Expanding your wireless network
We independently test the products and technologies that we recommend.
Installing a wireless access point often turns out to be a more correct and justified solution than trying to increase the signal strength with a more powerful antenna on the router. As practice shows, a more powerful antenna is often not able to significantly amplify the signal exactly where it is needed – in “dead zones” and areas with extremely poor reception.
A modern Wi-Fi access point, even an inexpensive one, often supports several modes of operation: the access point itself, a wireless network extender with a specific SSID, a wireless client, a repeater, a bridge with an access point, etc. This expands the possibilities for the use of such devices.
But let's go directly to the 5 best low-cost access points, costing up to 1000 UAH. Such inexpensive solutions will allow you to effectively and without excessive costs expand the coverage area of the Wi-Fi network. Moreover, such a solution will be affordable for both a young family, a small startup office that counts every penny, and a low-cost organization experiencing an eternal shortage of finances. And do not pay attention that some of these models are not the newest and have not received prestigious awards at exhibitions. We're going, not checkers, aren't we?
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Asus has established itself as a manufacturer of reliable and high-quality IT products, and there are low-cost access points in its range. And although the prices for ASUS can not be called the lowest, the devices of this manufacturer are ready to offer additional “buns” that other manufacturers do not have. For example, the Asus RP-N14 offers a 3.5 mm audio output, which, with the assistance of the ASUS AIPlayer programme, allows you to organize playback on high-quality external speakers of a collection of audio files stored, for example, on your smartphone. At the same time, the smartphone itself can continue to be used quite habitually, while maintaining its mobility. Another “bun" – on the lower edge of the device there is an LED flashlight-night light with touch activation. The model has a standard Euro plug and is simply plugged into an outlet, you do not have to look for a place to place an access point in the interior for a long time. There is a separate power switch, and to turn off the point, for example at night, it does not have to be pulled out of the socket. For the fastest possible setup and integration into an existing wireless network, a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button is provided. There is also a reset button sunk deep into the case, if suddenly “something went wrong” and the point “hung up”. On the front panel, the device has LED indicators of operating mode and signal strength, which allows you to visually monitor the process of remote connection to the router. By the way, if the router design does not provide a quick WPS setup button (and this happens), then it is easy to configure the access point manually using the same laptop. The wireless network created by the access point will use the SSID of the main network, adding the prefix _RPT. You should connect to the new network with the same password as the main one. |
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The D-Link DAP-1420 model supports only the 5 GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi band, while most other low-cost access points operate in the 2.4GHz band. The advantage of this solution is that the 5 GHz radio band is less busy (for now) with wireless networks, and the speed of work in it is higher, and the wireless connection is more stable. However, before buying this model, you should make sure that all wireless devices that you plan to connect to the access point support operation with a frequency of 5 GHz! Alas, most of the previously released mobile gadgets with Wi-Fi 802.11n support are able to work only in the 2.4GHz band. If all your devices support 5 GHz, then this access point will be a great low-cost purchase! The unloaded 5 GHz Wi-Fi band allows you to stream HD video without noticeable delays without any problems. To this it should be added that this access point has a LAN port and supports Ethernet connection of wired multimedia devices, such as computers, game consoles, media players, video recorders of security surveillance systems, etc. Two built-in antennas allow you to transmit multiple data streams at once, which also has a positive effect on the speed of the network. The support of quality of service priorities (QoS, Quality of Service) also has a positive effect on the performance of the access point. QoS technology implements a controlled sequence of data flows over the network, which has a positive effect on the responsiveness and speed of VoIP voice systems, video streaming and online games. The device has a beautiful futuristic design, which makes it a kind of Hi-Tech interior decoration. |
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If you really want to save money, take a closer look at Edimax EW-7438RPn V2. For just 600 hryvnia, or even cheaper, you can get an access point similar to the Asus RP-N14, even without the "buns". This model is also packed in a compact case, plugged directly into the outlet. No extra cables and difficulties with choosing a place for installation. The point works with any wireless router in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. The simplest and fastest installation is supported by pressing the WPS button. As an alternative, you can use the installation using the web interface. The "iQ" installation wizard is already available here, which offers intelligent fast automatic configuration, offering a choice of Wi-Fi networks available for connection. You can also use the wizard to select the operating mode of the device: repeater, access point or wireless bridge. The device has two antennas and provides a maximum network speed of up to 300 Mbit/s. At the same time, unlike the D-Link DAP-1420 model described above, this access point is perfectly compatible with all older devices using 802.11b/g wireless communication. To facilitate the connection procedure, the access point has an LED signal strength indicator, which helps to find the optimal location of the device for reliable operation of an expandable Wi-Fi network. I was glad that the light indicators can be turned off so that their glow does not irritate at night. In addition, the access point supports the EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet, IEEE802.3az) standard, which regulates the power of a wired Ethernet connection depending on the current load. And finally, the switch makes it possible to completely disable the access point when it is not being used - there is no need to remove the device itself from the outlet. |
 Price from £11.29 up to £39.96 |
TP-LINK TL-WA854RE Price from £11.29 up to £39.96 → TP-LINK is a well-known supplier of inexpensive and quite effective solutions. The TL-WA854RE access point, which is attractive in terms of cost, is a modern compact all–in-one device. The electronics unit, antennas and power adapter are packed in a compact and quite beautiful from the point of view of design, a streamlined case without sharp edges and corners. To work, the device is plugged directly into an outlet and does not need a place on a table, shelf, or anywhere else. The absence of additional wires makes the installation of an access point both easier and more reliable. For the fastest possible connection to an existing wireless network, a WPS setup button is provided on the case. On the front panel of the access point there is a single button surrounded by a ring of LED indicators that display the operation of the repeater and the signal strength of the base network. The only thing that the device can be blamed for is the excessively bright LEDs of the display, just shining in a dark room, which not everyone will like. In case of problems with the operation of the device, a reset button was placed at the bottom. We also provided for the presence of a wired LAN port on the point, where you can connect a device that does not support wireless communication: a game console, a network printer, a TV, etc. Functionally, efficiently and very low-cost - this can be said about the TP–LINK TL-WA854RE access point. |
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TP-LINK TL-WA801ND Cost ~ 850 UAH. This access point can do everything the same as the models described above, plus it additionally has a couple of quite useful functions in the piggy bank of its capabilities. For example, it is able to receive power via an Ethernet cable – thanks to the support of PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology. This allows you to install an access point in places where there are no electrical outlets. PoE support gives greater flexibility in the installation options of the device, untying it from the power grid system. However, it must be recognized that in order to power the access point via Ethernet, the router or switch to which it is connected must also support PoE technology. By the way, the Bundled Power Injector power transmitter included in the kit can simultaneously transmit power to power the access point and data over a single Ethernet cable at a distance of up to 30 metres. If you use a typical SWARM switch, then the possibility of power supply over the Ethernet network increases to 100 metres. However, alas, for low-cost and home devices, PoE support is the exception rather than the rule. Therefore, the TL-WA801ND can also be powered from a conventional power adapter plugged into an outlet. In addition to PoE support, the access point offers a quick setup mode for QSS network protection (Quick Security Setup). For users who are not very well versed in the intricacies of configuring wireless network security, this mode will be very useful. One press of the QSS key on the case – and protection using WPA2 encryption is automatically configured in the network, which no one has managed to crack yet. And this access point allows you to create independent wireless subnets, within which different users can be assigned different personal access rights and protection levels. A convenient opportunity, both in a remote office and in a private home, where, for example, a nanny /maid should not have access to certain electronic data. |
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