Are WiFi Extenders Worth It?

Whether you are a wireless pro or are studying for a wireless cert, WiFi dead spots and signal issues are a pain. They can derail VoIP calls and video conferences, slow down your work, and cause Netflix to buffer. As a result, solutions that can minimize wireless issues and help ensure you have a strong WiFi connection are popular.

One of the more popular solutions is WiFi extenders. However, there are plenty of recommendations against using WiFi extenders, and they have a bad rap in some IT circles. Part of the reason for this is simple: A WiFi extender isn't a cure-all for WiFi issues. Sometimes running a cable is a better solution.

The key is knowing what wireless problems you need to solve and selecting the right tool for the job. Here, we'll look at how WiFi extenders work, the different types of extenders, and the use-cases where using one might make sense.

As we go, keep in mind that many wireless devices can serve multiple functions. For example, WiFi routers can often be reconfigured to act as extenders. Additionally, all the standard rules and best practices around WiFi device positioning, 802.11 protocols, and WiFi bands and channel widths still apply.

WiFi Extenders vs. Repeaters vs. Wireless Access Points

The term WiFi extender can mean different things depending on the context. For example, "WiFi extender" and "WiFi repeater" are often used interchangeably to refer to devices that retransmit wireless signals.

At the same time, there are plenty of attempts to explain the differences between extenders and repeaters online. Add to that the fact the term WiFi booster gets thrown around to mean the same thing as WiFi extender, and things can get confusing fast.

Unfortunately, we can't make marketers everywhere agree to a standard set of definitions. However, we can help boil things down to what the different terms generally imply and look at the technical differences.

Wireless: Repeaters vs Wireless Extenders vs Boosters

In most cases, WiFi extenders, WiFi boosters, and WiFi repeaters refer to devices that rebroadcast an existing network's wireless signal. When you add a wireless extender to a WiFi network, you can boost the signal range.

For example, suppose you only have WiFi in 80% of your home. A properly placed extender could help with that last 20%. That's great, but there are tradeoffs to be aware of. Let's think about what adding an extender to a simple wireless network does.

When clients connect through the extender, data will be sent from the client to the extender to the wireless router and then to its destination. Inbound packets will then follow the same path in reverse. As you might expect, the additional retransmission of the signal can add some latency.

In many cases, wireless extenders split their bandwidth between router communication and client device communication. This can result in cutting your throughput in half or more. Additionally, when operating on the same wireless bandwidth and channel, client devices and extenders compete for bandwidth, which increases network congestion.

Some dual-band extenders can be configured to dedicate a radio for backhaul communication with the router. However, wireless backhaul comes with some performance tradeoffs.

Wireless extender pros:

·         No need for a wired network connection

·         Can provide coverage in existing dead spots

Wireless extender cons:

·         Can introduce additional throughput and latency issues

·         Potential interference challenges

Wired: Wireless Access Points vs Wired Extenders

A device that connects to an existing network using a wired connection and creates a new WiFi network is known as a wireless access point (WAP). Keep in mind: WAPs are sometimes referred to as wired extenders.

The fundamental difference between a WAP and a wireless extender is that WAPs use wired backhaul and create a new wireless local area network (WLAN). The wired connection will generally have more throughput and be more reliable. A new WLAN will also minimize congestion and interference issues relative to the wireless extender approach.

WAP pros:

·         Reliable wired backhaul connection

·         Dedicated WLAN avoids throughput, interference, and latency issues of wireless extenders

WAP cons:

·         The need for a cable limits placement flexibility

When to Use a WiFi Extender

Now that we understand the differences between extenders/repeaters, WAPs, and mesh systems, let's look at some use cases for wireless extenders. Managing remote teams is challenging, and many of these solutions may need help from an IT resource.

The general use case for a WiFi extender is straightforward: a relatively low-cost way to extend the signal range. Keep in mind the tradeoffs related to performance and interference that we previously discussed. If you have a network throughput or a congestion problem, a wireless extender probably isn't the right tool for the job.

Here are some cases where a wireless extender may help:

·         Extending WiFi signal between floors. Suppose you have a 3-story building, and your WiFi router is on floor 1. The signal is still strong on the 2nd floor but doesn't quite reach the 3rd. Placing a wireless extender on the 2nd floor can give the connection the extra boost required for the 3rd floor.

·         Obstacles are Blocking the WiFi Signal. Physical objects can impede radio signals like WiFi. If there are physical obstructions between your client devices and the WiFi router, a strategically placed wireless extender may help. As with our first example, make sure to position the extender somewhere the signal is still strong.

·         Your client devices are too far from the router. Even if there aren't physical obstructions between your devices and the WiFi router, distance may be an issue. Adding an extender to the mix may help in this case as well.