How to choose a Wi-Fi router signal repeater – an overview of models by characteristics, brands and cost

The content of the article

• What is a WiFi signal booster?
• How does it work
• Types of WiFi signal amplifiers
• Amplifier wifi TP-Link
• Repeater Zyxel
• Asus
• Xiaomi
• Netgear
• D link
• Totolink
• Netis
• How to choose a WiFi signal booster

The scope of wireless information transfer technology is constantly expanding. At home and at work, you need WiFi for high-quality and confident operation of a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer with a WiFi adapter on the Internet. In a situation where due to the low power of the router or small antenna in the premises of the apartment or office remote from it, the reception of the Internet network is deteriorating, the WiFi signal amplifier will help. In another way, this device is called a repeater..

What is a WiFi signal booster?

To increase the operating area of ​​the router, it is necessary to pick up, amplify and transmit the signal emitted by it. This is the principle of operation of a WiFi signal amplifier. Most older routers operate at a 2.4 GHz transmission frequency. More modern routers use the 5 GHz channel. If the same devices still work in the coverage area of ​​your router, the signals emitted by them in each frequency channel reduce the speed of receiving information by all subscribers. WiFi signal repeater is capable of receiving at the same frequency and relaying it on both frequency channels.

How does it work

The wifi signal amplifier for the router is a device that plugs into a 220V outlet. The WiFi repeater, when the router is turned on, receives its signal, amplifies and transmits to its emitting antenna. The repeater does not increase the speed of the Internet, but increases the transmission range. The repeater has an indicator of the received signal strength. If it is lit in red, this indicates a low signal strength and you need to move the repeater closer to the router. In case of confident reception of a signal from the router, the indicator lights up in green or blue.

Types of WiFi signal amplifiers

The technical means of reception and transmission differ in their power and additional functions. According to this parameter, repeaters are divided into three main classes:

• Personal – to work on a wireless Internet network with a weak reception level, it is possible to use a compact amplifying repeater in the form of a usb device.
• Home repeaters are designed to work in wireless networks of 1-5 receivers, the radius of the coverage zone is not more than 10-20 m.
• Industrial or office repeaters are complete access points. These are modules with several antennas and are designed to provide a stable signal to 50 consumers, the Internet connection of computers, phones.

Signal amplifiers for routers are sold by computer stores in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. For Internet users there is the opportunity to order for promotions, sales, discounts and buy a WiFi signal amplifier in online stores. Delivery of all goods is carried out by courier services or cheaper – by mail.

Amplifier wifi TP-Link

One of the leaders among manufacturers of communication equipment is TM TP-Link. To solve the problems of dead zones and provide wireless and Internet in places where cabling is difficult, TP-Link offers a WiFi router signal amplifier:

• Name: TL-WA860RE;
• price: 1 750 rubles;
• Features: 300 Mbps speed, 2.4 GHz frequency, WEP, WPA, WPA2 protection, types
• WiFi 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g;
• pluses: two antennas increase the coverage area;
• cons: not marked.

Use of dual-band repeaters is able to reduce the interference (mutual overlap) of the router signals. In the TP-Link ТМ line there is a WiFi signal repeater, which on the 5GHz channel is capable of providing a data transfer rate of 867 Mb / s:

• name: RE305;
• price: 2 690 r.;
• characteristics: standard Wi-Fi 802.11a, in the 2.4 GHz band, the speed is 300 Mbit / s, in the 5 GHz channel – 867 Mbit / s;
• Pros: high speed data transfer;
• cons: expensive.

Repeater Zyxel

In the market for wireless devices, one of the leading positions is held by ZyXEL. In its product line, in addition to expensive models, cheaper products with good characteristics are presented:

• name: ZyXEL Keenetic Lite III;
• price: 1 927 r .;
• Features: 802.11n, MIMO, 300 Mbps, Router, 4xLAN Switch;
• Pros: Wi-Fi hotspot;
• cons: not marked.

TM ZyXEL offers a universal Internet center that is able to work in the modes of an access point, amplifier or router. The proposed model has a lot of additional features and is able to automatically determine the type of receiving devices, select a channel for working with them and amplify the WiFi signal:

• name: Internet center ZyXEL Keenetic Extra II;
• price: 3 590 r.;
• characteristics: a managed Ethernet switch, Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz – 300 Mbps, at 5 GHz – 867 Mbps, four antennas 5 dBm, support for IPTV and Smart-TV, protection of Yandex.DNS and SkyDNS;
• pluses: universal model;
• cons: high price.

Asus

One of the leading manufacturers of computer equipment, the Asus brand creates models of routers and repeaters in a price range that is affordable for most buyers. The proposed model will provide good reception and amplification of the WiFi signal in any room of an apartment or small office:

• name: Access Point with Asus RP-N12 repeater mode;
• price: 649 r.;
• characteristics: LAN speed 100 Mbps, WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, frequency range 2.4 GHz, 2 antennas;
• pluses: good price / quality ratio;
• Cons: 2.4 GHz band only.

A large office needs powerful amplifiers and antennas that can operate over long distances. ASUS TM has in its arsenal a model for large enterprises:

• name: Access Point Asus RP-AC68U;
• price: 4 390 r.;
• characteristics: access point, 5 LAN ports, speed 1000 Mbps, WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, frequency bands 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 4 antennas;
• pluses: design in the form of a black column;
• cons: not seen.

Xiaomi

Wi-Fi signal amplifier manufacturers advertise their products in different ways. TM Xiaomi simply indicates a gain parameter of 2 times. If your router worked for 20 meters, with this repeater the maximum range will be 40 meters:

• name: Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Amplifier 2;
• price: 649 r.;
• characteristics: double gain;
• pluses: does not require settings;
• cons: not marked.

TM Xiaomi offers many products in the economy class. A similar device is the repeater model below:

• Name: Xiaomi Wifi Amplifier Access Point;
• price: 289 r.;
• Features: WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, frequency range 2.4 GHz;
• pluses: low cost;
• cons: not marked.

Netgear

Communication equipment manufacturer Netgear pays great attention to the design of its products. Many computer users will be interested in the model:

• name: Netgear WAC120;
• price: 5 263 r.;
• characteristics: LAN speed 1000 Mbps, WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, frequency range 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 1 antenna;
• pluses: black stylish vertical design;
• cons: high price.

When purchasing computer equipment, many people like universal models. The proposed model from Netgear is both a repeater and an access point:

• name: EX6200;
• price: 3 917 r.;
• Features: 5 LAN ports, LAN1000 Mb / s, WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 2 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz, 2 antennas;
• pluses: a stylish black case with a red edging;
• cons: not marked.

D link

One of the best-selling router models on the market is D-Link routers. For those who use the equipment of this company, a repeater is well suited:

• name: DAP-1353;
• price: 3 335 r.;
• Features: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 3 removable dipole antennas, antenna power 13 dBM, 2.4 GHz;
• pluses: 3 antennas will provide more consumers with the Internet;
• cons: high price.

If you need to purchase an access point with an amplifier function, a multifunctional device is suitable. D-Link offers a repeater with a good increase in power:

• name: DAP-2360;
• price: 2 884 r.;
• Features: WiFi 802.11g, 802.11n, 2.4 GHz frequency range, 2 antennas;
• pluses: can work as an access point;
• cons: high cost.

Totolink

Totolink products are known for both cheaper and more expensive models. In the category of publicly available is a repeater – Wi-Fi extender:

• name: TOTOLINK EX300;
• price: 497 r.;
• specifications: speed 100 Mbps, WiFi: 802.11g, 802.11n, 2.4 GHz, transmitter power 20 dBM, 2 external antennas;
• pluses: high power;
• cons: not marked.

For professional use, Totolink launches four-antenna broadband routers. The proposed sample provides WiFi speeds of up to 1167 Mbps.

• Name: TOTOLINK A850R 1200M Wireless Router Repeater;
• price: 2 247 r .;
• Features: QoS, 4 LAN ports, speed 1200Mbps, 802.11ac, 802.11b, Wi-Fi 802.11g, Wi-Fi 802.11n, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 4 powerful antennas;
• Pros: high speed transmission;
• cons: not marked.

Netis

Netis equipment is used to create a highly efficient mobile office or entertainment network with a wide coverage of users. The model below increases the coverage area by 100 meters:

• name: Netis E1 +;
• price: 1 190 p.;
• Features: 1 port 10 / 100Base-TX, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n 2.4 GHz, 300 Mbps;
• pluses: good gain;
• cons: not marked.

Netis TM releases equipment using next-generation 802.11ac WiFi technology. The proposed sample operates in two frequency ranges with amplification of the signal level:

• name: Netis WF2780;
• price: 2 690 r.;
• characteristics: at 5 GHz, speed 900 Mbit / s, at a frequency of 2.4 GHz – 300 Mbit / s, transmitter power 100 dBm, 4 omnidirectional antennas;
• pluses: high power;
• cons: expensive.

How to choose a WiFi signal booster

Choosing repeaters when buying is based on your requirements for its power. Overpaying and buying a powerful transmitter that will give a signal outside your premises is not worth it. This will interfere with the work of other people and will cause other sources of signal to affect your channel. Therefore, choose a repeater by scope:

• For the apartment, models from the simplest to dual-band and dual-antenna options are suitable.
• For an office with a wide range of receivers used, it is worth choosing dual-band models with 4 antennas and a power of at least 60 dBm. It is advisable to choose equipment with the 802.11ac protocol for the possibility of new and promising applications.