# Which is better: repeater or extender?
If you have a wireless network at home or in your office, you may have encountered some issues with the signal strength or the coverage area. Sometimes, your Wi-Fi signal may not reach every corner of your space, or it may be too weak or unstable to provide a reliable connection. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to use the internet for work, study, or entertainment. Fortunately, there are some devices that can help you solve this problem, such as repeaters and extenders. But what are they, and which one is better for you? In this article, we will compare repeaters and extenders, and help you decide which one suits your needs.
## What is a repeater?
A repeater is a device that receives a wireless signal from your router or access point, and retransmits it with the same power and frequency. A repeater can extend the range of your wireless network by creating a new signal that covers a larger area. However, a repeater also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It does not increase the bandwidth or the speed of your network. A repeater simply repeats the same signal that it receives, without adding any extra capacity or performance. This means that if your original signal is slow or congested, your repeated signal will be the same.
- It may cause interference or latency to your network. A repeater uses the same channel or frequency as your original signal, which means that it may compete or conflict with other devices or networks that use the same channel or frequency. This may result in noise, distortion, or delay in your signal, which may affect the quality or the reliability of your connection.
- It may reduce the security or the privacy of your network. A repeater does not have any encryption or authentication features, which means that it does not protect or verify the signal that it receives or transmits. This may expose your network to unauthorized or malicious access or modification, which may compromise your data or your devices.
## What is an extender?
An extender is a device that connects to your router or access point via a cable, and creates a new wireless signal with a different power and frequency. An extender can increase the bandwidth and the speed of your network by creating a new network that has its own capacity and performance. However, an extender also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It requires a wired connection to your router or access point. An extender needs a cable, such as an Ethernet or a coaxial cable, to connect to your router or access point, and to receive the internet signal. This means that you need to have a cable outlet or a port near your router or access point, and near the location where you want to place your extender.
- It may create a separate network from your original network. An extender may use a different name or a password from your original network, which means that you may need to switch or log in to different networks when you move from one area to another. This may be inconvenient or confusing, especially if you have multiple devices or users in your space.
- It may be more expensive or complex than a repeater. An extender may have more features or functions than a repeater, such as dual-band, mesh, or smart technology, which may improve the quality or the compatibility of your network. However, these features or functions may also increase the cost or the difficulty of installing or configuring your extender.
## Which one is better for you?
The answer to this question depends on your specific needs and preferences. There is no definitive or universal answer, as different devices may have different advantages and disadvantages for different situations. However, here are some general guidelines that may help you make a decision:
- If you have a small or simple space, such as a studio apartment or a single room, you may not need a repeater or an extender at all. Your router or access point may be enough to provide a sufficient and stable signal for your space.
- If you have a large or complex space, such as a multi-story house or an office building, you may need a repeater or an extender to improve your signal strength or coverage area. You may choose a repeater if you want a simple and cheap solution, or an extender if you want a fast and reliable solution.
- If you have a moderate or variable space, such as a two-bedroom apartment or a small shop, you may need a repeater or an extender depending on your network usage or demand. You may choose a repeater if you have a low or occasional network usage or demand, such as browsing the web or checking emails, or an extender if you have a high or frequent network usage or demand, such as streaming videos or gaming online.
A repeater and an extender are both devices that can help you enhance your wireless network by extending the range or the coverage of your signal. However, they work differently, and have different pros and cons. A repeater receives and retransmits the same signal with the same power and frequency, while an extender connects and creates a new signal with a different power and frequency. A repeater is simple and cheap, but may cause interference or latency, or reduce security or privacy. An extender is fast and reliable, but may require a wired connection, or create a separate network, or be more expensive or complex. The best device for you depends on your specific needs and preferences, such as your space size or shape, your network usage or demand, or your budget or skill level.