Josh Wienman | July 2, 2022

WiFi Booster vs Extender: What Are the Differences?

Has your spotty WiFi stopped you from turning in assignments or work on time? In today’s world, internet connection is the framework of everything you do, and you can’t afford to have bad WiFi.

But how can you improve your WiFi?

You may have heard of WiFi boosters and extenders to help strengthen your connection depending on what your reasons for slow internet are, of course. But there has been a long debate standing between a WiFi booster vs extender. But there has been a long debate standing between a WiFi booster vs extender.

Though both of these tools improve your connection significantly, they work in different ways. In this article, you’ll learn about the differences between the two and which one’s the right choice for your situation.

If you’re interested in learning about WiFi boosters and extenders, then keep reading!

What is a WiFi Booster?

A WiFi booster helps extend the range of your wireless signal. This eliminates “dead spots” in your home where the internet connection is close to null.

There are a few different types of WiFi boosters:

Wireless range extenders
MoCA adapters
Mesh WiFi
Wireless network extenders
Wireless repeaters

For larger homes, Mesh Wifi is a great solution to gain coverage throughout your home. Though it is a hefty investment, you get what you’re paying for.

What is a WiFi Extender?

WiFi extenders are a type of booster for small and mid-sized houses. An extender sits between your router and a dead spot in your home.

The WiFi extender will then receive a signal and extend its reach. But the extender will not strengthen your signal, it’ll only expand it.

The Key Differences

Many companies use the terms “WiFi extender” and “WiFi booster” as interchangeable terms. And as you’ve learned, an extender is a type of booster. So how do you know which one to buy?

Though it may seem confusing, noting the key differences will help you make your decision. If you have a weak signal, you should invest in WiFi boosters like wireless repeaters. Some of the best WiFi boosters even extend your range out to your yard.

If your WiFi is already strong, then getting an extender to help the dead spots in your house is a good choice.

As mentioned before, it’s important to improve your WiFi before it is too late. When you have important assignments due, you should be able to rely on your internet connection to get them done.

When the Covid-19 Pandemic hit, a study was done to show how the lack of high-speed internet affected students. The study found that 15% of U.S. households do not have high-speed internet.

Now that students are back in school, implementing WiFi on school buses has become a popular demand. You can read more about bus WiFi right here.