PC Magazine - USA (2021-03)

10. REACH FARTHER WITH A RANGE
    EXTENDER OR MESH WI-FI SYSTEM
    Some newer routers may have better range than your
    old beater, but in many homes, you may still not get the
    range you need. If the network has to cover an area
    larger than the router is capable of transmitting to, or if
    there are lots of corners to go around and walls to
    penetrate, performance will inevitably take a hit.

If all of the above tips fail, it’s possible that your house
is just too big for a single router to send a good signal
everywhere. If you want to extend your signal beyond
what the router is capable, you’ll need a range extender
of some sort.

Typical range extenders receive a signal from your
router, then rebroadcast it to your devices, and vice-
versa. While they’re inexpensive, though, they’re often
not as effective as mesh Wi-Fi systems, which replace
your existing router entirely. Instead of merely
repeating a router’s signal, multiple units work together
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blanketing your house in a single Wi-Fi network that
reaches everywhere you need.

When setting up these mesh points, you should still use
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will be connected to your modem, and each of the other

It’s possible

that your

house is just

too big for a

single router to

send a good

signal

everywhere.

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