Could use a little more oomph at our cottage Up North. We use our cell phones as hotspots when we're there and, while the signal has improved over the years, it could still be better. I use my Kindle (2018 model) and my wife brings up the '09 MBP for internet access up there.

So, what does this august forum recommend for wi-fi extender/boosters? And, of course, I don't need one made of gold so price is a consideration.

Saw this on slickdeals and while I don't need two, my SIL has talked about something for her home:

[www.newegg.com]

TIA...

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My name is DP, and I approve this message.

The only internet is via your cell phone?

I've been happy with this for $20:
TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender

Been very happy with eero.

I just researched mess networks for WiFi extension. The TPLink brand and the google mesh models are highly reviewed if you are looking at broad coverage.

Not sure about pure extenders though those will be cheaper.

So you want to extend the WiFi range you get from you cellphone, right?

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DP
Could use a little more oomph at our cottage Up North. We use our cell phones as hotspots when we're there and, while the signal has improved over the years, it could still be better. I use my Kindle (2018 model) and my wife brings up the '09 MBP for internet access up there.

Your wording is a bit confusing. You're asking about WiFi extenders but it sounds like your describing poor cell reception.

Is the reception problem with the Cellular Signal between the cell tower and your cell phone/hotspot, or does that hotspot get a great high speed connection and your problem is only related to the distance between where the hotspot is located and your other devices (Kindle/MBP) that connect to the hotspot via WiFi.

If these devices are moved close to the hotspot do you get the level of performance that you're hoping for?

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DP

Your wording is a bit confusing. You're asking about WiFi extenders but it sounds like your describing poor cell reception.

Ditto. Sounds like you're really looking for a way to improve cellular reception, not wifi.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2020 11:44AM by davester.

I too, was thinking because it's a cottage, WiFi is probably not the issue but cellular signal strength is.

eero, Google, or other mesh network would help if the issue is actually poor WiFi coverage, but not if cell reception is the problem.

The other thread a few days back on cellular signal boosters might be helpful if WiFi isn't the problem.

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davester

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DP

Your wording is a bit confusing. You're asking about WiFi extenders but it sounds like your describing poor cell reception.

Ditto. Sounds like you're really looking for a way to improve cellular reception, not wifi.

Yes. While looking for something to help, the products are listed as extender/boosters. But I guess that's what I'm looking a booster for the signal to get faster internet while using my phone as a hotspot.

We do promote the cottage as a getaway from tech! No TV either!

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My name is DP, and I approve this message.

A couple of things:

1) Cellular boosters are expensive. Expect $500 for a cheap one and more typically around $1,000.

2) They are not going to make your internet any faster unless your speed is being compromised by dropped signals. They will only make the connection reliability better. Speed is governed by the speed delivered by the ISP (i.e. is it 3G, LTE, etc).

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan