Work and Wi-Fi go together these days — at least for a lot of us — and now that the weather is improving (and you’re sick of sitting at the same makeshift quarantine workstation), you’re probably searching for additional ways to work outside. Perhaps on your porch or in the park? That may mean expanding your home’s Wi-Fi network so you can obtain service in locations you wouldn’t typically get coverage or generating your portable Wi-Fi signal. Here are some options for you.
Purchase a Wi-Fi Extender
A Wi-Fi extender, also referred to as a Wi-Fi booster, is a device that is connected to the wall and extends your router’s wireless signal.
It just extends the signal to reach more regions of your home, not improving the signal in areas where you already have Wi-Fi. The good news is that there are a variety of excellent Wi-Fi extenders available that are both economical and simple to install. A Wi-Fi extender could be your best choice if you have a dead zone in your house or near it, such as a porch or a yard, and you want a low-cost approach to cure it.
Most people’s biggest gripe with Wi-Fi extenders is that, while they’re inexpensive, they don’t actually “extend” your home’s Wi-Fi network; instead, they establish a new Wi-Fi network that functions alongside your existing Wi-Fi network.
This means that if you go about your house with your smartphone or laptop, it will connect to the strongest Wi-Fi network — either the one your router produces or the one your Wi-Fi extender “extends.”
Wi-Fi extenders may expand your home’s Wi-Fi without creating a separate network, but they’re more expensive and typically proprietary to your Wi-Fi provider.
Upgrade Your Router
If your Wi-Fi speed and range are a problem, and you’re willing to pay a little extra, you might want to consider upgrading your router. Many households use the modem and router provided by their internet service providers for which they pay a monthly charge, which is a convenient solution (they don’t have to deal with all those cables). Still, it may be the worst and most expensive alternative (especially in the long run).
Invest in a Mesh Routing System
People who wish to eliminate several Wi-Fi dead zones in and around their house may consider a mesh router setup.
You might think of them as a network of Wi-Fi extenders that communicate with one another to build a bigger Wi-Fi network across your home; one mesh hub connects to your modem, and then you position more mesh hubs around your home. Because it’s a modular system, you can scale it by adding more mesh points whenever you want.
Another significant benefit of a mesh Wi-Fi network is that it generates a single signal Wi-Fi network instead of each Wi-Fi extender creating its network (which can complicate the user experience).
Extra Cable or a Relocation Using Your Router
This is the simplest answer, but it is also one that you may not want to take.
After all, routers are unsightly, which is why we conceal them in cabinets, beneath desks, and other out-of-the-way places in our houses. The issue is that the router’s location has a significant impact on the signal quality. Thick walls, pipes, huge appliances, and other dense items might disrupt the signal, so it’s better to keep them out in the open. Getting better Wi-Fi on your deck might be as simple as purchasing a longer ethernet wire and accepting that seeing your router a few times a day is OK.
We can’t live without Wi-Fi these days, and we don’t want a bad connection. Some of us work from home, so having a reliable internet connection is essential, especially during meetings. Let us know if you’ve used these suggestions in the comments…