Access Point vs. Extender: What’s the Difference and Which is Best

Without an Ethernet cable, it is now feasible to connect to the internet anywhere on the network thanks to the development and spread of wireless technologies. However, there will inevitably be delay when a lot of people are using the wireless connection. An access point or extension is a wireless networking device that can be used to solve such connection problems quickly and easily.

Your devices will be connected to a wireless local area network by an access point that will establish a connection to your wired network via Ethernet or a data cable. On the other side, an extender will increase or expand your home’s or office’s WiFi coverage. Let’s examine these two technological components in depth to clear up any doubt and enable you to choose which one would be the ideal choice 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

Access Point vs. Extender: What s the Difference?

Both tools are employed to aid in the establishment of a wireless internet network. They are a dependable alternative if your router is unable to provide total Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home or business. However, there are vast differences between the two in the following areas:

Usage

Your wired internet connection can be shared wirelessly with the help of an access point. It helps connect more people to Wi-Fi concurrently and is the perfect choice for larger settings. Additionally, it aids in resolving any Wi-Fi blackspots on your premises. Additionally, it has a number of modes for versatile usage. The device mirrors the signal strength of your network, which is a crucial point to remember. As a result, if the router signal is weak, you probably won’t get fast internet.

An extension, in contrast, is designed for smaller places like dwellings. It is used to extend your Wi-Fi network’s coverage to places with weak or no Wi-Fi. In essence, it is designed to repeat the router’s signal.

Even though installing an extender can help you increase the range of your Wi-Fi, the device is not always a good option, especially in large homes where you could need many extenders. This is because using a lot of extenders may cause your signal to deteriorate. If you want the devices to function more effectively, you can restrict your connection to just two extenders per router.

Setting Up

In comparison to installing an extender, installing an access point is typically more difficult and expensive. This is due to the fact that an access point requires a cabled connection, and installing such infrastructure takes time and is more expensive. However, compared to wireless connections, the wired connection typically has a stronger signal.

However, the positioning of the device has a significant impact on the signal distribution and strength level. Therefore, the access point should be positioned in a spot free of obstructions to aid in achieving maximum and effective signal dissemination. Furthermore, this is probably where Wi-Fi coverage is most necessary.

On the other side, since an extender doesn’t need a cable connection, installation of one is quick and inexpensive. It has a wireless connection to the router. Thus, when setting it up, you must be strategic. The device should be positioned about halfway between the router and the locations you want the WiFi signal to cover for the best signal. Aim to place it away from any obstructions that can interfere with Wi-Fi and where it can get the original signal (from the router).

Otherwise, it won’t function properly. Additionally, you might wish to avoid wirelessly connecting one extender to another as this will result in a decrease in device performance and insufficient coverage. However, if it must be avoided, make sure each extender has a unique SSID.

Speed

It’s important to keep in mind that your internet plan and device capacity have a significant impact on your internet speed, whether you’re using an access point or an extension. Assuming that the devices are correctly configured, this is. The extender will therefore use less bandwidth and broadcast Wi-Fi at a slower pace than the access point, which has no effect on your bandwidth or internet speed.

Recall that by retransmitting the router’s signal, the extender increases the range of the device. On the other hand, an access point gives devices a way to connect wirelessly to the network. So anticipate that the AP will operate similarly to the primary router. This explains why it has a Wi-Fi network that is quicker and more powerful than an extender’s.

Having said that, think about how many devices you want to connect to your network to assist you choose the best solution. Although an extension or access point can accommodate an unlimited number of connections at once, pushing the devices beyond their capabilities might cause buffering or a poor network.

Network Coverage

An access point can theoretically span a network area of around 2,000 square feet. However, your AP’s coverage range will be impacted by any barriers in the region where you are placing it. But by placing numerous access points in your area, you may address these problems and get complete coverage.

On the other hand, an extender can cover anywhere between 500 and 2,800 square feet, depending on the type, physical constraints, and placement. Depending on your usage requirements, you can invest in either a short- or long-range model. For instance, if you wish to cover an area of roughly 1200 square feet, choose a short-range extender. In contrast, choose a long-range extender for larger spaces up to 2,800 square feet.

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?

Depending on your goals and your budget, you should decide whether to use an access point or an extender for networking in your house or workplace. You would be better off with an access point if you run a business and want to connect several devices at once. However, an extension can be a good option if you’re searching for a networking solution for a homestead or a small business.

It’s important to note that an access point is the best choice if you wish to use a wired connection to deliver internet wirelessly. Additionally, an access point will speed up the network as opposed to an extender, which would see its signal degrade as you move away from the router.

Be prepared to spend more money installing an access point than you would to set up an extension, though. Consider using an extender, though, if you want to save money and increase the coverage of your current Wi-Fi network. The warning here is that you will only get half the coverage that an access point would provide. Nevertheless, all choices are fantastic and, with proper installation, would perform flawlessly. Thus, before choosing which device to purchase, consider your needs and money.