How to Extend WiFi Range Inside And Outside the House

How to Extend WiFi Range In General

Extending WiFi range can be done in several ways, from basic adjustments to already existing gear to purchasing new gear. Here are the options.

Better Gear Placement

Most of us use routers as tools to connect to the internet. Routers act as access points which you connect to and then to the internet. However, if the router is in one room, on the far side of a building, then the other side might not get good coverage.

You can simply move the router to the center of the location and thus cover most of it. This is usually recommended as a standard practice when adding internet to any location.

Using a Range Extender

Range extenders are simple devices that basically repeat the frequency of an already existing access point. A range extender is a good solution if you simply cannot cover the entirety of the location with a single router and need a quick solution.

They come with the downside of having two access points, meaning that your devices will have to change connections when one is weaker than the other.

Purchasing a New Router

Routers have become better nowadays. They are much better at using the already over-saturated 2.4GHz frequency range, while also having support for 5GHz and even 6GHz. A new router should be much better for long range coverage and there are even some that are specially made for that purpose.

Mesh WiFi is Very Effective

Mesh WiFi is one of the newest inventions when it comes to WiFi coverage. You have a single access point throughout the location, with multiple devices which add to its range. You could cover a very large location with this solution.

It comes with the downside of cost. Mesh WiFi is often much more expensive than other solutions. However, mesh wins versus routers and range extenders when it comes to efficiency and simplicity. The device sees a single access point and has no need to reconnect to a better one.

Using Powerline Adapters to Extend WiFi Range

Powerline adapters are also recent inventions. They are somewhat like magical devices that convert an internet connection into electricity that can be carried by your powerline. They are plugged into electrical outlets and use the powerline to transmit the internet throughout the building, typically as WiFi or through an ethernet port.

They are effective and are relatively simple, but require you to have a free electrical outlet in the room or rooms that you are trying to cover. This can easily be solved with an extension cord or power brick.

Using an Old Router as a Signal Repeater

If you purchased a new router but are still burdened with the question of how to extend WiFi and are still having problems, your old router could be a solution.

A router can be used as a repeater, which means that your old router could work as a range extender. It is not an ideal solution, perhaps, but one which costs less than an elaborate setup such as mesh WiFi.

How to Extend WiFi Range Outside the Building

Having WiFi outside your apartment or more likely, house or office building, can be a bit problematic, depending on the location. Having WiFi outside your apartment is really difficult if it is high up in a building.

But, assuming that one has a house, any of the options above could work. Mesh WiFi is the most elegant solution, but the most expensive one. Powerline adapters are also great, provided that you have outlets that are shielded from the weather. Any solution could work, but some are more effective and will leave you with fewer access points to connect to.

How to Extend WiFi Range to Garage or Another Remote Room

Garages and remote rooms are great because all should have electrical outlets. This provides you with all of the options above, from buying range extenders to using old routers as repeaters. Mesh WiFi is also a great option, but powerline adapters might be the best.

Whichever gear you have, you should attempt to use in order to test whether you need anything new. If you do need better coverage, then start with a range extender, moving up the list of devices by cost, to a powerline adapter, to mesh WiFi if you want the best solution.

The Best Way to Extend WiFi Range

• In terms of efficiency and simplicity, the best way to extend WiFi range is mesh WiFi. It is the most expensive solution, as well, but one which will leave you with the least trouble.
• Next in line would be a powerline adapter, since it makes use of already existing equipment and is underrated when it comes to performance and ease of use.
• A new router could make everything easier with a support for 5GHz or even 6GHz, which will make newer devices happier. They also come with better antennae and a wider coverage.
• Using old routers as repeaters or range extenders is a valid solution, however it adds another access point which can trouble some devices, as they struggle to decide which access point has better internet access.
• However, gear placement should also be considered. Placing your router and changing its location can result in better coverage without having to spend money on new gear.

Conclusion and Summary

Depending on your budget and location, anything from mesh WiFi, powerline adapters, new routers, old routers and range extenders, could help with extending WiFi range. Likewise, do not forget to move your router around a bit and see if you can’t get better coverage that way.

Any way could work, so troubleshoot your connection first, test with your existing gear and then consider spending money for new gear.