Having a reliable WiFi signal can make life so much easier, whether you’re working from home or streaming movies on the couch. But sometimes your router just isn’t powerful enough to cover all of your needs. That’s where WiFi booster antennas come in.
These devices are designed to extend the range and power of your existing network, giving you better coverage throughout the house or office.
But do they really work? How do these antennas actually boost your signal? In this article, we will explore how wifi booster antennas work and review some of the best models currently available on the market. With our help, you’ll be able to choose an antenna that fits your budget and provides maximum performance for any type of wireless connection.
Best Overall: Bolton Technical Long Ranger Antenna
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⇣ Jump to ReviewFeatures To Look for In WiFi Booster Antennas
Frequencies
When it comes to WiFi technology, there are multiple frequencies that can be used to transmit information such as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.9 GHz, and 60 GHz. The two most popularly employed for WiFi communication though are the 2.4Ghz and the 5Ghz wavelength of 12 .5cm & 6 cm respectively.
Wavelengths & Range
As the frequency of a wave decreases, its wavelength increases. This increased wavelength allows WiFi antennas that use lower frequencies to penetrate through obstacles such as walls and floors with ease, leading to data transmission over greater distances.
The only downside is that this comes at the price of slower data speeds. Conversely, higher-frequency waves – although traveling much faster – are unable to stand up against physical blocks thereby reducing their range drastically.
Antenna Polarization
In wireless transmission, polarization describes the direction in which electromagnetic waves are oriented compared to the ground. Most often, linear polarization is utilized for WiFi communication – this method can be divided into vertical and horizontal variations. Circular and elliptical polarizations may also be used to propagate EM waves.
Antenna Gain
Gain is the representation of an antenna’s capability to direct electromagnetic waves in a specific direction. It is quantified using decibels (dB) above an isotropic antenna, which has 0 gain or 0 dBi and evenly distributes signal everywhere it goes.
An antenna with higher gain directs more power toward its target area than one without, making them ideal for better transmission capabilities outdoors.
Best WiFi Booster Antennas Reviewed In This Guide
Bolton Technical Long Ranger Antenna
The Bolton Technical Long Ranger Antenna is the perfect solution for those looking to extend their WiFi connectivity up to 20 miles away.
This powerful, weatherproof antenna offers up to 28 dB of gain and covers a wide range of radio frequency signals, such as 5G, WiFi, LTE, Cellular, and many more.
With improved N-Female connection ports for easy installation and single setting feedhorn with a 10-degree directional signal beam that ensures all-weather coverage, this is the ideal wifi booster antenna for your home or business.
Wireless Bridge Gigabit High-Gain Antenna
The CPE1200 Gigabit Wireless WIFI Bridge is a 5.8G long-range WIFI extender antenna with a digital tube display, perfect for point-to-point pairing without having to access its GUI. It supports 1000Mbps data transmission and wireless monitoring, so small business owners can maximize their ROI with their time and money.
This Outdoor wireless bridge uses low power consumption and high-performance design that complies with national standards, and supports dynamic MIMO power saving mode (DMPS)and automatic power-saving transmission (APST), as well as 24V POE power supply for easy deployment.
The integrated 16dBi directional antenna has the capability to automatically adjust its power levels to adapt to environment changes within a 3km range per side (barrier-free). Perfect for video surveillance applications thanks to its deep protocol optimization which ensures smooth even near distances.
Dual-Band Booster with High-Gain Antennas
The Dual-Band Booster with High-Gain Antennas is the ideal solution for eliminating WiFi dead zones in your home. This powerful device works with all wifi routers or ISPs and expands coverage to an impressive 10,000 square feet.
It also comes equipped with two high-gain antennas which will amplify the signal strength throughout your home. In addition, it has four-gigabit ethernet ports and a fast Ethernet port that allows you to connect four wired devices such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, and more for uninterrupted streaming media and quick data transfer.
Setup is easy too – just follow the Spot Finder technology guide to get the best placement in your house then use the Push Button Connect feature for simple setup without having to install a CD. Additionally, you can wirelessly stream music through its built-in audio jack.
Types Of WiFi Booster Antennas
Omnidirectional antennas
The Tenda RX9 Pro features omnidirectional antennas that broadcast at a 360-degree angle, providing the most expansive signal coverage possible.
When compared to directional antennas, omnidirectional antennas have a much more limited coverage range. However, the lightbulb of their signal can spread further and illuminate an entire room or area. Whether you want it for indoor use or outdoor use, you’ll find that omni antennas are definitely up to the task.
- Outdoor Omni Antennas: Outdoor Omni Antennas are the perfect way to enhance your WiFi signal while outdoors. For optimal performance, they should be connected directly to a router, access point, or outdoor access point. Utilizing this technology will guarantee improved coverage in no time.
- Ceiling Dome Antennas: Discover the power of ceiling dome antennas – simple to install on ceilings at home, in offices, or warehouses and easily connected via coaxial cable to your WiFi router for optimal signal strength.
- Rubber Duck Antennas or Dipole Antennas: Looking for the perfect antenna? Look no further than rubber duck or dipole antennas! These are commonly found on routers, access points, and WiFi USB adapters.
Directional antennas
Like a flashlight, directional antennas direct their energy in one direction. When you turn on the light from a flashlight, it shines brightly on whatever it is focused upon – and anything outside that beam of light won’t receive any illumination at all.
The same concept applies to directional antennas: they have a triangular radiation pattern that keeps their power concentrated in one area while leaving everything else dark.
- Yagi Antennas: Yagi Antennas are the most used directional antennas, and they generally have an arrow-like shape. To work efficiently, these antennas must be directed to wherever it is sending or receiving a signal. The typical radiation pattern of a Yagi antenna has 45 degrees as its angle.
- Mini Panel Antennas: Mini Panel Antennas are small and unobtrusive, yet capable of sending and receiving powerful radio waves to a specific user to boost your WiFi indoors, they can replace rubber duck antennas on various devices such as routers, access points, or USB adapters. For optimal performance, make sure the antenna is pointed toward the desired source of the signal – it has an impressive radiation pattern reaching up to 60 degrees.
- Panel Antennas: Panel Antennas are highly capable of transmitting or receiving signals over long distances. They can be connected to a router for data transmission, or to a USB WiFi adapter if you want a wider range in your reception capabilities. In comparison with mini panel antennas, these have superior directional coverage at 35 degrees radiation capacity – making them ideal if you want the most efficient signal transfer possible.
- Parabolic Grid Antenna: With an ultra-high gain and directional property, these antennas have a very slim beamwidth range of 3-20 degrees. This feature enables them to transmit and receive signals from miles away which makes them ideal for point-to-point WiFi networks. Not only that, but their resilient design ensures they can survive harsh weather conditions.
- CPE antennas: The “Customer Premise Equipment” antennas, otherwise known as CPEs, are available in both panel and parabolic styles. These specialized systems are designed to make point-to-point networks broadcast a wireless signal over long distances. We have two options: 12 miles and 6.5 miles coverage respectively.
Common Questions About WiFi Booster Antennas
How do wifi booster antennas work?
Using radio waves, wireless devices communicate data with one another seamlessly. Embracing the power of electromagnetic (EM) energy, these signals transmit packets of information through WiFi antennas which convert them into electrical signals and back again.
Wireless networking devices, such as wireless routers, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and hotspots are equipped with both receiving and transmitting antennas.
The former detects electromagnetic (EM) waves containing packets of information which it transforms into electrical signals for the device to decode; while the latter converts these electric signals into EM waves that broadcast them outwards in order to deliver their content.
What are the best wifi booster antennas to improve a home wifi signal?
Instead of cluttering up a room, many people choose to hide their routers behind furniture or in drawers, which can be detrimental to the wireless signal. To boost your home network’s performance and make use of technology in your decor aesthetic, move the router to a central location in your house.
Which wifi booster antenna is best for a building?
Office buildings are much larger than houses, so it can be difficult to ensure a reliable WiFi signal throughout the entire building. To maximize coverage, your router should ideally be placed in an optimal spot – if there are detachable antennas, you can switch them out for improved performance.
Which wifi booster antenna is best to Receive Long-Range WiFi?
Have you ever sought a stronger WiFi signal? If so, perhaps you’ve used a USB adapter. The issue is that the default antennas used are rubber duck antennas and they’re not always ideal for long-range signals. But don’t worry! You can easily replace them with mini panel antennas, regular panel antennas, or Yagi antennas to pick up signals from far away distances.
How do you install an outdoor wifi booster antenna?
- WiFi Antenna Alignment: To effectively spread a long-range network, an exact alignment of the antennas is essential. Take, for instance, two point-to-point networks with directional antennas on either building that must be facing each other correctly in order to connect. If they are lined up perfectly but one antenna was installed at a higher elevation than its opposite counterpart, it will not able to transmit successfully.
- WiFi Antenna Orientation: To ensure an optimal connection, point your antenna directly at the base station. Whether it is a directional or omnidirectional device, remember that this is where you will be drawing most of your wireless signal from.
Video TurnRaise 150Mbps 802.11n Long Range Booster Wifi Antenna Unboxing
Interested in wifi booster antennas? The video below will show you the unboxing of the TurnRaise 150Mbps 802.11n model.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, wifi booster antennas can be a great way to improve the range and speed of your internet connection. While it’s important to consider whether or not you will benefit from using them in your particular situation, they are generally effective at boosting signal strength and improving performance.
Do some research into how WiFi booster antennas work before investing in one so that you understand their capabilities and limitations. With the right setup and usage, these devices can help ensure that your wireless network is up-to-date with today’s standards for reliable connections.
