Expanding your home or office WiFi network to eliminate dead zones is a common challenge. Access points and extenders offer solutions, but which is right for your needs? This definitive guide examines everything you need to confidently choose.
Here‘s the Short Answer
Access points provide faster, more reliable connections by tapping directly into your wired network. But extenders are easier to install, more affordable, and can sufficiently boost WiFi coverage in small homes. Keep reading as we dive into the key differences and top products in each category.
What Are Access Points and How Do They Work?
Access points (APs) act as central transmitters to spread WiFi signals across large indoor spaces. They connect directly to your router via ethernet cable to create whole new wireless networks with fast, dedicated bandwidth.
Think of access points like miniature routers. Devices connect to the access point wirelessly as if it were the primary router. The AP then funnels this two-way data to and from the router through the fast, wired backhaul connection. This helps provide speed and performance that surpasses most extenders.
Access points must be wired to your primary router, but devices access the dedicated wireless network
Access points are used in schools, offices, hotels and other large buildings to provide robust WiFi access across all rooms and floors. Multiple access points can be wired throughout a location to create one huge, unified network.
Let‘s examine the key benefits:
Increased speed – No bandwidth sharing means faster speeds than your existing WiFi, especially for multiple devices
Expanded capacity – Modern APs like mesh systems can handle 50+ connected devices
Longer range – Cover a radius of 100 feet or more indoors when centrally positioned
Reliable connectivity – Direct wired link results in fewer drops compared to extenders
Flexible installation – Mount on walls or ceilings for optimal coverage
Of course with more hardware there is increased complexity. Here are the downsides of access points:
Higher cost – Prices start around $80, with pro installation extra
More difficult setup – Running ethernet cables through walls takes skill and labor
No existing network extension – APs create new networks instead of boosting your router‘s
Overlapping signals – Nearby APs can interfere if not properly configured
Now let‘s look at some top-rated wireless access points for home and business use. I‘ve highlighted some key specs like speed, range and number of possible connected devices:
| Product | Speed | Range | # Devices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link AC1750 | 1.7Gbps | 5,000 sq ft | 100+ | $140 |
| Netgear Nighthawk Pro | 3Gbps | 5,000 sq ft | 150+ | $250 |
| Google Nest Mesh | 2Gbps | 2,200 sq ft | 100+ | $269 |
| Ubiquiti UniFi Enterprise AP | 1.7Gbps | 2,500 sq ft | 250+ | $149 |
With top speeds over 3Gbps now available, access point technology keeps getting better. And mesh options like Google Nest blanket large spaces with uninterrupted signal through multiple access point nodes.
Optimizing Performance
No matter which access point you choose, proper placement is crucial for the fastest and most reliable signal. Here are three professional tips when installing your AP hardware:
Centralize it – Position the AP as close to the center of your needed WiFi range for max coverage to all corners
Avoid obstacles – Keep the devices away thick walls, metal objects, pipes and ductwork that can block/weaken wireless signals
Adjust antenna angles – Aim directional antennas at far corners or allows devices‘ signals to travel through walls for better bidirectional communication
Now let‘s examine the alternative…
What Are Extenders and How Do They Work?
Extenders (also called repeaters or boosters) grab existing WiFi signals from your router and rebroadcast them with higher power to expand your coverage area. They receive data from the router wirelessly and then amplify the signal to relay it onward to your devices.
Extenders wirelessly grab and boost router signals to devices beyond original range
Rather than creating new networks, most extenders use the same SSID network name as your main router connection. This allows seamless roaming from the existing network onto the extended network. Devices automatically jump between them as you move around your home or office.
WiFi extenders provide a quick and affordable way to fill WiFi dead zones in homes and apartments. But for larger and busier networks, access points tend to deliver faster speeds and support more devices simultaneously.
Let‘s break down the key upsides of buying an extender:
Easy installation – Just plug in and connect to your existing network
Lower cost – Prices start around $50-60 for decent models
Instant setup – Use right away, no additional wiring
Compact hardware – Small enough to place almost anywhere
Of course, using extended networks can also introduce some challenges:
Speed bottleneck – Cut maximum bandwidth roughly in half
Intermittent connections – Still relies on original weak signal
Limited capacity – Performance slows with 30+ devices
Suboptimal placement – Hard to find ideal middle spot between router and weak areas
You‘ll usually get the features you pay for with extenders. But many affordable models can meet basic needs for small spaces. Here are two top picks under $100:
| Product | Speed | Range | # Devices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link AC750 | 433Mbps 2.4GHz / 867Mbps 5GHz | 1,200 sq ft | 20 | $55 |
| Netgear EX3700 | 750Mbps | 1,000 sq ft | 15 | $40 |
With low prices but decent performance, WiFi extenders work well enough for improving smartphone connectivity and homework downloads. But fast streaming, gaming and video calls will suffer without stronger AP speeds.
Boosting Extender Reach
Extender range and connection stability depend heavily on location. Follow this advice placing yours:
Go halfway – Position it midway between your router and weak spot for the best signal bridge
Elevate it – Get it up high with clear line of site to the router for optimal data transfer
Do 1-to-1 links – Connect extenders directly to main router, not daisy-chained to another extender
Key Differences Summarized
To drive home when you should choose an access point vs. an extender, here‘s a head-to-head overview:
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Access points shine for capacity and speed. But if square footage matters most, extenders stretch your network the furthest for the lowest cost.
Real-World Performance Scenarios
How might APs and extenders compare when powering common smart home activities? Here are two examples:
4K Movie Stream – An access point provides plenty bandwidth for two TVs streaming Ultra HD video simultaneously. But on an extender network, multiple streams may buffer or downgrade to standard definition.
Online Gaming – Fast-twitch games require stable ping times under 30ms for competitive play. Variable pings on an extender can cause lag spikes, while an access point almost matches playing via ethernet.
Keep realistic performance expectations when choosing WiFi expansion gear. Extenders work perfectly for casual web browsing and even HD video. But high-demand applications expose the capabilities gap between boosters and business-class access points.
The Bottom Line
Access points deliver faster speeds, increased capacity and reliability. But for quickly and affordably filling smaller dead zones, WiFi extenders pack impressive convenience.
Now that you understand their key strengths, weaknesses and ideal usage scenarios, determining which option suits your home or office is straightforward. Just be sure to pick an extender or access point router that aligns with the actual devices, data volumes and coverage area you need.
And don‘t hesitate to contact me or check my recent posts for wireless networking advice or product recommendations. Connecting your smart home doesn‘t need to be intimidating – I‘m here to help!
