What Are 'High Gain' Router Antennas? Can They Increase WiFi Range?

High Gain router antennas are able to improve your WiFi, but only under certain conditions.

High gain antennas for you router are designed to increase your WiFi range depending on your home layout. If you live on a one-level home or apartment, these may give you better WiFi signal strength, because high gain antennas direct more of the signal horizontally than vertically. This also means that if you live in a multi-story home, using high gain antennas will actually decrease your signal on other floors. I explain how these work, and how well they actually work.

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[brendan]

This video makes no sense. You compared two antennas from one location where both had excellent signal. Of course you won't see any difference. You need to do a range comparison where you do speed tests from each antenna configuration further and further from the source. This video tested absolutely nothing. Also, range extenders are a terrible idea. Only use if you have absolutely no other choice.

[TheBlooRayChannel]

High gain antennas aren't purchased for speed though. Purely for extended range. Weird analysis.

[goatslayerwp]

It made a huge difference for me. Been using the 3200 with these big antennas for almost 3 years. My main problem was getting penetration through walls to security cameras.

[QuantumBraced]

Directional antennas do work if used correctly. In this case, you measured pretty close to the router, so the shape of the signal didn't make a difference. But if you're farther away, it does make a big difference, especially with those rectangular antennas that concentrate the entire signal in a 60 by 20 degree cone. Wi-Fi range extenders (and even mesh networks) are bad because they cut whatever bandwidth they get in half. If you can hardwire an additional AP, of course that's the best solution, but it's often not feasible. Short of that, directional antennas are probably the most often overlooked solution. If you have a 3x3 or 4x4 router and you install 3 or 4 of those square-shaped directional antennas and point them each where you need Wi-Fi, you can extend your range dramatically.

[DiegoZamberlan]

Well explainede - "manipulates the signal so it goes further in one direction, and less in another direction"

[DagerlayGalahad]

yeah I never understood the High gan under omnidirectional antennas however when it comes to directional antennas I have been able to push signal for up to 5 miles directional antennas come in handy on big pieces of land

[K-Kil]

I would be interested in seeing the internals of both antennas. Some of my wifi antennas are are nearly identical on the inside even though the casing for one is longer than the other.

[joeretired]

So, getting back to how antennas point. I’m coming away from your video thinking my 4 antennas on a tp_link router doesn’t matter. Currently, the two outside antenna point left and right and are horizontal. The two middle antennas are pointing straight up. Are you saying all four should be straight up???

[halo]

You are absolutely able to change the power output of the signal on routers. It just depends on the firmware.

[Jonesax]

There's another effect that the video didn't talk about. When you get a better gain antenna, you also increase your reception sensitivity. In some cases, if your device has a poor transmission power, it can be a good idea to have a better antenna. This is true in many other scenarios, like HAM radios. But I share the same idea that a extender is a simpler and more effective way to improve wireless coverage.

[cringe]

good to see you're making real videos now

[zuixyqw]

You didn't mention the dbi of the antennas.
You didn't mention the distance from the router you measured the signal from.
Can firmware boost power?

[munkyskratch]

I have 2 HG antennas on my Netgear router because I live in an apartment. The range is broader so I now get the same signal strength in my bedroom as I do in the living room.

[TravirusTheKing]

is there a way to make a stronger signal through a "powered antenna" not sure if that would be the term to be used or even a if you can get a better cell signal to the hub through the antenna ports?

[chaputj]

So if i slap 2 of these on a usb antenna as a replacement for the small original ones would i receive better signal?

[Badbufon]

i used a High Gain Router Antenna and now i have internet for free, 10/10

[MrTechcat]

The test show nothing when tested both antennas in max -50db signal location..
High gains are for range.. not sitting next to the router.

[ifell]

They work by extending range, so they wont give you more speed in your connection, but you could walk a block away and get a full connection rather then a some what lowered connection. Think Ham, they don't get a ham user speaking faster but they do get to reach that other ham user miles away, but only in that direction. So i could sit in my car and reach my AP from down the road, in fact quite a bit further away. Also great for detection of directions of AP's!!

[Swenthorian]

0:54 No, you *can* change it (depending on your AP's software) -- but it's limited by law.

[wazuma]

A gain or loss of 3dB corressponds to an increase of twice, or a decrease to one-half, the power respectively. So -53dB or -52dB is quite a bit. Never the less, good video.