wifi extender advice please

guzzbuzz · 5 July 2018 at 4:27PM

Hi i have done a search but there doesnt seem to be any recent threads on this.

I have poor wifi in the living rooms downstairs (the BT socket is upstairs). The furthest smart TV and SKY box would be around 20-25 metres away from the router)

Can anybody recommend a cheap wifi repeater that they know works please?

I have had a search on amazon and this one gets pretty good reviews:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00NIUHAG6/ref=psdc_430578031_r0_B00NIUHAG6?_encoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

or there is this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aivake-Extender-Universal-Broadband-Repeater/dp/B078Z7RQ56/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1530804459&sr=1-2&keywords=wifi+extender+booster

but do you think it will do the job?

Browntoa · 5 July 2018 at 4:28PM

Look at power line adapters , they use the ring main

DoaM · 5 July 2018 at 4:35PM

Or (if possible) look at running a CAT5e cable down the stairs and placing a WiFi access point at the end of it.

Chrishazle · 5 July 2018 at 4:36PM

+1 for powerline adapters - I changed to them from wireless (for our 2 PC's) about 18 months ago when I got BTTV, works well. I have the "pass through" type so the PLA is also a power point, plus my PLA's also have 2 ethernet points on each, handy for 2 PC's close together, or TV and Youview or similar box. I believe you can also get PLA's that are also wireless extenders, but have no experience of them.

Have a look on eBay - I picked up 2 as new BT 1GB PLA's for £25 delivered, Ebuyer also have good deals on them.

onomatopoeia99 · 5 July 2018 at 5:06PM

+1000 for running proper cable and forgetting wifi. The sky box has an ethernet connection on the back, at least mine does, as do all of my smart TVs.

esuhl · 5 July 2018 at 8:48PM

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

+1000 for running proper cable and forgetting wifi. The sky box has an ethernet connection on the back, at least mine does, as do all of my smart TVs.

^^ Definitely the best option... if it's feasible. The next best would be:

DoaM wrote: »

...running a CAT5e cable down the stairs and placing a WiFi access point at the end of it.

That way you have better wifi coverage with no extra latency. Failing that:

Browntoa wrote: »

Look at power line adapters , they use the ring main

If you can't use powerline adapters, then I'd look at wi-fi repeaters.

Carrot007 · 5 July 2018 at 8:53PM

esuhl wrote: »

^^ Definitely the best option... if it's feasible. The next best would be:

That way you have better wifi coverage with no extra latency. Failing that:

If you can't use powerline adapters, then I'd look at wi-fi repeaters.

Nearly right ;-)

1. Wired.
2. Powerline/Wired.
3. Wired/Wifi.
4. Powerline/Wifi.
4. Wifi.

Wifi is a thing to use for phones and tablets, not for anything you don't have to.

guzzbuzz · 6 July 2018 at 9:55AM

Thanks everyone

I should have probably mentioned ive already gone down the powerline adapter route (sorry) its had mixed results. It worked for one living room but even then the speeds werent very good. Not sure if its poor wiring or just bad powerline adapters (i got the free from BT after i complained)

Running the cable is something ive considered but id have to go outside of the house and all the way round to the back and it just seems like alot of hassle. Going inside the house is not an option.

Plus all of that would sort out the TV's and sky boxes but it wouldnt sort out the phones, tablets and laptop. They need Wifi and the living room at the back of the house is the biggest problem.

grumpycrab · 6 July 2018 at 10:04AM

guzzbuzz wrote: »

The furthest smart TV and SKY box would be around 20-25 metres away from the router)

If you mean metres (assume there are walls too) forget repeaters/boosters.

e.g. https://www.reviewsfire.com/tech/best-powerline-adapters-2018/
If you don't need the latest spec you can get much cheaper (but check ethernet AND wifi are supported if you need both.)

takman · 6 July 2018 at 11:45AM

guzzbuzz wrote: »

Thanks everyone

I should have probably mentioned ive already gone down the powerline adapter route (sorry) its had mixed results. It worked for one living room but even then the speeds werent very good. Not sure if its poor wiring or just bad powerline adapters (i got the free from BT after i complained)

Running the cable is something ive considered but id have to go outside of the house and all the way round to the back and it just seems like alot of hassle. Going inside the house is not an option.

Plus all of that would sort out the TV's and sky boxes but it wouldnt sort out the phones, tablets and laptop. They need Wifi and the living room at the back of the house is the biggest problem.

The best option for speed and reliability is to run an Ethernet cable to the living room to connect up the Smart TV and have a network switch to also connect a Wi-Fi access point for wireless devices.
Even if it's a bit of a hassle it will be worth it if you want the best speeds, important if you want it to be future proof.

Powerline Adaptors are often a popular option because they are easy to install but they are slow compared to Ethernet; they don't get anywhere near the advertised speed in a normal house. They are also more likely to have connection problems.
They can also be expensive for good ones compared to the price of a decent cable and network switch.

armchaireconomist · 6 July 2018 at 12:45PM

Unless you've just had a re-wire avoid the powerline adapters. By far the best solution is to run ethernet cables to the devices directly or to a new hub. Personally i would go with a wireless extended, they're cheap, easy, quick enough in most instances and are usually 1-click connection and often have ethernet ports built in.

wifi extender advice please

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