Table of Contents
Introduction
Having a bad internet connection can be extremely annoying these days. We can do almost anything online, the true limit is how fast our internet connection can be. Most of the time, one Wi-Fi modem is used to connect the entire house. But sadly, sometimes it isn’t enough, especially if you want to have a good connection in the garage. You might be able to solve the problem by changing the place of the modem, but only if your garage is not too big or detached from the house. This is why more and more people are investing in Garage Wi-Fi Extenders.
Product | NETGEAR | TP-Link | Linksys |
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Description | The NETGEAR garage Wi-Fi extender is easily one of the most affordable models on the market and it does its job flawlessly. It doesn’t come with any fancy features but it has a great range and can be used by anyone.(Check price at Amazon) | The TP-Link garage Wi-Fi extender is a bit more expensive but this is because it has a few extra features. When it comes to its performance, it’s almost as good as our first pick and it works on various routers.(Check price at Amazon) | The Linksys garage Wi-Fi extender is quite good as well but it has a questionable price tag. Its performance is good but the range could have been better. Overall it’s a good product and great for extending your Wi-Fi to your garage.(Check price at Amazon) |
A Wi-Fi extender is a device that can help you do exactly what its name suggests, AKA to extend the range of the Wi-Fi signal. This can be extremely helpful if you have a specific area of your home that requires a Wi-Fi connection but you don’t want to move the modem and deprive another area of internet. All you have to do is connect it and enjoy a wider range without spending a lot of money on a whole Wi-Fi system that can connect the entire home. They’re quite pricey while an extender costs around $30.
But you need to keep in mind that these devices are only meant for small areas or very short-time usages. If you only need to extend the Wi-Fi range a little bit so it can connect to the smart garage gadgets, a simple garage Wi-Fi extender is all you need. But for huge houses that need continuous top-quality connection, it’s recommended to use a mesh router system that uses various units around your home.
A good mesh router system can cost up to $500-$600, making extenders a lot more affordable.
Best Garage Wi-Fi Extender – How to Choose
Quality is extremely important no matter what you want to buy, especially if you plan on using it for a long time. A high-quality garage Wi-Fi extender will ensure a secure connection and will have a bigger range. This will help all the smart gadgets in your garage connect to the internet and allow you to use them with the help of a phone or house system. The most expensive extender you can find is around $140. So you don’t have to worry about spending too much on these helpful gadgets.
When you’re choosing your next Wi-Fi extender, you need to take into consideration what is blocking the signal to your dead zone. This includes the thick walls, large appliances, etc. If there are a lot of obstacles, you will need a reliable model that can help the signal push through these obstacles and make it to the garage. But whatever model you choose, you need to keep in mind that the speed will not be nearly as fast as near the router. Typically, the speed cuts in two.
This means that Wi-Fi extenders are ideal for garage gadgets but not great if you want to watch a movie in that area.
In this article, we’ll talk about Best Garage Wi-Fi Extender – Our Top 3.
Best Garage Wi-Fi Extender – Comparison Table
Product Name | NETGEAR | TP-Link | Linksys |
Image | | | |
Easy to Install | Yes | Yes | So-So |
Ethernet Port | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Versatile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
High-End Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Spot Finder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Access Point Mode Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Range | 1000 sq. ft. | 2000 sq. ft. | 1000 sq. ft. |
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1 NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender
Description
The NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender is capable of covering up to 1000 square feet and helps get rid of various dead zones. It’s best used as a garage Wi-Fi range extender and it can be placed between the router and the garage. The ideal distance is halfway between them. The big advantage of this model is its great range as it can also be used on detached garages. This will help you use your smart garage opener, smart EV charger, smart lights, and other smart garage gadgets with the help of an app or home system.
Thanks to the universal design, this Wi-Fi extender is specifically made to fit as many modems as possible. This will help you cut down on the searching time considerably. You can use it on any wireless routers, gateway, and cable modems with Wi-Fi. And another great advantage is that it can be easily installed by anyone. You don’t have to ask a professional as the included instructions are very easy-to-read and the device is very simple.
However, you should also keep in mind that there are some routers that are not compatible with this model. This includes routers or gateways that have an altered firmware, that is based on an open-source, or that is outdated or non-standard.
Buy on Amazon!Features
The NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender is capable of helping the Wi-Fi signal dodge various obstacles in the house and make it to the dead spot. You need to take into consideration all the smart gadgets you have in your home. This includes the lights, thermostat, lamps, TV, vacuum cleaner, etc. You will be able to connect up to 15 devices with this device, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, speakers, IP cameras, IoT devices, and a lot more.
Thanks to the dual-band and patented FastLane technology, this product will be able to provide up to 750Mbps performance. You can plug in game consoles, streaming players, or any other nearby wired device with the help of the 10/100M port. And when you want to set it up, all you need to do is press the WPS button and allow it to connect to your router. And if you use the NETGEAR Wi-Fi Analyzer app to find the best location for the device. The entire installation process typically lasts less than 5 minutes.
With the capability to support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 wireless security protocols, you won’t have to worry about strangers getting into your system. The device uses external antennas to work a lot better. It also has a convenient connection for 1 wired device that’s nearby. It has a very slick design that keeps the device from being immediately spotted.
This device needs to be plugged into a wall outlet that is placed somewhere halfway between the modem and the dead zone. You won’t have to bother with lots of cables or other annoying things. This device is extremely simple and can be used with various other smart devices. This includes the home system, smart freezer, or smart kitchen appliances.
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Wired Ethernet Port
- Extremely Low Price
- Universal Compatibility
- Connects up to 15 Devices
- Provides up to 750Mbps Performance
- Adds Wi-Fi Range Coverage Up To 1000 Sq. Ft.
- Uses Dual Band and Patented FastLane Technology
Cons
- This Wi-Fi extender is only designed for emergency situations or very small dead zones. If you plan on using it for a very long time for your garage, it might not perform as well as you’d like it to.
2 TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender
Description
The TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender is another excellent model that can help you enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity anywhere in your home. While it has a higher price tag than our first pick, its performance doesn’t disappoint. You can use it to extend the range of your Wi-Fi signal from one place of your home to another. This makes it especially good for garage applications.
Garages are built with only one thought in mind, and that’s to protect your vehicle. It’s also ideal for many families for the garage to be detached so it wouldn’t make any noise when someone comes home in the middle of the night. But in the last years, smart technology managed to take over our garages as well.
This means that we need our router to be able to extend its signal all the way to the garage, which sometimes is an impossible thing to do. This is where this Wi-Fi extender comes in handy as it’s specifically made to avoid all the obstacles and get rid of dead zones. It has three very powerful antennas that can deliver dual-band Wi-Fi across your home very fast. It’s also quite easy to use by anyone.
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Features
The TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender features the ability to extend the Wi-Fi coverage up to 2000 square feet. More than that, it can connect up to 32 devices, including tablets, laptops, and phones. It’s compatible with various routers, access points, and gateways. Its job is to allow you to enjoy a lag-free connection.
You will also be able to connect wired devices as it has a Gigabit Ethernet Port as well. This gives you the possibility to connect all of your smart garage gadgets and ensure that they work without any delay. This includes smart garage door openers, EV chargers, air filters, heaters, etc.
Thanks to its versatility, you can use it to expand the coverage of your phone regardless if it’s Android or iPhone. It will allow you to stream without lag, play games, or use Alexa and different home gadgets through any other home system.
The operating temperature is between 32F and 86F, so make sure the room you’re keeping it in is never getting colder or hotter than this. Otherwise, the device will break down pretty quickly.
It should also only be used for temporary usage or emergencies as full mesh route systems are recommended for permanent Wi-Fi extension. You can keep using this device but it won’t provide the same signal you get when you sit next to a router, a whole system does.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that the only job of this device is to extend the Wi-Fi range, not improve the speed. Your speed might be affected throughout the entire house when you’re using it. This is why it should only be used in areas that don’t need an excellent connection to work normally.
Pros
- Very Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Versatile Applications
- Has a Gigabit Ethernet Port
- High-Quality and Performance
- Great at Eliminating Wi-Fi Dead Zones
- Operating Temperature Between 32F and 86F
- Boosts Internet Wi-Fi Range up to 2000 Square Feet
Cons
- There’s a big chance that the overall speed will decrease when you’re using this signal extender. It can go lower than half in the previously dead zone, and between 10% to 20% in the rest of the house.
3 Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender
Description
The Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender is the last one on our list but it’s just as good as the previous two. Its higher price tag also makes it worth every single dime. It allows you to extend the Wi-Fi range from your home to your garage, regardless if it’s attached or detached. And if you don’t need the best Wi-Fi quality, you can connect a wide range of devices to it. This includes all of your garage smart applications, laptops, phones, tablets, and a lot more.
Unlike our first two picks, this model works without having any extended antennas but it’s just as good. You don’t need any annoying cables that will ruin the way your home looks. The unit is a simple device that needs to be plugged into a power socket somewhere between the internet router and the Wi-Fi dead zone. It’s white and it blends in with your home, keeping its stylish aesthetic intact.
The installation is incredibly easy as all you have to do is plug it in, set it up with a simple push of a button, and connect and spot finder technology. This will ensure that you’re placing it in the best area so it can extend the signal properly.
The package will include the Linksys Wi-Fi extender, a quick installation guide, and regulatory information.
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Features
The Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender features a versatile design that allows you to use it on various Wi-Fi routes and multi-user MIMO routers. This also includes wireless MAC filtering. While it includes an advanced dual-band Wi-Fi that is speeded up to AC1900 plus, you might still not reach the same speed as when you’re next to the router. And in some cases, the overall speed of the Wi-Fi might go down a few levels.
Thanks to the cross band and beamforming technologies, this device continuously works to optimize the Wi-Fi connections. It’s designed to help you enjoy a better speed for your Smart TV, gaming console, and other devices as well. This is possible with its Gigabit Ethernet port.
You will also be able to use this device in access point mode for an expanded Wi-Fi signal. The compatible Wi-Fi bands are simultaneous dual bands, 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz. Make sure you’re reading the instructions manual before attempting to set up the device as bad installation can cause various problems. It has Spot Finder and a push button that can help you find the perfect place to install it around your home.
You shouldn’t expect the extender’s range to be as wide as the one of the Wi-Fi router but it’s pretty big as well. This is why it can also be used to extend the Wi-Fi all over your house from a single area. However, since you typically use the devices in your home for activities that require lots of speed, the best use for this device is as a garage Wi-Fi extender. Your garage smart gadgets need a basic Wi-Fi connection instead.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- High-Quality
- Great Performance
- Reliable Spot Finder
- Eliminates Wi-Fi Dead Zones
- Also Works in Access Point Mode
- Cross Band and Beamforming Technologies
- Works With all Wi-Fi and Multi-User MIMO Routers
Cons
- The speed will decrease everywhere and the extended range is not very impressive, especially for its price.
- You might have some problems with the installation if you’ve never worked with similar devices before.
Conclusion
Garage Wi-Fi extenders are a very important addition to your home if you started using smart garage gadgets. Smart garage door openers and other devices work with the help of your house Wi-Fi, which can be too far away from the garage to provide a stable connection. If you don’t need Wi-Fi on the opposite side of the house, your problem is easily solved with a simple change of placement of the router. The closer it is to the garage, the better the signal will be. But a simple device like these small extenders can help you do that without compromising anything. They’re also easy to install and use.
