What is the best outdoor WiFi extender in 2020?

It’s pretty frustrating to know that you can’t use your WiFi outside your house on the lawn or near the pool, just because the signals are too weak. And there are times when you do need the internet outside your house. Maybe because the kids are playing or you are just relaxing outdoors and want to go through some quick reads.

If that’s the case, you will need a good quality outdoor WiFi extender, and the market has plenty to offer. And due to this wide variety, choosing the right one might become difficult.

If you are one of those who don’t want complex information but do want to sort out the issues concerning the WiFi signal strength outside your house, this article is for you.

Products reviewed in this article (in the appearance of Our rating):

Read on to find our top 5 best outdoor WiFi extenders.

EnGenius ENS202EXT WiFi Extender – Our Pick

For me, the best outdoor WiFi extender is the ENS202EXT by EnGenius. I like its speed that can go up to speeds ranging from 300Mbps with its 2.4 GHz unit. As you are going to use it outside your house, it is fully weather-resistant as well.

Features

• Long-range transmission.
• Quick data transfer rate.
• Easy monitoring
• Detachable antennas

Weatherproofed

As it is a device designed for you to use outdoors, it is completely waterproof with IP65 water-resistant housing. However, to extend its life, it is recommended to place it somewhere where it is not directly exposed to sunlight.

Long-range transmission

The device is capable of transmitting 400mW of power that ensures it can transmit data to long ranges without any interruptions. You can use your WiFi outside the house with ease, and more than two devices can remain connected without any disturbances.

Quick data transfer rate

This device from EnGenius is the latest in terms of technology, and it can support 11b/g/n IEEE802 wireless protocol standards. It means that it can easily handle fast data transfer rates up to 300 Mbps.

EnGenius WiFi Extender

It is by far the best outdoor WiFi extender that you can use for your home. It is equally great for office use. You can conveniently maximize the signal coverage with 360-degree rotating antennas. Configuration does take some time. But once you are done with that, the device works pretty smoothly.

PROS Detachable omnidirectional antennas that you can move conveniently for better coverage Data transfer rates going up to 300 Mbps 400mW power ensures long-distance coverage IP65 water resistance 26dBm transmission power for easy use through patios and yards

CONS Setting up and initial configuration is a bit troubling

KuWFi CPE70R WiFi Extender – Runner-up

Looking to put in some real strength in your WiFi coverage, explore KufWFi. This outdoor WiFi extender is the ideal option for large houses with plenty of outdoor space. And it includes two devices to provide you with maximum coverage with the bridge.

Features

• Wireless bridge with maximum coverage.
• LED display.
• Simple installation.
• Suitable for video transmission.
• Excellent network security.

Max coverage wireless bridge

This outdoor WiFi extender bridge can cover up to 500 meters. You can easily add another device to it and increase the range according to your requirements. Without losing the speed, you can increase the range outside your house with ease and use the internet wherever you want.

LED display

The LED display allows you to configure the setup and monitor your network with ease. The display shows different types of information about your network, including the operation mode, signal strength, channel, and CPE name.

Simple installation

I like its installation and setup process. It’s straightforward. You don’t have to go through any hurdles during the configuration procedure, and you will not need any outside help either.

KuWfi WiFi Extender

In short, this outdoor WiFi extender delivers a power-packed outdoor performance, and it will work even in extreme weather conditions. The setup procedure is a piece of cake, and it can easily manage up to 300Mbps speed with its SSID broadcasting. Although it can be bridged wirelessly, there are no master or slave unit markings. It could be ascertained by the LED readout.

PROS Inbuilt firewall, MAC, IP, and URL filters Compatible with IEEE 802.3az protocol standards With WPA and WEP security Supports 1000m without any obstacles The LED display is highly interactive

CONS Wall wart power adapters are missing

Wavlink Outdoor WiFi Extender

Interested in super speeds for convenient video transmission, Wavlink is the way to go. It is a 2.4GHz unit that supports 5G and more than 600Mbps of data speed, and it also comes with a signal amplifier.

Features

• High powered amplifiers.
• PoE support.
• Omni-directional antennas.
• Weatherproof construction.
• Excellent coverage with no weak signals.

High powered amplifiers

These outdoor WiFi extenders feature high powered amplifiers with 600mW capacity. The enhanced receiver construction of this device features PA + LNA design, and it increases the data transmission rate more than five times. It has stronger penetration and distant coverage as compared to general access points. It is best suited for factories or farmhouses.

PoE Support

This device also comes with support for power-over-Ethernet protocol. It means that you can install it in the areas with a power outage is a regular concern. It will allow you to combine your data network and power connection within one cable (RJ-45).

Omnidirectional antennas

This device comes with a couple of 7dBi omnidirectional antennas that are detachable as well. You can connect these antennas through a couple of RP-SMA connectors. These antennas will gain strength and provide you with wider internet coverage. The coverage will become better in open spaces.

Wavlink WiFi Extender

This WiFi extender can truly extend your WiFi coverage and speed significantly over a vast area. The signal will even strengthen if the field is clear, with no obstacles at all. It can withstand harsh environments, and the installation process is not that difficult either. The initial setup is a bit difficult.

PROS Supports multi-operational modes Easy to set up and configure Signal coverage up to 200 meters It can withstand tough weather conditions Data transfer rate of over 600Mbps

CONS Its repeater mode drops the internet speed significantly

Comfast Outdoor WiFi Extender

You can configure the Comfast outdoor WiFi extender to run in 2.4GHz mode where you can get to a speed of 300Mbps, or you can go for 5.8GHz mode and get 867Mbps speed.

Features

• High transmission power.
• Max-gain antennas.
• Multiple modes.
• IP66
• PoE support.

High transmission power

Your internet usage demands over time change, and to cater to those demands, you need a decent quality outdoor WiFi extender. This device supports the 802.11ac standard for WiFi, and you can also improve your range from 2.4GHz 300Mbps to 5.8GHz 867Mbps.

Max-gain antennas

The antennas of this outdoor WiFi extender can gain max signals strength to provide you with a long-range coverage. The signal strength will remain stable throughout, and there will be no weak points throughout the WiFi zone.

Multiple modes

This device also features multiple modes that you can use. You can either go for AP mode, Router Mode, or Bridge mode. The AP mode is best suited for wider areas while the router mode is decent enough to work in mid-sized areas.

Comfast WiFi Extender

This outdoor WiFi extender is a good budget-friendly option that you can use even if you don’t want to compromise on speed and coverage range. You can extend your range significantly with this weatherproof WiFi extender designed for the outdoors. However, it’s not that easy to set up.

PROS Increase transmission power significantly The coverage range of up to 300 Mbps Omni-directional antennas for increased signal strength IP66 weather resistance It comes with PoE support

CONS It doesn’t support 5G

TP-Link EAP225 WiFi Extender

Interested in super-fast speeds, then this is the right outdoor WiFi extender for you. It can support more than 120Mbps of data transfer rates and is an excellent option for video transmission and streaming,

Features

• Superb for video data (transmission and streaming).
• Long-range coverage.
• Manage different EAPs with ease.
• Features MU-MiMO technology.
• Convenient guest authentication.

Superb long-range coverage

This device provides you with superb long-range coverage with its MU-MIMO technology. You get to access WiFi speeds of 1200Mbps, and your outdoor signals remain stable too. With 2.4GHz, you will get 200+ meters, and with 5GHz, you will get 300+ meters of coverage.

Manage different EAPs

With this device, you will get a free Omada controller as well that you can run on Linux or Windows. With this program, you can conveniently manage more than 100 EAPs with ease. But you will need to download the program from the TP-Link website.

MU-MIMO Technology

This technology allows the device to support simultaneous dual-band speeds of up to 1200 Mbps. It means that the device can easily communicate with different clients at the same time to cater to a high-density environment.

TP-Link WiFi Extender

It is a good quality high-speed compact device that can increase your WiFi coverage and increase the speed significantly. It features detachable 360-degree moving antennas to make sure that you get great reception and coverage. Unfortunately, you cannot use it as a WiFi bridge.

PROS Detachable antennas can rotate 360-degree for maximum coverage Weatherproof construction High data transfer rates. (Over 1200 Mbps) Excellent for video streaming and data transmission Passive PoE adapter included

CONS Installation takes a while

Buying Guide

In this buying guide, I have listed down all these features to make the buying process easier for you. You will be able to focus on the features that are relevant to your needs and demand, and this way, you can get the most out of your investment.

Range of the outdoor wifi extender

As mentioned, with a high range, the price of an outdoor WiFi extender goes up. Therefore, you need to make a wise decision here and choose whether to go for longer ranges or not. It all depends upon how much area you want to cover.

For instance, if you are looking to cover a factory area, then you will need 1000m range coverage. Going to use your device on a place like a farmhouse or something, then you will need coverage of 500m. 200m to 300m ranges are suitable for urban residential locations.

Signal Strength

Just like range, you need to choose the signal strength based on your location. There is no point in investing in high range devices when signal strength is not going to be high enough.

Pick according to the points where you are going to use the internet more often. In those areas, the signal strength needs to be right at the top.

Bands

If you can go for multiple WiFi bands, it would be a better option for you, especially if you are going to use your internet from different locations. A device with a 2.4GHz band will provide you with a longer range but with a slower speed.

Whereas 5GHz will be way faster, but the coverage will be shorter. If you are going to use your WiFi from a different location but within 100m of your house, then you need to pick a device with multiple bands.

Extender types

There are different types of outdoor WiFi extenders out there. And each one of them serves a different purpose.

●      Repeaters

These devices can extend your WiFi signal but not do anything to the speed. In fact, with each repeater added, the signal will become strong, but the speed will become weary.

●      Antenna extenders

These devices are much better than repeaters because they can increase coverage as well as speed a bit. But to install them (either wired or wireless), you need to have some technical knowledge of how networking works.

●      Wired

Some weird models require you to connect them to your Ethernet harbor, and they are great when it comes to speed. These devices won’t crash because there is no signal strength necessary. But you will have to compromise on coverage and range.

●      Boosters

These devices can be expensive, but they are better than repeaters too. They can assist you in dealing with those no WiFi zones, and your signals will be much more consistent.

●      Access Points (CPEs)

Your internet service provider will recommend you to use these access points at your property. You can either go for a router or add more access points.  But generally, the devices are getting more powerful today, so you don’t need access points as much these days.

Purpose

Maybe you want to use your WiFi when you are sitting by the pool while your kids play. You might need your internet to go through a few recipes when you are grilling something out on your lawn.

In each of these cases, you will need a different kind of device. There needs to be a specific range and coverage in which you need your internet to work; therefore, you need to make the decision carefully.

Versatility

If you think you are going to use your WiFi from different places around your house, then you need to pick a device with different WiFi bands. For close ranges, you will get better speed while for long distances, your coverage will increase.

FAQs

Does a WiFi extender slow down Internet speed?

If you pick one with enough transmission power, you won’t have to deal with slow internet speed, especially if you are close to the main modem. At a distance, yes, the speed will reduce.

The WiFi connection will slow down for the devices using the extender. If the wife that is directly coming from the modem is slower as compared to the internet speed, then the extender will reduce the speed for its device by up to 50%.

Where is the best place to put a WiFi extender?

The best location to place your WiFi extender is within the range of your wireless router. If, for some reason, you need to place it at some different location, then place it near the router and keep it within the range of the device that you want to connect.

How many WiFi extenders can you have in your house?

For a limited application, you only need a single WiFi extender, but this is not a fully reliable network solution. If you require two or more extenders, it is better to go for a wireless access point.

You can also create a mesh network, particularly if you have a large house. Two or more extenders will be suitable for you if you want to cover a space that has many obstacles, like buildings, trees, etc. Access points are a good solution in such a scenario.

Conclusion

The best outdoor WiFi extender comes from EnGenius. It can manage a data transmission speed of up to 300 Mbps on a 2.4GHz band. The device has a weatherproof construction and features a couple of detachable Omni-directional antennas.

It is a good quality device that is good enough for you to use for various applications. With the 400mW long-range coverage, you can easily enjoy WiFi outside your house.

So which one of these devices does think is the best? Have your say by leaving your comments in the section below!

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