For pros and amateurs alike, the choice between a range extender and an access point can be one of the most arduous of tasks. This is because both devices have a wide range of specs while utilizing different technologies. For the range extender, it works by picking up and amplifying the Wi-Fi signal on your router. The access point on the other hand is a portal for devices connected to a local area network.

This article is an overview of these two devices that are well worth the investment because of the features they come rammed up with. To help you choose between the two, here is a look at what each brand has going on for them.

What are the differences between a Range Extender and an Access Point?

Range Extender vs. Access Point– A look at how they differ

Performance

A range extender is a device that works to expand the coverage in your home or office. It functions as a bridge that captures and rebroadcasts Wi-Fi signals throughout. A range extender works best to eliminate dead-zones or blind-spots. It also boosts the overall performance of your Wi-Fi network.

Access points on the flipside, come in where your Wi-Fi signal is not able to cover your entire area and you want more connected devices to your network. While they all come with different technologies, they are all tweaked to handle basic network functions for many connected devices.

Design

Range extenders come in a wide array of designs from bulky ones like the Linksys AC3000 Max Stream. Others like Netgear EX3700 are compact sized making them easy blends with wherever room you place it in. Nonetheless, range extenders are designed to be as practical as possible without taking too much space. Access points on the flipside come in an arguably smaller size than most range extenders. It has portals that offer wireless connection for a number of wired devices. They come in a variety of designs like the Ubiquiti all white, modern look to the rather desktop design by Netgear like the AC1200.

Range Extender- Overview

Range extenders are units that work by rebroadcasting Wi-Fi signals from your single router. Simply put, if you have a dead-zone in your home or office, placing a range extender between the location and your wireless router, you get better coverage. It does this on a separate wireless channel.

For range extenders, the often tricky part is to get the right location. You need to check on its placement such that it can get decent Wi-Fi signals from your router which it can then rebroadcast. Some of the quality options in the market include Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender andTP Link AC1200 Range Extender.

Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender

Linksys WiFi Extender, WiFi 5 Range Booster, Dual-Band Booster, 2,500 Sq. ft Coverage, Speeds up to (AC1900) 1.9Gbps - RE7000

• ELIMINATE DEAD ZONES AND BOOST AC1900 plus WIFI RANGE: Extend your home WiFi to hard-to-reach locations...
• EXTEND NEXT-GEN AC WIFI TO MULTIPLE USERS WITH MULTI USER-MIMO: Next-Gen AC with MU-MIMO (Multi-User,...

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Manufactured by Linksys, the AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender that works as a Wi-Fi booster and extender is one of the quality range extenders in the market. It blankets your entire home with stable Wi-Fi signals and eliminates all dead-zones or ‘blind-spots’. It offers up to 10,000 square feet additional coverage that is more than enough for all kinds of home designs and sizes. Once connected, this coverage runs with seamless roaming such that you do not have to connect and reconnect with the nodes as you move from one place to another in your home.

Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender also comes ramped up with impressive technology. It has Spot Finder Technology that helps you place the extender strategically for optimal performance. It is also designed with Beamforming and Cross Band technologies that work together to optimize the kind of Wi-Fi experiences you get with this range extender.

For installation, the setup process has been made way easier with the Push Button Connect that can have your network up and running within minutes. The Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender also ensures you experience fast wired and wireless connections. The Gigabit Ethernet port particularly comes in handy such that all your connected wired devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs gain enhanced wired speeds as well.

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TP-Link AC1200 Range Extender

TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender (RE300), Covers Up to 1500 Sq.ft and 25 Devices, Up to 1200Mbps, Supports OneMesh, Dual Band Internet Repeater, Range Booster

• Extend Wi-Fi Coverage - Boosts Internet Wi-Fi Coverage up to 1500 Square feet and connects up to 25...
• Eliminate Wi-Fi Dead Zones - Enjoy Lag-Free connection to any type of devices. Does not support Ethernet...

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TP-Link range extender is dual band and can deliver up to 1200Mbps on its 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It also has 4 antennas that come in handy to boost the performance of this range extender. AC1200 also supports the router, access point, repeater or client that you may already have.

It comes in a rather compact sized (6oz) that can easily blend in wherever you place it around your room. As for its wireless standards, it supports 802.11ac standard and it is also compatible with 802.11b/g/n.

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Access Point- Overview

An access point is a networking device that works as a portal by allowing Wi-Fi devices to tap to a wired network. It usually does this by connecting to a stand-alone device like a router though it can also come as a unit with the router itself.

While there are many access point models in the market like Netgear AC1200 WAC104, there a few must-haves in all these devices. First, an access point ought to be backwards compatible with non-disruptive scalability. Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and enhanced throughput are some of the other common features that cut across.

Here is a look at some of the access points that are well-reviewed and trusted in the market.

Netgear AC1200 Access Point (WAC104)

NETGEAR Wireless Desktop Access Point (WAC104) - WiFi 5 Dual-Band AC1200 Speed | 3 x 1G Ethernet Ports | Up to 64 Devices | WPA2 Security | Desktop | MU-MIMO | Supports 3 SSIDs | 802.11ac

• Maximum Range : 1000 Sq Ft
• Fast dual band 802.11ac WiFi at a combined aggregate speed of 1.2 Gbps (300Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 867Mbps at...

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With a combined speed of 1.2Gbps (300Mbps on 2.4GHz + 867Mbps) the Netgear AC1200 is quite the fast dual band access point. It has other things going for it too. For instance, it has wide coverage and stable signals. This is partly because of the factory tuned antennas that are specifically tuned for that.

This access point also ensures that your network stays safe with its advanced security features.

To add, it has 128MB flash memory, 128MB DDR3 RAM and 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports that are built-in to the access point. The set-up and installation process has also been made easy with the Wi-Fi Protected System button.

If you are looking for a wireless access point to fit into your home or a small office, you will not go wrong with Netgear AC1200 WAC104. It is a standalone access point that is easy to configure and delivers on good performance too.

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TP-Link TL-WA801ND (Wireless and Access Point)

TP-Link TL-WA801ND Wireless 300N Access Point

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With 300Mbps speeds and up to 30 meters coverage, TP-Link TL-WA801ND is another quality access point. Once set up, you can comfortable play online games as well as stream HD videos with minimal buffering. This access point is designed to offer this good performance for connected devices (Ethernet enabled) like printers and game consoles.

TP-Link TL has advanced security features like its firewall security that encompasses a MAC address filter/domain filter/IP address filter as well as IP and MAC address binding. TP-Link TL-WA801ND also works with many operation nodes like Multi-SSID, Bridge with AP, Access Point, Universal/WDS Repeater and Client. As for its compatibility with operating systems it is compatible with UNIX, Linux, Netware, Windows 7-20 as well as XP, Vista or Mac OS among others.

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Ubiquiti Networks Unifi Pro Access Point

Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac Dual-Radio PRO Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-US), Single,White

• Manage Your Networks from a Single Control Plane
• Intuitive and Robust Configuration, Control and Monitoring

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This is a dual radio pro access point by Ubiquiti Networks. It comes as single, white nodes that can be bought in a 5-pack.

It comes with many quality features like the ability to easily manage your network with a single control plane. Ubiquiti Networks Unifi access point also comes with frequent remote software updates and technical support. You can place it outdoors (thanks to its weatherproof design) or outdoors for stable performance all through. Regarding its technology, it is a dual band router with 3×3 MIMO and compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.

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Now let’s compare two Range Extender and Access Point models.

Conclusion

This article has given an overview of range extenders and access points that are two quality networking devices. When it comes down to it, a range extender is the device you might want to settle for. They come with the additional coverage and enhanced speeds that you require. While for both you do need to understand quite a bit of networking technology, range extenders are easier to configure to your exact needs.

FAQs

1. How can you prioritize on the SSID on access points for optimized Wi-Fi signal speeds and strength?

You can assign different SSID names for different channels such that there is minimal traffic congestion.

2. How do you know the right placement of a range extender?

Most routers now come with Spot Finder technology to ensure you place the extender at the most strategic position for enhanced performance.

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