If you’re a HughesNet internet customer in San Bernardino County, CA, and you’re unable to run an ethernet cable from your router to your PC or to another device in your home, such as a gaming system, you’ll need to choose between using a wi-fi extender or a powerline adapter. But which will be the better option for your circumstances?
Let’s take a closer look at each of these options.
Making your choice
These two devices are very similar forms of technology that are designed to provide more reliable internet connections across longer distances. Wi-fi extenders are used to take an existing wi-fi signal and boost or extend its range. A powerline adapter, meanwhile, requires two outlets plugged into your home’s mains, and can either have a wired or wireless connection to your router to send the network data through your home’s electrical wiring, allowing it to go farther and through walls that might otherwise pose obstacles to wi-fi.
Which is the better choice for your situation? It depends. A wi-fi extender will allow you to extend the signal, but there are some limitations. The farther you boost the signal, the more that signal will degrade, because what’s happening is that you’re getting a signal sent to one location and then to another. This will likely lower your overall speeds and decrease your network latency. Plus, it’s still possible for walls, ceilings and furniture to get in the way of the signal and reduce its quality.
Powerline adapters are able to convert network data from your router and carry it straight to devices through electrical wiring, which means they’re a superior option to wi-fi extenders in that they do not have the same speed, latency or blockage issues. Of course, the quality you get from a powerline adapter depends on the quality of your home’s electrical wiring, so if you’re in a very old house with outdated wiring, this might not be the best option for you.
When they work, though, we typically recommend using powerline adapters rather than wi-fi extenders, simply due to the quality of connection they provide. We recommend purchasing a powerline adapter first and seeing if it will work, and if not, you can return it and get a wi-fi extender instead.
There is a common misconception that powerline adapters are difficult to set up because they connect to your electrical wiring, but this isn’t at all true, and you don’t need to be a DIY master to install one. While the process will differ across brands, all you need to do is plug the adapters into two empty sockets, connect them to the network and pair them to your system. You’ll be able to add many of these adapters to the same network without damaging speeds, unlike what would happen if you tried using multiple signal boosters.
Interested in learning more about choosing wi-fi extenders or powerline adapters? We encourage you to contact JDS Systems with any questions you have about using these types of HughesNet internet accessories in your San Bernardino County, CA home.