If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. After testing some of the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market, my advice? If you still want to try one, I have a few options for you to consider.
Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. As the name suggests, Wi-Fi extenders pick up the Wi-Fi signal from your router and extend it. They use the same frequency band as your main router and repeat the signal.
They are designed to boost signal strength in the immediate area but will not increase speed. In fact, they will reduce it. Here's what I've come across in my testing:. Slower speeds: The theoretical maximum speed an extender can provide is 50 percent of the speed you get from your main router, because it connects to your router via Wi-Fi backhaul and broadcasts its own separate network for devices.
Realistically, the speed you get from an extender will always be lower than 50 percent, depending on various factors such as distance, interference, and obstacles. Latency increase: The drop in speed from the extender may be manageable if you have a fast enough network to begin with, but Wi-Fi extenders also increase latency.
If you are playing an online game or having a video call, this increased latency can be disastrous, potentially causing lag and glitches. This was a recurring problem in my tests. Congestion: Wi-Fi extenders can cause congestion and interfere with your main network, and there is no seamless hand-off for your devices as you move around the house, because they will decide when to switch between networks unless you switch manually. What appears to be a weaker signal from the main router may still be faster than a strong signal from the extender.
