What Wi-Fi Extender Is Good for My nbn 50

HairyChickens on 24/05/2020 - 18:54

Hi, so the Wifi signal to the basement is really weak and I only get like 2 Mbps. I figured that a wifi extender would help resolve my problem but I am not sure whether buying a relatively cheap wifi extender would be the same as buying something that is more expensive.

I use NBN 50 and I'm pretty sure I am on 2.4Ghz

I was thinking of maybe buying these
https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-TL-WA850RE-300Mbps-Univers…
https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Wi-Fi-Extender-Supported-T…

Both say its a 300Mbps wifi extender so I was wondering if I should get these or something that is more expensive.

If you use a wifi extender yourself, do you mind telling me which one you use and whether it is good?

Thanks

Internet

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2020 - 19:00
    +4

    I’d forget about a WiFi Extender and get a mesh wifi system like the Orbi anyday. All a WiFi extender does is broaden an already weak and slow connection.

    • HairyChickens on 24/05/2020 - 19:20
      -1

      My wifi is pretty good at my house the lowest being like 30Mbps. I just need an extender to boost my basement.

      • jimbobaus on 25/05/2020 - 09:21
        +1

        and extender will half your speed for anything connected to it

  • CC123 on 24/05/2020 - 19:04

    Some things from this post might work - powerline Wifi-Extender might also be an option

  • oscargamer on 24/05/2020 - 19:28
    +3

    Can you run a Cat6 cable to the basement?

    • HairyChickens on 24/05/2020 - 19:43

      Yeah I was thinking of doing that if a wifi extender is not a good idea

      • oscargamer on 24/05/2020 - 20:13
        +1

        I just used an old $10 router of mine as an access point, to increase the wifi coverage in my place

  • melbourne guy on 24/05/2020 - 19:49
    +1

    If you don't want to fork out for a Mesh Router, perhaps try to move your current router closer to the basement if possible.

  • mskeggs on 24/05/2020 - 20:05
    +4

    I have sung the praises of the Tenda mesh routers before. Under $100 and extends bandwidth very well.
    I find it runs a bit slow if everyone is thumping it - 20mbps+ steam updates plus multiple video conferencing etc.
    but maybe that is the router.
    We routinely max out our 100mbps nbn link in consistent downloads. But there is a bit of a bottleneck with lots of separate high bandwidth connections.

    I tried a couple of cheap wi-fi extenders before the mesh, with poor results. They improved 2mbps to maybe 4mbps.
    With the mesh I can get 20mbps+ on my iPad where it was 4mbps before.

    With the kids due back at school, I don’t see any reason to pay $400+ for the higher performance mesh devices, as it copes fine with a couple of zoom calls at once.

    • HairyChickens on 24/05/2020 - 20:12

      I might consider a Tenda then. But I was thinking maybe I could buy a wifi extender and put it in a 30Mbps spot that's near the basement for it to extend the signal and produce like maybe 20 ish. Or are wifi extenders that crappy that it wont do that.

      • jason101 on 24/05/2020 - 20:19
        +5

        I don't want to jump on everyone elses bandwagon here, but I have a drawer full of wifi-extenders, in my experience (4 different types) they are all crappy. I bought the basic Tenda for under $100 with 3 "nodes" in addition it can run in parallel to your existing Wifi so you have the benefit of both networks (or all 3 if you also have 5ghz on your existing router). My life has never been better.

        • HairyChickens on 24/05/2020 - 22:43

          So now I seem pretty convinced to buy a Tenda but just out of curiosity they plug into your wifi router right (Obviously not all three).

  • docpol on 24/05/2020 - 21:45
    +3

    Happy with my Tenda Nova MW3 on NBN FTTC. Got it for $50 from here a few months ago: https://www.ozsale.com.au/shop/sale/Tenda-Wifi-Extender-Mesh…
    Now it says $32 but not available.

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