Do wifi boosters slow down internet speed?

Almost every household today has a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Such devices can give you excellent services when you have a great wifi connection at home. A wifi booster can help you achieve this.

Internet users, however, have differing views regarding the effectiveness of wifi boosters. Some think that this device slows down the internet speed. This, however, depends on the wifi booster you are using. Wifi boosters come in different forms, including wifi extenders and wifi repeaters. If you choose a wifi extender, you should enjoy fast internet speeds. Using a wifi repeater can, however, slow down the internet speed. Here is more!

What is a wifi booster?

If you are not new to wifi devices, you have probably heard about wifi boosters. This is a device that you can connect to your current wireless network to boost the wifi signal in your home. Incorporating a wifi booster in your house can help you extend the network to different areas, including those with a low signal.

Wifi boosters are classified into two categories. You can either choose a wifi extender or repeater. Though these two can boost the wireless signal in your home, a wifi repeater does not improve the internet speed. Experts recommend choosing a wifi extender since it is a better option than a wifi repeater.

Find out how a wifi extender differs from a wifi repeater

A wifi repeater is designed to connect to your network wirelessly. It does this like a laptop or smartphone. Due to the wireless connection, a wifi repeater is prone to interference. When you choose a wifi repeater for a home that contains other electronic devices such as microwaves, they can disrupt the wireless connection. Such devices, therefore, make the connection to drop. Using a wifi repeater can, therefore, slow down the internet speed.

Apart from that, a wifi repeater is tricky to place. If you don’t place it well, your wireless connection may not be very strong. This device should easily pick up the signal from the router. Things such as floors, ceilings, and thick walls can also disrupt the connection leading to a weak signal. When the wifi repeater is far away from your router, the signal tends to weaken. This device not only connects to the router but also other devices on the same frequency. Since a wifi repeater provides less bandwidth, it slows down the internet speeds.

A wifi extender, on the other hand, works differently to boost the signal. Unlike the repeater that connects to your network wirelessly, an extender connects to it via a wired connection. If you already have a coaxial cable, you can use it to make the connection. Since the connection is wired, it means that the wifi extender can maintain a strong connection to the network. It is, therefore, not susceptible to any form of interruptions.

Even if you set up a wifi extender in a home with thick walls or a lot of electronic devices, they should not disrupt the connection. A strong wired connection can help you enjoy fast internet speeds. Therefore, the wifi extender is a better booster than a repeater since it does not affect the speeds of your internet.

Why you should get a wifi extender for your house

Now that you understand the difference between a wifi repeater and an extender, you should learn why an extender is a good option. We mentioned that this device does not slow down your internet speed like a wifi repeater. If you have a home with different floors, getting a wifi extender alongside your current router can strengthen your network.

If your family uses different smart devices, you can ensure that everyone is enjoying fast internet by getting a wifi extender. When you are using a regular router, multiple users on the network leads to slow internet connections. Adding an extender ensures that everyone can continue accessing the network without any speed issues. You, however, need to ensure that you choose a wifi extender that uses advanced technology. For instance, instead of going for single band wifi extenders, choose a dual-band extender which is known to provide fast internet and strong signal even when multiple users are connected to the network.

During the warm climate, a lot of internet users like spending time on their balconies with their laptops. If you have a reliable internet provider, you may be able to access the internet even outside your home. You need to consider investing in a wifi extender that can ensure that you continue to enjoy fast speed connection even on your back porch.

Check out some of the wifi extenders you should consider purchasing

Conclusion

Installing the internet at home is the current trend in society today. If you already have a router but are dealing with dead spots in certain areas, you need a wifi booster. Some people, however, assume that all wifi boosters slow down the internet speed. This assumption is not correct since wifi boosters are not the same. The ones that slow down the internet speed are known as wifi repeaters. Since this connect to your network wirelessly, they are susceptible to interruptions.

Wifi extenders, on the other hand, are excellent boosters that can enhance internet speed. They do this since they function through a wired connection. If you want a device that will not affect the internet speed negatively but rather boost it, you should, therefore, choose a wifi extender

FAQs

 What should I do if I cannot get wifi signal in certain corners of my home?

Try repositioning your router fast. If you are using an old router, you should consider upgrading it. Alternatively, get a wifi extender to boost the signal around your house.

Is a wifi repeater secure?

Yes. It offers security just like a regular router.