Let’s say your Wi-Fi signal coverage isn’t as reliable or fast as you’d like it to be in every part of your house. Maybe you can’t stream online while in the basement of your children can’t play League of Legends from their room. The truth is that a Wi-Fi router can’t cover the whole house with the Wi-Fi speeds you need for streaming video and gaming.
A Wi-Fi extender is an easy way to provide a strong signal in any corner of your house. It’s very annoying when streaming or playing your favorite game, and it starts lagging. Therefore, you need a powerful Wi-Fi extender that will extend the coverage area and provide a high-quality network connection for basement areas.
However, you might not know the kind of extender that will work best in your home. But this shouldn’t be a cause for alarm; here are some key considerations that will help you get the best Wi-Fi booster for the basement.
Contents
What is a Wi-Fi Range Extender?
In large houses, Wi-Fi signals get distracted by rooms, mirrors, walls, and devices like microwaves that put out competing signals. A Wi-Fi range extender captures your router’s Wi-Fi signal, boosts it, and then distributes that signal to areas that hardly receive the original Wi-Fi signal.
How to Increase Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Apart from buying a Wi-Fi extender, here are some strategies you can adopt to enhance your Wi-Fi signal strength.
Put Your Router in a Central Location
You should place your router where every device can access the Wi-Fi signals in the house. However, if your Ethernet jack is placed in a remote corner of your sitting room, possibly you can’t move your router. Here’s where a Wi-Fi extender comes in.
Move Your Antennas
You should try altering your router’s antennae positions so they all point at different angles. At least one should be standing perpendicular and another sitting horizontally. If your router lacks external antennas, you can rotate it to position the internal antennas correctly.
Move Obstructions
Place your router in a place where furniture, doors, and walls do not block it. You can mount it on a wall or place it high on a shelf to make the signals travel better. Always keep it away from your microwave to avoid interfering with the Wi-Fi’s signal.
Update Your Router
Always check for any firmware updates for your Wi-Fi router and upgrade it to the latest version.
Move to the 5GHz frequency
If you’re using a dual or tri-band router, you have a chance to connect your extender to 5GHz instead of the 2.4GHz band. Connecting to 5GHz means, you’ll have reduced interferences since most wireless gadgets use 2.4GHz.
FAQs
Do Wi-FI Extenders Really Work?
Absolutely! Wi-Fi extenders grab a Wi-Fi signal using Wi-Fi antenna, amplify it, and transfer it to the other antenna. The best Wi-Fi extenders can cover a wide area and effectively eliminate all dead zones.
What is the Difference Wi-Fi Booster and Wi-Fi Extender?
No difference at all. These terms are used interchangeably by manufacturers to describe devices that transfer wireless signals from your router to expand signal coverage. Some manufacturers call them Wi-Fi repeaters.
How Does a Wi-Fi Range Extender Work?
They use electric power to enhance a Wi-Fi signal’s strength and transmit the boosted signal to other areas. Wi-Fi range extenders have two antennas; one for signal transmission and the other for receiving the signal.
How Do I Choose a Wi-Fi Range Extender?
Buying a Wi-Fi extender only makes sense if purchasing a new modern router costs more or impossible. Before adding an extender to the cart, ensure you’ve read several reviews and ratings.
Best Wi-Fi Extender for Basement Buying Guide
When you want to buy the best Wi-Fi range for the basement, make sure you get the best out of your investment. Here are some things to consider before adding a Wi-Fi extender to your cart. Mostly, you need to be keen on the following:
Processor
Every Wi-Fi extender has a processor that runs the device. You should pick a dual-core type instead of a single-core processor. A dual-core processor is more powerful and translates to better performance and less connection problems.
Compatibility
The standard compatibility is linked to the age and frequency of your router. The best way is to look at your Wi-Fi router’s specifications and confirm the standards it supports. If you’re in doubt, go for a universal extender that blends well with any 802.11 a/b/n/ac routers. Compatibility is crucial in ensuring greater integration between the range extender and your router.
Security
The current Wi-Fi extenders support one of the highest levels of security protocol available; the WPA2-PSK. However, ensure you check to confirm that the network is secure and safe.
Router Speed
Before buying a Wi-Fi extender, always check for the speed rating of the router. For example, if your router runs at 802.11N, then you need an extender ranked N or higher.
Setup Process
If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi extender, go for one that is easy to use. Essentially, you should buy one with a straightforward process.
Bands
The number of bands is an important consideration to make when selecting the best Wi-Fi signal booster for the basement. Most extenders come with a dual-frequency of 2.5GHz or 5GHz frequency bands. The essence of a dual-band extender is that it can accommodate extra load without compromising the connection speed. Additionally, there are a few extenders that come with tri-bands and offer fantastic performance.
Best Wi-Fi Extender for Basement Reviews
TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Extender (RE220)
If you’re looking for a strong and fast Wi-Fi signal booster for the basement, go for the TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Extender. This Wi-Fi extender offers signal coverage of up to 1200 sq.ft and can easily connect to at most 20 devices. It comes with two setup steps, and you’ll able to connect to your smart devices. It also has an intelligent indicator light that helps you install it to the best optimal isolation.
The TP-Link AC750 has a white finish design and small footprints. It’s not super fast, but it’s enough to serve in your basement. The extender doesn’t feature any external antenna.
Features
- Wireless standard
- Ethernet port
- 11AC Wi-Fi technology
- Up to 1200 sq.ft coverage
- OneMesh Technology
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Improves Wi-Fi coverage
- Fast Ethernet port
- Eliminates Wi-Fi dead zones
- Connects up to 20 devices
- Portable and durable
- Wireless standard
- Creates one mesh network
Cons
- Not drastic fast
TP-Link AV600 Powerline Ethernet Adapter (TL-PA4010 KIT)
If you want to extend Wi-Fi to your basement and are looking for the best Wi-Fi extender to reach your basement, look no further. The TP-Link AV600 Powerline Ethernet Adapter features two Ethernet ports and a WPS button that helps you to copy the router’s password and SSID easily. What’s more, it comes with a power-saving mode. With this extender, you can enjoy streaming and gaming with top-notch connections.
Features
- Power saving mode
- Nano Powerline Adapter
- Up to 100MBPs
- Miniature design
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Plug and play configuration
- Ideal for HD streaming
- Compact design
- Stable connection
- Excellent network security and data protection
Cons
- The unit may get too hot after sometime
- Horrible customer service
TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender (RE450)
Enjoy super-fast Wi-Fi signals anywhere in your basement with the TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender. It comes with three powerful antennas that offer rapid and fast Wi-Fi signals across your home for gaming and streaming in your basement. It’s also easy to move and install.
This extender allows you to expand your Wi-Fi and connect to any wired device such as PlayStation, Xbox, Mac, or PC. What’s more, the extender is compatible with any access point or router, making it easy to strengthen and expand your network.
Features
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- 3 external antennas
- WPS button
Pros
- Up to 1750Mbps
- Extended Wi-Fi signal
- Quick installation and quick positioning
- Blazing-fast connections
Cons
- The password for logging in directly into the extender is insecure
Wi-Fi Range Extender – 750Mbps Wi-Fi Repeater Wireless Signal Booster
The Wi-Fi Range Extender helps you to choose a top-quality band for superior performance. This extender comes with dual external antennas and extends coverage up to 360-degrees by up to 1292 sq.ft.
Features
- Smart Signal Indicator
- Up to 300Mbs
- 2.4 and 5GHz Dual-band
- 360-degrees full coverage
Pros
- Simple setup
- High-speed signal
- Amazing wireless performance
- Incredibly affordable
Cons
- Does not come with all the management and configuration options
TP-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi Extender, Up to 2600Mbps
The TP-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi Extender has Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 antennae, which provide you a wireless access point or bridge. With the AC2600, you can enjoy excellent Wi-Fi performance and high FPS. This Wi-Fi extender is among the top-rated extenders with easy to install features.
Features
- Dual-band
- Gigabit port
- 4×4 MU-MIMO
- 4 external antennas
- Tether App
Pros
- Durable and portable
- Covers up to 14,000 sq.ft
- Blazing-fast Wi-Fi extension
- Intelligent signal light to help you locate the best location
- Easy setup
Cons
- The repeater drops the 5GHz frequency and only connects to 2.4GHz
- Password for logging directly is insecure
Conclusion
The best Wi-Fi extender for basement offers you a fast and effective way of boosting the strength of your Wi-Fi signal.
If you love working from the basement, you need a strong and stable network. So you must choose a high-quality Wi-Fi extender.
This guide will help you choose the best Wi-Fi extender that will suit all your surfing needs in the basement.
