In a large flat, a duplex or a house with thick walls, one router rarely covers every room. Before upgrading your package, it is worth fixing the coverage, because a faster package will not help a room the Wi-Fi cannot reach.
Option 1: Range extender
An extender picks up your existing Wi-Fi and repeats it further away.
- Pros: cheap and easy to set up.
- Cons: it often halves the speed, and devices may stay connected to the weak signal instead of switching.
- Tip: place it halfway between the router and the dead zone, where the signal is still good, not inside the dead zone.
Option 2: Mesh Wi-Fi system
A mesh system uses two or three units that work together as one network with one name. Your phone moves between them automatically as you walk around.
- Pros: seamless coverage, one network name, easy app setup.
- Cons: costs more than an extender.
- Best for: duplexes, large flats and homes where family members live on different floors.
Option 3: Wired access point
Run an Ethernet cable from the router to a second router or access point on another floor. This gives the best speed because the link between the two is a cable, not radio.
- Pros: full speed and very stable.
- Cons: needs cable work.
Which should you choose?
- One weak room nearby: try moving the router first, then consider an extender.
- Several weak rooms or multiple floors: choose mesh.
- You can run a cable: a wired access point gives the best result.
We can help
SF Networking can advise on the right equipment for your home and help set up a second access point. Call +8801994232222 or email info@sfnetworking.net.