If you’re struggling with patchy WiFi coverage, you might have wondered: “Can I use multiple WiFi extenders in my home?”

It seems like the obvious way to banish those pesky not-spots after all, especially with more devices and smart tech popping up seemingly every day. Nowadays, a single router can easily feel not enough.

Well, we’re here to answer that question. We’ll let you know what you should watch out for, and the smarter ways to get every corner of your home connected. (And if you want to start with the fastest possible speeds, check out our full fibre broadband first!).

Your quickfire answer

The short answer is: Yes, you can use multiple WiFi extenders on a single home network. But, if using multiple WiFi boosters sounds like a good idea to you, there are important limitations you need to know about before getting started.

Can you use multiple WiFi extenders? Yes, absolutely. But the more you add, the more complex your network becomes.

How do multiple WiFi extenders work?

To get the most out of your network, it’s important to understand how these devices operate. When you use two WiFi extenders (or more), each one connects to your main router, or sometimes to another extender in a WiFi extender chain. This means the device you’re using to get online might reach your router through a series of hops, and that can affect both speed and reliability.

For more tips on extending your WiFi to every nook (even the garden), our guide here has you covered.

Technical limitations of using multiple WiFi extenders

Before you go all in with multiple WiFi boosters or build your dream WiFi extender chain, there are some real-world limitations that you should be aware of:

  • Bandwidth loss: Every time a signal hops from one device (including extenders) to the next, you lose a little bit of speed. That might not be too bad over short distances or a small number of hops, but it can quickly add up.
  • Signal interference: If extenders overlap, their signals can clash, which can make your network slower. And more extenders means more potential signal clashing.
  • Increased complexity: The more devices you add, the trickier it is to manage (especially when you use two WiFi extenders or more). You’ll need multiple network names, passwords, and even parts that can go wrong.

So yes, you can set up multiple WiFi extenders, but it’s not always the best solution (we’ll get onto something we think is better in a bit).

Placement and setup: top tips

If you do go ahead with your multiple extenders plan, here’s how to get the best results:

  • Place each extender approximately halfway between your router and the area you want to cover. Put them too close and you won’t be covering enough area. Too far and you might be repeating a signal that’s too weak.
  • Try to keep extenders on separate floors for multi-level homes and consider researching the best WiFi extender for multiple floors if coverage between upstairs and downstairs is weak.
  • If you have lots of smart devices (and you probably do), not any old repeater will do. Invest in the best WiFi extender for multiple devices so you’re not stuck fighting for bandwidth.
  • Choose different channels for each extender to avoid interference.

Step-by-step guide: Setting up multiple WiFi extenders

Ready to get started? Here’s a simple guide to get your home properly set up:

  1. Plug in your first extender and set it up near your router.
  2. Once it’s working, move it to a spot that’s still within your router’s range but closer to your not spot (the part of your house where coverage is poor).
  3. Plug in your second extender and do the same thing for any other not spots.
  4. If your not spot is too far to reach from a single repeater, you might have to chain them together in sequence to make sure your signal reaches far enough (which is where those multiple hops we mentioned earlier can start to take effect).
  5. Test your speeds. If they drop too much, try repositioning or reducing the number of hops.

 

Pros and cons: Multiple extenders vs mesh WiFi

Here’s how using multiple extenders stacks up against mesh WiFi:

 

 Multiple WiFi extenders Mesh WiFi
Coverage Extends range, but can have weak spots Full-home, seamless coverage
Performance Speed drops with each hop Consistent speeds everywhere
Ease of setup Can be tricky with more devices Easy setup, often app-based or a single button
Management Harder to manage if you have many devices Simple controls, one network to manage
Scalability Works for a room or two, but more difficult with larger houses Scales easily to large or multi-storey homes
Cost Can be cheaper, but less effective More expensive, but delivers better value

 

When should you consider mesh WiFi instead?

If you want reliable coverage in every room, mesh WiFi is usually a better choice, especially for larger homes or those with lots of smart tech.

Mesh systems connect together intelligently and handle device roaming and speed drops automatically. And they act as a true extension of your existing network — no more multiple networks to constantly have to connect to.

At Zen, we offer two great mesh options:

  • EveryRoom is ideal for homes on speeds up to 900 Mbps. It’s perfect for families who want seamless streaming, gaming, and smart tech in, well, every room.
  • eero is available to our Full Fibre Max customers (and optional for customers on other packages). If you want the absolute best mesh performance — especially for multiple users, 4K streaming, and smart home setups — this is for you.

Please note, if you do take an eero service, you won’t be able to use Zen Digital Voice, which means you’ll need to rely on your mobile to make and receive calls.

Not sure which is best? See our full fibre broadband options or speak to our team for advice.

Which will you choose?

Yes, you can use multiple WiFi extenders, but it’s not always the most effective way to blanket your home with fast, reliable broadband. For most people — especially if you need dependable coverage on multiple floors or have lots of devices — mesh WiFi is a better, simpler option.

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Zen Internet - Home SalesSales
01706 902573

Phone | Zen Internet

Zen Internet - Customer EnquiriesCustomer Enquiries
01706 902001