Everyone suffers from it from time to time: bad WiFi. Whether it's because of thick walls or because you live in a densely populated area, it's very frustrating when your videos keep buffering and websites load slowly. In this article, we'll help you choose the right WiFi repeater to improve your WiFi signal.
Tip 01: Wifi standard
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a WiFi repeater is the WiFi standard of your current router. The following standards are currently on the market: 802.11n or 802.11ac. If you have a very old router, it still has 802.11g. It is better to replace that router first before purchasing a WiFi repeater. In general, it's a good idea to buy a repeater that supports the same standard as your router. If you combine an old router with a new repeater, you will not be able to make optimal use of all the functions of that repeater. The other way around also causes problems: an old repeater with a newer router cannot amplify the router's signal, because it does not support that new standard. You check which standard your router supports by means of the manual or by googling the type number.
Tip 02: Single or dual band
In addition to the Wi-Fi standard, there is another important aspect to consider: single or dual band. What we mean by that is the frequency 2.4 or 5 GHz and whether the repeater supports one of the two or both. 2.4 GHz is the old familiar frequency, but 5 GHz has been added for a number of years. The reason for this is that only thirteen channels are available on 2.4 GHz. Then, if two routers broadcast on the same channel, it causes disruptions and delays. With the addition of 5 GHz, there are many more channels and space to transmit, although the range is less. It's important to know which bands your router supports: an old router will probably only support 2.4 GHz, newer and more expensive routers often support both. Check the manual and the model number to make sure. You have a number of options with your WiFi repeater. For light use you can opt for single band 2.4 GHz: they are cheap, but do not offer much speed. Your speed is halved: such a repeater can either transmit or receive, not both at the same time. If you want more, go for a dual band. They are more expensive, but offer significant speed improvements. It is then important that your router offers support for both bands, both 2.4 and 5 GHz.
There is another important aspect to consider: single band or dual band Half speed with a repeater?
We mentioned it in the article, a single-band repeater cuts your original internet speed in half – at best. This works as follows: with a single-band repeater you have a frequency to transmit, 2.4 GHz. Such a device only has one Wi-Fi chip that can either transmit or receive. So if you send data to the repeater with your laptop, it cannot communicate with the router. Only when you have finished transmitting, the repeater can forward the data to the router. As a result, sending takes twice as long. This is the most optimal case. Another problem is the 2.4 GHz channels, there are only 13. When your router communicates with your repeater, or vice versa, they tune the transmission: they both have specific intervals at which they communicate with each other, so they don't pass through. talk to each other. However, the problem lies with the rest of your network: the same agreements do not apply to other devices that communicate with the router and devices that communicate with the repeater. The router and repeater can therefore still interfere with each other, which causes an even further decrease in speed.
Tip 03: Types
Each repeater has its own type that corresponds to the Wi-Fi standard that the product supports. Roughly there are the following types: N300, N600, AC750, AC1200 and AC1900. These are ordered from slow to fast, so AC1900 is the fastest and newest type. A repeater with N300 can be single or dual band, with a maximum speed of 300 Mbit/s in total. N600 achieves a maximum of 600 Mbit/s and is dual band, so has 300 Mbit/s per frequency. AC750, AC1200 and AC1900 are newer types of repeaters: with AC750 you get a maximum of 750 Mbit/s and with AC1900 a maximum of 1900 Mbit/s. AC1900 only works on a 5GHz band, because 2.4GHz cannot handle such a high speed.
The choice of repeater design is very precise and depends on the speed Tip 04: Design and place
A slightly smaller point, but not entirely unimportant: the design of the repeater, especially in combination with where you want to place the repeater. For example, if you want or even have to place the repeater in the hallway, a socket model is the best choice, because it is very inconspicuous. However, if you have a room where you could put it, then you might want a router-like repeater. The choice for the type of repeater is very careful, because it depends on the speed that you can still achieve. What you should pay attention to when placing your repeater is that you are just getting a good speed from your router, but you are also not too close to it. So walk through your house with, for example, speedtest.net and see how far you can go before the speed becomes unacceptably slow. Note that you have to divide the speed in half! For light use you need at least 15-20 Mbit/s. It is best to place the repeater in the place where you can just get that. Only then can you actually look at which design fits best there.
Tip 05: Price and brand
Wifi repeaters can differ considerably in price: they are available from two to three tens to more than a hundred euros. The difference depends on the Wi-Fi standard used and which GHz band the device supports. A dual-band device with support for ac can theoretically reach speeds of up to 2 Gb/s, where the cheaper single-band models are stuck at 300 Mb/s. Another advantage of the more expensive models is that they can serve as an access point. This gives some more options and you can use the device in other ways later on. For light use, you can do just fine with the somewhat cheaper models, but if you make heavy use of Netflix, it is better to look at the models around 60 to 80 euros. Another consideration is the repeater brand: although not a hard rule, it can still be beneficial to buy a repeater from the same brand as your router. You are therefore more sure of compatibility, because although there are Wi-Fi standards, manufacturers sometimes add a number of their own functions that only the brand can use.
Tip 06: Really necessary?
A WiFi repeater is just one solution for improving your WiFi signal. Other ways may work better in your situation. For example, if you have a large house, a WiFi repeater will make little difference. Although you can use two repeaters in one network, you cannot put them in succession to cover more surface area. If you already have a newer router, mesh WiFi may be a better option. Mesh WiFi consists of a package of two to three routers that you distribute over your house, after which they automatically provide optimal WiFi coverage. Another solution is to forward the internet signal via the power cables in your house to other places in your house and connect an extra router or repeater with access point there. However, even then your speed is not always optimal and it is also a hassle with the cabling. If you don't like this solution and you only have poor coverage on one floor, you can look at a WiFi repeater. By the way, if you have an old router left, there is a chance that you can also use it as a repeater, if it is supported by the firmware.
If you have an old router left, there is a chance that you can use it as a repeater Tip 07: Connections
Another consideration to consider when choosing a repeater is whether you need Ethernet ports on the repeater. This can be the case if you also want to connect other devices to the internet where the repeater will be located that do not have a wireless connection (for example, a desktop PC). Some repeaters have five Ethernet ports, others have one and some have none. This decision is also related to the position where the repeater ends up: if the repeater is in a room, Ethernet ports are more useful than if it is hanging in the hallway. In addition to Ethernet ports, repeaters can have other extras, for example a 3.5mm connection. You can connect speakers to it that can be accessed via the network by means of, for example, dlna. Another consideration may be the power outlet: some outlet-style repeaters also have a power outlet themselves, so you don't lose a power outlet.
Buying tips
We will distinguish three categories of repeaters in these buying tips: a high-end repeater, for when you want the maximum in range and speed, a repeater in the form of a socket model, if you need one in the hallway, and a low-end repeater. end model for when you simply want a little better reach and don't want to spend too much money.
High end: Netgear EX7000 AC1900
Price: € 129,-
If you want to get the most out of your connection and money isn't an issue, then you should take a look at the Netgear EX7000. It costs a bit, but it also offers a lot. In appearance, it is indistinguishable from a normal router. The repeater offers five Ethernet ports of 1 Gbit/s each and supports 802.11ac with a maximum speed of 1.9 Gbit/s. The Netgear app tells you which channels are best to use and what the speeds are per channel.
Socket Model: Asus RP-AC56
Price: €69.99
The Asus RP-AC56 is a socket repeater for about 70 euros. The repeater supports the 802.11ac standard and achieves a maximum speed of 1.1 Gbit/s. This repeater does block two sockets, so keep that in mind. There is also one Ethernet port that offers a speed of 1Gbit/s. Extra handy of this handy model: there is an LED strip that indicates how good the router's WiFi signal is. Placing the repeater in the place with the most optimal speed is therefore a breeze.
Low-end: TP-Link RE200-AC750 WiFi Range Extender
Price: €29.99
This cheap repeater from TP-Link (coincidentally also a socket model) costs only three tens, at some stores it is even cheaper. The RE200 has a nice design and can be used almost anywhere. In terms of functions, this repeater is not inferior to the rest: it offers support for 2.4 and 5 GHz as well as 802.11ac, which also makes it useful for newer routers. It also has an Ethernet port if you want to connect another device. And above all, this repeater is easy to set up, namely with one push of the WPS button.
