The sun does occasionally shine in the UK and when that happens, us Brits move our lives outdoors. But that’s when things get tricky. If you’ve ever tried blasting music more than a few metres away from your house, then you’ll know what we’re talking about: WiFi and outdoor spaces don’t tend to get on.
This is annoying enough if your footy stream keeps being interrupted while you’re watching from your sun lounger, but it’s even worse if you’re attempting to work outside or from your garden shed. And with hybrid working continuing to gain popularity post-pandemic, the issue’s not going away.
Unless you’re a tech enthusiast, you probably aren’t sure how to extend your WiFi range outside. So, whether you’re catching up on emails or Netflix, here are the best ways to extend your WiFi signal to your garden.
Move your router
Best for: a quick fix
If it seems simple enough, then that’s because it is. Moving your router nearer to your garden is always the first thing to try when you need the WiFi range extending. Just avoid putting the router in direct sunlight, or it might overheat.
Moving your router isn’t a long-term solution, though. While it might improve your signal in the garden, it will also likely worsen the WiFi connection inside the house. If you live with multiple people who all need WiFi at the same time and in different parts of the property, then this isn’t a great option!
WiFi repeater
Best for: light garden usage
A WiFi repeater is a type of WiFi booster that connects to your router and then ‘repeats’ the signal that it receives over a limited area. Because it merely mimics the existing connection, signal strength will only be the same as what the repeater receives from the router.
The way that WiFi repeaters work means that amplifying the signal uses up a lot of the existing bandwidth. This results in increased latency, which means that the internet can take a long time to respond, load and send.
For this reason, WiFi repeaters aren’t generally as effective as WiFi extenders (which we’ll get to in a moment). But they do have the benefit of not needing to be wired into the router, so can be a flexible solution for certain circumstances.
WiFi extender
Best for: extending WiFi outside
WiFi extenders require a wired connection to an existing network. They expand the network’s reach over a larger area and, due to the data being transferred via wires and not bandwidth, don’t tend to affect performance.
Extenders normally come in two parts – one part is plugged in as close as possible to where better WiFi is needed, and the other is connected to the router via an ethernet cable. You can buy specialised outdoor WiFi extenders, but these can be pricey and are designed for more heavy-duty usage, so it’s worth looking into other options before parting with your cash.
It’s also possible to buy and use multiple extenders but, if you find yourself at this point, it might be time to consider upgrading to a WiFi mesh system.
WiFi mesh network
Best for: regular use and broad coverage
A network of multiple extenders that work together to provide WiFi to every corner of your home and garden is called a WiFi mesh system.
Once up and running, your devices will connect to whichever node has the best signal strength where you are. You don’t have to manually switch between nodes as you move between house and garden – your device will do this seamlessly without you noticing a thing.
Because WiFi mesh networks link up to provide blanket coverage over a large area, they are incredibly reliable within range. If positioned carefully, and depending on the size and layout of your property, they have the potential to provide WiFi to your entire house, garden and outdoor buildings.
Wave Internet’s UltraBoost Mesh routes traffic deliberately to avoid congestion, ensuring optimal performance for everyone.
Ethernet cable
Best for: staying close to the house
Connect to the internet the old-fashioned way with an ethernet cable. Linking your device to your router, an ethernet cable means you can technically access the internet anywhere that the cable can stretch to.
You’ll also need to make sure that your device has an ethernet port, as most modern designs no longer do. Alternatively, an ethernet port adapter can be purchased online for a relatively low price.
Because of the limited cable reach, this option is best for when you’re sitting outside but are still fairly near to the house. You can lay an ethernet cable underground to get access in a garden shed, but this is costly and there are better solutions for the money.
Powerline adapter
Best for: garden offices far from the house
Powerline adapters transfer data via the existing electrical wiring in your home. They’re designed to be used indoors but, if your garden office is on the same circuit as your house, this technically shouldn’t be a problem.
You simply plug the adapter into a mains socket and then plug an ethernet cable into the adapter. The cable can then connect straight to your devices, or a WiFi signal can be created by connecting it to a new router.
Mobile tethering
Best for: occasional usage
Turning on your mobile phone’s hotspot and tethering your other devices is a simple way to extend your WiFi range outside. It’s ideal if you’re only needing internet in your garden as a one-off – providing that your phone has good signal. But with multiple devices straining the connection, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do anything data-intensive.
The other downsides are that you’ll quickly burn through your phone’s battery and, if it’s a hot day, your phone might even overheat. You’ll also need to be wary of going over your contracted data allowance.
Next steps
The best way to get WiFi in your garden depends on the range required and your existing setup. The distance between your router and where internet access is needed is the main factor, but you’ll also have to consider the location of plug sockets, and the type of building materials that could be obstructing the signal.
Wave Internet offers six WiFi mesh extenders for just £9.99 a month. Our extenders work even if you are in contract with another provider, so we can boost your existing connection with minimal effort on your part.
If you need high-quality WiFi in a garden building regularly, whether it be a shed, home office, or summer house, then investing in wireless internet might be the best solution. Get in touch to talk through what solutions are the right fit for your needs – call us now on 01254 377373 or drop us a message at enquiries@waveinternet.co.uk.
