Your WiFi Booster Buying Guide
A WiFi booster is a device that will help to extend the range of a wireless network, whether you want to use it on a home or an office network. This sort of product can be purchased new or second hand from a range of sellers on eBay. Once properly set up, you can often forget about them, so making sure you purchase the right product in the first place is advisable if you want a hassle free wireless network for years to come.
What WiFi protocols should my booster work with?Most WiFi booster products will work well with the majority of devices, but you may face issues with legacy WiFi protocols if some of your devices drivers have not been updated for a while. As such, you should choose a WiFi booster that has the capability of working with as many WiFi conventions as possible. Most products on the market will offer a specification that means they will function with a combination of protocols. The common ones to look out for are:
- IEEE 802.11
- 802.11ac
- 802.11n
- 802.11g
- 802.11a/b
A WiFi extender or repeater is no different from a WiFi booster. Although different manufacturers market their products with differing terms, they amount to the same thing. They all transceive – transmit and receive – data from their location within your current WiFi devices range, to a point further away which would otherwise be out of reach.
What limits the usefulness of a WiFi extender?A WiFi booster will only work if it is within range of your existing WiFi signal in the first place. Physical barriers, such as thick walls or furniture, mean that the functional range from the original source may be limited. That said, a good WiFi booster will usually create a larger area where WiFi signals can be received, and most average sized homes need just one to offer good coverage to the entire property.
How can you prevent unwanted access to your WiFi booster?Most WiFi extender products come with a simple setup procedure that allows users to protect access to their WiFi booster signal with a password. This means that you have to know the password to be able to access the network, even if you have a device that is within range of the extended area of signal.