I've got my ISP's router set up in the living room, which has a strong signal. However, in my room, I can barely get any WiFi reception, even though it's a smaller apartment. I'm looking for the best solution to improve the signal. I was thinking about using a WiFi extender positioned halfway between the router and my room, but I'm unsure if any extender I buy will be compatible with my ISP's router. Is this a good plan, or is there a better and more affordable option?
3 Answers
Using a WiFi extender is an option, but it’s generally not the best one. They can increase latency and might not provide a stable connection, so I’d recommend it as a last resort. Here’s a quick ranking of solutions from best to worst:
1. Ethernet cabling (best performance)
2. MoCA adapters (if you have coaxial cable available)
3. Powerline adapters (depends on your electrical wiring)
4. Mesh WiFi systems (great coverage)
5. WiFi extenders (if there's no other option available)
A WiFi extender could be the simplest fix. Just make sure to get one that's compatible, and typically they work great with most ISP routers straight out of the box. If it doesn’t work when you receive it, you can always return it. But in most cases, you shouldn't need to worry about compatibility.
You could try moving your router to a more central location in the apartment. Sometimes just repositioning it can significantly improve signal strength in different areas.
If you only need it for a desktop, a WiFi extender could still work. But keep in mind that powerline adapters can sometimes perform worse than extenders if the wiring isn’t up to par.