WiFi Extender

[gman88667733]

I live in quite an old cottage that gets reasonable wifi speeds. We have recently changed the layout and the room we spend a lot of time in, our wifi doesn't quite reach. It'll reach the doorway, but no further. Will a plug-in WiFi extender like the essential 300 from BT solve this? If so, do I need to plug it into somewhere that is currently in range of the router? The room in question has very thick walls, which I expect is the issue. Currently got the BT one I mentioned on order, but it is OOS until the weekend, so I can change it anytime before then. Looking at getting the signal to extend by about 10 feet in total.
We currently have a standard BT smart hub.

Cheers

[BigTZ4M]

If you're going to use an extender like that one then it is designed to go half way between your Wifi router and your black spot. It needs a decent signal coming from the router, hence half way. Many people get it wrong and put it where the black spot is and of course, just like your devices can't reach the router neither can the extender. Be aware an extender needs half its available bandwidth to go in either direction so don't expect full advertised speeds.

In your situation I'd favour a mesh system, BT do the whole home disc product which is decent. Better results generally but more expensive. For what you need the extender may be sufficient so try that first.

[DoctorX]

Those BT whole home mesh discs are great. Full speed all over three story house. The plug in WiFi extender I originally tried was flaky and cut speed by around a half.

[J8 SVG]

I use a number of these in my long flat as the router in at the front with no signal at the back

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-B...

For the price, they work very well but does rely on good electrical circuits

[gman88667733]

I'll try the basic extender first. If no joy, then i'll send it back and get the disc system BT offer, it is worth it to have full access to my broadband.

[Blackpuddin]

I'm about to be in a similar situation to the OP, moving to what is basically a hole in the Welsh countryside that doesn't even have 2G. Is there a link for these BT disc thingies?
ETA is it this? https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-add-on-disc-for-wh...

[DoctorX]

Blackpuddin said:

I'm about to be in a similar situation to the OP, moving to what is basically a hole in the Welsh countryside that doesn't even have 2G. Is there a link for these BT disc thingies?
ETA is it this? https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-add-on-disc-for-wh...

That’s them, I bought a pack of three from Amazon. There are other, and cheaper, options for a similar set up.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-seamless-connection-ev...

Edited by DoctorX on Thursday 23 April 12:28

[Blackpuddin]

DoctorX said:

That’s them, I bought a pack of three from Amazon. There are other, and cheaper, options for a similar set up.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-seamless-connection-ev...

Edited by DoctorX on Thursday 23 April 12:28

BT seems to be offering three of these for £75
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
On the same page they'll sell you six for £199
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
So you could get 2 x 3 = 6 for £150, or 6 for £199. But maybe I've misunderstood.

[DoctorX]

Blackpuddin said:

BT seems to be offering three of these for £75
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
On the same page they'll sell you six for £199
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
So you could get 2 x 3 = 6 for £150, or 6 for £199. But maybe I've misunderstood.

Look like they’re ‘mini’ ones. Don’t know about those.

[Blackpuddin]

DoctorX said:

Blackpuddin said:

BT seems to be offering three of these for £75
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
On the same page they'll sell you six for £199
https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-whole-home-wi...
So you could get 2 x 3 = 6 for £150, or 6 for £199. But maybe I've misunderstood.

Look like they’re ‘mini’ ones. Don’t know about those.

Ah.

[DoctorX]

Blackpuddin said:

Ah.

From same site:

https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-whole-home-wi-fi-0...

[Blackpuddin]

DoctorX said:

Blackpuddin said:

Ah.

From same site:

https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-whole-home-wi-fi-0...

Ah OK thanks. The pricing on the mini ones is a bit haywire though.

[gman88667733]

The extender I got works a treat. Full signal with the same speed where I want it. My Pixel 3a takes a few extra seconds to switch to the extender network, but at least it works. No issues so far.

[MiniMan64]

Does anyone have experience with the Powerline plug ins you can get?

I bought a cheap extender from Argos last week (impulse buy!) and it's not made the difference i was expecting. Would i have been better spending a bit more and get one that goes in the plug socket at each end?

[DoctorX]

MiniMan64 said:

Does anyone have experience with the Powerline plug ins you can get?

I bought a cheap extender from Argos last week (impulse buy!) and it's not made the difference i was expecting. Would i have been better spending a bit more and get one that goes in the plug socket at each end?

I had no luck at all with those (think it depends on your wiring). Seems to work well for others though.

[sawman]

MiniMan64 said:

Does anyone have experience with the Powerline plug ins you can get?

I bought a cheap extender from Argos last week (impulse buy!) and it's not made the difference i was expecting. Would i have been better spending a bit more and get one that goes in the plug socket at each end?

I have been running devolo powerline wifi units for a few years (as the VM superhub is a bit flaky) - they do ok - but i think it depends on the quality of your house wiring - I have one in the garage and it shows great speed, whereas the one upstairs isnt so great (yes I have swapped them over to see if its the unit and no change - so guess its the wire) I am debating upgrading to a newer devolo set up or possibly a Mesh type.