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WiFi dead spots are a common problem in British homes, and not just homes with large floorplans. Internal structures can often block the signal from the single, basic router supplied by your broadband provider. The best WiFi extenders can boost that signal considerably, enabling you to connect devices in every room and out into the garden.
There are number of ways to do this, from wired Powerline adapters to individual WiFi boosters and whole mesh systems. I’ve tried all of these over the 15 years that I’ve been working from home. It’s important that all my devices can be connected at the same time, whether that’s on the third floor of my house, or out in the garden office.
Even if you don’t work from home, most of us stream music or TV these days. Finding the best internet booster can make everything run much more smoothly. To help you out, below I’ve reviewed five of the the most popular below, including the popular TP-Link wifi extenders. Underneath that, you can find answers to frequently asked questions, starting with how they work. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best WiFi extenders and mesh systems, at a glance:
How much should you spend on a WiFi extender?
WiFi extenders can range from about £40 for a single booster, through to a multi-unit mesh system that might cost over £1,000. Brands like Google, Eero, TP-Link, and Netgear will all be familiar. As with all technology, finding the solution that’s going to work for your home and your budget is the important thing.
James Morton, senior buyer at Currys explains the difference: “The most basic WiFi extender would extend out to your garden but would often have the lowest ‘WiFi standard’ and may not be the right product to cater for the multiple internet devices in a standard household.”
“A £1,000 Mesh solution would deliver the very latest WiFi speeds through multiple ‘nodes’ placed around the home. This would restore reliable WiFi that’s able to handle the most demanding activities, all at the same time,” Morton continues.
If you have a lot of WiFi devices, spending a little more on a mesh system to provide seamless connectivity is a worthwhile investment.
