When to Use Access Point and Repeater Mode
To start, it’s important to know where these router modes come into play. If you have a setup where everyone can connect to the main Internet source (e.g. ISP modem) with no issues, you may not need to use these options. Turning a router into an access point or repeater is mainly for when you want a “middle man” method to connect to a network and get better reception. For example, you may be having issues connecting your computer’s Wi-Fi to Router A due to distance or physical obstacles, so you want to put Router B between your computer and Router A and have it “pass along” Router A’s Wi-Fi signal to your computer. Both the access point and repeater modes in your router can achieve this. But how does each mode differ from the other?
Access Point Mode
Access Point mode is when you want to connect the router to an Internet source using an Ethernet cable. This differs from the default method of connecting to the Internet, which plugs directly into the internet source. Using Access Point mode allows you to connect it via Ethernet cable and another router. This mode is ideal if you want to extend the Wi-Fi range, but the router you’re using to extend it isn’t too far from the main router. The cable will ensure you get the best possible speeds between the access point and the central hub, and you don’t have to worry about anything interfering with the Wi-Fi signal. Access Point mode is a superb choice if you want to extend your home connection past something like a concrete wall that’s blocking Wi-Fi connections. Simply connect the router to the central hub, place it on the other side of the wall, and put it in Access Point mode.
Pros of Using Access Point Mode
Ensures Wi-Fi signal strength when placed after physical obstaclesConnecting with an Ethernet cable to the modem ensures your access point creates its own traffic route separate from other access points or repeaters, which helps in maximizing connection speedsIdeal in places where physical obstacles and short distances are issues when establishing stable Wi-Fi connections
Cons of Using Access Point Mode
The Wi-Fi range is limited because of its wired connection to the main Internet sourceIf your Internet plan speed is 1 Gbps or faster, using the more widespread Cat5 cable won’t let you maximize that speedYou’ll need a Cat6 cable to make the most out of 1 Gbps or higher internet speeds
Repeater Mode
Repeater mode is not too different; it performs the same role as Access Point mode, but the key is that it talks to the Internet source or modem over Wi-Fi instead. Because of its wireless nature, it doesn’t get around physical obstacles as well as an access point does. While you can place an access point in front of or behind an obstacle, a repeater will need to be angled around it. However, the benefit of repeaters is that they don’t need a cable to connect to the central hub. This means if the problem with your Wi-Fi connection is tied solely to your device’s distance from the main Internet source, you can place a repeater at the spot where the Wi-Fi signal weakens to help extend that signal. If you’re signed up to an ISP that allows access to a publicly broadcast Wi-Fi signal, you can use a router in repeater mode to pick up the signal and beam it to your household. This is useful during unexpected Internet downtimes in your location.
Pros of Using Repeater Mode
You don’t need a lengthy Ethernet cable to connect your Repeater mode router to the main Internet sourceBeats the long-distance obstacle when connecting to Wi-Fi networksYou can connect and repeat any Wi-Fi signal you have access to
Cons of Using Repeater Mode
Its wireless manner of communicating with the main Internet source makes it susceptible to physical obstaclesThe traffic is high because it uses the same route as the Wi-Fi devices connected to the main Internet sourceHigh traffic means unstable and slower Internet speeds in situations where a high number of devices are connected at the same time
Which Is Best?
If you want to place the router quite close to the central hub and care about having optimum speeds, it’s best to go with the Access Point mode and connect the two points via an Ethernet cable. If it’s difficult to get a cable between the two routers and you’re trying to bridge quite a long distance, repeaters will be less of a problem to set up.
Wi-Fi Extender: An Alternative to Routers
Routers aren’t the only ones that can solve your Wi-Fi connection issues caused by physical obstacles and your device’s distance from the modem. You can use a more affordable and simpler alternative: a Wi-Fi extender. An extender is the same as a router setup in Repeater mode, but it’s the only mode it has. Just like a router in Repeater mode, it’s ideal in situations where you’re far from the modem, and there are no physical obstacles. Read on to learn more about Wi-Fi extenders. Image credit: methodshop on Pixabay However, if your Internet plan speed with your ISP isn’t close to, over, or at 1 Gbps, you won’t really benefit from using a Cat6 cable instead of the cable type usually provided by ISPs, a Cat5.
