Streaming has become a huge part of a lot of people’s lives, but it’s also true that streaming content by and large relies on having a strong, stable internet connection, which isn’t always the case. Wi-Fi especially can drop out and lead to buffering and other issues. Can a Wi-Fi extender help with this by boosting wireless coverage for better streaming?

A Wi-Fi extender can sometimes help with streaming by providing at least an adequate, usable connection in “dead-zones” where the signal from the main router alone is weak or non-existent. However, they are not an optimal solution and often reduce speeds rather than improving them.

In other words, Wi-Fi extenders can sometimes be used to provide a basic, low end connection for SD streaming, and perhaps standard 720p HD streaming if you’re lucky, but that’s about it. But ideally, it’s best to stream content either with a strong Wi-Fi or cable connection direct to your main router rather than relying on intermediary devices like extenders/boosters.

Let’s cover the topic in more detail, including defining the best use case for streaming via Wi-Fi extenders.

How A Wi-Fi Extender Works

Let’s quickly explain how these devices works. Wi-Fi extenders are simple single plug models that you install in a wall socket and which “capture” and amplify the existing signal from the router, spreading wireless coverage over a larger area.

They effectively act as a cloned access point, repeating the router’s network and signal, which can help in reaching wireless “dead-zones” that the main router signal cannot reach because it’s too far away or there are too many walls in the way.

See the video below for a quick demo of how Wi-Fi extenders are ideally meant to work.

 

You perform some simple setup to connect the extender to the router (you can do this via quick press WPS pair button or manual setup on a browser). The extender is now drawing it’s signal and data from the host router, and can forward this on to connecting devices.

They are best placed somewhere mid-way between the router and the “dead-zone” you want to access, with as few walls in the way as possible. Once the extender clones or copies the router’s network, devices can then connect to the extender if the signal is better than the main router, and draw their connection of this access point instead.

Dual band extenders will offer a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band to connect to. For streaming over distance, it’s usually best to stick with the 2.4 GHz band, since this works better through walls and longer range than 5 GHz.

Does They Really Help With Streaming?

That’s the theory of how extenders are meant to work, but what’s the actual reality with using extenders for streaming? In reality, it’s probably fair to say Wi-Fi extenders aren’t ideal solutions for streaming, unless the existing signal from the router is either very poor or non-existent, because they actually reduce speeds in a lot of cases.

To explain this, it’s important to understand the “50% rule” of networking, which states that adding an extra “step” or “hop” to a network (such as installing an extender) always cuts speeds by 50% or more. But for streaming, you’re looking to increase speeds, not reduce them! You need the best speeds possible for HD/4K streaming.

Therefore, it really depends on the scenario as to whether a Wi-Fi extender is really of any use for streaming. Let’s give some example cases to explain.

Best Use Case For A Wi-Fi Extender For Streaming – You’re trying to stream on Wi-Fi a long way from the router, and the existing signal isn’t usable because it’s either very weak or unstable, with very low speeds or no connection at all. I’ve had this just recently myself. In this case, strategically installing a Wi-Fi extender at a mid point between the router and “dead-zone” can provide at least a workable, acceptable connection for basic streaming, when you couldn’t get one before. But it’s best not to expect miracles, in terms of a super high speed connection that can support 4K streaming. More likely, the extender might provide a couple of Mbps speed for SD/HD streaming, when it wasn’t really possible before because the router signal was too weak.

Redundant Use Case For Wi-Fi Extenders For Streaming – When the existing signal and speeds from the main router are already good enough for HD streaming, installing an extender probably won’t help, since it’s more likely to reduce speeds rather than increase them. Therefore, you’re better off just sticking to the main router’s connection or finding a way to either move closer on Wi-Fi or run a wired ethernet connection to the router instead.

Benefits To Using Wi-Fi Extenders

I don’t want to totally knock down Wi-Fi extenders because they can be useful; I’ve used them quite a lot myself recently.

Here are some benefits and positives to Wi-Fi extenders:

• They can deliver at least an acceptable Wi-Fi connection and speeds when you couldn’t get them before.
• Relatively cheap with entry level models $20-30 (second hand even cheaper).
• They are very easy and quick to install (button push setup for newer models)
• Can be good to facilitate basic streaming for a device on Wi-Fi at distance from the router, when it wasn’t possible or very unreliable before. 2.4 GHz band often better for this.

Drawbacks To Using Wi-Fi Extenders

However, Wi-Fi extender do have their drawbacks:

• Performance is very variable and hit and miss and can’t be guaranteed in all cases. Sometimes even an extender signal can keep dropping out, either because it loses connection with the main router or with the connecting devices.
• In general, you cannot expect blisteringly fast speeds from extenders. They’re more to provide usable speeds, not super high speed connections for UHD streaming.
• You might have to keep experimenting with them in different places until you get the best results (and also periodically move them back closer to the router to refresh the signal).
• May not be so effective if you’re got multiple streaming devices trying to connect.

Bottom line – it’s impossible to say with 100% certainty that a Wi-Fi extender will definitely work for streaming in every single case, because Wi-Fi is so unpredictable and variable and house layout/setup differs all the time. But their best use case – to provide an acceptable signal when you couldn’t get one before – offers a decent chance of them working for basic quality streaming (not really for 4K unless you’re lucky).

Some Wi-Fi Extender Models

Wi-Fi extender models are readily available in all price ranges if you do want to try one out for streaming. Here are some options (affiliate links to Amazon):

Entry level model:

Netgear EX3700 Wi-Fi Extender – Entry level, no nonsense dual band extender model. Covers up to 1500 sq ft and 15 devices. Small, compact design.

Mid range model:

Rockspace Wi-Fi Extender – Very well reviewed, dual band extender that covers 1600 sq ft and up to 25 devices. WPS button for quick setup, works with almost all routers.

Top end model:

TP Link RE 450 Wi-Fi Extender – More advance model that is more expensive but can cover a wider area up to 2500 sq ft, up to 35 devices. Stronger, higher end model for streaming over distance.

Alternative Solutions For Streaming

Honestly, Wi-Fi extenders are in many cases not the best solution for streaming, unless it’s just to provide a basic connection for SD/HD streaming for one device over distance.

There’s other solutions and products that are often better suited for this. Here’s some alternatives:

Alternative #1 – Wired connections – Your best option for streaming is always to plug direct into the router with ethernet whenever you can. Delivers the strongest connection and most bandwidth for HD/4K streaming. Although it’s a pain and needs some DIY over distance, try using ethernet for streaming devices when possible.

Alternative #2 – Powerline adapters – Next best solution to running a direct ethernet connection. Powerline adapters are pairs of adapter plugs that transfer data via the existing house wiring and deliver a wired connection at distance from the router. Can be a great streaming solution when the wiring in your house allows the adapters to communicate. Preferable to using Extenders when you can get them to work. See our article on using powerline for streaming for more information.

 

Alternative #3 – Wi-Fi Mesh – More advanced and more expensive version of Wi-Fi extenders. Mesh kits have several nodes or pods you place around the home to boost wireless coverage more comprehensively across larger areas. Can be better solutions for houses with multiple Wi-Fi streamers, but you’re paying a lot more than for extenders.