What is a WiFi Range Extender?
Strong and effective Wi-Fi is important for both work and play in today's connected world. However, a lot of homes and businesses have trouble with Wi-Fi dead spots and reception that isn't always good. This is where Wi-Fi extenders and mesh Wi-Fi systems come in handy; they are strong ways to make your network work better. We'll talk about the main differences and pros and cons of mesh Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi extenders in this piece to help you choose the best one for your needs. Knowing about these technologies is important for a better internet experience, whether you want to get the most out of your wireless router support services or just want to connect everything in your space without any problems.
As the name suggests, a WiFi range extender is a tiny gadget made to increase the coverage area of your WiFi signal. They go by the names WiFi repeaters and boosters as well.
The WiFi extender establishes a wireless connection with your router and uses its own network to replicate the WiFi signal. hence expanding the range of your WiFi signal and removing dead zones. Certain extender versions include the option of connecting via powerline or Ethernet to the router.
When used properly, WiFi extenders can help tiny houses obtain whole-home coverage or bigger homes patch up small, difficult-to-reach regions.
How Do WiFi Range Extenders Work?
The connection weakens as you go farther away from your WiFi router. WiFi range extenders can link to your router wirelessly or physically. They retransmit the WiFi signal into those locations that are difficult to access.
The extension should ideally be positioned halfway between the intended location and your router. But since the signal is being sent over a cable rather than the air, you could place the extender wherever if you choose to wire it.
It takes minutes to pair your router and extender. The setup and configuration procedures vary throughout manufacturers (Tenda, InHand Networks, IP-COM, Netgear, TP-Link, etc.). For information on installation, refer to your handbook.
Your WiFi-capable devices can use the extender's own network that it generates once the devices have been linked. For example, if your home network’s SSID (name) is Nacho WiFi, the extender's name would be Nacho WiFi_EXT. Changing networks while traveling around your house will require manual effort. When you are 100% within range of one network and 100% out of range of another, automatic switching typically happens. Although some devices claim "seamless switching," you should always verify that your connection is stable.
The coverage area of range extenders varies, spanning from several hundred to several thousand square feet. WiFi signal strength and building layout affect the outcome. The coverage of open-concept areas will be greater than that of spaces with several walls. Similar to this, extenders installed in locations with weak WiFi signal can cover a smaller area than those receiving a stronger signal. Either way, you'll be able to maintain connectivity in places where it was previously unfeasible.
What is a WiFi Mesh Network?
A WiFi mesh network consists of several WiFi nodes, sometimes referred to as mesh extenders or satellites, that cooperate to provide dependable WiFi coverage throughout a whole house.
WiFi mesh systems take the place of your WiFi router, as opposed to WiFi range extenders. Nevertheless, if necessary, they can be utilized with your current router provided that it is compatible.
Every node is connected to every other node inside a single network. Your house won't be covered by several different WiFi networks. For medium-sized to large homes seeking whole-home coverage, this option is ideal.
How Do Mesh Networks Work?
Numerous mesh nodes are included in WiFi mesh networks. Your WiFi router must be replaced by one node that is physically connected to your modem via Ethernet. The mesh router or another node should be within range of the other nodes. Topology is quite adaptable. Nodes can speak to one another by cables or WiFi. Although wired backhauls produce better outcomes, wireless backhauls are more often used since wired infrastructure is not placed into every home.
Every node uses the same network to function. Devices in your house automatically connect to the nearest node as you move around it. Unlike with a WiFi extender, you don't need to switch networks. Smart technology allows mesh nodes to cooperate instead than operate in isolation to provide dependable WiFi coverage across your house. Every node is connected to the others and aware of them. They can avoid speed slowdowns by determining the optimal path to the router even in the event that a node is unavailable or busy. It's an easy setup procedure. The majority of mesh systems have intuitive apps. Installing the app allows you to do a number of things, like add parental controls, evaluate the quality of the connection between points, delete users from the network, and install installation instructions.