Looking to boost my wifi signal out on my patio. Anyone use one of those wifi extenders that you plug into an outlet? I have a weatherproofed sunroom adjacent to the patio where I could plug one in. Just wondering if they really work that well.
OT: WiFi extenders...
- Thread starter CF LION
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yes....I have one from Netgear sitting on my desk. Why? Damn thing quit working about once a week. I finally replaced it with a Mesh WiFi system from Amplifi. It wasn't cheap (Best Buy priced matched at ~ $280) but the performance is really good and it has lots of ancillary features. LIke, I can turn on or off Wifi service to any device in the house, then turn it right back on. (great for the 13 year old that refused to put down her device and do her homework). I can change priorities for streaming devices while lowering things like printers.
It works great, there has been a throughput improvement, and it was easy to set up (and looks much better than my old router).
It works great, there has been a throughput improvement, and it was easy to set up (and looks much better than my old router).
Search Amazon for NETGEAR N300 WiFi Range Extender (EX2700)
You obviously need an outlet that is located near the router to pick up a solid signal and close enough to the patio to provide a good signal through glass.(though an extension cord can help you place the repeater in a good spot.)
They do work in some situations, I'd give it about a 60% chance. A lot cheaper than a mesh system. If this doesn't work, and you have an old router, sometimes just getting a good quality AC router will solve any range problems.
Another possibility is a powerline repeater. That can work great if the outlet at the router is on the same wiring segment as the outlet where you put the repeater. Again, only way to really find out is to try it. But first I'd just try a wireless repeater.
These are sometimes not good enough for HD video or game but fine for music and web browsing.
You obviously need an outlet that is located near the router to pick up a solid signal and close enough to the patio to provide a good signal through glass.(though an extension cord can help you place the repeater in a good spot.)
They do work in some situations, I'd give it about a 60% chance. A lot cheaper than a mesh system. If this doesn't work, and you have an old router, sometimes just getting a good quality AC router will solve any range problems.
Another possibility is a powerline repeater. That can work great if the outlet at the router is on the same wiring segment as the outlet where you put the repeater. Again, only way to really find out is to try it. But first I'd just try a wireless repeater.
These are sometimes not good enough for HD video or game but fine for music and web browsing.
Speaking of which, when our WiFi keeps cutting in and out multiple times a day and the cable isn't affected, does this mean that it's simply time to get a new router?
I've been looking into Google WiFi. CNet.com rates it the highest of the mesh networks.
https://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/wifi-systems/
Not knowing much about this technology and reading some Amazon reviews, I'm wondering if there is really any downside. Some reviews said VPN's don't work on these (my friend has the eero mesh and says that's no issue for him). Others complain that you have to be always logged onto google (I imagine I'm probably doing that anyway by having a gmail account).
Anyone else have thoughts?
I am a big CNet fan and read that but it didn't include Amplifi Ubiquity. My research said the Amplifi Ubiquity was faster than Google (and they were the same price). Honestly, I liked the Amplifi's look (plug into an outlet behind a curtain) as opposed to the hockey puck thing you plug in and leave on a table. Here is another review, FYI. Many of these are bought and paid for by the company through some PR firm so use with a grain of salt.
Thanks. I'll keep looking, but need to do something soon. My old router just isn't cutting it anymore. Too many devices hooked up, so need something that can handle all of them.
In the review you linked, it mentions that google doesn't have USB ports. Is that necessary? My current router doesn't have any USP ports either. I'm not sure why I would need one.
Also, I don't have a huge house -- about 3,800 square feet counting the basement and garage. I do think that base router is pretty cool looking on the AmpliFi. I hate having to make decisions on stuff like this. Seems like I need to know right now what I might need someday in the future.
many people hook a device, like a remote hard drive, to the router via USB. you can then use it as a storage device (shareport). I know some people that have video cameras set up and store video data to a hard drive where both the video base station and a hard drive are connected to the router. you probably don't need it or it can be connected via wifi as opposed to direct USB.
who knows but it is worth a try....it worked for me and my Uverse connection. I got tired of AT&T's old and dated router and wanted to move into a mesh system. it has proven to be more reliable. I have a high-tech friend that put a device to cut the power and restore the power every night to his modem and router. In essence, he reboots it at night while he's sleeping. He insists it works better. I haven't done this but do unplug my system, about once a month, when it is slow. Not sure if it helps but I feel better about it.
I have about 4,000 sq ft over four floors (third floor office and a finished basement, plus a patio and screened in porch). Signal is great in all of those places. I have the router in a second floor bedroom with an extender in a front bedroom wall and a first floor wall in the living room.
It might be, but first - When you sign a device on to your wifi network, do you see your neighbors' networks also? It could be interference from their networks. Download the app "Wifi analyzer". It will show you all networks within range and what channel they are on. Then log in to your wifi settings and switch to a channel that they are not using. If that doesn't work, then maybe it is the router.
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The reason I ask is that I just revamped my home network and I can't believe the coverage I'm getting far outside the house with an Airport Extreme (while quantities last) coupled with an Airport Express.
Apple has exited the router business as of April 2018. Get 'em while they last because they are great machines, especially the Extreme.
Are you an "Apple Person" or one of those "Other People"?
The reason I ask is that I just revamped my home network and I can't believe the coverage I'm getting far outside the house with an Airport Extreme (while quantities last) coupled with an Airport Express. Apple has exited the router business as of April 2018. Get 'em while they last because they are great machines, especially the Extreme.
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Are you an "Apple Person" or one of those "Other People"?
Apple has exited the router business as of April 2018. Get 'em while they last because they are great machines, especially the Extreme.
I have an AirPort Extreme. I can stream music and surf the web on my patio but was thinking of putting a TV out there and not sure how well that would work without a little signal boost.
If you have an old router lying around you could try that first. All you have to do is change a few things in it (turn off dhcp, log into your current router) and voila.
Great suggestion about checking the channel. I will also say that sometimes reducing the security (WPA instead of WPA2) helps. For some reason certain routers and devices don't always communicate well, and lowering the security setting helps, and is at least a pretty good check of the system and how well it's communicating with devices. I also have a little $5 plug in timer that shuts it off in the middle of the night twice a week. Forces it to clear and reset it's ip addresses.
I just purchased an Airport Extreme as I was previously and woefully operating with just an Airport Express. The Extreme coverage was incredible by itself, but one I added the Express as a "network extender" at the other end of the house, the signal coverage is amazing.
I wonder what the neighbors are now thinking since I renamed my LAN as "FBI Surveillance Module 6aB9Qz"
Due to a confluence of events ... 1) Comcast was telling me that my own internet modem was out dated. 2) I wanted to get a mesh WiFi system for the house. 3) The Apple announcement of the termination of their router business gave me concern as to the LT viability of apple router .... and thinking I was taking the path of least resistance ... I changed out my Airport Extreme router to the Comcast modem/router with the xFi pods. Cannot get the Pods to work. Have tried it w/ and w/out the 800 number people helping. Any suggestions? I am using the App
Google WiFi system, totally changed web access at my home. Amazing system. The app is so great as well. Very dope. Highly recommended.
I have theee of these at home. They make a world of difference - highly recommended (although there are probably newer models than the N300 at this point).
If you're having trouble and you have a pre-AC router more than, say, 4 years old, it's usually worth replacing with dual band AC routers rated at 1200 megabits or higher.
Routers from Comcast, Verizon and other cable companies have mediocre range and speed -- plus renting them for $10-15 a month is outrageously expensive.
If you want to spend $400 on a mesh system, fine, but that is about $340 I would rather spend on the finer things in life.
My suggestions:
1) Asus AC-1900 dual-band router, a monster router, technology is 3 years old now but has all the power anybody could ever need. We have a small house, but still, I have this router in the corner of the basement and I get rock-solid 125 Mbps on the 2nd floor on the opposite side of the house (and we have heavy timber in the floors).
You can get the Asus for about $120 new -- but the bargain is to buy the T-Mobile branded version of this router (called the Cellspot), which you can get for about $50-$60. (It has some T-mobile firmware that is useful if you have T-mobile phones, but otherwise you just ignore those features)
2) ATP-Link Archer C7 or C9, $65-90. They've sold a billion of these for good reason. Solid, reliable, works for most people. Again they're 2-year-old models but they're all the router 99% of should ever need.
Routers from Comcast, Verizon and other cable companies have mediocre range and speed -- plus renting them for $10-15 a month is outrageously expensive.
If you want to spend $400 on a mesh system, fine, but that is about $340 I would rather spend on the finer things in life.
My suggestions:
1) Asus AC-1900 dual-band router, a monster router, technology is 3 years old now but has all the power anybody could ever need. We have a small house, but still, I have this router in the corner of the basement and I get rock-solid 125 Mbps on the 2nd floor on the opposite side of the house (and we have heavy timber in the floors).
You can get the Asus for about $120 new -- but the bargain is to buy the T-Mobile branded version of this router (called the Cellspot), which you can get for about $50-$60. (It has some T-mobile firmware that is useful if you have T-mobile phones, but otherwise you just ignore those features)
2) ATP-Link Archer C7 or C9, $65-90. They've sold a billion of these for good reason. Solid, reliable, works for most people. Again they're 2-year-old models but they're all the router 99% of should ever need.
I upgraded in December from a multi-extender network to a three node Linksys Velop system that has been stellar. I run an AT&T Microcell on it for our phones and it kept going offline when wired into an extender. It’s never once gone offline on the Velop. I like that Velop has three separate networks with a 5 GHz dedicated to technical traffic between the nodes freeing up the other two for normal browsing. I also recommend monitoring what channels you’re using (and your neighbors). I have a large Sonos system that needs a dedicated channel and Velop runs an optimizer to make sure its on the most available channels. My house isn’t huge - 4K on three levels - but the main level is 2K and I used to have trouble on the periphery. Remember if you’re using multiple extenders you’re going to sacrifice speed at each downstream connection. Velop can be pricey but I got it for $100 off on Amazon for I think $399. Zero regrets. Solid customer service (I’ve called one time and they resolved the issue over the phone). Great range...my yard is an acre and I get coverage nearly everywhere.
Good luck. I hope this helps.
Good luck. I hope this helps.
