Home Networking

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Is it time to replace my router or do I just need a wifi extender? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have a google nest that's roughly 4-5 years old. When I do a speed test on a wired connection I get about 980mb/s. Our duplex isn't huge it's about 900 sq ft including the basement but we do have an upstairs. The router is in the living room. When I do a speed test through wifi beside the router I get about 480mb/s. Upstairs it ranges from 100mb/s to 250mb/s. Is that normal? I'm not sure if I need to replace the router...add a wifi extender...or both.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Those speeds are perfectly normal for your setup and using WiFi

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Wifi extenders are trash.

If your wifi is already trash, you will only be extending trash.

Model of router will help to determine if it's also the issue as it might be the bottleneck depending on your actual netspeeds you pay for.

I'd still recommend disabling the routers wifi completely and hooking up a wireless access point that has wifi6 capabilities. Your device's might not be able to handle wifi6, but they will still achieve the wifi5 the aps can put out.

I personally use ubiquiti, but tplink works as well. Better signals, strength and stability all around.

That said, wired over wireless any day.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You might want to try an access point. You could use an old router if you have one. At any rate I would run a cable to it instead of relying on wifi.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

WiFi extenders are never the answer.