A Wi-Fi booster is a device that extends Wi-Fi coverage space by amplifying or boosting existing signals. This device rebroadcasts the signal to improve your Wi-Fi connection. A Wi-Fi Booster allows all wireless devices within the extended coverage space to connect to Wi-Fi.
It is a great device to purchase if you want to expand your Wi-Fi coverage space to allow devices that are far from the Wi-Fi router to connect to the internet. A Wi-Fi booster helps pull a weak Wi-Fi signal from a transmitter, amplifies it, and then broadcasts it to more space, thus allowing more devices to connect to the internet.
If you want to extend your Wi-Fi network coverage to reach all corners of your home or office, you need to buy a Wi-Fi booster. It works like a bridge between your Wi-Fi router and wireless devices that are out of the Wi-Fi router’s range.
Types of Wi-Fi booster
There are two types of Wi-Fi boosters. They include Wireless Wi-Fi boosters and wired Wi-Fi booster. A wireless Wi-Fi booster connects to the existing network wirelessly. Installing a wireless booster is simple because no wires are required in the installation process. In fact, connecting a wireless Wi-Fi booster is similar to connecting your smartphone to a wireless router.
On the other hand, a wired Wi-Fi booster connects to the existing Wi-Fi router via a cable to extend the Wi-Fi signal to other areas where it is low. Wired Wi-Fi booster is an excellent choice for fast internet connection speed because it prevents any interference that may cause lags or disruptions.
Wired Wi-Fi booster ensures a strong connection even in the presence of thick walls or other electronic devices that may disrupt signals. However, installing a wired Wi-Fi booster is quite tricky and requires the services of an expert.
How does a Wi-Fi booster work?
Before you purchase a Wi-Fi booster, it is crucial to know how it works. A Wi-Fi booster begins to work once a connection between your router and the wireless device such as your smartphone is established. Wi-Fi booster coverage usually differs. For instance, a 2.4 GHz band provides a more extensive Wi-Fi coverage but with slower speeds. On the other hand, a 5 GHz band offers high-speeds but with less Wi-Fi coverage.
A Wi-Fi booster usually picks the signal transmitted by the router, create its signal then broadcast it to other areas of the building with less signal. However, it is important to note that a Wi-Fi booster does not strengthen or amplify the router’s wireless signal. Instead, it only widens internet access by getting the signal where the router did not initially reach.
Are Wi-Fi boosters secure?
With the rate of cybercrimes on the rise, it is normal to wonder if Wi-Fi boosters are secure. To answer the question, YES, Wi-Fi boosters are secure because they use the same security features as your Wi-Fi router, including WPA2, WPA, and WEP. However, if you want more security for your signal coverage, you need to purchase a Wi-Fi booster that supports WPA or WPA2 because they are more secure.
How to install a Wi-Fi booster
The installation process of a Wi-Fi booster varies slightly depending on the Wi-Fi booster brand. Below is a general installation process that applies to most Wi-Fi boosters.
The first thing you need to do when installing a Wi-Fi booster is connecting it to the router. The connection process may differ, depending on the Wi-Fi booster brand that you purchase. For instance, some Wi-Fi booster requires you to access the specific site to complete the installation process, while others need you to press the WPS button on both devices to establish a connection.
Once you have linked the Wi-Fi booster and the router, you can move it to any location of your choice. However, it is advised that you place the booster in a strategic location close to the router to receive a strong signal but far enough to transmit the signal to the desired site.
Do I need to purchase a Wi-Fi booster that matches the brand of my router?
No, you don’t need to purchase a Wi-Fi booster that matches your router brand. Any Wi-Fi booster can work provided it matches the router’s specifications. For instance, if your router support MU-MIMO technology, your Wi-Fi booster should also support this technology.
