How to Choose a Wi-Fi Signal Amplifier? Best Wi-Fi Repiters for an Apartment or at Home

In this article I will tell you how to choose a Wi-Fi signal amplifier for a private house or apartment, what are the options, and what to pay attention to when choosing these devices. Also consider the best models of repeaters for 2020 and 2021.

Wi-Fi signal booster, repeater, Wi-Fi repeater – these are the names of the device, which is designed to increase the range of an existing Wi-Fi network. Very often, this is the only option to increase the coverage of the Wi-Fi network in an apartment, private home, office, etc. When, for example, in another room the signal is very poor or absent at all. Repeater is a separate device, not a program for your phone or computer (as many people think). More about these devices can be read in the article: what is a Wi-Fi repeater (repeater) and how it works. The task of the amplifier is to receive the Wi-Fi network signal from the router and transmit it further. In fact, it retransmits the wireless network. It is installed in a room where there is a stable signal from the router.If you came to this page, then most likely Wi-Fi in your house catches not everywhere, you want to strengthen the signal, and only choose a repeater. In this case, I can advise you to try some solutions that may help you increase your wireless coverage without buying a booster. I have already written a separate article on this topic: how to boost Wi-Fi network signal. If that doesn’t work, you can’t do without an amplifier.

To begin with, I will answer some very popular questions:

• You can use another router as an amplifier. Most routers have a separate mode to work as an amplifier, or WDS wireless bridge mode. Our site has many instructions on how to set up routers from different manufacturers as a repeater. You can find them through the site search. Or ask in comments, I’ll give you a hint. But a separate device will be more compact and it will be easier to configure, as it is designed for this task.
• A seamless Wi-Fi network (with fast roaming) can be built only from a router and a repeater with Mesh technology support. Manufacturers are starting to actively produce lines of such devices. I think that in 2021 the choice of such devices will be much larger. We will come back to them in the article.
• One Wi-Fi network. When we configure the signal booster, in most cases it copies the wireless network settings (name, password) from the router. In this case, after setting up the devices see one network (in the settings of the repeater there is an option to change the network name to another). But in fact there are two Wi-Fi networks: from the router and from the amplifier. And the devices are always switching between the router and the amplifier when moving around the house, apartment, office.
• Will connection speeds go up or down? A delicate question, which is very difficult to answer. But I will try. Through the repeater the speed drops by about 50% compared to the speed through the router. But this is if we take measurements near the repeater, in the zone of stable signal from the router. If we make measurements in the room where without a repeater the signal is very bad (and the speed, accordingly, too), then with a repeater the speed will be higher. Because it amplifies the signal. The speed with a better signal through the repeater will be higher compared to a bad signal directly from the router.
• Quick and unnoticeable switching of devices between router and repeater. Here it’s very simple: fast and unnoticeable device switching happens only in a seamless Wi-Fi network, which can be created from a router + a Mesh-enabled repeater. If you use an ordinary repeater, then in most cases the devices do not switch very stably. For example, they hold the connection to the router to the last, even when the signal strength is low. When in this place the coverage from the repeater is more stable and the speed is higher.
• It is not necessary to buy an amplifier from the same manufacturer as the router. For example, TP-Link amplifiers work with ASUS routers without problems. The exception may be devices that support Wi-Fi Mesh technology.
• You can use several Wi-Fi amplifiers at the same time. Here is an article on this topic: how to connect several amplifiers to one router. But I wouldn’t recommend doing this (unless they are Wi-Fi Mesh enabled devices).

What to pay attention to when choosing a repeater?

There are several key points that you need to focus on when choosing a Wi-Fi signal booster. I will try to briefly, but as informative as possible to tell about each of them.

Supported range (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

Repeaters, like routers, come in single-band (operating only at 2.4 GHz) and dual-band (with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). On the box, or in the description for which it usually says “Dual Band”, “AC”. Amplifiers that support 5 GHz have support for the Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard. A dual-band repeater can connect to a router in two bands at once. At 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Or, for example, it can connect to the router only at 2.4 GHz, and distribute two Wi-Fi networks: at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

It makes sense to choose a dual-band Wi-Fi signal booster, even if you currently have a single-band router (works only at 2.4 GHz). Since you’ll be able to get a 5 GHz network at the output (in which, perhaps, the speed will be higher). Well, when you change the router to a dual-band router, you won’t have to change the repeater.

I recommend buying dual-band Wi-Fi signal repeaters. You can only get a single-band one if your budget for buying this device is severely limited.

Transmission speed

In the technical specifications of the amplifier indicate the maximum transmission speed for each band (Wi-Fi network standard). For example, at 2.4 GHz (802.11n) up to 300 Mbps, at 5 GHz (802.11ac) up to 867 Mbps. This is the maximum, theoretically possible speed. It’s not realistic. But the higher it is, the higher the bandwidth of the amplifier, and the higher the actual speed of the internet connection will be.

Availability and speed of LAN ports

The repeater can be equipped with Ethernet ports. Usually it is 1-2 ports. Most often it is one. There are models without Ethernet ports at all.

They are needed in two cases:

1. To connect devices to the repeater using a network cable. For example, you can connect to the Internet stationary computer, or TV, which does not have wi-fi. That is, the repeater distributes the Internet not only by wi-fi, but also by cable.
2. To work in access point mode. This is when the repeater is connected to the router with a network cable. The main advantage of such a connection – higher stability and speed (compared to a wireless connection). There must be support for the “Access Point” mode of operation. This mode is available on most devices.

As for the speed of LAN ports, on more budget versions the ports are not gigabit (up to 100 Mbps), and on more expensive models the ports are gigabit (up to 1000 Mbps).

Mesh Technology Support

If you thought dual-band repeaters were the newest and most modern, I’m going to disappoint you. The newest and most advanced ones are the ones that support Wi-Fi Mesh technology. With these, you can build a seamless Wi-Fi network that solves the main problem of signal boosters – switching devices between the router and the booster. All devices (except old ones that do not support fast roaming in Wi-Fi network) in such a network will switch very quickly (fast roaming) and without breaking the connection.

But you need Mesh support from all devices (router, amplifier, client). There are very few such devices on the market now. TP-Link has a line of devices (routers and amplifiers) called OneMesh. If you have a router that supports Wi-Fi Mesh technology, you simply buy a signal booster (in the case of Mesh, it should probably be from the same manufacturer as the router), set it up, and you get a seamless Wi-Fi network. One network throughout the entire house. Just like with a Wi-Fi Mesh system. In the article at the link above, I showed setting up such a network using the TP-Link RE300 amplifier and TP-Link Archer A7 v5 router as an example.

So far I haven’t seen such devices from other manufacturers. Keenetic and ASUS have something similar. But there you can combine several routers with this technology into one network. There are no separate Wi-Fi repeaters, as it seems. But this is at the time of writing this article. I think they will appear.

Antennas and their number

As for the number of antennas, there are usually two. Four antennas can be found only on expensive models, which usually have support for MU-MIMO technology. Otherwise, these four antennas are simply not needed there.

The network range does not depend on the number of antennas. It doesn’t even make much difference whether the antennas are internal or external. The range of the relayed Wi-Fi network will be approximately the same for all models. Moreover, there is no need to focus on the length of these antennas.

Support for access point mode

This is when the Wi-Fi signal booster can be connected to the router with a network cable and it will distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi while receiving it via cable. It is not recommended to use them instead of routers (connect the cable from the provider). And in most cases it is impossible to do it at all.

This scheme can be used when you have a network cable in another room, and when you connect the amplifier via Wi-Fi, it cuts the speed a lot. Over cable, the loss in speed will be insignificant.

Most modern amplifiers have support for access point mode.

Also:

• The ability to control via an app from your phone. This feature is not available on all devices. Usually the configuration and control is done through the web-interface (via a browser).
• If you, for example, choose a repeater on AliExpress, make sure that the seller offers a product with the right plug for you. There should be a type of socket “Europe (EU)”. Otherwise, you will only be able to connect it through an adapter.
• The presence of a WPS button (or similar) simplifies the process of setting up the device.
• Support for MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies can be found only on top models of Wi-Fi amplifiers. If you have an expensive and productive router, you need a fast network, and you can’t do without an amplifier, it is advisable to choose a model with support for these technologies.

Which Wi-Fi signal booster to choose?

There are so many of these devices on the market. I’m not talking about some Chinese repeaters, of which there are tons on AliExpress. Below I will show several models of repeaters from popular manufacturers that deserve your attention. This is solely my opinion. You do not have to choose only from these devices.

To find the best Wi-Fi signal repeater, it is necessary to thoroughly test absolutely all devices that are on the market. And this is practically impossible. Plus, everyone has different conditions, and the model that I have shows excellent results in terms of coverage and speed, you can work very poorly. And as a rule, the more expensive an amplifier is, the better, faster, more productive it is. It’s silly to compare a $15 device to a $50 device.

TP-Link RE305

A popular model of dual-band Wi-Fi signal repeater. I already did its review and wrote a setup instruction.

There is 1 Ethernet port (up to 100 Mbps). The wireless speed in the 5 GHz band is up to 867 Mbps. In 2.4 GHz up to 300 Mbps. Interesting appearance and external antennas that can be folded. There is a button for quick connection to the router.

Also there is support for OneMesh starting with the hardware version V3 and on firmware from the end of 2019. From the minuses: the price and a small network range in the 5 GHz band (but this is more a feature of this range).

You can also look at TP-Link RE205 – similar, but cheaper model.

Asus RP-N12

Inexpensive amplifier from ASUS with support for only one 2.4 GHz band. Speed up to 300 Mbps. LAN-port up to 100 Mbps.

On the downside: it cuts the speed about 2 times (like all similar devices), sometimes hangs up and has to be rebooted.

TP-Link AC750 RE200

A more affordable (compared to TP-Link RE305) model of TP-Link Wi-Fi signal repeater. There is support for both bands (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) and 802.11ac standard. There are so many reviews for this model in different online stores. You can read my instruction on how to set up this device.

Some special problems with it are not observed.

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Amplifier PRO

This is for fans of Xiaomi tech. Inexpensive amplifier with support for only one band (2.4 GHz). Two external Wi-Fi antennas. Stylish appearance.

There can be problems with setup. MiHome app, Xiaomi account, region issues, etc.

TP-Link TL-WA854RE

Another popular Wi-Fi amplifier model from TP-Link. This time already single-band (2.4 GHz, 802.11n). The model is new, but it has already gathered a lot of positive reviews.

Note that this model is not equipped with an Ethernet port.

TP-Link AC1200 RE300 (with Mesh support)

An excellent model with support for Mesh technology. When connected to a OneMesh router, it creates a seamless Wi-Fi network. Can work with conventional routers. Works on two bands.

There is no Ethernet port. The antennas are built into the body. There is a night mode that turns off the indicators at a preset time.

There are many good models from other manufacturers: Tenda, D-Link, Mercusys, Totolink, Zyxel, etc. The choice is very large. For any task and different budget.

Conclusions

• If there is an opportunity to do without a Wi-Fi signal amplifier (for example, move the router closer to the center of the apartment) – it is desirable to take advantage of this opportunity.
• When you can’t do without an amplifier – consider creating a seamless Wi-Fi network. Especially if you have a large private house, or a huge apartment. For this you need either a Wi-Fi Mesh system, or a router and a repeater (or two routers) with support for Mesh technology. Maybe you already have a very old router, and you will change it for a Mesh system, or you have a router that supports Mesh technology and you will buy a repeater, or another router with support for the same technology.
• If you don’t need seamless Wi-Fi, or such an expense doesn’t fit into your budget, then I would recommend choosing a regular but dual-band Wi-Fi signal booster. With it, you’ll have a better chance of achieving faster connection speeds.
• If a dual-band model is also out of your budget, go for a single-band model. There are plenty of them on the market now, so there are plenty to choose from. You can look for some models on AliExpress. Just type “wi-fi Repeater” in the search. But be prepared for frequent interruptions, a strong drop in speed and difficulties in the process of setting up.

Repeaters will evolve towards Wi-Fi Mesh technology and of course the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, as routers with support for this standard are already starting to appear on the market. Standard 802.11ac (wi-fi 5 GHz) will also be relevant for a long time. You can safely choose such repeaters in 2020 and 2021, both for private homes and apartments. But devices with support for a single 2.4 GHz band (802.11n standard) are likely to gradually leave the market.

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Ramón

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