Wi-Fi Booster Review

Wireless technology has made connecting to the internet more convenient than ever. If you're like most people, your home network includes desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones – all connected wirelessly through one router. Even high-quality routers have a limited range, though, and there are often dead spots in certain parts of the home.

So what should you do if your wireless signal doesn’t reach every corner of your home? The answer is to implement the power of a Wi-Fi booster, also referred to as a Wi-Fi repeater, in your home network. The technology of the Wi-Fi booster connects to your current wireless network and then repeats that signal, increasing your wireless range significantly. Simply by housing the wireless repeater at the edge of your internet’s dead zone, the booster will bounce the signal to the rest of your home. Not all Wi-Fi boosters are created equal, so we have taken the liberty to narrow down the selection to the best Wi-Fi repeaters on the market. We have also written a few articles on Wi-Fi boosters to help you make an informed decision.

Wi-Fi Boosters: What to Look For

You would think there would be hundreds of Wi-Fi boosters on the market, but the truth is that companies that produce several choices in routers usually only offer one wireless repeater. Our favorites are the Hawking HW2R1, the ZyXEL WAP3205 and the Belkin Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender. These three devices contain most of the elements we found necessary in functionality, features, and help and support.

Functionality
The range to which the Wi-Fi booster can increase your wireless internet signal is the main feature you want to look for. Most extenders don’t specify the extended range’s measurements, but the best can at least double your current router’s range. They increase your current wireless network’s range by harnessing the signal and rebroadcasting it. By bouncing and repeating the signal, you should be able to access the internet in all of your current dead spots. Signal status lights are a must, as these lights let you know if the repeater is even working. On the back of most Wi-Fi boosters you will find at least one Ethernet port, but the best have up to five ports.

Compatibility is an important feature to remember when purchasing a Wi-Fi extender. If the Wi-Fi booster isn’t compatible with your current router then it won’t work. You shouldn't have a problem if your router is fairly new and is considered a b/g/n device.

Features
Making the choice to purchase a Wi-Fi booster is easy, but what you want to look for is an extender that makes it easy to connect to your router. Our favorites are those with a setup button. One push and the Wi-Fi booster automatically sets up a relationship with your wireless router. You may have to go through further steps to customize your connection, but the Wi-Fi repeater will begin to broadcast your router’s signal. Many are equipped with optimal coverage indicators which allow you to place the wireless repeater in a position that maximizes the coverage. To save energy and increase efficiency, we also like those units with a power on and off button and the ability to remotely manage the connection.

Help & Support
Not all of the Wi-Fi boosters on the market have an automatic setup button, and those that do may not always work. The best wireless boosters have excellent help and support options to back up their product. Live chat, an included warranty and a direct phone number are some of the main features we would recommend.

If you’ve been battling with internet dead zones around your house, now is the time to invest in a Wi-Fi booster. Not only will your wireless range double, but you will have the freedom to roam to all corners of your home, wireless device in hand, completely connected.

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