Should i use a wireless repeater

The article, originally published on Sept. It has also been updated to note that maximum Mbps speeds are based on manufacturer claims. I've been covering consumer electronics for more than 10 years for publications like TechCrunch, The Daily R. When I'm not researching or writing about laptops or headphones I can likely be found obsessively consuming news about FC Barcelona, replaying old Super Nintendo games for the hundredth time, or chasing my pet corgi Winston to put his harness on so we can go for a walk.

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We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It's also worth noting that, if you're having the rather specific issue of connecting a computer to Wi-Fi in a particular part of your home, you might be better served by a USB Wi-Fi adapter. Not very long ago, setting up a range extender required a bit of technical expertise and a good deal of patience to find the best location ideally halfway between the router and the dead zone.

But most of today's routers and range extenders support Wi-Fi Protected Setup WPS , which makes pairing the two as simple as pressing a couple of buttons, naming your new extended network, and creating a network password. Moreover, nearly all manufacturers offer web-based setup wizards and illustrated instructions that will help you configure basic wireless settings.

Some but not all extenders are equipped with LED status indicators that tell you if the extender is too far from the router. Extenders can also offer advanced router-like features such as guest networking, access scheduling, and media server capabilities. While fairly easy to configure, range extenders have their limitations. They often use a separate network SSID that you have to log into as you move through the house, and Wi-Fi speeds are typically half of what you get from your main router.

Most dual-band extenders use both radio bands to transmit data to and from the router, which means devices connecting to the extender are competing for bandwidth with the router. To help alleviate network congestion, some manufacturers let you dedicate a band for router-to-extender communications. Still, maybe the fastest possible throughput is what you're after. That could be because you're running business applications across your network, or because you're in the market for a gaming router or especially a Wi-Fi 6 router.

If so, be sure to test the connection between your endpoints to ensure you're getting the maximum traffic speeds you can. PCMag thoroughly tests all routers and range extenders that come through its doors so you'll have a good idea of what to expect before you buy. If you're considering upgrading your network with all new hardware, it's worth looking into a mesh-based Wi-Fi system before you spend money on a traditional router. Wi-Fi systems are designed to blanket your home with wireless coverage and are made up of several networking components, including a main router and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, that you place throughout your home.

They are all part of a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password, which means you can roam throughout your house without having to log into an extended network. There are lots of free services on the web that'll let you check your speed, but the most popular and the one I use when I'm testing routers out at home is the Ookla Speed Test.

It'll pair you up with one of several nearby servers as soon as you load the page -- from there, just click the big "GO" button and wait about a minute to see your current upload and download speeds, as well as the connection's latency. Also, make sure you're connected to your home network while you do this, preferably from whatever device you use online the most. If you're using a phone, disable cellular while you run this test.

You'll want to move around in your home, running a few speed tests at a time in each room where your Wi-Fi connection matters. If you want, you can repeat this process at different times of day. When you're done, average those download speed results in each room to get a sense of where your connection is and isn't up to snuff.

If you're seeing speeds that are less than half of what you get when you're close to the router, then that's an area where you might be able to shore things up and if those close-range speeds aren't close to what your internet plan allows, then you should call your provider. At this point, you'll want to run through the basics. Try moving the router to a different spot out in the open is best, preferably as high up and as centrally located as possible. You might also be able to eke out small speed improvements by repositioning the antennas.

If none of that works, then it's time to start evaluating your hardware needs. If you've just got one or two rooms where the connection isn't usable, then a simple Wi-Fi range extender might be all you need. Range extenders like these are a cinch to use. It won't boost your existing home network per se -- instead, it'll use that connection with your router to broadcast its own network. In my tests, the RE was able to boost the speeds in this back bathroom from single digits up to about 80Mbps.

And don't worry too much about the brand. Range extenders like these are typically designed to work no matter what kind of router you're using. Just double-check that your router has a WPS button almost all do and you'll be fine. Extenders like these are unlikely to hit your network's max speeds, mind you.

When I tested a few of the top value picks out in my home, the RE's 5GHz band was able to sustain speeds of about 75Mbps throughout my entire test area, with a radius of about two rooms or roughly forty feet.

That might not sound like much, but it's fast and steady enough to support video chats, HD video streams, and even basic online gaming if you need it to. That's terrific performance for the price, especially if it means the difference between a steady connection and no connection at all.

If you're willing to spend up for something fancier, look for extenders that support Wi-Fi 6.