Wi-Fi Extenders

If your household is like many these days, internet access in your home is nearly as essential as running water. But getting reliable connectivity to every corner of your house, including outside on the patio and deck, can be a challenge. That's because many factors can impact the signal and create dead zones, including the size, shape and general architecture of your home, and interference from household electronics, such as microwave ovens or cordless phones. Given all the variables, even an up-to-date router that supports the latest Wi-Fi standards can have some issues providing a consistent, whole-house signal. That's why you may want to consider getting a Wi-Fi signal booster.

You have a couple of options. First, you could choose powerline adaptors, which serve the purpose of extending Wi-Fi to any room in your house using the existing electrical wiring. They require two electrical outlets and are dependent on the quality of the wiring in your walls. The second option would be to use a Wi-Fi extender, designed to fill in and enhance coverage in areas of your home that aren't receiving a consistent, strong Wi-Fi signal. A Wi-Fi range extender can provide faster response times and even expand coverage outside your house, such as onto the patio or deck, and into the backyard or garage. You may see a Wi-Fi extender referred to as a Wi-Fi repeater or a Wi-Fi booster. The terms are often used interchangeably and all work to extend the range of your Wi-Fi, although there may be differences in the way they accomplish the task. A home Wi-Fi booster, Wi-Fi repeater or Wi-Fi extender can all extend your network, either by amplifying existing signals or repeating the signal without any modifications.

If you'd like any help setting up your home Wi-Fi network for maximum performance and security, don't hesitate to take advantage of Best Buy's Home Wi-Fi Setup service. A Geek Squad® Agent can connect your devices and provide recommendations for a Wi-Fi amplifier or other solution if dead spots and slow speeds are an issue.

Because even the best Wi-Fi extender can only rebroadcast the signal up to the quality it receives, where it's placed in proximity to your router is key to the effectiveness of your wireless booster. Figuring out where your Wi-Fi extender needs to be placed will help you decide between a freestanding wireless extender that can sit on a desk and one that you plug in or mount. The ideal location for your Wi-Fi extender is halfway between your wireless router and where you'll be using your streaming media device.

A Wi-Fi extender can be beneficial in many cases. For instance, an extender can improve your streaming quality for watching movies and shows in various rooms of the house or outside on the deck. If you're a gamer, you know what a nightmare network lag can be, so you may want to consider installing a Wi-Fi extender to push the range of the signal to your PlayStation 4 or other gaming device in order to ensure the best experience possible. Or maybe you want a Wi-Fi amplifier to get optimal use out of your wireless speakers, whether they're located downstairs in the entertainment room, outside by the pool, surrounding the patio, or all of the above.