Whether you have a Wi-Fi booster or extender, you’ve probably fallen into this trap: you’re in the upstairs office and your phone shows full Wi-Fi bars. But your 8K video is still buffering. What’s the issue?
Even with extra devices to strengthen your signal throughout your whole home, they may not be functioning the way you envisioned. Boosters and extenders repeat your signals in different ways, but the effect is the same. They shout the signal farther, but they can lose data in the process.
Learn the differences between a Wi-Fi extender vs. booster, where they may fall short, and what other alternatives you can explore to maximize your signal in every room.
The anatomy of extenders vs. boosters
A Wi-Fi range extender vs. booster are two types of devices that help amplify weak signals throughout your home, particularly in dead zones. These low-signal areas are more common the farther away you are from the router, which works best when there aren’t physical obstructions (like walls or chimneys) in the way.
- How does a Wi-Fi booster work? This option uses an echo effect to pick up the router signal and rebroadcast throughout the home. You’ll probably notice the signal strength improve, but your speed may not get any better because boosters use the same channel for sending and receiving data.
- What is a Wi-Fi extender? Like a booster, an extender repeats the signal but creates a new network for the portion of your home that has low connectivity. You’ll usually need a second network name (SSID), causing your devices to switch between networks throughout your home. The downside is that when your phone switches between networks, it can get stuck on the weaker network signal, even if you’re physically closer to a stronger signal.
Alternative options: Mesh networks and Wi-Fi 7 routers
Another option to improve your Wi-Fi signal throughout your entire home is to install a mesh network. It includes multiple pods throughout your home that automatically extend your existing network to each location. A mesh network improves over an extender by automatically switching each device to the strongest signal without disconnecting from the main network.
You get a smooth transition that actively manages data between all your devices as you move throughout your home. Mesh pods also use every available band (2.4, 5, and 6 gigahertz or GHz) for fast communication between each location.
Alternatively, a Wi-Fi 7 router upgrade often improves signal strength across your whole home. Quantum Fiber® from AT&T provides customers with a Wi-Fi 7 router, which offers greater range compared to older models.
How to make a great choice for a strong Wi-Fi signal
If you run an internet speed test that doesn’t seem to match your Wi-Fi capabilities, you may want to reconsider your hardware. An extender, booster, mesh network, or router upgrade may help if your home has specific areas with dead zones.
However, consider each device’s speed capabilities to get the speeds advertised with your internet plan. If you have up to 2 Gig or up to 8 Gig service, a low-grade booster or extender may still bottleneck your speeds. Wi-Fi 7 routers are better designed to handle heavy upload requirements across your property, including VR experiences, cloud backups, and 4K security feeds.
WiFi 7’s low-effort setup
Whether you choose a booster, extender, mesh network, or a new router, placement matters for how well your signal reaches each corner of your home. The best location for a router is in a central location for the area you want to cover. Here are some tips to consider:
- Avoid corners: Your main device should be in a hallway or other central location that’s equidistant to the farthest reaches of your home.
- Stay open: Keep your router or extender away from large items that can obstruct the signal. Even furniture and appliances can weaken your Wi-Fi signal strength.
- Go high: Routers and other devices typically broadcast signals down and out, so you want to keep it at a high location. Maybe that’s on a tall shelf or even in your attic.
It’s worth trying out different areas to optimize your router, especially before adding more devices to repeat the signal. You may not need extra support, especially if you have a Wi-Fi 7 router. Optimize what you already have, then consider extra equipment if you still have low-signal areas.
When to use a wire: The Ethernet backhaul
Consider hardwiring your booster, extender, or mesh pods to create a strong, stable infrastructure throughout your home. No matter what you decide to hardwire with an Ethernet cable (whether it’s a Wi-Fi extender or your PS5), you’ll notice the following benefits:
- Lower latency
- Better home network security
- Less interference from nearby networks
If your home is newer, look for Cat6e/7 Ethernet, which handles fast speeds on the latest Wi-Fi networks.
Don't patch a performance problem
Installing a Wi-Fi extender or booster may not be the fix you’re looking for when it comes to improving Wi-Fi speeds in your home. Instead, consider exploring better systems, like a new Wi-Fi 7 router, that doesn’t rely on amplifying an already-weak signal.
Ready to reduce dead zones with a Wi-Fi 7 router that has better range compared to Wi-Fi 6 devices? Look for Quantum Fiber availability in your area.