3 Best RV/Motorhome Wi-Fi Internet Boosters (Extenders) Review

Buying Guide for the best RV Wi-Fi booster

Before deciding to buy a Wi-Fi booster for your RV, you need to check the existing router. If the router is old, then you may go ahead and consider getting a new one since that is the most effective solution.

However, if your router is still new but gives slow connectivity, then you do not have to buy another one. You can quickly solve this issue by purchasing a booster, but you need to get more information to make a wise decision. Besides, you would not want to invest in something that will not make any difference.

Here are some vital factors that you need to consider before buying a Wi-Fi booster for your RV:

Compatibility

A Wi-Fi booster should support your current router and Wi-Fi connection. For example, do you need to buy a fancy booster when your existing router cannot support it in the first place? What you need is to do searches on certain booster standards that your router can support.

You also need to consider the booster and the router’s speed to make sure their compatibility. A booster’s speed should never surpass that of the router. The booster is only responsible for re-broadcasting the signals that received from the router. With this in mind, you now understand why compatibility is an issue that needs consideration before making an order.

Ease of installation

You need to get a booster that is easy to connect. You can easily do this by learning about SSID and the network name of your router. This includes the keys or password to set up the Wi-Fi afresh.

The needed information is available at the back or the bottom side of the router. Easy to connect boosters come with repeaters and to have a Wi-Fi protected set-up. Such set-ups are very easy to connect since you only have to press your router’s button and the wireless boosters.

Security

High-security standards are very crucial for RV Wi-Fi boosters. A good booster should guarantee protected access to your Wi-Fi network. You can easily set this with the use of WPA2-PSK form, also known as AES form. Your network should never be accessible by any unauthorized individuals. During this era where hacking is the order of the day, this feature is of utmost importance.

The encryption technique offered by the security feature helps prevent anyone without a password from accessing your Wi-Fi connection. In case you own an older router that does not support AES or WPA; you need to first upgrade it before bringing in a new booster.

Additional features

What other features that you’re preferred booster have, other than the basics? How many Ethernet ports does it come with? This port is very crucial since it is the point at which you plug in a device with the wired connection. This leads to high-speed connectivity as well as a minimized number of gadgets trying a wireless connection. Does the Wi-Fi booster have audio streaming abilities, well; you can find some boosters containing this feature. It is an extra one and is of great help to you while in the RV.

Some boosters come with ports for connecting headphone and speakers. Any booster that comes with extra ports is ideal for ensuring that you can stream music right from your phone or laptop. If a booster has some unique extra features, then it is the best you have in your RV. A booster should support your needs and keep your stay on RV enjoyable.

Design

RV Wi-Fi boosters come with different designs ranging from one brand to the other. However, they can easily be classified into 2 main design categories. The first group is based on the booster’s composure which is small plastic blocks. The blocks are directly plugged into a wall. They come with LED lights that are used as signal strength and power indicators.

The second class is the RV Wi-Fi repeater that resembles routers. This booster has its supply and an aerial. The first design group is not very noticeable. However, whichever the design you decide to choose, make sure it perfectly fits in the proposed site on the wall. This is because some models are very bulky. The second class comes with more features, and it is considered the best.

Difference between a Wi-Fi booster and an extender

In most cases, people assume that a Wi-Fi booster is the same as an extender and vice-versa. Such people keep confusing other people who are still new to the world of Wi-Fi connections and boosting.

In an RV, it will be necessary for your connections to improve since you are moving from one place to another. As you move, you are prone to find yourself in areas with weak or limited signal reach. In such scenarios, browsing your search engine or even updating your social media status will be challenging. The need to have the best Wi-Fi booster for an RV is the same as an RV TV antenna or a backup camera. They are all there to make sure that the RV becomes an ideal place to dwell in. As much as possible, your RV needs to have all the necessities to keep your life on track even when you are on the road.

You can choose to either choose to install an extender or a booster in your RV depending on your needs and preferences. At times, you can install both. However, some units serve both purposes, and a good example is the Winegard WF-3000. Since there is a difference between the two, allow me to explain them briefly.

Wi-Fi Booster

A Wi-Fi booster strictly means a process or a system that amplifies the strength of your internet connection. That is something that you need when your internet connection is not strong enough or if you are in an area with limited or weak signals. In most cases, Wi-Fi boosters are commonly referred to as extenders or repeaters since the terms have a blurry difference.

Wi-Fi Extender

You may be right if you say that a Wi-Fi extender can work as a booster. However, you need to be careful because not all extenders can boost internet connection. They can boost the reach of the signal but never the speed. That is a key difference that you need to keep in mind.

You need to be careful while reading the labels since these two items are closely related. Some extenders are unable to amplify the quality of the signal, but in most cases, extenders improve the connection range. For your convenience, you have to assess your needs. In case the internet in your RV is stable, maybe all you need is an extender. In this way, you will have a reliable connection when dwelling in your RV. On the other hand, if you experience slow internet connection, then a Wi-Fi booster is what you need to increase the speed of your signals.

Concluding Remarks

With the best Wi-Fi booster for RV, you need to make sure that the router and the devices are compatible. This way, you will be able to maximize your internet’s full potential. You do not have to worry if the unit you like is expensive, in the long run, you will end up benefiting more from them.