wifi range extender any good?

P4Clock · 24 Dec 2017 at 10:29

Something like THIS worth buying just to get a better signal into my little girls room for netflix streaming.
Also how hard are they to set up and are they safe

WJA96 · 24 Dec 2017 at 12:35

Honestly, no. It will sort of work, but the truth is that it will only ever be a stopgap solution that frustrates as much as it works.

Powerline adapters are better, a proper cable connection is best.

P4Clock · 24 Dec 2017 at 12:57

What would be a good range extender? The device connecting is WiFi only

BigT · 24 Dec 2017 at 17:46

P4Clock said:
What would be a good range extender?

Such a thing doesn’t really exist. In descending order of preference you can try the following:

Run Ethernet cables and put wireless access points on the end of them
Introduce a wireless mesh system
Run a pair of powerline adapters, one of which has a wireless access point built in
Buy a range extender

1. And 2. are decent solutions. Most people who know a bit about networking couldn’t bring themselves to recommend 3. or 4.

If you must go for a range extender, buy the cheapest going (they’re all rubbish) and be sure to put it half way between your router and your dead spot and have low expectations.

P4Clock · 24 Dec 2017 at 17:58

Thanks @BigT

would something like THIS be any good?
my problem could just be the piece of poo plusnet router i have, i never had this problem with sky and there located in the same place. would it be better to just use a better router

Steedie · 24 Dec 2017 at 19:17

From someone who has tried a couple of "range extenders", I can safely say they are ****. They paper over the cracks of a bad network and you'll still have issues, and resolving them become even more frustrating with an extender in the mix.

WJA96 · 24 Dec 2017 at 19:29

P4Clock said:
Thanks @BigT

would something like THIS be any good?
my problem could just be the piece of poo plusnet router i have, i never had this problem with sky and there located in the same place. would it be better to just use a better router

One of the best all-in-one Modem/router/AP combo units (from a WiFi viewpoint) is the BT SmartHub. The problem with all these units is that they are legally limited to what power they can transmit and the antennae are generally poo so the reception is also poor.

Can you relocate the router to somewhere central and high up? The ideal is to have just 1 wall or floor between the AP and the target device. It’s remarkably easy to extend the point where the ADSL or VDSL comes into the building.

Make sure it’s not hidden behind the TV and sometimes building a tent out of tinfoil behind the router can also help reflect signals back to the client. Unfortunately WiFi is very difficult to optimise cheaply.

BennyC · 27 Dec 2017 at 20:50

On the contrary I picked up a TP-Link RE350 in November to boost signal to my garage that was a tad on the weak-side and had begun to start dropping out.

Plugged it in, set it up in 5 minutes and haven't needed to touch it since.

Phil2008 · 19 Feb 2018 at 21:27

I have been using a wifi access point for yrs, as my router is at the one end of the house, So I moved the wifi to the middle of the house with a access point to cover the whole house and I haven't had any problems either.