A wifi extender is a device that can improve wireless coverage throughout your home or business. You may need more than one wifi extender to improve wifi coverage in some environments.
Can a wifi extender connect to another extender? Yes, you can connect a wifi extender to another wifi extender, but with some caveats. First, avoid connecting the two wifi extenders wirelessly. Secondly, the two devices must not share the same SSID.
It is essential to understand the correct way to connect a wifi extender to another wifi extender. In addition, learn the signs you need a wifi extender and the advantages of having one or two of them.
How to Connect a Wi-Fi Extender to another Wi-Fi Extender
The best way to connect two wifi extenders to the same network is by connecting one of the extenders to the router with distinct SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers). Once connected, move the wifi extenders to their final locations.
The wifi extender, at the farthest point, should connect to the extender with the strongest signal (the middle extender). Although it is possible to connect two wifi extenders to the same network, there are two main factors to consider.
First, do not connect the extenders wirelessly to one another. Doing so will reduce the performance of both extenders.
Make sure each wifi extender is connected to the router. Each extender should have its SSID separate from the one broadcasted by the router.
Some people set up their wifi extenders to have the same SSID as the router to avoid the hassle of programming multiple devices with distinct SSIDs. Such a set up would be challenging to have with two wifi extenders because of the increased likelihood of connecting them directly to each other instead of the router.
You do not need to connect wireless extenders directly to each other, especially if you have the main router. Direct connections reduce the performance of the wifi extenders.
Best Practices
Wifi extenders are wireless access points with radios. The main difference between wireless extenders and classic access point configuration is that the former has a wireless upstream connection while the latter does not have a wireless upstream connection.
To improve the reliability and performance of a wifi network, some people connect their access points upstream via a wired link. However, this type of connection may be impossible to have in some cases, which is why some people install wireless extenders to improve the performance of their wireless networks.
Connecting two or more wireless extenders creates a collision domain, which may create conflicts in the network. For the wireless extenders to work effectively, each extender must not be set up in such a way that it does not connect to itself or its downlinks.
Signs You Need a Wifi Extender
The primary function of a wifi extender is to use existing electrical circuits to transmit wireless signals to another location of a house or business premise. Wifi extenders are usually recommended by technicians when you have bad or slow wifi coverage.
Determine if you need a wifi extender by testing your connection speed. If your wired connection is much faster than your wireless signal, consider getting a wifi extender.
Wifi Dead Spots
Consider getting a wifi extender if you have wifi dead spots in your home or business. Wifi dead spots are areas in your house where the wireless signal does not reach.
If you have a strong wifi signal in your room but weak or no signal in your home office, consider getting a wifi extender to improve signal strength throughout your house. The same applies if you can stream videos without lags in one area of your house but experience significant lag or buffering in another.
Poor Wifi Access
Having a wifi extender is one of the best ways to have better signal strength outside your home, including the backyard and the deck. A wifi extender will improve wireless signal not just in your home, but also outside.
You can also install a wifi extender if you have poor signal coverage in a spacious house. A wifi extender can improve wireless signal in a large home with multiple floors.
Consider getting a wifi extender if your wired connection is faster than the wireless link. The extender will improve wireless signal coverage throughout your house.
A wifi extender eliminates the wide disparities between the speeds of the wifi and wired connections.
Wired vs. Wireless Extenders
There are different types of signal boosters on the market. These devices usually have similar functions.
It is essential to understand the differences between wired and wireless network boosters. Each type of network booster has its pros and cons.
Some devices use wireless technology to transmit signals from one point to another. Such devices have the potential to lower your overall bandwidth even if they do not transmit the connection to a larger area.
For instance, say you are getting 300 Mbps through your network connection and want to boost the network so that it is accessible at every point in your home. If you install a wireless booster to extend the signal, the actual speed you will get on your devices might be much less than the 300 Mbps.
Unlike a wireless booster, a wired wifi extender uses the electrical signals in your building or home to boost internet signals from your router or modem. It shortens the distance between the router and the wireless adapter, which boosts internet speeds in the distant areas of your home or building.
Advantages of Wifi Extenders
Home and business owners often install wifi extenders to boost the wireless signal throughout their premises. Wifi extenders provide a wide range of benefits including:
- Better wifi coverage throughout the entire building
- Enhanced video streaming and gaming experience
- Portability and convenience of moving your extender from one room to another
- Additional connections for devices
Best Wifi Extenders
Wifi extenders have different features, advantages, and disadvantages. When shopping for a wifi extender, be sure to choose one that suits your home or business needs best.
TP-Link RE220
This is one of the least expensive wifi extenders on the market. It is known popularly for being fast, reliable, and compatible with most routers.
The TP-Link wifi extender is exceptionally user-friendly. To use:
- Plug the wifi extender in
- Press the WPS button
This device typically broadcasts on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Once connected, the extender provides steady upload and download speeds on both bands.
The wifi extender rarely drops connection; it provides consistent speeds regardless of the time of day or night.
D-Link DAP 1620
This range extender features two adjustable antennas making it quite powerful. It provides pretty fast internet speeds during day and night times.
The D-Link DAP is extremely easy to set up and use. Once set up, it enables you to watch HD videos, make video calls, and browse the web at consistent speeds.
Some users claim it drops connections at some points. However, with its user-friendly app, you can easily log in to your network and modify your settings on-the-fly.
The hardware is pretty solid and durable. In addition, this range extender is one of the most affordable on the market.
Netgear EX3700
Although this extender looks a little bit dated, it is quite a performer when it comes to boosting wifi signals. It provides steady wireless speeds for streaming HD videos and video calls without many, if any, delays.
Some users claim the hardware’s web interface is not user friendly. In addition, it provides more information on how to register for the warranty instead of internet connection controls.
The device has an app, but it is only compatible with Android. On the upside, the range extender is easy to set up only by pressing the WPS button.