How do Wifi Extenders Work?

If you've ever thought that your WiFi needs a little more “oomph,” you might've considered a WiFi extender. In simple terms, a WiFi extender… well… extends your WiFi (wireless network). While this is true, it's a bit more than that.

This article explains the basics of WiFi extenders, including their advantages and disadvantages, functions, installation process, and the different types available.

What is a Wifi Extender?

A WiFi extender, sometimes called a WiFi booster, is a device specifically built to extend the range of your WiFi. In other words, these devices do not provide the internet themselves. Instead, they extend the range of the internet you already have.

This means that a WiFi extender cannot also be a router. But it also can't be a repeater, which is a device you'll learn about later in this article.

WiFi boosters, also known as extenders, are specific devices that are not simply a general term for a device that expands internet coverage. Of course, having an explicit device for boosting the internet has some advantages and disadvantages.

WiFi Extender Pros & Cons

Getting a WiFi extender provides a cheap and simple way to expand your internet. Compared to other solutions, like routers or repeaters, you pay much less. These extenders are also easy to install, often only needing an outlet and access to your network.

Being “cheap and simple” comes with some issues. Namely, these devices do not add extra power to your network. Instead, they stretch the current network, often taking bandwidth in the process. Your network will slow down with an extender.

Here's an easy-to-read table breaking down your options:

Pros	Cons
Cheap	Slows down your network
Easy to Install	Weaker than other devices
Coverage reaches further	Coverage might be more unstable

What Do WiFi Extenders Do?

WiFi extenders do exactly what their name implies: extend the WiFi. But, the extension is something like you looking into a mirror. Like the mirror reflects your image, extenders reflect the radio waves that make up the internet. This reflection improves WiFi signal strength in underserved areas, extending the WiFi coverage.

1. Improve Signal Strength

The signal strength refers to the number of “bars” you get throughout your house. The lower your bars, the weaker your signal, resulting in slower internet. With an extender, you get “more bars” throughout the area closest to the extender.

Having added strength is great, but the extender expands that strength over more devices, including itself. Going back to our mirror example, that mirror might be a reflection of you, but it is not you. The same applies when you reflect radio waves. You are not creating new waves; you are just reflecting current ones.

2. Extend WiFi Coverage

The reflection of those current waves naturally results in extended WiFi coverage. It creates a new range where “low bar areas” are further out. The areas in between now have coverage where they wouldn’t have previously.

This can be particularly helpful for those who want to extend 5 GHz coverage, which is faster than the two wireless signal types. By comparison. 2.4 GHz reaches farther but is much slower. Of course, the sacrifice of expanding 5 GHz coverage means that this coverage might lose some of its speed, which makes it less appealing to use.

Thankfully, there is a solution to your problem. Unfortunately, that solution involves you paying more, which you’ll learn about in our next section.

Types of “Wifi Extenders” and How They Can Help Strengthen Your Wireless Network

Three types of devices can extend your WiFi, but only one is a “WiFi” extender based on the definition of this article. Below, you’ll learn what solution might be best for you.

1. WiFi Boosters

You’ve been reading about a WiFi booster in this article. It’s best for situations when you don’t have a lot of money and want a bit more distance out of your internet. You just need to sacrifice some network speed to accept this boost.

If your network needs a bit more coverage and you’re willing to give up some speed, this is your best solution. Otherwise, you’ll want one of the other solutions.

These days, the word “booster” is synonymous with “repeater.” A repeater is the old form of network extender. You might hear the term used in professional-grade networks. But generally, it’s not something you find at home.

2. Other Modems/Gateways

Some homes have alternative outward connection options. Sometimes, you need to add them in yourself. Either way, adding in an extra gateway, one that connects to the outside, isn’t out of the question.

A gateway by itself isn’t much more expensive than a booster. However, since it provides its own internet, signal strength tends to be stronger. There’s also less chance of network strain, but your internet plan will still limit you.

However, adding an extra router isn’t an option for some renters. After all, they might not have the right connection type in multiple locations. They also can’t install new connections (and the building owners are under no obligation to support this). Even homeowners need to contend with the cost of a special installation, which can get expensive.

3. Mesh WiFi Systems

The modern alternative to adding in a new router is to choose a mesh WiFi system. These systems are like buying a collection of integrated extenders with one main router. Unlike buying a single extender, these systems typically are more reliable. After all, there’s less of a chance of extra network load if the system is already built to extend.

However, mesh systems tend to be more expensive and are mainly helpful for large households. Buying a whole mesh system when you just want to extend to an extra room in the house is excessive. But if multiple rooms are missing out, you’ve got a good reason.

These systems aren’t as easy to install as extenders but are fairly simple. However, there are more devices, meaning that there are more potential points of failure.

How do You Set Up a WiFi Extender?

Each WiFi extender is different, but they all follow one of these two options during setup:

Option One: Push the WPS Button

Sometimes, extenders can rely on a WPS button. If you press this at the same time you press the one on your router, the two will connect. It’s literally that simple, but not always available.

Option Two: Via Your Browser

Otherwise, you can take down your router’s name (SSID key) and password, connect directly to the WiFi extender through an ethernet cable, and access the router’s interface through its IP address (in the owner’s manual).

Then, making sure the extender is in extender mode (some have an AP mode for connecting directly to an access point), you find your router via the extender’s web interface (similar to a router’s configuration screen), input the username and password needed to access your router, and input them.

Details of this step can be found in your extender’s owner's manual. Some of them have an app with Bluetooth features to help skip the need for any direct connection.

Recap

So, should you get a WiFi extender? Only if you want coverage for an extra room or two and are willing to sacrifice a bit of network quality. Some extenders can avoid network quality drops, but other times, you might not notice the difference. Ultimately, extenders are a cheap and easy option, making their failure more common than alternatives (mesh WiFi networks and other routers)

Of course, the easiest way to increase the internet capacity in your household is by ensuring you have the fastest available speeds. Use your tool to search for internet providers in your area or even internet providers at your address.

FAQs

Are WiFi extenders actually worth it?

Yes, if you are willing to take the potential network quality drop. Otherwise, you might want to consider getting another router or a mesh network.

Do WiFi extenders work through walls?

Yes, WiFi extenders work through most walls (like any other radio signal). However, denser walls or those made of materials resistant to radio waves will block some signals.

What's the difference between a WiFi booster and an extender?

Nothing. A booster and an extender are the same device.