Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?

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Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?
Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?
2020-03-23 22:21:05
Model: RE305  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

Some say that the wifi signal is better from the router than from the extender, but as there's quite a bit of overlap around the house and the extender actually seems to be relaying a stronger signal than my router, I have a question for you tech-heads. :)

 

Which is the better wifi signal to choose: 3 bars from the router or 5 bars from the extender? And why?

 

Thanks in advance.

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Re:Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?
2020-03-24 19:18:04

@GlobusDiablo 

 

Some people assume the extender will boost speed. That will only happen if the signal from the router is weak in that speed is reduced because of that. If the signal from the router is decent (three bars) then that should be better compared to the extender. Putting in a extender will then increase the signal strength so you will then see a speed increase since you now have a stronger signal.

 

A router sends and receives data at the same time (full duplex), a extender has to send data first, then receive it (half duplex). So that is why you would see people say their extender just cut their speed in half without knowing how the extender works. Or they put a extender in the next room over expecting their Wi-Fi speed to increase.

 

So back to your question, which one is better, it comes down to simply which is faster. 

 

 

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Re:Which is the better wifi signal - 3 bars from router or 5 bars from extender?
2020-03-24 19:36:30
Thanks. Router faster. Extender for where the router can't reach. Got it. :)
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