The is a repeater/bridge device specifically designed for outdoor usage. To that end, it has a sturdy waterproof casing and comes with a waterproofing kit for the Ethernet jack. Its main point of interest (and the main reason for its relatively high price) is its “smart repeater” function: it has separate, high-gain antennae for receiving...
The is another dedicated wireless repeating device. It’s on the higher end of the spectrum, offering dual band support and dynamic LED indicators to help find the best location. It’s the higher-end wireless repeater on a line of three NETGEAR has – the others being the (see the review here) and the . Features: a/b/g/n...
The is Apple’s flagship multi-functional wireless device. It can be used as a router, wireless access point or wireless repeater. This is the newest model, with dual-band Wireless-N support as well as full backwards compatibility. Happily, this device is compatible with both PCs and Macs, featuring software for PCs to install and manage the device....
This is a list of the best-selling wireless repeater devices of 2011. The primary source is amazon.com’s list of bestsellers in this category. Each device (with one exception) has had its own review on this website, so for more detail on each entry please feel free to read the full review. Diamond Multimedia 300Mbps 802.11n...
The is a very standard, high-quality dedicated repeater device. It has all the compatibility and features a decent wireless repeater should have – full compatibility spectrum, extra ethernet ports, security standards support. A fascinating uncommon feature this device has are status LEDs that help determine optimal positioning. These LEDs give real-time link-rate information allowing to...
A wireless repeater is a device which extends the range of an existing wireless network. Instead of adding a new access point, a repeater is used to maintain the same wireless network name (SSID). The repeater simply regenerates the radio signals it receives from the main access point. In this way the wireless repeater acts as a relay between the router and distant wireless-enabled devices that the router would not otherwise be able to reach. All this is achieved wirelessly, with the repeater only needing a power source to function. Alternative names commonly used for a wireless repeater are wireless range extender, wireless range expander, network extender and network repeater.
Wireless repeaters are rarely found as the sole function of a wireless device. Usually the same device can be configured as a wireless access point, bridge or repeater (the ZyXEL WAP3205 is a great representative, able to function as an access point, wireless repeater or wireless bridge). However, some manufacturers do have devices that behave specifically as repeaters (their advantage usually being that they are extremely easy to set up). One great such dedicated repeater is the Linksys RE1000 Wireless-N Range Extender.
Do I need a Wireless Repeater?
A wireless repeater is useful if some of your devices in your home or office cannot access your existing wireless network due to low or no signal (in the home, for example, it is common for wireless connectivity to be low in the basement or patio). A wireless repeater placed somewhere in between the router and the area lacking coverage will seamlessly link any devices in the new area to the rest of the network.
What to look for in a Wireless Repeater
Some important features to consider when shopping for a wireless repeater are compatibility, range and ease of setup:
Compatibility: The next generation in high-speed wireless connection is Wireless-N, with the range and capacity to support increasingly bandwidth-heavy technologies and devices. While it is important to obtain devices with Wireless-N support, backwards compatibility is also important since many computers and devices are still not Wireless-N compatible. A wireless device with b/g/n compatibility is the wisest investment to avoid compatibility issues at present while being prepared for the shift to Wireless-N.
Range: It is important to obtain a device capable of extending the range of your wireless network to the areas that need it. Most current repeater-capable devices have high ranges with multiple antennae, however it is always good to look at product-specific reviews to get an idea of the range.
Setup: As mentioned, ease of setup tends to depend on the versatility of the equipment; a dedicated wireless repeater tends to be much more straightforward to setup than a multi-mode wireless device.
Some more technical data on wireless repeating and wireless technology in general can be found at http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki, the home of the DD-WRT third-party firmware used on several wireless routers.
The Hawking Hi-Gain Outdoor Wireless-300N Dual Radio Smart Repeater is a repeater/bridge device specifically designed for outdoor usage. To that end, it has a sturdy waterproof casing and comes with a waterproofing kit for the Ethernet jack. Its main point of interest (and the main reason for its relatively high price) is its “smart repeater” function: it has separate, high-gain antennae for receiving and for broadcasting. It has a quoted maximum range of 1000 feet.
While compatible with Wireless B/G/N, it unfortunately only supports the 2.4GHz band. It should definitely be a good choice for anyone needing to extend their signal outdoors (into the backyard, or another building, perhaps). Of course it could also be used indoors, however in that case a device designed for indoor use would most likely offer the same features for a lower price.
Features:
b/g/n support – no dual band
Heavy-duty, outdoor-ready design
LAN: 1 Ethernet port
1 antenna dedicated to receiving Wi-Fi signals and another for transmitting them
Pros:
High range (at the high end of the spectrum for repeaters)
Can be wall- or pole-mounted for convenience and durability
Easy three-step setup
Cons:
High price (in the $200 range) – see amazon.com. The less expensive Amped SR600EX might be a good alternative for an outdoor repeater.
Some customers report somewhat counter-intuitive setup procedures
The NETGEAR WN2500RP Universal Dual Band WiFi Range Extender is another dedicated wireless repeating device. It’s on the higher end of the spectrum, offering dual band support and dynamic LED indicators to help find the best location. It’s the higher-end wireless repeater on a line of three NETGEAR has – the others being the WN2000RPT (see the review here) and the WN3000RP.
Features:
a/b/g/n support – dual band
Status LEDs for ideal positioning
LAN: 4 Ethernet ports
On/Off Switch for energy conservation
Pros:
Easy to setup with a button that can be pressed to add new devices
Plenty of Ethernet ports
Dynamic signal status LEDs help find the best placement
Quite inexpensive for its features – best price at amazon
The Airport Extreme 802.11N (5TH GEN) is Apple’s flagship multi-functional wireless device. It can be used as a router, wireless access point or wireless repeater. This is the newest model, with dual-band Wireless-N support as well as full backwards compatibility. Happily, this device is compatible with both PCs and Macs, featuring software for PCs to install and manage the device. It has guest networking features that allow guests to have internet access but restricts them from other parts of the network. An often-asked question about this device is whether it can be setup as a repeater – it certainly can, you only need choose that mode during configuration. However, it will only work as a repeater if the main router is another Apple Airport device.
Features:
a/b/g/n support
Multiple modes: Wireless Router, Wireless Access Point and Wireless Repeater
Three Gigabit Ethernet connectors
USB port
Guest networking capabilities
Pros:
Very easy to configure – particularly for a Mac
Supports both Macs and PCs
Dual-band support
Cons:
Slightly more cumbersome than other devices to setup on Windows and more expensive – a PC-only household may be better off buying a different brand
This is a list of the best-selling wireless repeater devices of 2011. The primary source is amazon.com’s list of bestsellers in this category. Each device (with one exception) has had its own review on this website, so for more detail on each entry please feel free to read the full review.
The Diamond WR300N is a great cheap wireless repeater device, which also supports wireless access point and bridge modes. Its main downside is that it only has one ethernet port, which might mean you need to use it in tandem with an ethernet hub to fulfill your particular networking needs.
The unique feature the WR300N brings to this list is its compact size: it’s designed to plug directly into a power source, making it easier to keep things neat and tidy. Its compact size also makes it very travel-friendly, and you could use it to create you own wireless network in a hotel room that only offers wired network access, for example. Read full review »
The SR300 is the only item on this list that hasn’t been reviewed on wirelessrepeaterhq.com at the time of writing. However, it was mentioned on the review of the SR10000, which is its close relative. The only real difference between the two devices is that the SR300 has half the range of the SR1000: 5,000 sq ft vs 10,000 sq ft for the SR10000. For more information about the SR300 than that just look at the SR10000 review.
The second entry in this list by Amped, this extender is an upgrade to the SR300. It boasts a greater range (up to 10,000 sq ft), at an extra cost of about $40 USD. With 5 Ethernet ports, the SR10000 has the most ports out of the devices on this list. It has a great range, and all the standard features a basic Wireless-N repeater should have. It’s also a dedicated repeater device, made by a company with an entire series of such devices, designed specifically for high-quality range extension. Read full review »
The ZyXEL WAP3205 is a fairly standard multi-mode access point device. It is the cheapest device on this list, priced at around $50 USD. It’s a decent solution for a home network that needs to be extended a little into an upper floor or remote area of the house. With its many modes it can also easily be redeployed as a bridge or access point later on as your networking needs change, without needing to get a new device. Read full review »
The NETGEAR WN2000RPT is the third dedicated repeater device that made this list. It’s cheaper than the Amped SR150 by about $20 USD, and seems to have a somewhat shorter range. Its status indicator LEDs are a great feature: they help you identify the ideal positioning for the device by notifying you of connectivity quality between itself and other devices. It is also known to be very easy to setup and configure. Read full review »
The NETGEAR WN2000RPT Universal WiFi Range Extender is a very standard, high-quality dedicated repeater device. It has all the compatibility and features a decent wireless repeater should have – full compatibility spectrum, extra ethernet ports, security standards support. A fascinating uncommon feature this device has are status LEDs that help determine optimal positioning. These LEDs give real-time link-rate information allowing to set up the repeater in the best location possible for your devices.
Features:
b/g/n support
Status LEDs for ideal positioning
LAN: 4 Ethernet ports
On/Off Switch for energy conservation
Pros:
Easy setup with a simple push-button procedure for adding new devices
Plenty of Ethernet ports
Status LEDs help you find the ideal placement for the devices
Cons:
There are some reports of intermittent signal losses – a firmware update after setting up the device seems to help
The range is not as much as it could be, especially in the generally range-impaired 5GHz band
The Amped SR10000 is a high-powered wireless repeater with an extremely high maximum range (quoted at up to 10,000 sq ft). There is a whole series of repeaters by Amped: the SR150 (3,000 sq ft), the SR300 (5,000 sq ft), the SR10000 and finally the weatherproof-enclosed SR600EX with a wireless range of up to 1.5 miles(!). The most popular appears to be the SR10000. This device is ideal for extending the range of your existing network within a large house or office building, and should allow you to comfortably access the wireless network even from the backyard (possibly even an adjacent park!).
Features:
b/g/n support
Modes: Wireless Repeater (Range Extender), Wireless Access Point and Wireless Bridge Device
LAN: 5 10/100 MBps Ethernet connectors
Antennas: 2 external 5dBi antennas
Pros:
Easy configuration
Very portable and easy to deploy
Extremely high range
Cons:
Somewhat on the expensive side at USD $129.99 (best deal at amazon). Consider the cheaper SR150 (3,000 sq ft) or SR300 (5,000 sq ft) if the range is somewhat overkill for your needs.
The Diamond Multimedia WR300N is a highly popular multi-mode wireless device. While it appears to be marketed mainly as a repeater/extender-type device, it also has bridge and normal access point modes. Like the Linksys RE1000, it’s small and can be plugged into a wall socket directly, keeping it from crowding desk space. This also makes it a great travel device; in a hotel room with an ethernet port, for example, this device can quickly setup a wireless network for the whole room.
Features:
b/g/n support
Modes: Wireless Repeater (Range Extender), Wireless Access Point and Wireless Bridge Device
LAN: 1 10/100 MBps Ethernet connector
Pros:
Easy to setup and configure
Extremely portable and easy to deploy
Reasonable price (USD $59.99 list price, best price at amazon)
If you’re after a wireless networking tool with multiple capabilities, the TP-Link WL TL-WA901ND is a great choice. This will work magnificently for your wireless repeating needs, and if you end up needing it for something else in the future it’s pretty much guaranteed to be up for the task. Its most attractive feature is the set of three 4dBi antennas that connect to the router externally and give this device great signal strength and range. Also notable is its comparatively low price for its functionality.
Features:
b/g/n support
Modes: Access Point, Wireless Client, Multi-SSID, WDS Repeater, Universal Wireless Repeater and Bridge (point-to-point and point-to-multi-point)
LAN: 1 10/100 MBps Ethernet connector
Three 4dBi external omni-directional detachable antennas
Pros:
Easy to configure
Loads of functionality with many modes
Great signal strength with three antennas
Low price for a multi-mode device (list price of $54.67 – the best deal is at amazon)
The ZyXEL WAP3205 is a great multifunctional wireless networking tool, usable not only as a wireless bridge, but for pretty much any configuration you could require. Its main selling points are its multiple functionality (with plenty of bonus features) and low price. With the 300Mbps transfer rate the wireless connection should be seamless, minimizing video streaming jitters, gaming lag and dropped calls.
The is a good tool for wireless networking, with many functions. The Zyxel WAP3205 can be deployed in any mode you may need for your home or business networking layout – including wireless repeater mode. Its greatest advantage is its wide variety of functions – with a few bonus features – as well as its relatively low price. Troubled about whether it can keep up with streaming video and gaming? The 300Mbps this device offers should provide you with all the throughput you might require for your high-bandwidth online needs.
Features:
b/g/n support
Five modes: Access Point, Wireless Client, Wireless Bridge, WDS Repeater and Universal Repeater
Wireless Security: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2
LAN: Two 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ-45 connectors with auto MDI/MDIX support
Two 2dBi external removable antennas
Multiple SSIDs for separate access levels for normal users and guests
Pros:
Fairly low price (list price of $50.99, but the best deal is at ZyXEL WAP3205)
Plenty of functionality: Access Point, Wireless Client, Wireless Bridge, WDS Repeater and Universal Repeater modes
Somewhat difficult setup (less so if you use the user guide linked above) – a dedicated repeater like the Linksys RE1000 Wireless-N Range Extender might be easier to setup, if repeater mode is all you’ll conceivably need
Some might find that two Ethernet ports isn’t enough – you might need to buy an ethernet hub (don’t worry they’re fairly cheap – try the TRENDnet TE100-S5 5-Port Ethernet Switch
The Linksys RE1000 Wireless-N Range Extender is a great dedicated wireless repeater. It can also be used as a bridge to connect wired devices to a wireless network. Its most attractive feature is its easy, fast installation: you can set it up in just a few minutes using the wizard on the CD that comes with the product. This device is a good, inexpensive solution if all you need is to extend your wireless signal to low-coverage areas or link up wired devices to your WiFi.
Features:
b/g/n support
Extended range with two internal antennas
Fast Ethernet port to connect wired devices
Desktop placement or wall mounting
Quality of Service prioritization technology to prevent video streaming skips, avoid dropped calls and improve gaming performance
Pros:
Fast, easy installation with CD
Flexible deployment options – optimize location and position for best range
Cheaper solution than multi-functional device by the same manufacturer
Cons:
Its dedicated extender nature means you can’t use it for anything else if you end up reorganizing your network at a later date, unlike a multi-functional wireless tool (like the TP-Link WL TL-WA901ND)
A wireless repeater is a device which extends the range of an existing wireless network. Instead of adding a new access point, a repeater is used to maintain the same wireless network name (SSID). The repeater simply regenerates the radio signals it receives from the main access point. In this way the wireless repeater acts as a relay between the router and distant wireless-enabled devices that the router would not otherwise be able to reach. All this is achieved wirelessly, with the repeater only needing a power source to function. Alternative names commonly used for a wireless repeater are wireless range extender, wireless range expander, network extender and network repeater.
