7 Ways to Extend Your Wi-Fi Range

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There are a lot of different ways to extend your Wi-Fi range. Some are free and easy enough to complete in seconds, while others require some additional equipment and installation.

Start with the basics, like good router positioning and using the proper Wi-Fi band. If you still need more range, Wi-Fi repeaters and powerline extenders are great options for casual Wi-Fi because they’re affordable and easy to install. For serious applications and more substantial range increases, you may need to invest in a long-range router, mesh router, or multiple router setup.

We’ll break down each method, starting with the cheap and simple solutions and moving on to the more advanced and costly options. The method best for you depends on how much additional range you need and what you need it for.

1. Start with good router placement

Choosing the best place for your router is the first step to good Wi-Fi coverage. Your router broadcasts the Wi-Fi signal throughout your home—it has a limited range, and certain materials and electronics can interfere with the quality and strength of the Wi-Fi signal.

• Your router should be in a central location, so your Wi-Fi covers as much area as possible within your home.
• Try to elevate the router on a table or desk to help the Wi-Fi broadcast further.
• Be mindful of choosing an area away from obstructive materials and electronics.

Water, tile, metal, and stone can be difficult for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate. Avoid placing the router in areas abundant in these materials, like next to a fish tank, right next to a bathroom, or under or behind metal furniture. Also, watch out for microwaves and baby monitors as they can interfere with Wi-Fi signals.

To learn more, see our full article on the best place to put your router.

Adjust router antennas

If your router has antennas, it’s best to orient them vertically. Wi-Fi signal travels perpendicular to the antenna—so an antenna pointed towards the ceiling broadcasts Wi-Fi signal horizontally, covering more ground in your home.

2. Switch to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency band

Your router likely broadcasts signals on at least two different frequency bands, one at 2.4 GHz and the other at 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band has more range than the 5 GHz band, but the 5 GHz band is often preferred because it’s faster. Switching from your 5 GHz Wi-Fi to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi should afford you some extra distance from your router.

You probably see these frequency bands as two separate Wi-Fi networks on your device, and a common convention is to have your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi unlabeled and your 5 GHz Wi-Fi labeled with “5G” at the end of the network name. For example, you may see something like “Jenny’s Wi-Fi” for the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and “Jenny’s Wi-Fi (5G)” for your 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

If you can’t tell which Wi-Fi is your 2.4 GHz band, you can find out by logging into your router. See our article on logging into your router if you need some help with this.

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For many situations, a wireless Wi-Fi range extender (technically a Wi-Fi repeater) is the most practical way to extend Wi-Fi signal range. They are relatively cheap, super easy to set up, and completely wireless. Wireless Wi-Fi extenders come with a few caveats, though—slower speeds and increased latency.

Wireless Wi-Fi extenders gather the Wi-Fi signal from your router and simply broadcast it again. The time taken to complete this process causes some loss in bandwidth (speed) and an increase in latency (lag). Some wireless Wi-Fi extenders can get around this, but they tend to be a bit more expensive.

If you think a Wi-Fi repeater might be the solution for you, you definitely should check out our full article on the best Wi-Fi range extenders.

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*Amazon.com prices (as of 06/23/23 12:02 PST). Read full disclaimer.

Mesh routers are one of the best ways to improve the quality of your home’s Wi-Fi. These routers use one main router in conjunction with several wireless access points placed at the edges of your home to create a single blanket of outstanding Wi-Fi coverage.

Mesh Wi-Fi networks provide a combination of flexibility and simplicity that you won’t find with any other setup. It’s very easy to move and adjust the access points—you can even add additional access points if you have a particularly tricky home layout.

The Google Nest Wi-Fi mesh router system covers all the bases. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and provides excellent Wi-Fi—all with very competitive pricing. Mesh routers are pricey, but they’re all-in-one solutions that come with unrivaled quality and convenience. To learn more, see our full breakdown of the best mesh routers.

*Amazon.com prices (as of 06/23/23 12:04 PST). Read full disclaimer.

If you have an older router, it may be best to replace it. Simply choosing a new long-range model could solve your Wi-Fi range problem. An additional perk to upgrading is that you’ll not only get more range, but you’ll also get the chance to update your network to the most recent Wi-Fi standards and wireless protocols. This can have an enormous impact on your overall Wi-Fi speeds.

Check out our article on the best long-range routers to start looking for your next Wi-Fi machine.

7. Install a second router

Adding a second router to your home network can be a good solution for instances that require the utmost speed, reliability, and flexibility. But be aware, this option can quickly evolve into the most expensive on the list.

Unless your house is already wired for Ethernet, you’ll need to install a new Ethernet line from your modem to the area where you want the second router—for many people, this means hiring a professional. On top of that is the cost to buy the additional router itself.

Because of the potential money and hassle involved, we recommend this solution only for really demanding situations, like bringing Wi-Fi to advanced home offices or guesthouses that are well out of reach of your primary router.

Best ways to extend Wi-Fi range for specific situations

You don’t need a $300 mesh router if you just want to push your Wi-Fi signal a little further into a poorly covered room. At the same time, you shouldn’t expect to double your coverage area or run a hefty home office or heavy-duty gaming setup off of a $20 Wi-Fi repeater.

Choose the goal below that best aligns with your situation to see which tools and methods you should use.

How much bandwidth do you need?

Use our “how much speed do I need?” tool to learn how much bandwidth you need.

Casual Wi-Fi in a single direction: Wireless Wi-Fi extenders

Use a wireless Wi-Fi extender (technically a Wi-Fi repeater) if you just need to extend your range to one area of your home, like a guest room or living area. Wireless Wi-Fi extenders will be fine for activities like streaming, web surfing, and getting Wi-Fi home devices online.

Just remember that because repeaters need to listen to your Wi-Fi before they can rebroadcast it, they cut down your internet speed and increase latency; this makes them a poor choice for sensitive applications like gaming and video calls.

Serious Wi-Fi in a single area: Wi-Fi powerline extender

Powerline extenders use your home’s electrical wiring to create a wired connection to your router. When the conditions are right, they are a cost-effective way to get a fast and reliable connection to anywhere your power lines run—no slowing of speeds and no dramatic increases to latency.

But be aware, not all powerline extenders broadcast Wi-Fi, so make sure you get one with Wi-Fi capabilities if you choose this option. Lastly, this type of extender doesn’t work for all homes, as it depends on the conditions and design of your house’s electrical wiring —generally, newer homes are more compatible.

Complete Wi-Fi home coverage: Mesh router

If you simply want to cover your whole house in Wi-Fi, get a mesh router and say goodbye to spotty Wi-Fi. Mesh routers are the most complete, all-in-one solution to getting good, consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout your entire home.

They come with several small Wi-Fi access points that communicate with the primary router to create one awesome blanket of Wi-Fi coverage. Think of mesh routers as systems that already come with two or three Wi-Fi extenders built from the ground up to work flawlessly together.

The only downside to mesh routers is that they tend to be on the pricey side, but these effective and user-friendly devices are well worth it.

Every situation is different

To make the best decision for extending your Wi-Fi range, you need to decide what exactly it is you need from your Wi-Fi. Think in terms of the future as well. You don’t want to waste time and money fumbling through multiple solutions in an expensive process of trial and error. Take stock of what you need and pick the right tool for the job.

Wi-Fi extenders vs. Wi-Fi repeaters vs. Wi-Fi boosters

The terms “Wi-Fi extender” and “Wi-Fi booster” are used synonymously to refer to various products that broadcast Wi-Fi to areas your router’s signal doesn’t reach.
Here are the technical differences between these terms:

Wi-Fi extender: uses a direct, wired connection to your router to create a new access point or a new Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi repeater: wirelessly gathers Wi-Fi signals and rebroadcasts them on a new Wi-Fi network. Many products marketed as extenders and boosters are, in fact, Wi-Fi repeaters.

Wi-Fi booster: amplifies a router’s Wi-Fi signal, and an uncommon solution for residential Wi-Fi.

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