The birth and proliferation of wireless technologies have made it possible to connect to the internet anywhere in the network without needing an Ethernet cable. However, with many people using the wireless connection, you are bound to notice latency. The easiest way to fix such connection issues is through a wireless networking device like an access point or extender.
An access point will connect to your wired network through Ethernet or data cable and create a wireless local area network for your devices. An extender, on the other hand, will boost or extend the Wi-Fi coverage of your office or home. There is a lot of confusion surrounding these two tech pieces, so let’s explore them in detail to help you determine which one would make the best solution for your wireless network.
Access Point vs. Extender: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Point of Comparison | Access Point | Extender |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Network | Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) | Wi-Fi Network |
| Acts As | Wi-Fi base station | Wi-Fi signal booster |
| What it Does | Connects directly to a wired broadband router to help distribute Wi-Fi signal to wireless-capable devices in a designated area. | Receives the existing Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcasts it to areas where the signal is weak or nonexistent. |
| Connection Quality | Reliable and consistent if placed away from obstructions | Intermittent connection problems if not placed within the signal range of the router |
| Suitable For | Large-scale settings | Small businesses and homes |
| Setup Cost | Can be expensive | More affordable |
- Provides dual-band Wi-Fi speeds up to 1200 Mbps
- MU-MIMO allows the access point to support multiple devices simultaneously
- Four external antennas with Beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward your devices
- Extends Wi-Fi throughout your home or office
Access Point vs. Extender: What’s the Difference?
Both devices are used to help facilitate a Wireless Internet Network. They are a reliable option where your router lacks the capacity to deliver complete Wi-Fi coverage throughout your enterprise or home. However, there is a world of difference between the two when it comes to the following.
Usage
An access point makes it easy to share your wired internet connection wirelessly. It is an ideal solution for larger spaces and helps to connect more users to Wi-Fi simultaneously. It also helps fix any Wi-Fi blackspots on your property. Besides, it comes with a variety of modes to allow flexible usage. It is important to note that the device mimics your router’s signal strength. Hence, you will likely experience slow internet speeds if the router signal is weak.
In comparison, an extender is tailored for smaller spaces like homes. It is used to expand the coverage of your Wi-Fi signal to areas with poor or no Wi-Fi network. It’s basically meant to rebroadcast the signal from the router.
While adding an extender can help expand your Wi-Fi coverage, the device is not always a reliable solution, especially in a big house where you may require multiple extenders. This is because having many extenders can weaken your signal. However, you can limit your connection to only two extenders per router if you want the devices to work more efficiently.
Setting Up
Generally, installing an access point is a bit cumbersome and costly compared to installing an extender. This is because an access point relies on a cabled connection, and setting up such infrastructure is time-consuming and comes at an extra cost. Nevertheless, the wired connection tends to have a stronger signal compared to wireless connections.
However, the signal distribution and strength level majorly depend on the device’s placement. Thus, to help achieve maximum and effective signal distribution, the access point should be placed in a spot with no obstruction. Plus, this should be where Wi-Fi coverage is needed most.
On the other hand, an extender is fast and cheap to install as it does not require a cabling connection. It connects to the router wirelessly. Thus, you need to be strategic when setting it up. For a better signal, the device should be placed roughly halfway between the router and the areas you’d like the WiFi signal to reach. Aim to position it where it can receive the original signal (from the router) and away from obstacles that may cause Wi-Fi interference.
Otherwise, it won’t work effectively. Also, you may want to avoid connecting one extender to another wirelessly, as this will see a drop in the device’s performance leading to unsatisfactory coverage. But where unavoidable, ensure each extender has a distinct SSID.
Speed
It’s worth noting that your internet speed, whether using an access point or extender, highly depends on your internet plan and the devices’ capacity. This is under the assumption that the devices are correctly configured. Thus, unlike the access point that does not impact your bandwidth and internet speed, an extender will reduce the bandwidth and slow down the Wi-Fi speed it is broadcasting.
Remember, the extender expands the router’s coverage by retransmitting its signal. On the other hand, an access point provides a connection path for devices to connect to the network wirelessly. Thus, expect the AP to emulate similar levels of performance as the main router. This explains why its Wi-Fi network is faster and stronger than what you get from an extender.
With that said, consider the number of devices you’d like to connect to your network to help determine which option suits you best. While no limit exists to how many connections an extender or access point can support simultaneously, overloading the devices beyond capacity can result in buffering or a low-quality network.
Network Coverage
In principle, an access point can provide a network coverage of about 2,000 square feet. However, any obstructions within the area you are deploying your AP will impact its coverage range. But you can address such issues and attain full coverage by installing multiple access points in your space.
On the other hand, an extender will range from 500 to around 2,800 square feet depending on physical obstacles, where you place it, and the model. You can choose to invest in either a short- or long-range model based on your usage needs. For instance, opt for a short-range extender if you want to cover a range of about 1200 sq ft. Alternatively, go for a long-range extender for more expansive areas of up to 2,800 square feet.
- 300MBPS with 2.4GHz processor facilitate WEP/WPA/WPA2 security protocols
- 9K+ sq ft eliminates dead zones inside and outside
- Supports as many as 45 devices without bogging down
- Stable bandwidth for online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming HD video
- One tap WPS connects your device within 30 seconds
Access Point vs. Extender: 6 Must-Know Facts
- An access point acts as a bridge between your LAN and your wireless devices.
- An extender connects to an existing network and replicates the WiFi signals to areas beyond the router’s range.
- Extenders are more suitable for home use, while access points are ideal for a business setup.
- Multiple access points will improve Wi-Fi performance, but multiple extenders can lead to performance issues (e.g. slow down your Wi-Fi).
- Extenders are easier and cheaper to set up than access points.
Access Point vs. Extender: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Whether to use an access point or extender for your home or office networking will depend on what you are looking to accomplish and how much you wish to spend. If you operate an enterprise and intend to connect more devices simultaneously, you’d be better off with an access point. However, if you’re looking for a networking solution for a homestead or a small business, consider an extender.
It’s worth noting that an access point is an ideal option if you want to distribute internet wirelessly from a wired connection. Plus, unlike the extender that will weaken the signal as you go further from the router, an access point will increase the network’s speed.
However, be ready to spend more installing an access point than you incur setting up an extender. However, if you want to expand your existing Wi-Fi network’s reach while saving on cost, consider an extender. The caveat here is that you will only achieve half the coverage you would achieve with an access point. Nevertheless, both options are great and would work perfectly if well-installed. Thus, analyze your needs and budget before deciding which device to buy.
- $39.99Buy Now
- Provides dual-band Wi-Fi speeds up to 1200 Mbps
- MU-MIMO allows the access point to support multiple devices simultaneously
- Four external antennas with Beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward your devices
- Extends Wi-Fi throughout your home or office
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 09:25 pm GMT - $36.99Buy Now on Amazon
- 300MBPS with 2.4GHz processor facilitate WEP/WPA/WPA2 security protocols
- 9K+ sq ft eliminates dead zones inside and outside
- Supports as many as 45 devices without bogging down
- Stable bandwidth for online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming HD video
- One tap WPS connects your device within 30 seconds
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 09:26 pm GMT
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