A repeater (signal repeater, amplifier or extender, Wi-Fi repeater) is a device that increases the range of a Wi-Fi network. The repeater receives a signal from the router and ‘extends’ it, transmitting it further to various gadgets — tablets, laptops, smartphones. Such repeaters are relevant for large houses and flats, as they provide a strong Wi-Fi signal in every room.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wi-Fi Repeater
Using a Wi-Fi repeater offers the following advantages:
- easy installation, allowing you to increase your coverage area without any hassle;
- improved wireless connection efficiency;
- minimal maintenance (except in cases where performance deteriorates);
- the coverage area can be expanded using different types of cables.
- they are not capable of connecting heterogeneous networks;
- they do not always distinguish between real Wi-Fi signals and extraneous noise;
- they do not reduce network traffic or congestion;
- there is a limit to the number of repeaters that can be used for a given network.
Why You Need a Wi-Fi Repeater for Business and Home
In flats, private houses or office premises, problems with the Wi-Fi signal may arise: for example, in some areas it weakens or is not received at all, although in others it is received well. This may be due to a complex layout or interference from concrete partitions, and sometimes simply due to distance from the router or insufficiently powerful main equipment.
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For example, your flat has several rooms, and you have placed the router in the hallway. The signal is good in the two nearest rooms, but there may be problems in the furthest room. To improve the signal in the remote area, you need to install a WiFi signal repeater. It will intercept signals and transmit them to the far corners of the flat, ensuring equally good connectivity everywhere. The same method can be used to increase coverage in a private house or cottage if, for example, you want to use the internet in the garden. Simply place the repeater in the desired location, and it will amplify the signal from the router and expand the Wi-Fi zone.
Since the repeater repeats the Wi-Fi router’s signal, the network settings do not change, regardless of which device you connect to (router or amplifier).
In most cases, a repeater is a separate device equipped with an antenna and a power supply. All well-known router manufacturers, including TP-Link, also offer repeaters to consumers. They can be purchased at specialised retail outlets, such as the Moon computer equipment online store. We offer a wide range of high-quality repeaters, and our direct cooperation with TP-Link allows us to set affordable prices.
Wi-Fi Router as a Repeater
Using a router as a repeater allows you to use it as an amplifier. This is only justified if the router is not being used for its intended purpose and is just lying around, and you don’t know where to put it.
It is not rational to purchase a router specifically for signal amplification, because a good amplifier is much cheaper and is guaranteed to perform its function.
It is worth noting that not all routers can be configured to Wi-Fi repeater mode. Some models simply do not have this option (for example, this applies to popular TP-Link routers). To find out if your device is capable of acting as a repeater, check its documentation.
If you are just choosing a router, we recommend reading the article ‘Wi-Fi routers: what you need to know to choose a router’.
Where Is the Best Place To Put a Wi-Fi Signal Repeater?
It is important not only to understand how to increase your Wi-Fi coverage area, but also where to install it in order to achieve a good signal. To do this, you need to identify an area with stable reception where the device will effectively retransmit the signal. If you place the repeater in an area with a weak signal, it will not distribute the internet well and the connection will be poor.
