Nowadays, Much of us at home have a router or router that provides us with an Internet connection. Thanks to the 7 Best Portable Wifi Extender, we can go from our house to the outside network to consume content, browse pages and talk on social networks. This section works on the OSI model’s network layer and will select the route of the packets that enter and leave the network.
What do you mean by Wifi Extender?
A Wifi repeater is a device capable of expanding the Wifi coverage of our router. We know that a Wifi router will offer us a specific range, depending on its antennas’ power, type of frequency, etc. The extenders will connect as one more Wifi client to the router but can amplify that same signal so that it reaches a greater distance.
Wifi Extender is the most economical and fundamental solution to expand our Wifi, very useful in home networks where we prioritize excellent and comprehensive coverage over pure bandwidth. And it is that usually these devices are not too powerful in this aspect, but they are much cheaper than meshed systems, being available for 30 $$.
Another advantage that we have in most models is that they also have one or two Ethernet ports. So it is possible to take out a couple of cable clients that are very far from the router, for example, a Smart TV or another desktop PC. These links will typically be 100 Mbps or some 1 Gbps for high power points.
Difference Between Wifi extender & Wifi repeater
Many users may consider a Wifi extender is a Wifi repeater, and they will not be wrong,
The main difference between a Wifi repeater and an extender is that it picks up and amplifies the Wifi signal from the router. In principle, it does not create any new access point, as in the repeater.
Another critical difference is that these extenders also have a cable connection to the router. We can provide wireless connectivity to a router that does not have it, creating a new WLAN interconnected with the router’s own LAN. That could instead be called meshed Wifi, but it is not the same either.
Today, Most routers already have wired and Wifi connectivity. In the first case, we will connect a cable from our computer to the router, called the Ethernet LAN network, because it operates under the IEEE 802.3 standard.
And the second case is the one that interests us since, in addition to creating a LAN network, it is also capable of creating a WLAN (Wireless LAN). In this way, we connect wirelessly to the router, using electromagnetic waves and encrypted and secure to do the same as through the cable.
As below, you can see, These standards are defined through the different versions of IEEE 802.11.
With 802.11a, it operates on the 5 GHz band, the band that offers the highest transfer capacity. It was approved in 1999 and later superseded by 802.11ac. Being a reasonably old standard, it supports a maximum speed of 54 Mbps with 52 carriers and OFDM technology. Its main advantage was the great coverage it offered and its ability to work with many clients.
802.11 b and g are operating only in the 2.4 GHz band, providing it with 11 channels for WiFi, of which 1, 6 and 11 usually are used. This band performs at a frequency of 25 MHz as bandwidth.
The transmission speed in version “b” is 54 Mbps without OFDM sending capacity implemented in the last previously seen. There is a variant called 802.11g + that is capable of reaching 108 Mbps, although in any case, they are considered previous standards and have been replaced by those that we will see below.
At present, it is called Wi-Fi 4. This version of the standard began to operate in 2008, although it was defined in 2004. The speed amounts to 600 Mbps in connections of a maximum of 3 × 3 (3 antennas). It uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously, something new and already integrated the three previous standards.
It was the first to implement MIMO (Multiple Input – Multiple Output) technologies that allow several channels to send and receive data with up to 3 antennas. We have not yet reached speed rates comparable to LAN cabling, but using both frequencies with the same wireless point to the devices with excellent coverage.
An update that is renamed Wi-Fi 5 was implemented in 2014; most devices work on this version. In this case, it is a standard that only operates in the 5 GHz band to provide speeds of 433 Mbps in connections with an antenna (1 × 1) and up to 1.3 Gbps in 3 × 3. Its maximum transfer would be 3.39 Gbps using four antennas (4 × 4) at a frequency of 160 MHz or 6.77 Gbps if it were the case in 8 × 8.
This standard updates MU-MIMO technology with up to 8 data streams with 160 MHz frequency and 256 QAM modulation, although there are cases where 1024-QAM can be used. It usually operates alongside 802.11n for devices using the 2.4 GHz band at the same time.
This is the new version called WiFi 6 and 6th generation WiFi implemented in 2019, and that many routers and computers already have support thanks to the new hardware. In addition to MU-MIMO, the new OFDMA technology is introduced that improves the spectral efficiency of the network for WLAN, where many users are connected. For this reason, it is a standard that, above all, increases its performance with large client loads and simultaneous transmissions.
It operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies and supports four × 4 and 8 × eight connections in both cases, reaching speeds of up to 11 Gbps, almost begging for the previous standard’s benefits. For this, the 160 MHz frequency and 1024-QAM modulation are used. There are still few WiFi repeaters with this protocol, and most operate on the previous ones.
The best WiFi network operates on the IEEE 802.11 standard, whose fundamental difference with the previous one is that it uses another datagram structure to transport data. The advantage over the wired network is obvious: giving us much greater coverage and mobility in portable devices that do not have an Ethernet port. The good thing about a WLAN is that it is part of the LAN, so all devices can see each other and share data if we want.
Today’s Wifi networks are as powerful or even superior to a router’s wired connections. We have a bandwidth greater than Gigabit per second and latencies of only several milliseconds, so they are clearly the current trend.
7 Best Portable Wifi Extender 2023 (LIST)
1, TP-Link (RE305) – 1200 Wifi Range Extender
- The RE305 range extender connects wirelessly to the modem, strengthening and expanding your Wi-Fi signal to areas that the modem network cannot reach, up to 300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5GHz.
- It has two external antennas that improve wireless coverage and supports connecting multiple devices at the same time.
- You can use the 2.4GHz band for simple activities like sending emails and browsing the web and take advantage of the 5GHz band for HD / 4K video streaming and online gaming.
- The product has a signal indicator that helps the user find the best place for RE305: blue light means good connection; red light for too far from the router.
The E305 was my personal choice to extend network coverage due to its excellent price and good content, extra 20 m 2 approx. The same bandwidth as previous AC1200 models and management through the Tether App is compatible with Android and iOS.
It’s a bit cheaper because it has only two external antennas, but it works great for low client load and good connection speed and stability. It also has a 100Mbps Ethernet port for televisions and other desktops.
2, NETGEAR N300 Wifi Extender
- Wifi Extender ex2700: add Wi-Fi coverage up to 30 square meters, and connect up to 5 devices at the same time, such as laptops, smartphones and tablets.
- Wi-Fi speed – Provides performance up to 300mbps.
- Universal Compatibility – Works with any Wi-Fi enabled wireless router, gateway, or cable modem.
- Wired Ethernet port – connect nearby game consoles, streaming players or other wired devices using the 10 / 100m port for maximum speed.
- Safe and reliable: supports WEP and WPA / wpa2 wireless security protocols.
It is one of the cheapest and most basic Wifi Extenders on the market. It will come in handy for those users who want to expand their network coverage economically and without needing large bandwidths.
It only operates in 802.11n on the 2.4 GHz frequency, so it is the single band. It also includes a 300 Mbps Ethernet port and wireless protection with WPA / WPA2 and WPS. It doesn’t have management software, so it’s plug-and-play.
3, TP-Link RE450 (AC1750) Wifi Extender
- Wi-Fi extender for maximum performance.
- Three adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliability.
- Speeds of 450Mbps in 2.4GHz and 1200Mbps in 5GHz reaching Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1750Mbps.
- Gigabit Ethernet port that acts as a wireless adapter to connect a device to your network at gigabit speed.
- Compatible with any Wi-Fi Router; Extend the coverage of any Wi-Fi router or wireless access point.
We are now entering medium and high performance with this RE450, a Wifi Extender also from TP-Link that offers Dual-Band capability. Its three dual external antennas will provide a bandwidth of 1750 Mbps on 5 GHz and 1000 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. This expansion in the higher capacity band will allow us to reproduce 4K content from a television or a computer and better latency.
Like other TP-Link products, we can manage its functions from the Tether App. Supported encryption is upgraded to WPA and WPA2, with a WPS function for quick links.
4, ASUS Dual-Band (RP-AC68U) AC1900 Wifi Extender
- Extend your 802.11ac Dual-Band wireless network with up to 1900 Mbps speed.
- Connect safely by pressing the WPS button.
- Smart LED indicator to find the perfect location.
- USB 3.0 port for AiCloud support and lightning-fast NAS connectivity.
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports to turn any wired network into wireless
Asus RP-AC68U is much more than a Wifi Extender, and we know that Asus is one of the manufacturers that offer more functionalities in its network equipment thanks to complete firmware. And in this case, it is patent in a team that delivers 1300 Mbps in 5 GHz and 600 Mbps in 2.4 GHz. By combining these both, you can get a total of up to 1900Mbps. For this, it uses three transmitting antennas and another 4 for the link with the router.
Thanks to its excellent coverage, this provides much greater network capacity by separating emission from reception, ideal for multimedia content consumption throughout the house. It is No less than a USB 3.0 port that has been installed for the data sharing function.
5, D-Link (DAP-1860) AC2600 Wifi Extender
- Extend your 802.11ac Dual-Band ultrafast from 800Mbps in 2.4GHz and 1733Mbps in 5GHz speed.
- This Wifi Extender delivers up to 8.5x more speed than N300 extenders.
- Connects safely by pressing a simple one-touch WPS button.
- Comes Smart LED indicator to find the perfect location.
- Gives streaming of 4K/HD media faster, transfer large files really fast and play lag-free gaming.
- Supports MU-MIMO technology allows multiple devices to get high-bandwidth Wi-Fi signal at the same time,
At a much more affordable price and already in the upper part of the mid-range, and it is some of the best Wi-FI Extender, As is the case with the D-Link (DAP-1860) AC2600 with simultaneous dual-band Extended both with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi technology.
One of the exciting advantages of this Wifi Extender is that it allows us to create a Wi-Fi Mesh network as long as we have one of the brand’s Compatible routers, the D-Link EXO, compatible with mesh networks.
6, NETGEAR (EX8000) AC3000 Tri-Band Wifi Extender
- Ex8000 mesh wifi extender: wifi coverage of up to 2500 square feet, and connects up to 50 devices at the same time, such as laptops, smartphones, smart speakers, IP cameras, tablets, IoT devices and more.
- Universal mesh wifi functionality: uses your existing network SSID name, so you never get disconnected while on the move around your home or office.
- Ac3000 wifi Speed: Provides performance of up to 3000mbps using patented fastlane3 (TM) tri-band technology for 4k HD streaming and multiplayer gaming.
- Universal Compatibility: Works with any wifi-enabled wireless router, gateway, or cable modem.
- Wired Ethernet port: connect game consoles, streaming players, or other wired devices to the 4-gigabit ports for maximum speed.
We come to the Wifi Extender with the highest bandwidth performance, only recommended for users with a router with at least three antennas working on Wifi 5 or Wifi 6. The EX8000 has a Tri-band connectivity where it has been destined a dedicated link towards the router of 1.73 Gbps at 5 GHz and two links for clients, 2.4 GHz 400 and 5 GHz 866 Mbps.
Its 4 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports will also guarantee gaming and desktop computers that require high bandwidth. It implements FastLane 3 technology to deliver total bandwidth with guarantees and compatibility with the 802.11k standard.
7, NETGEAR EX7300 WiFi Mesh Extender
- Coverage up to 2300 square feet and Supports up to 40 devices.
- Can Provide up to a maximum of 2200 Mbps performance using dual-band.
- Secure and Safety with WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols.
- Pressing the simple WPS button to connect to the router.
- uses your existing network SSID name, so you never get disconnected while on the move around your home or office.
Netgear’s ambitious extender can increase Wi-Fi ranges by up to 2,000 square feet for up to 35 different devices, ideal for a small office or smart home, all at speeds up to AC2200.
Several Netgear technologies are included, including a preference for more demanding connections (HD gaming) and smart roaming that helps interconnect the extender and router more reliably. It even supports MU-MIMO for a limited number of more direct connections to mobile devices. The unit also has a Gigabit Ethernet port for wireless connections. It’s an excellent option for those who already have a Netgear router, as they can use the same app for setup and parental control.
How does Wif Extenders work?
To buy a good WiFi extender, you need to know how they work and what features make one model better than another. These devices connect your devices to your router or wireless access point. The thing is, the main router originates a signal, which is picked up by the extender and sent over greater ranges to your smartphones, tablets, and more.
After this, your smart devices, computers, and gadgets send information to the extender, and it bounces it back to the router, giving you a more extended range internet connection.
The speed of the whole process depends on the type of extender and router you use and its connection standard. The most common is the 802.11n standard (called N), which allows bandwidths of 300 Mbps with excellent range and very little interference on your signal.
However, other standards, such as 802.11ac, work with the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, which offer 450 Mbps and 1300 Mbps, respectively.
Looking for the best Wifi Extender
To choose the fastest, most convenient, and versatile one, with the minor interference and the most robust signal with the most extended range, you need to take into account the following aspects:
Range increase: it is an essential aspect since it determines if the extender will reach the areas of your home where you need internet. If a part of your home is 150 meters from your wireless router, but the extender only produces a 50-meter signal, it will not work for you. It would be best if you had a model that is capable of reaching all those areas. The higher-end models can produce signals of up to 130 meters, while the lower-range models come as low as 30 meters.
Mbps and bands: when buying one of these devices, you need to consider the bandwidth (measured in Megabits per second – Mbps) and the types of the band it supports (measured in GHz). You should know that WiFi extenders have a speed limit that determines the device’s maximum. The limits are determined by the internet’s quality in your home or office and your router’s capacity. However, you can count on maximum speed if all conditions are favorable.
Two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The first has a more excellent range and strength but is less fast and is very common, so all devices that use it can interfere with your signal. The 5 GHz band is quicker and suffers from less interference but has less range and strength.
- Antennas: they can be internal or external, and they serve to capture and relay the signal from your router to your devices with the internet. Generally, these devices have an antenna to receive the call and another to forward it, although some models have up to 3 antennas: 1 to receive and 2 to forward, which gives a more excellent range.
Many Ethernet ports: there are models with a single port or up to 5. The good thing about having these ports is that if, for example, you have a computer or video game console that is fixed but far from the range of your router, you can connect it to your extender using the Ethernet cable. You will have fast and reliable internet. It is also helpful if you still have a few devices without wireless compatibility.
- Warranty: as with any other product, it is always essential to take into account the security it has, as well as its duration and modality. Some manufacturers offer them for one year and give you support and technical service at no cost, while others give up to 2 or 3 years.
- Design: WiFi extenders come in many sizes and designs, from the most compact and discreet to slightly more extensive and more striking, with one or more Ethernet ports or USB. Regarding the design, you must take into account the following aspects:
- Location: Three types of extender: placing on flat surfaces, those that plug directly into the wall without using cables and those that mount on the wall, those that connect directly to an outlet on the wall are very convenient because they don’t require extra space or cables and are incredibly convenient. Those that need flat surfaces do take up more space, while those that mount on the wall offer the best of both worlds.
- Convenience: you must consider if the device will take up a lot of space, where you will place it, and it will be in the middle of a desk. You also have to consider if the cable can be an obstacle and cause you to trip and how your home and office are organized to find out which model works best.
Features: a very convenient one is the WPS button, which allows you to connect the extender to your wireless router without complicated settings. Of course, keep in mind that both the router and the extender must have this feature. Other advantages can be several Ethernet connection ports, status lights, reset or power buttons, USB ports, and more.
- Security: by extending the signal of your router, there is the possibility that your neighbours or other people are stealing your WiFi, which can cause slowness and that the bandwidth of your connection consumed very quickly. To avoid that, look for a model with a password so that only authorized people can access your internet. The best security systems are WPA and WPA2 encryption.
Remote control: Extenders that use an IP address or with which you can create an account to control their options remotely are the most convenient. So you can manage bandwidth, passwords, use of the network, and even turn it off while away from home or the office. Some also allow you to see who uses your Wifi signal and expel them if they do not have authorization.
Are you willing to find the best Wifi Extender?
Best Range for Wifi Extenders come in all
- Sizes,
- Shapes,
- Price ranges.
- And Last, Make sure to read the reviews of Wifi Extenders on the internet before clicking and Buying on the Checkout button.
Purchasing a Wifi Extender only makes sense if buying a new Wifi router is not cheaper to achieve the same result. As you know, network equipment is not exactly known for its reliability. Some products work flawlessly, while virtually identical alternatives from other manufacturers only cause headaches.
If you are concerned about your security and privacy, avoid products from unknown manufacturers and companies with a bad reputation. With nearly 400,000 new malware samples detected every day, Wifi security is something to take seriously.
In the world of targeted ransomware attacks, it often takes a single determined attacker to bring down an entire company or ruin someone’s life.
Conclusion
Best Portable Wifi Extender connectivity is much more important than wired networks, at least in the home. That is why we have decided to make this guide to the 7 Best Portable Wifi Extender on the market. You will know the latest models available and their main characteristics and specifications.
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