get decent connection in two of the rooms. I used Netgear range extenders, but even with the faster ones the wifi speed was pretty slow.
I came across an ASUS AC1900 router at a thrift store identical to one that I have, flashed both routers with Merlin firmware, and am using one as the wifi router and the other is configured to be a mesh router. Not sure about other manufacturers but ASUS has made it ricidulously easy to set up the second router as the mesh. So I think my set up is similar to Ruggy's.
The advantages of the mesh system is that there is a dedicated channel that the mesh extender communicates with the main router so you don't have a diminution in wifi speed compared to a traditional wireless extender, and you have the option of having the mesh have the same ssids and pws as the main router so the handoff between router and mesh is seamless.
Am sure that other manufacturers have mesh extenders (I know that Netgear does for sure) that work with their products, so I don't think you need to go out and buy a complete mesh system (they can be pretty pricey, but from an esthetic stand point, some of the mesh systems look less obtrusive than the standard routers and extenders--thankfully the mesh extender is in my office so the spouse doesn't care how it looks).
We now have great wifi coverage throughout the house (and even in the garage) and the audio and video on our doorbell camera is smooth without any choppiness.
Also, with the mesh system there are just 3 wireless networks in our house--2.4g, 5g and guest, with the extenders we had 6!
What is the brand and model number of your router? Where is the router located?
Our router is on one side of the house and, like you, had significant dead spots on the other side of the house, I tried various routers but could never get decent connection in two of the rooms. I used Netgear range extenders, but even with the faster ones the wifi speed was pretty slow.
I came across an ASUS AC1900 router at a thrift store identical to one that I have, flashed both routers with Merlin firmware, and am using one as the wifi router and the other is configured to be a mesh router. Not sure about other manufacturers but ASUS has made it ricidulously easy to set up the second router as the mesh. So I think my set up is similar to Ruggy's.
The advantages of the mesh system is that there is a dedicated channel that the mesh extender communicates with the main router so you don't have a diminution in wifi speed compared to a traditional wireless extender, and you have the option of having the mesh have the same ssids and pws as the main router so the handoff between router and mesh is seamless.
Am sure that other manufacturers have mesh extenders (I know that Netgear does for sure) that work with their products, so I don't think you need to go out and buy a complete mesh system (they can be pretty pricey, but from an esthetic stand point, some of the mesh systems look less obtrusive than the standard routers and extenders--thankfully the mesh extender is in my office so the spouse doesn't care how it looks).
We now have great wifi coverage throughout the house (and even in the garage) and the audio and video on our doorbell camera is smooth without any choppiness.
Also, with the mesh system there are just 3 wireless networks in our house--2.4g, 5g and guest, with the extenders we had 6!
