Wireless access points connect to a wired network via an Ethernet cable and act as centralized hubs for wireless devices to connect to the local area network. They provide better coverage over larger areas and can support more simultaneous users than wireless range extenders. Wireless range extenders receive and rebroadcast an existing Wi-Fi signal to expand coverage but can degrade the signal and do not support as many simultaneous users. Access points are generally better suited than extenders for large spaces or situations where many wireless devices need to connect, while extenders are better for small homes needing only to expand the range of an existing Wi-Fi network.

1. WIRELESS ACCESS POINT VS.
WIRELESS RANGE EXTENDER
What’s The Difference?
AUGUST 1, 2023
BONEY MAUNDU
Slim Bz Techsystems

2. Wireless Repeater vs. Wireless Access Points:
What’s the Difference? Which should I use?
With the proliferation of wireless technologies and devices, wireless connectivity is now more common
than hard-wired connections. While that has made connections easier and faster to implement, wireless
connection users often have to deal with latency issues.
One way to mitigate this problem is by using wireless networking devices like access points, extenders,
and boosters. They can be used to reliably extend and enhance the capacity of a router to deliver
comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage throughout a home, office, or facility.
Although the terms wireless extender and wireless access point are often confused with each other, they
aren’t the same.
To accomplish the identical goal of extending the range of Wi-Fi signals, access points and extenders
(interchangeably referred to as boosters or repeaters) operate in slightly different ways.
While extenders increase the range of an existing Wi-Fi signal by "receiving" and extending it, access
points establish a wireless local area network (WLAN) by connecting to an existing wired network via a
network cable and act as a centralized hub for wireless devices to connect to the LAN.
Which one should I use?
Usage
Access points enable the sharing of a wired connection wirelessly. They’re ideal for larger spaces and can
connect a considerable number of users and devices simultaneously while eliminating Wi-Fi dead spots
around the area of coverage.
Access points are available in a wide range of models and specifications, allowing for flexibility in usage
and deployment. For large applications, a large number of different users, devices, and applications can be
able to connect to an access point without suffering degraded service. Access points can allow upwards of
50 simultaneous users, while range extenders typically cannot accommodate more than 20 users at a time.
It's important to remember that access points replicate the internet speed of a router, so a poor
connection will cause a wider but still slow Wi-Fi signal, and vice versa.
Wi-Fi extenders, on the other hand, expand the coverage of an existing Wi-Fi signal to areas with poor or
no Wi-Fi signal. They basically rebroadcast the signal from the router or access point and are ideal for small
homes or offices. Also important to note is that, while they help expand coverage, they’re not ideal for
large spaces, and having multiple extenders can even degrade the signal.

3. Implementation and Setup
Since access points require a wired connection to the router, installation can be costly, time-consuming,
and cumbersome, and in some cases might require the services of a professional, compared to extenders,
which are usually plug-and-play.
For maximum and effective signal distribution, access points ought to be placed in a location where Wi-Fi
coverage is most needed, free from obstruction, since the signal distribution and strength significantly
depend on the device’s placement.
An extender, on the other hand, requires no cabling as long as a Wi-Fi signal exists. The device should be
strategically positioned approximately halfway between the router (or access point) and the spot where
the Wi-Fi signal is poor for optimal efficacy. It also helps to place it away from any obstacles that can
interfere with Wi-Fi and where it can properly receive the router's original signal. An extender receiving a
weak and degraded signal will just rebroadcast the weak and degraded signal.
Unlike access points, it’s not recommended to daisy chain Wi-Fi extenders, i.e., connect one extender to
another, as it will significantly degrade the overall Wi-Fi experience. Access points can be configured
between AP and repeater mode, which can allow an access point to connect to another access point
instead of being hardwired all the way to the router (or internet source), though this can come at the cost
of speed and bandwidth.
Other features like Access Control Lists, Guest Portals and clustering can be implemented on access points
particularly in large business, important security and management features that extenders may lack.
Speed
An access point emulates the similar internet performance and speed levels of the router to which it's
connected, assuming it’s correctly configured and therefore doesn’t impact bandwidth and speed. On the
other hand, an extender will definitely reduce the bandwidth and slow down the Wi-Fi speed at which it is
rebroadcasting.
The speeds and bandwidth gotten from an extender could be as low as half the speeds from an access
point, so they essentially cut the performance by 50%. Important to note is that whether using an extender
or access point, the internet speed depends on the Internet Service Provider’s internet plan and the
connected device’s capacity.
Coverage
While obstructions within the area of deployment undoubtedly impact the coverage area, an access point
can provide network coverage of between 1600 and 2200 square feet. In the event of unavoidable
obstacles that decrease coverage, the use of multiple access points strategically deployed is one effective
way of addressing the issue.
In contrast, depending on placement, obstacles, and model, an extender can provide coverage of between
400 and upwards of 1800 square feet. Short- and long-range models exist that can be explored depending
on projected needs and budgets.

4. In Summary
Wi-Fi extenders essentially copy the Wi-Fi signals to locations beyond the range of the router, whilst access
points serve as a bridge between wireless devices and the LAN.
Despite being less expensive and simpler to install than access points, multiple extenders actually worsen
overall Wi-Fi performance, in contrast to access points. The speed of the extender decreases with distance
from the router, however, the speed of the access point is unaffected by distance since it is cabled to the
router.
Whether to use an extender or access point for a home or business depends on what needs to be
accomplished, the general layout of the network, and the budget.
Extenders are ideal for small homes and spaces where strong, robust network connectivity is not a major
concern, while access points are ideal for larger homes or business premises that might require more
devices to connect simultaneously.