Wi-Fi problems? Devolo repeater to the rescue
4.7.2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Without a mesh network, I couldn’t binge-watch my favourite series in my bedroom. My Wi-Fi is too weak. However, a repeater would be an even simpler solution.
Internet providers supply a wireless router that does a good job in small apartments. But sometimes, their range is too small. In my home, for instance, only a mesh system manages to supply my bedroom with Wi-Fi, as the thick concrete walls block the wireless signal. Would a repeater work, too?
Instead of a few hundred francs, a repeater costs only a fraction of that. Repeaters extend the coverage area of your existing Wi-Fi network. I decide to get Devolo’s two latest models and put them through their paces.
The Repeater 5400, which costs about 30 francs more, offers more ports and, in theory, delivers twice as high a transfer rate as the Repeater 3000. You can use the ports to connect a PC, a TV box or another device via network cable. Of course, my test will reveal how big the difference actually is in everyday use.
That’s what I call uncomplicated installation
I start with the cheaper version, the Repeater 3000, which plugs directly into the wall socket. The big disadvantage of this massive device is quite apparent – it’s no feast for the eyes and covers the entire classic Swiss triple socket.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Hiding the repeater behind furniture isn’t a good idea. You’ll get the best signal quality from any wireless device if it’s slightly elevated and positioned as accessibly and centrally as possible.
It takes less than ten minutes to set up the Repeater 3000. I plug it in within sight of the router and press the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button on the repeater. After five seconds, I press the WPS button on the wireless router.
A few minutes later, the four status LEDs on the repeater light up green, meaning my Wi-Fi’s been adopted. In other words, the repeater has copied the login details and password, and the devices now exchange independently between the two access points. If the installation doesn’t work as desired, consult the Devolo app.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Installing the Repeater 5400 is just as simple. The important difference, however, is that the 5400 is larger and features a regular power cable. This means it’s not directly connected to the socket and can be placed more flexibly. With the 3000, this is only possible with the help of an extension cable. Depending on your living situation, one or the other will prove more practical.
Another difference my measurements reveal is that the 5400 requires slightly more power – 6.4 watts – while the 3000 uses 4.4 watts.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Finally – Wi-Fi signal in my bedroom
I test various configurations, taking three measurements each in the corridor and the bedroom and using the average. I work with fast.com, a free and reliable service offered by Netflix, on an Android smartphone to measure the download and upload speed as well as the latency. For my semi-professional purpose, it’s good enough – and it allows anyone to try the same at home in a quick and easy way.
The following chart shows the download speed. Download speed is important when you want to stream videos or use social media apps, for example. I use my private mesh Wi-Fi, an older system from Asus, as a comparison.
First off – the corridor. The mesh system reaches 620 Mbps. If I only use the router, I measure 250 Mbps. The Repeater 3000 only achieves a slight improvement to 270 Mbps if placed in the ideal spot. The Repeater 5400 shows 300 Mbps.
It’s a different story a few metres and two concrete walls down the corridor in my bedroom. The mesh system still reaches 510 Mbps, while the router alone has no signal at all. With the Repeater 3000, I achieve 125 Mbps, which is plenty for everyday Netflix streaming. The Repeater 5400 achieves 230 Mbps. In this case, the stronger Devolo device is measurably better.
Source: Lorenz Keller
How important is the positioning of the repeater?
Does it really matter where the repeater is placed? Absolutely. I tried three positions. One far away from the area without Wi-Fi (position 1), one in the middle (position 2) and one close to it (position 3). The position in the middle turned out to be the sweet spot.
This goes to show that it’s worth trying out where to put the repeater to get the most out of it. The Devolo app can also be helpful, as it provides information on whether the repeater is too close to or too far away from the router.
This chart shows the measurements for the two repeaters I positioned in three locations each. Position 1 is close to the router, position 2 is in the middle and position 3 is far away from the router at the entrance to the bedroom.
Positioning the repeater far away from the router and very close to it goes to show how a small relocation can have a big effect. The repeater 3000 is attached to the socket under the light switch and achieves better values than the repeater 5400, which I plugged into the same socket but then had to place on a shelf next to it or on a small table below. Both positions are somewhat more covered by a concrete wall, which has a noticeable effect.
By the way, the remaining measurements don’t show any significant deviations. The upload speed runs parallel to the download speed – just at a lower level.
The latency is only reasonable with the mesh system and directly via the router. As soon as the signal goes through the repeater, it takes well over 100 milliseconds for the data to arrive. This is clearly too long if you’re playing online games, as high latency means slow reaction times. Having said that, if you play competitively, you’re connected to the router via cable anyway. For everyday applications, latency only plays a minor role.
Source: Lorenz Keller
My verdict: an affordable alternative if positioned well
Even with the supposedly simple repeater, you have to overcome a few pitfalls to get the best possible result. Setting it up is simple. It all comes down to placing it in the best spot. Not too close to the wireless router – otherwise the repeater will be useless – but not too far away from it either, or the signal won’t be strong enough to pick up on.
In my test, the repeater can’t keep up with the much more expensive mesh systems. A repeater doesn’t work miracles, it just amplifies the Wi-Fi signal by five to eight metres. This is often enough to cover hard-to-reach corners or nooks in an apartment at a low coast.
The two Devolo products I tested both boast quite good performance compared to other repeaters and support Wi-Fi 6, but they’re also quite expensive compared to the competition. Repeaters with good Community ratings are already available for 20 to 50 francs. This means, depending on the situation and the purpose of use, even cheaper products may do the job.
Whether to go for the Repeater 3000 or 5400 depends a lot on your individual circumstances, i.e. which sockets are available and where or how large the area is that needs to be covered. In any case, the more expensive model is a bit more flexible and offers better performance.
WiFi repeaters
−20%
EUR92,20 was EUR115,84
AVM FRITZ! repeater 2400 WLAN Mesh CH
1733 Mbit/s, 600 Mbit/s
If you’re looking for great speeds, you’re better off setting up your own Wi-Fi systems with mesh technology instead of relying on a router. Fellow editor Martin Jud tests mesh systems regularly.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
20 comments
later