How To Get Better Wi-Fi In a Home Office

Getting Wi-Fi in your home office is sometimes easier said than done. To the lucky few that already have good Wi-Fi in their home office, you might not get much info from this article and p.s. the rest of the world envies you. 

The Common Problem

The common theme in most homes in our local area is the supplied router from your internet service provider is placed in the basement, while your home office is on the top floor of your home. This is the opposite of ideal to get a solid internet connection on the top floor office in your home. 

Since the router is placed in the basement, it has to travel up through your main floor (through the floor & furniture) and then up to the top floor of the home. If your home office happens to be on the opposite side of the home where the router is placed then you most likely will see little to no Wi-Fi exposure. 

The Cheap & Easy Fix

If you want a cheap and easy fix for your home office Wi-Fi problems then look no further than a Wi-Fi booster/ extender system!

Wi-Fi Boosters/ Extenders

Wi-Fi boosters/ extenders (different name but really the same thing) are inexpensive and can usually be purchased for under $60. The device typically has an app to pair with the device so it can be connected to the existing Wi-Fi signal. It is usually paired over bluetooth at first, then you will use the phone to connect the booster to your Wi-Fi network. A typical Wi-Fi booster should take about 20 minutes to set-up. 

The Wi-Fi boosters plug right into your power outlet and take your existing Wi-Fi signal and push it further in your home. For these to work properly they need to be relatively close to your existing router so they can receive a strong enough signal. To get the Wi-Fi signal in your home office with this system you will need to place the booster somewhere on the main floor. If placed on the main floor it can receive a somewhat decent signal from your router in the basement.

This is what most people with a home office take as the first step to getting a better Wi-Fi signal in their home office. While being inexpensive, Wi-Fi boosters are not the best for a reliable connection. We refer to Wi-Fi boosters/ extenders as a band-aid fix for a bigger problem. 

The Mid Range Fix - Getting Better

If you have tried the booster/ extender systems and are disappointed with the results, a Wi-Fi mesh system is your best next step forward to get a more reliable internet connection to your home office. A wireless mesh system is more expensive compared to a booster system but offers a better connection overall.  

The Wi-Fi Mesh Systems

Wireless mesh systems are the mid range option for better Wi-Fi around the home and better Wi-Fi in your home office. The mesh systems are a bit more expensive but offer a better wireless signal versus the Wi-Fi boosters. Like the Wi-Fi boosters, the set-up is straight forward and can be done by most homeowners. 

The wireless mesh systems will often have an app that pairs with the system for set-up. You will need to use your phone to get the entire mesh system on your existing Wi-Fi network. Set-up for a mesh system can take between 20-45 minutes depending on the number of mesh devices (most systems are a minimum of 2 mesh devices). We recommend placing one of the mesh devices on the main floor of the home, and one directly in your home office for the best results possible. 

Wireless mesh systems can be purchased from most big box retailers like Walmart and Amazon. They can range anywhere from $150-$350 depending on the system you buy into. Some mesh systems can even go above $500, these expensive systems are better compared to the more inexpensive mesh systems. 

If you live in a townhome, semi-detached home or fully detached home we recommend a Wi-Fi mesh system as the bare minimum to get a reliable wireless connection to your home office in 2024. Most families have 20+ devices connected to the home Wi-Fi at one time, all in different areas of the home, all competing for the same Wi-Fi. A standard router or even booster system would not be able to keep up with that many devices and locations, let alone give you a solid connection to work on. 

A Rock Solid Wi-Fi Experience

The future of home Wi-Fi: The hardwired access point! To get the absolute best Wi-Fi connection possible through your home and into your home office we recommend a hardwired access point system. We install these in homes all over Niagara and people consistently see the improved Wi-Fi immediately. 

Hardwired Access Points

Access points are the best Wi-Fi system you can get for your home office, these offer the strongest connection with a rock solid, reliable backhaul to the main network. This system does require a hardwired ethernet connection to the access point to complete the system. This wiring allows for a constant reliable connection back to the main network. 

To get an access point installed you will need to run at minimum CAT5e (we recommend CAT6 for future proofing) wiring from your router to the location the access point will be going. We recommend installing the access point directly in your home office for the best possible connection while working from home. 

The ethernet wiring (also referred to as network cabling) can be run through the walls of the home, or along the exterior of the home with outdoor rated wiring. Whenever running lines through the walls of your home or outside the home we recommend consulting an expert to ensure no damage is done to your property. 

What we love about the hardwired access point system for home Wi-Fi is the devices receive the actual speeds you are paying for from your provider. Since the access points do not receive the signal over Wi-Fi (which steps down the speeds the further the device is from the router) they can receive the true network speeds you are paying for. This means each access point will be sending out a stronger signal than any booster, extender or mesh system could ever achieve! 

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If you have a home office and work from home then you need the access point system! This will not only give you the best possible wireless connection to the network in your home office, but the rest of your home will also benefit from the tremendously improved signal. 

Need Help Getting Your Access Point System Installed? 

We are the go to experts in the Niagara, Hamilton and Halton regions for Wi-Fi access point installations. For every access point project we come on-site for a complimentary consultation. During our on-site consultation we take the time to walk you through the process, how the project wiring will be completed and provide an accurate estimate. Our technicians take the time to ensure you understand the project every step of the way! 

Let us help you get the Wi-Fi your family deserves! All it takes is one call and we can improve your home Wi-Fi to cover all areas of your home with a strong, reliable connection. We offer full home Wi-Fi coverage solutions in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and surrounding regions.