The placement of your router or access point (AP) — the device which is the source of your WifFi signal — is the single most important factor for your wireless connection.
In a perfect world, it would be in the middle of your apartment, home, or office, and up high or on the ceiling. Unless you are doing new construction or remodeling, this is not a practical solution. Your signal reach and strength will also be affected by other factors.
Wired connections — Ethernet — are the best (fastest, most reliable, highly resistant to interference, very low degradation of performance with multiple connections) for direct connection to devices such as smart TVs, computers, laptops, printers, and including additional access points for WiFi.
The next best alternative is a device that brings the source signal into other rooms. Here is a comparison of the three technologies/devices that accomplish that:
**Wired access point**
A wired access point is a device that receives a network signal from a router and provides a strong WiFi signal where it is located, as well as wired Ethernet connection to devices such as computers, printers, and game consoles. Wired access points are typically faster than WiFi range extenders, and they do not reduce the speed or strength of your WiFi connection. However, they require an Ethernet cable to be connected to the router, which can be a limitation in some cases to run the cable.
**Powerline adapter**
A powerline adapter is a device that plugs into an electrical outlet and uses the electrical wiring in your home to transmit data. It differs from the wired access point in that you don’t have to run a cable but get almost the same benefits: the ability to connected devices in that room via Ethernet, and improve the performance of your WiFi connection. Powerline adapters are typically easy to set up and use, and they can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve your home network. However, the performance of powerline adapters can vary depending on the quality of your home’s electrical wiring but still substantially better than WiFi extenders.
**WiFi range extender**
A WiFi range extender is a device that receives a wireless signal from a router and rebroadcasts it to a wider area. Since it takes your WiFi signal and rebroadcasts it, it is inherently lower performing (it doesn’t make a weaker signal stronger). WiFi range extenders are typically easy to set up and use, and they can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve your WiFi coverage. However, they can also reduce the speed of your WiFi connection the further away from the router it is located.
**Which technology is best for you?**
The best technology for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you need to improve the WiFi coverage in your home, a WiFi range extender is generally a less expensive and less efficient option. If you can provide a wired Ethernet connection to a space, a wired access point is a the best option. If an Ethernet cable is not a practical or aesthetic option, a powerline adapter is the next best way to improve both the speed and strength performance of your WiFi connection.