What Are Repeaters and Why Are They Useful?
A repeater is a network device that receives a wireless signal, amplifies it, and retransmits it to extend the range and strength of the original signal. There are several types of wireless repeaters designed for different purposes:
WiFi Repeaters
A WiFi repeater, also known as a wireless range extender, takes an existing WiFi signal from a wireless router and rebroadcasts it to create a second network. This effectively increases the coverage area of the WiFi network so you can access it from farther away. Reasons you may need a WiFi repeater include:
- Eliminating WiFi dead zones in parts of your home or office
- Extending WiFi coverage outdoors to your yard or garden
- Boosting WiFi signals to reach a workshop, garage or other outbuilding
Cellular Repeaters
Cellular repeaters work similarly to WiFi repeaters, but for cellular signals. They capture weak cellular signals from nearby cell towers and retransmit stronger signals indoors to improve reception. Cellular repeaters help in locations where cellular reception is unreliable, such as:
- Basements, underground structures, or buildings with energy efficient windows
- Rural areas far from cell towers
- Vehicles, boats, and RVs made of metal or other signal-blocking materials
Ethernet Repeaters
An Ethernet repeater connects two Ethernet network segments together to allow Ethernet packets to flow between them. This extends the maximum cable length between network devices. Ethernet repeaters are useful when you need to:
- Connect devices between buildings beyond the 328 foot Ethernet cable length limit
- Expand the number of users supportable on one Ethernet network
Key Benefits of Repeaters
Some of the key benefits that make repeaters a useful networking tool include:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased range | Repeaters can expand networks up to several miles depending on conditions. |
| Enhanced performance | Signal amplification improves speed and reliability. |
| Broad compatibility | Repeaters work with all standard WiFi, cellular, and Ethernet devices. |
| Easy installation | Basic plug-and-play setup in most cases. |
| Cost-effective | Much cheaper than running new cabling or installing additional access points. |
By extending the usable range and enhancing the strength and quality of wireless and wired network signals, repeaters provide an affordable and convenient way to expand connectivity in homes, offices, and other environments.
Range Extenders Help Eliminate Dead Zones
Dead zones are areas where your WiFi signal is too weak or nonexistent. They commonly occur in homes and offices due to obstructions, distance from the router, or interference. Dead zones can be frustrating when you can't get online consistently throughout your entire space. Luckily, there's an affordable and easy solution - WiFi range extenders.
How Range Extenders Work
A WiFi range extender picks up your existing WiFi signal, amplifies it, and rebroadcasts it farther into areas with weak or no coverage. Models like the Netgear Nighthawk work with any wireless router and create a new extended network with the same SSID and password. Devices seamlessly switch between the router and extender as you move around, providing roaming access.
Typical Dead Zone Areas
Common places range extenders are used to fill WiFi dead zones include:
- Far corners of large homes
- Upper floors or basements separated from the router
- Backyards and outdoor living spaces
- Garages, workshops, and detached buildings
- Rooms with obstructions like thick walls or doorways
Benefits of Eliminating Dead Zones
Fixing dead zones provides the following benefits:
- Reliable WiFi access from anywhere on your property
- No more dropped video calls or lagging streaming in problem areas
- Faster downloads and smoother gaming with better signal strength
- Reduced congestion on the main network
- Easy expansion of your wireless coverage
Tips for Placement
For best results, place your range extender:
- Halfway between your router and the dead zone
- Away from devices that cause interference like cordless phones
- Within line of sight to your router if possible
- Higher up, avoiding floors and low elevations
- Near an electrical outlet to plug it in
Properly extending your WiFi network with a range extender is an easy and cost-effective way to eliminate frustrating dead zones in your home or office. With full wireless coverage, you can stay securely connected no matter where you need internet access.
Signal Boosters Improve Cellular Coverage
Weak cellular signals can result in dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and an inability to connect. Indoors, thick walls, metal roofing, and energy efficient windows often block signals from nearby cell towers. In rural locations, towers may be miles away. Signal boosters are devices that amplify weak cellular signals to provide stronger, more reliable coverage inside buildings and vehicles.
How Signal Boosters Work
A basic signal booster system consists of an outside antenna, a signal amplifier, and an inside antenna. The outside antenna collects cell tower signals and sends them to the amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and transmits them through the inside antenna. Common boosters can improve signals up to 32 times in an area of about 5,000 square feet.
Benefits of Improved Cellular Coverage
Better signal strength from a booster provides many advantages, including:
- Fewer dropped calls and lost connections
- Faster 4G LTE data speeds for browsing and streaming
- Increased cellular device battery life due to less strain
- Ability to use cellular in previously unusable areas
- Reliable connections for point-of-sale systems
Choosing the Right Booster
When selecting a signal booster, consider factors like:
- Carrier compatibility - Some only work for specific carriers
- Coverage area needed - Larger spaces require a more powerful booster
- Building construction materials - Thicker walls require higher gain
- Outside antenna type - Omnidirectional vs directional antenna
Providers like weBoost and SureCall offer signal boosters for home, office, and vehicle use. Their experts can recommend the appropriate equipment based on your situation.
Professional Installation
For best performance, a signal booster system should be:
- Professionally installed, not DIY
- Optimally placed and directed
- Using high-quality, compatible components
- Adjusted to avoid over-amplification interference
Proper setup ensures maximum signal improvement without disrupting cellular networks. Overall, investing in a signal booster is a simple and effective way to achieve reliable voice and data coverage in challenging indoor environments.
WiFi Extenders Increase Your Wireless Range
A WiFi extender, also known as a wireless repeater, expands your existing WiFi network coverage into hard-to-reach areas. WiFi range is limited due to distance, interference, and obstructions. An extender solves these problems by amplifying and rebroadcasting the wireless signal from your router.
How WiFi Extenders Work
WiFi extenders pick up the WiFi signal from your router, boost it, and transmit a new extended network. Devices can connect to this secondary network when beyond your router's range. Extender models like the TP-Link RE650 create a network with the same SSID and password for seamless roaming.
Benefits of Extended Range
Increasing your usable WiFi footprint provides several advantages:
- Access your wireless network from more locations
- Eliminate dead zones with poor or no signal
- Faster speeds by linking devices directly to the extender
- Support more wireless devices on the same network
- Use bandwidth-intensive apps like video streaming anywhere
Ideal Extender Placement
Proper extender positioning is key. The best locations are:
- Halfway between your router and the needed coverage area
- In a central area clear of obstructions and interference
- Elevated higher than ground level if possible
- Away from appliances and electronics that cause interference
Extender vs Mesh Network
Extenders provide a quick and affordable way to add coverage. Mesh systems like eero use multiple access points to blanket a property with WiFi. Mesh advantages include:
- More robust coverage with multiple units
- Self-configuring and self-optimizing
- Single network with seamless hand-off between nodes
Extenders are the simplest option for small expansions, while mesh systems work better for completely eliminating dead zones in larger or multi-floor homes. With the right placement, a wireless extender can be a cost-effective solution for boosting your WiFi reach farther than ever.
Ethernet Extenders Let You Connect Wired Devices Farther Away
Ethernet cables have a maximum usable length of about 100 meters or 328 feet. This can limit where wired devices like computers, printers, IP cameras, and network switches can be located. Ethernet extenders break through this boundary by enabling Ethernet connections across much farther distances.
How Ethernet Extenders Work
An Ethernet extender consists of two units. One connects to the main Ethernet network, the other to the remote device. In between, CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cable runs between the two units. Models like the Startech EPExt support distances up to 2km or 1.2 miles between extenders.
Key Benefits
Ethernet extenders provide the following advantages:
- Connect to networked devices in multiple buildings
- Monitor remote sensors, cameras, and other IoT gadgets
- Centralize printers, servers, and other wired equipment farther from the core network
- Avoid costly trenching of fiber optic cabling between structures
- Manage equipment in workshops, barns, garages beyond 100m
Considerations
Things to keep in mind when implementing Ethernet extenders:
- Gigabit data rates are not supported over extended distances
- Latency increases with extended cabling; performance degrades past 300m
- Use surge protectors and outdoor rated CAT6 cable for runs outside
- Avoid sources of EMI like power lines that could interfere with signals
Alternatives
If Ethernet extension distances are not far enough, other options include:
- Fiber optic lines for up to 5km runs
- Wireless point-to-point bridges
- MoCA adapters over coaxial cable
- Powerline Ethernet adapters through electrical lines
Overall, Ethernet extenders provide an easy and cost-effective method to connect and remotely manage wired devices well beyond the 328 foot limit imposed by standard Ethernet cabling.
Mesh Networks Use Multiple Access Points for Seamless Coverage
Traditional WiFi routers often have spotty, uneven coverage in homes. Obstacles like walls and floors degrade and block signals. Dead zones occur in hard-to-reach areas far from the router. Mesh WiFi systems take a different approach to provide whole home coverage.
Mesh Network Architecture
Mesh systems consist of multiple compact access points called nodes that work together to blanket an area with WiFi. For example, a 3-piece mesh like the Google WiFi system has 1 central router connected to your modem and 2 satellite nodes. Nodes are placed around your home and use advanced protocols to provide smooth roaming as you move around.
Advantages Over WiFi Routers
Mesh networks have advantages over a single router:
- Multiple nodes fill dead zones instead of a single central transmitter
- Easy expansion by adding more nodes
- Self-configuring and self-healing
- Single network name for seamless connection as you roam
Mesh vs WiFi Extenders
WiFi extenders also boost range, but have some drawbacks:
- Multiple networks created as you roam from extender to router
- Performance bottlenecks when connected to an extender
- Manual placement and configuration required
Mesh systems self-optimize, provide consistent speed, and work as a unified network.
Considerations
Factors to consider with mesh networks:
- Number of nodes needed for full coverage
- Ethernet backhaul improves performance vs wireless backhaul
- Easy management from smartphone apps
- Works with all WiFi devices - no compatibility issues
Overall, mesh WiFi systems leverage multiple access points to deliver seamless, reliable wireless coverage to every part of your home using self-configuring and self-healing technology.
How to use your Amazon Prime to buy Repeaters
Amazon Prime provides fast, free shipping on over 100 million products, so it's a convenient way to buy networking equipment like signal boosters and WiFi extenders. Here are some tips on using Prime to purchase repeaters for improving your wireless or cellular coverage.
Search for Repeaters
You can browse or search directly for "repeaters" using the Amazon search bar. You'll see results for various types like:
- WiFi range extenders
- Cell phone signal boosters
- Ethernet network extenders
- HDMI signal repeaters
Narrow your search by adding keywords for the specific type you need such as "WiFi extender" or "cell phone booster."
Check for Prime Eligibility
When viewing a repeater product, look for the Prime tag to confirm it qualifies for free shipping. Most major brands like TP-Link, weBoost and NETGEAR are Prime eligible. You can also filter search results by checking "Prime Eligible" to only see items that ship free.
Compare Options
Browse and compare different repeaters in your price range and with the required features and specifications. Key factors include:
- Supported area and range
- WiFi bands (2.4GHz vs 5GHz)
- Number of Ethernet ports
- Antenna design
- Supported cellular carriers if a signal booster
Read reviews from other customers and watch product videos to evaluate real-world performance.
Order with Prime Shipping
When ready to purchase, make sure you are logged into your Prime account for free next-day or two-day shipping. Some rural addresses may receive shipments slightly slower. Use Amazon's try-before-you-buy return policy in case the product doesn't sufficiently improve your wireless coverage.
With its massive selection, free quick shipping, and easy returns, Amazon Prime is a great way to conveniently purchase repeaters, boosters and extenders from top brands at competitive prices.
Amplify Your Signal Strength With Repeaters
If you're struggling with weak Wi-Fi signals, a repeater can help amplify your signal strength. Repeaters work by receiving your existing Wi-Fi signal, amplifying it, and then transmitting the boosted signal. They can effectively double the coverage area of your Wi-Fi network, reaching far corners of your home or office, different floors, or even extending coverage to your yard. To get the best results, place the repeater midway between the dead zone and your router, ensuring it is close enough to the router but not too far away. Repeaters can be used to eliminate dead zones in wireless networks, improve the performance of wireless devices, connect multiple wireless devices to a network, improve the reliability of wireless networks, and reduce interference in wireless networks. However, it's important to note that wireless repeaters are first-generation Wi-Fi signal extenders and may not be as reliable as other options such as powerline or MoCA networking kits.
