While you can use two WiFi extenders at the same time without issue, there are certain aspects you must keep in mind to ensure they both run as smoothly as possible.
I’ve spent years working with all different types of technology, that includes WiFi extenders. Using the devices firsthand has given me ample experience with different models and enabled me to know useful (and not-so-useful) traits.
Throughout the following sections, I will cover different extenders, look at how they operate within a specific network, and then break down why using too may or may not be a good idea.
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Key Takeaways
- You can use two WiFi extenders, as long as you take steps to ensure their networks don’t overlap.
- Always space your WiFi extenders away from each other, and keep them at equal distance from the router.
- Never daisy chain two extenders. Always connect them directly to your router.
Will Two WiFi Extenders Work Together?
WiFi extenders, despite all of their benefits, are finicky devices. They greatly improve your internet coverage and create a much more reliable connection. Still, putting more than one in your house is not as simple as it first might seem.
You can always use two WiFi extenders together. Some users might be hesitant at that, thinking the two machines might interfere with each other, but it’s easy to put both into the same space without any issues. In fact, it can even be beneficial under the right circumstances.
For most situations, one extender is enough. Almost all devices on the market have plenty of coverage for most houses, especially smaller homes or apartments. That doesn’t hold up with bigger spaces, however. Larger buildings can weaken signals.
In such cases, a second extender is often appropriate. Getting two expands your coverage, and cuts down on annoying dead zones. As long as both are not connected to each other and are different WiFi channels you won’t have any problems.
That’s critical because putting both extenders onto the same network can cause them to interfere with each other. Even if it’s not noticeable, your signal can get weaker in that case.
How Many WiFi Extenders Do You Need?
When it comes to extenders, there’s a general rule to follow. If you have a small to medium space, you should get one. If you have a much larger space, or if you aren’t seeing desirable results with just one, then you should go up to two.
You can technically have as many extenders as you want, but that’s not recommended as it typically jams up the network and causes too much congestion for connected devices. It’s typically redundant as well.
Most extenders cover anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet. However, that’s in a perfect world without interference. There are plenty of things that affect your coverage. That includes walls, pipes, and even tile or wiring. Large furniture can hamper it too.
Keep those objects in mind when looking at if you want to get one or two.
How Far Apart Should The Extenders Be?
If you plan on adding a second WiFi extender to your network, it’s important to make sure they are in the correct place. Not only should they be away from as many obstacles or clutter as possible, but you don’t want to have them too close to each other either.
The golden rule for setting up an extender is to try to put it halfway between your router and the connected devices. That will provide you with the best possible results as it will allow both devices to work without dismissing performance on either end.
The same is true for two extenders. You never want to have two extenders too close together, as they might get in each other’s way. Rather, set them up an equal distance between the router and devices in separate parts of the house.
How to Add a Second WiFI Extender to Your Network
One of the biggest advantages of using an extender is that they are easy to set up. Almost anyone can get a model up and going quickly, especially if they have a background in using technology. That makes putting a second extender onto your network painless.
To do so, you first want to place the extenders according to the above guidelines and double-check that you have a secure, reliable internet connection.
Next, connect both extenders to the router and make sure they each have a unique Service Set Identifier (SSID). Set that up through the software that comes with the device. Once that’s done, all you need to do is test the connection and ensure you now have a better wireless range.
Can You Daisy Chain Two Extenders?
Another rule to follow when setting up two extenders is to never connect them. That may seem like a good way to get more out of your internet, but it actually causes massive slowdowns since every extender will only weaken your signal.
If you’re going to use two extenders, it’s critical to put them both through the router rather than each other. That can be done through each extender having its own network, or each router being connected via an internet cable (if your models support wired connections).
If that’s not an option, access points can also be another way to get a direct feed into your router. Trying to get both extenders to work with each other will just lead to issues because single-band models use half their bandwidth to communicate to the router.
Every time your signal goes through an extender, it gets cut in half. You can also inadvertently create collision domains, which can choke your network to the point where there’s no data transmission at all.
Final Thoughts
While one WiFi extender is often enough, there’s nothing wrong with using two if you need it. As long as you understand the correct placement and know how to properly connect them, you will have great coverage for years to come.
Have you ever used two or more WiFi extenders? Where did you place them and what were the results? Let us know in the comments below!
