Today, almost all homes and offices have a Wi-Fi network, allowing devices such as PCs or smartphones to connect to the wireless Internet.
Such a network has several advantages:
- travels at high speed in downloads and uploads, especially if VDSL;
- saves you gigabytes of your mobile plan.
However, these benefits can clash with the Wi-Fi signal range or if you are in environments where there is not enough field. For these problems, fortunately, there are several ways by which you can increase the Wi-Fi signal.
Read more: Computer Fails To Recognize 5GHz Wi-Fi: How To Fix?
In this article, I will try to show you the various alternatives in front of you and the devices that improve wireless reception.
Are you ready? Let’s get started now!
#1 Range Extender: Useful for increasing Wi-Fi signal
Using a range extender or Wi-Fi repeater is the easiest and sometimes most effective way to increase your wireless network’s signal.
You can also use your router to increase wi-fi signal, read more in this guide: How to use your router as a Wi-Fi repeater.
The range extender picks up the signal emitted by your modem/router and amplifies it from where it is.
For example, if you have reception problems in a room located some distance from the router, fix a Wi-Fi repeater halfway.
How to install a range extender
The installation of these devices is straightforward and can be done in two ways:
- the first is immediate: press the WPS button on both the range extender and your router and wait for the automatic configuration;
- the second is a little longer but not complicated: start the device, connect to the network it will have generated, and follow the steps to set the first use.
These are the general procedures, the ones that will work with the majority of Wi-Fi repeaters on the market today. However, my advice is always to take a look at the installation manual.
Range extender types
Many range extenders stand out from other devices that improve wi-fi networks by the low price. Repeaters like the TP-Link TL-WA850RE offer the ability to increase signal range and cost very little.
Of course, depending on the cost, you can get a device with more features or higher performance. Factors such as:
- supported wireless transmission band, if at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz;
- additional functions, such as the ability to act as an access point.
An example of the first case is the TP-Link RE200, while in the second case, the TP-Link RE305 is interesting, which you can use in a versatile way!
So if you need to increase the range of the signal, a range extender might be the solution to the problem.
#2 Create a Wi-Fi network where it’s not there, with an Access Point
If an access point is considered a middle ground between a modem/router and a Wi-Fi repeater at first glance, there is much more.
An access point, or wireless access point, is a device that allows you to turn a wired line into a wireless connection to the internet.
The most emblematic case is the one in which it has a modem to which you can connect only via Ethernet cable, that is, through the RJ-45 port.
Without access points, you couldn’t connect to the Internet with a whole host of devices: smartphones, ultrabooks, smart TVs, and so on.
On the contrary, connect to the modem/router an access point that is also very simple as the TP-Link TL-WA801ND, and you can immediately configure the new Wi-Fi network.
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Wireless Access Point: Functionality and Versatility
On the one hand, the only major flaw of access points is not to connect directly to the Internet but to need a modem/router.
On the other hand, however, to the generation of a wireless network, they also add some interesting ways of using it. Here are the main ones:
- Bridge mode
Useful because it will allow you to create a point-to-point connection between two access points so that you can connect two wired networks.
- Repeater mode
Your access point can also be used as a wireless range extender. It’s a little bit the opposite of what you could see the most about Wi-Fi repeaters.
With this mode, the access point allows you to extend the range of the network without resorting to cables or other wired configurations.
- Client mode
This is one of the most exciting features. It makes the access point a real internet access point even for devices that do not have a network adapter.
Connect the devices to the access point via an Ethernet cable. Such a feature is what makes a device like the Netgear WAC104-100PES interesting.
#3 Router: How to increase wi-fi network signal
The router is the device that deals with routing the data sent and received and, in practice, putting the order in the traffic of a wireless network.
In addition, thanks to a router, multiple devices can connect to the Internet.
It can show up on its own, and in that case, it needs to be connected to a modem to connect to the Internet or have an integrated modem.
The latter is the most popular and most straightforward solution to find in online stores and to configure. It allows you to have together:
- the modem to connect to the internet via adsl vdsl or optical fiber;
- the router, which handles data traffic and can also create a wireless network.
However, to tell the truth, if you have problems receiving or reaching the wireless signal, changing the router is a bit the last of the beaches.
For reasons of cost and practical reasons, in many cases, it is enough to equip yourself with a range extender or an access point.
However, it is also true that buying a new router will give you the ability to improve the network signal. Take the TP-Link Archer VR400: it has several ports(LAN and WAN)and supports dual bandwidth for a versatile and fast internet connection.
What can you do with a router?
In addition to this, a router allows the use of several features:
- Network management
Through the management web interface, it gives you total control of the generated network.
- Opening doors and routing data
It allows you to connect to the web with some devices and prioritize them by opening specific ports. Opening router ports, though, isn’t easy, and a guide to help you do that is always helpful!
- Cascading link
Connecting two cascade routers allows you to use multiple routers on the same line and, as a result, create various wireless networks.
It is a practical and straightforward operation, suitable for many situations, including those where an access point does not make much sense!
Read more: How to use your router as a Wi-Fi repeater.
As you see, before buying a router, you will have to think carefully about your actual needs. Still, no other device allows you to manage your wireless network 100%.
Conclusions
Increasing wi-fi signal and thus improving the quality of your internet experience is possible. Most importantly, you can do this without spending a fortune.
Range Extender, Access Point, and Router at the bottom serve the same purpose: eliminating any worries when you work or want to have fun on the web.
Only, they do it differently and adapt to different needs. In some cases, some devices integrate multiple functions but prefer some.
Everything will depend on the type of improvement to the wireless signal you prefer. For the rest, also comment if not everything was clear or for any questions! Also, here is a video that might help.
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