You’re reading this because your Wi-Fi is slow in at least one part of your home. You likely have just one router in a bad spot, not the center of your house. This means faraway rooms get weak signals, making it hard to stream, video chat, or do anything online.
You want a fix. Good news: there are many ways to improve your Wi-Fi, but the best choice depends on how much you want to spend.
How to extend Wi-Fi range
These are the six ways you can extend and boost Wi-Fi:
- Move your router: Try putting it in a different spot. This might help.
- Buy a new router: Get a better router for faster Wi-Fi.
- Buy a Wi-Fi kit: This is usually the best choice for most people.
- Buy a Wi-Fi booster: This can help in some areas.
- Buy a powerline kit: This is good for one room only.
- Try 2.4GHz: This is free but might not work well.
Now let’s look in more detail at each of those options.
1. Reposition your router
In the event that your router is addressed downstairs and you’ve got a weak connection upstairs, look at where your wireless router is located. Be sure that it’s not hidden behind the TV, inside of a closet or tucked beneath your desktop.
If possible, put it on a high surface in the room since wi-fi signals can easily travel through empty spaces. Also try to place it in the house’s central region if that’s doable. You may have to buy an extra-long cable.
Your router has parts that stick out called aerials. You can move them. The Wi-Fi comes out the sides of these parts. Pointing them up is usually best. This way, the signal goes up, not down into the floor or ceiling.
2. Upgrade to a better router
If the weak or slow Wi-Fi continues despite moving the router, consider upgrading it to a better one.
Wi-Fi has different speeds. From slowest to fastest:
- 802.11b
- 802.11g (Wi-Fi 3)
- 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
- 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
- 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E)
- 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7)
Newer Wi-Fi standards are generally better than older ones. They offer faster speeds, cover more ground, and can handle more devices at once. This is especially important now that we have so many Wi-Fi gadgets in our homes.
The newest Wi-Fi standards, like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, are even better, with features that improve coverage and reliability. But to enjoy these benefits, all your devices (phones, laptops, etc.) need to support them too. While you can buy a USB adapter for your computer, this isn’t an option for everything.
So, do you need the latest, most expensive router? Probably not. A Wi-Fi 6 router is a great choice for most people right now. But before you buy anything, check with your internet service provider (ISP).
They might be able to send you a newer router for free or at a reduced cost, especially if you’ve been a customer for a while. Just be aware that they might ask you to sign a new contract.
3. Get a Mesh Wi-Fi kit
A single router presents a problem because it limits their location. A second router in another room can also be a source of dead zones. The solution is mesh Wi-Fi, which is why we recommend that you go for this solution as opposed to buying a standalone router. A mesh network consists of two or more routers that work together to provide much wider Wi-Fi coverage than a single router can ever deliver.
By connecting one of the routers from a mesh Wi-Fi kit to a spare Ethernet port on your existing router, you will create a new Wi-Fi network which connects all your Wi-Fi devices. How to Extend Your Wifi Then place the other (and third if necessary) mesh device somewhere else in your house–usually on another floor or on the other side of the house altogether.
That way they all communicate with one another creating one big superfast and strong network reaching all corners of your garden should it be within reach. You may want to check our roundup of the best Mesh Routers where we compare different types of systems based on their price range.
But our current top choice TP-Link Deco P9 stands above others due to its great coverage and speed combined wi-fi Powerline standard support at an affordable price point.
4. Use Powerline adapters
To set up a powerline adapter, first, plug one of the adapters into a regular wall outlet that’s close to your router. Then, connect this adapter to your router using the Ethernet cable that came with it.
Next, take the second adapter (make sure it has Wi-Fi built-in) and plug it into a wall outlet in the room where you want better internet, like your loft, garage, or another outbuilding. As long as this building gets its electricity from the same main power supply as your router, it should work.
5. Buy a wireless booster
Think of them as little helpers that grab your Wi-Fi signal from your main router and share it with other areas of your home. So, if you’re struggling to get a strong Wi-Fi connection in your bedroom or backyard, an extender might be helpful.
While they’re not the best choice if you need super fast internet speeds, they’re definitely affordable and easy to set up. We’ve tested a bunch of them and can recommend some good options if you’re interested.
6. Use 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz Wi-Fi
2.4GHz Wi-Fi is slower but can reach farther. This means it’s better for covering a larger area, even if it’s not as fast. On the other hand, 5GHz Wi-Fi is faster but doesn’t travel as far.
Many routers combine both kinds of Wi-Fi into one network name for easy setup. However, this means you can’t choose which type of Wi-Fi to use.