When your Wi-Fi signal is weak, it can be a pain to get online consistently. Wi-Fi extenders are just one tool among several that may be used to attempt and better a weak home connection, but they come with their own set of problems. You may have heard that linking an ethernet wire to a Wi-Fi range booster can increase its throughput. However, there are other factors to think about despite the fact that this appears to be an easy solution.
Ethernet cables can be used to connect a Wi-Fi range extender to a computer or other device, but the speed and reliability of the internet will be limited by the strength of the incoming wireless signal. Connecting a Wi-Fi Extender to your router/modem via ethernet cable will greatly improve your wireless signal’s strength.
While Wi-Fi range extenders are useful, they aren’t the ideal option if you need a more stable connection, and in fact, the vast majority of such devices lack even an ethernet port. If they do, it can be for input only and not for any particular product. What, then, does a Wi-Fi extender perform, and how is it distinct from other Wi-Fi devices like repeaters and boosters that claim to do the same thing?
What Does a Wi-Fi Extender Do?
Exactly what a Wi-Fi extender performs can be difficult to pin down, as we detailed in our previous post on the uses of Wi-Fi extenders. This is because there is a plethora of options for extending your wireless network, all of which perform essentially the same function. However, not all devices accomplish this in the same way. Wireless repeaters, Wi-Fi extenders, and Wi-Fi boosters are the most common kinds of such devices.
If you want to increase the range of your wireless network, you can add an extender that plugs into your router. They are separate units that position themselves between your existing router and the additional space you need to cover. You can compare them to wireless repeaters. An extender merely relays the wireless signal from one location to another. Unthinkingly, it forwards the same packets as your router does. Because some of your devices may be too far away from your router to reach, an extender was developed.
As such, you need to do nothing more than boost your router’s range. If you have dead spots in your house, a wireless range extender like the TP-Link AC750 (available on Amazon) will help. The technology’s speed is restricted because it relies on your Wi-Fi network, which is provided by your router. There is also the problem of instability caused by the transmission of the signal. You might expect your extender’s signal to be a little less stable than your primary network.
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Have Ethernet Ports?
You may have seen an ethernet port on your Wi-Fi range extender if you already own one or are in the market for one using our article as a guide. Even while it looks like the solution to your issue, it’s not that easy. Although a wired device can be connected to this port, it will not function as efficiently as if it were connected directly to your network’s router. That’s because it’s not a Wi-Fi extender’s primary function to boost existing wireless signals. They do not replace a steady cable connection to your router but rather serve to expand your existing wireless network.
This TP-Link Deco System has ports, and you can find it on Amazon. However, if you connect to your Wi-Fi network via the ethernet connector on the extender, you are essentially using it as a bridge. It’s nearly like a wireless adaptor in this situation. In this instance, an adapter like the TP-Link AC600 would be the best option because to its low price and high reliability (on Amazon).
Wi-Fi Extenders vs. Mesh Networks
A mesh network may be the way to go if you’re in search of a more stable extended network. The speeds and dependability of these networks can exceed that of a simple Wi-Fi range extender. Products like the TP-Link Deco that were highlighted above can serve dual purposes as an extender and a mesh network node. Mesh networks are based on the principle of smart package and protocol management. A mesh network is something you are probably already familiar with if you have a smart home system installed. In order to function, they transform networks into hierarchies of interconnected nodes.
These nodes don’t merely relay a signal; rather, they locate the most direct path to your router. A term for this is “dynamic routing.” With a larger number of nodes, a mesh network may cover a larger region. The Eero Wi-Fi extender (available on Amazon) and similar devices make it simple to establish wireless access points (access points) in various rooms of your home. When adopting dynamic routing, signal strength and dependability become less of a concern. Using an ethernet cable to connect to a node in a mesh network is reliable. They are an improvement over merely broadcasting the same wireless signal since they act as an additional node in your existing network.
MoCA
MoCA is a good option if you need a stable connected connection. Although this technology is rather dated, it is still capable of producing impressive outcomes. Please explain. In any case, MoCA is a coaxial cable-based router technology. In other words, the same cables that you’ve always used to hook up your TV to the cable. If you already have a coaxial cable network in your home and are utilizing cable internet, you may, with some assistance, make use of it to connect to the internet.
Using the wires in your wall, you can connect directly to your router with the help of an adapter like this one from Actiontec (available on Amazon). If you need a wired connection but are out of the Wi-Fi range, here is the solution. For huge data transfers, coaxial cables are up to the task.
