We all know the struggle of outdoor Wi-Fi connections. It can be frustrating to invite a large group of guests outside to make s’ mores or participate in a book club meeting and have poor connectivity. Maybe you’re a parent trying to keep connected to work or social media outside while relaxing with your children who are playing in the pool.
Wi-Fi seems to be an elusive, complex, invisible necessity we all have to deal with setting up or extending at some point. We understand that the technical jargon and mixed-up terms can be confusing, which is why we break down the wireless routers, portable disc players, and another tech for you quickly and efficiently.
How wifi extender works
WiFi extenders work like stereo amplifiers used for driving hi-fi systems. They use electric power from a power supply to increase the strength of the original WiFi signal, transmitting the amplified signal in the air. To accomplish this feat of engineering, WiFi range extenders contain two WiFi antennas: one is used for signal capture and the other one for signal transmission.
A WiFi extender is often referred to as “booster”, “repeater”, or “WiFi extender”, but all these names mean the same thing. A device that captures a WiFi signal, amplifies it, and transmits it.
Most wireless range extenders plug into the standard electrical outlet. They can be then set up with the help of the WPS button or a dedicated smartphone app. WPS is a network security standard that allows WiFi-enabled devices to communicate without entering long passphrases.
With modern WiFi extenders, you get to enjoy the same robust encryption protocols as you get with your main WiFi router, so there’s no need to worry about your privacy. However, you should be prepared for some speed loss. Some of the best WiFi extenders on the market can rebroadcast WiFi signal with only a negligible speed loss, but most single-band extenders lose up to 50 percent of the original bandwidth.
If you’re searching for the best wireless extenders to get a better Wi-Fi connection outside, we’ve made a list of the best options out there, as well as their features and some general need-to-knows.
Best Outdoor Wi-Fi Extender 2020
1. NETGEAR Orbi Ultra-Performance Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
2. Wi-Fi Range Extender – 1200Mbps Wi-Fi Repeater
3. TP-LINK CPE210 2.4GHz
4. Simple Wi-Fi Ultra Long Range Wi-Fi Extender G2424
5. COMFAST N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender 300Mbps Wi-Fi Repeater
6. D-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender
7. Ubiquiti NanoStation locoM2
