If you have been dealing with problems in your wireless network such as slowdowns, connection drops, or other such headaches, then one of the possible solutions is to get an access point. If you are unfamiliar with the entire networking thing, then this can be a problem for you.
However, do not worry. With just a little research, you can find the best wireless access point in no time.
Below we've provided reviews of the best wireless access points on the market; with the information provided in this guide, you can find one, set it up in your garage, and enjoy all the benefits of convenient internet access. So keep on reading to know what wireless access points are, how they work, and which one would be best for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Wireless Access Points
- OUR TOP PICK: Securifi 4SCF00000
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: TP-Link Wireless N300
- NETGEAR AC1200 WAC104
- D-Link Wireless AC1200
- Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac
Comparison Chart of the Best Wireless Access Points
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Best Budget Option  |
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What is a Wireless Access Point and How Does it Work?
A WAP is a networking device that can maintain a fast technological pace by expanding the range of user connections to an already existing wireless network. It connects devices wirelessly to a LAN (local area network) through a high-speed Ethernet cable. The access points receive wired Ethernet data that gets converted into a wireless signal, which is further sent to wireless devices.
A duplex Ethernet connection allows data to flow simultaneously into transmit and receive directions. A wireless router helps in providing you with adequate WiFi coverage through an average-sized house. A router used in combination with your access point assists in extending the range and coverage of the wireless signal.
This combination also helps in eliminating a dead zone area that has weak, sporadic, or no signal coverage. However, keep in mind that a wireless access point is not the same as a wireless router. It does not have a firewall or the ability to protect your Local Area Network from internet threats.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Models
All the products mentioned below have exceptional characteristics that make them stand out. These features help in making them the best wireless access points on the market:
Dual Band Width
The products detailed below make use of a dual-band that uses 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This feature allows for faster and more consistent connections. It also provides you with separate networks that operate effectively and simultaneously without interference.
External Antennas
The efficiency of the signals of the access point depends entirely on the type of antenna and the power output of the device. Internal antennas are more suited to indoor installations, whereas external ones are built for industrial, commercial, and taxing environments. External antennas provide you with wider signal coverage, whereas internal ones provide you with point-to-point communication.
IEEE Standard
The IEEE Standard is an inter-access point protocol that helps in supporting wireless access point communication between the different points. This standard amendment modifies the IEEE 802.11ac that is present in the products below. This also ensures good power efficiency and maintains the operation thoroughly.
Quick Take - Best Wireless Access Points
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best wireless access points:
Review of the Best Wireless Access Points
Finding the best wireless access points requires a great deal of effort and consumes a lot of time. In order to make this decision easy for you, we have compiled the list of the top five best wireless access points to use. Read on below to find out the pros and cons of each product, along with who each product would be best suited for and why they stand out.
Best Overall:
Securifi 4SCF00000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to buyers of this product, this product is a solid investment that comes with great customer service. Many people had the problem of WiFi connections not reaching the whole household, and this device fixed it immediately. Also, setting it up is incredibly easy, and once it is done, your device can make the connection for you immediately.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Setting up this product is incredibly easy. It can all be done via touchscreen, and since it explains the process step by step, it is a good product to buy. It requires no software at all, and once the process is completed, all you will need is your phone to complete the final step, which is creating an account.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is suitable for individuals who have medium to large-sized houses. It is also good for beginners since it requires only three minutes to get set up. This single router comes with unlimited coverage options, and since it is reliable and robust, anyone looking for their money's worth should buy this router right away.
Bottom Line
The Securifi is worth the price and does everything that it is supposed to do. It gets in working condition right away, and the excellent customer service makes it stand out. If you experience issues, you can call them, and they will fix any problem you have right away.
Runner-up:
TP-Link Wireless N300
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers of this product, this router works incredibly well at a good distance and does not lag or stop in the middle of your usage. The quick customer service by TP-Link support helps in solving any issues you have within minutes, and they will patiently walk through every step until it is solved.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This TP-Link router is a dual-band wall-mountable device that helps in supporting up to 300Mbps. It has an LED screen in the front that makes it easy for handling. This display also lets you know the strength of the signal and what network it is currently extending to. Using this device is exceptionally easy, which makes it ideal for everyone out there.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a good feature-rich router and is affordable and easy to configure and set-up. All these features make it ideal for beginners and professionals. Also, it provides users with a decent range and extends the signal up to 75 feet easily, which is good for medium to large-sized homes and office environments.
Bottom Line
This TP-Link wireless router is a good choice for small and medium-sized apartments that have a WiFi dead zone. It helps in extending the signal range and works beyond its capability. It is affordable and easy to configure, making it a reliable investment.
Best for the Money:
NETGEAR AC1200 WAC104
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Consumers of this product claim that it is very easy to set up and works incredibly well. It allows WiFi connections to reach all corners of the house, even if it is a 1500 square foot house, which makes it ideal for medium-sized houses and apartments. Its affordable price is another thing that consumers appreciate.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Netgear has given this unit a stylish design that gives it an elegant look, making it seem like a high-end router even though it is very affordable. It has a glossy black enclosure and LED indicator on the top that shows WiFi, power, Internet connectivity, wired ports, WPS, and USB for your convenience.
Who Will Use This Most
This router is ideal for both professionals and beginners, and since it provides connections and signals over a large area, people with medium-sized houses can invest in it. Since it is easy to use, beginners will love this product; its advanced features and management settings make it ideal for professionals as well.
Bottom Line
This Netgear Smart WiFi router is an incredibly affordable product that provides users with dual-band 802.11 ac technology. It also features a USB port and a wide selection of management settings for you to choose from. It provides coverage over a 1500 square foot area and is an ideal product to buy.
Best for Home:
D-Link Wireless AC1200
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers of this WAP claim that it is a good converter of signals and works efficiently. Its affordable price range makes it more accessible, and the antennas allow it to form strong connections with the transmitter. This also allows it to send back a strong signal to its transmitter.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were impressed with this device's features and amazing price point. It offers dual-band WiFi, a good output, different management settings, and parental controls. It also has an elegant design with a black color finish that makes it look like an expensive router; at this price point, it is really worth buying.
Who Will Use This Most
This router has a medium-sized look that is very stylish and easy to use. It comes with multiple managing features, which makes it ideal for beginners. Its powerful antennas provide you with good connections in every corner of the house. You can download iOS and Android apps for better management of the device.
Bottom Line
The D-Link is a very affordable and reasonable dual-band router that provides you with a solid performance throughout. It has four LAN ports and many different management settings that allow you to customize it according to your needs. Also, the D-Link is a breeze to install on your own.
Best for Business:
Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that this product is so good that they would be hesitant in ever changing their WAP. This product checks firmware updates and keeps itself secure at all times. The WiFi coverage of this router is fantastic, and its classy design makes it stand out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router is designed for working in large buildings that have obstructions such as floors, dense walls, etc., which can degrade WiFi signals. The six high-density antennas help in covering up to 20000 square feet, and this router provides you with 5.25 Gbps speed all over your house or business.
Who Will Use This Most
This router has a very stylish design and looks very elegant. It has different managing features that allow beginners and professionals to use it. The sleek aesthetic of this product allows you to place it anywhere you want, whether your house or business is very large or small-sized.
Bottom Line
If you are trying to provide a large building with access to your network, then this Ubiquiti router and home WiFi system are perfect for you. It is optimal in its performance, is easy to set up, and makes use of mesh technology in order to blanket your home or business with wireless connectivity. It's totally worth the money invested on it.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
When buying a new wireless access point, there are plenty of features you should look out for. These features include the following:
Speed
Most people think that the speed present on the product box is the speed of the router; this is wrong. The maximum speed only provides you with an estimate and does not consider factors such as physical obstructions, location, number of devices connected, and other environmental conditions.
The speed of your WiFi depends entirely on how far it is from your wireless access point. The further it is, the slower the WiFi speed will be.
Range
The range of access points is determined by the real-time wireless coverage, connected devices, and transmission rate. The signal can also be reflected around a targeted area, and the range scale depends on network interfaces, conditions, traffic, environmental factors, and physical obstacles as well.
Wireless Security
The best wireless security that these access points have is encryption. Access points do not come with firewall features, but the latest updated access points come with already integrated encryption. This is essential as it grants you security when using the network at home.
How to Set up Wireless Access Point?
You can set up or configure the WAP settings to switch it (or your router) to a repeater mode so that the range of your wireless home or business network gets increased. For this, simply follow the steps below:
- Connect your Ethernet cable on to your laptop or computer networking port.
- Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the access point present on the LAN ports.
- Open the web browser and simply type in the IP address of your access point — press "Enter" in order to open the configuration page.
- On the configuration page, you will find the configuration options that relate to the functions of the access point. Simply click on the "Wireless" tab, then click on the "Repeater" tab and then onto the "Mode" tab.
- You can also "Disable/Enable" the wireless access point functions in order to alter your other settings.
- Click on "Save Settings" to complete the access point's wireless repeater configuration.
You can also make use of the video link present in order to follow the steps and understand them more clearly.
Conclusion
This article compiled all the information you need to find the best wireless access point for you. It provided you with a full review of the top five best products on the market. We have also compiled a buyer's guide for you to use, along with the features you need to look out for. We hope you can use the information provided here to purchase the very best wireless access point for your needs.
People Also Ask
Even with all the information presented above, some questions are left unanswered. Some FAQs have been answered below for your convenience.
What is the Difference Between a Router and a Wireless Access Point?
A router is a device that sends packets to their destination, and it helps in routing them. The wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to get connected through antennas.
Can I Use a Router as a Wireless Access Point?
With advancements in technology made in the last few years, many routers can work in Access Point mode, which you can turn on through the interface. Some manufacturing companies of WiFi routers add Access Point mode in their list of features, and if this is what your router has, then simply learn how to turn on the mode and make use of it.
Why Do I Need a Wireless Access Point?
A wireless access point is a piece of equipment that allows you to connect various devices to your wired network. Many homes require a wireless router, which comes with a wireless access point present into it; this helps in providing WiFi all through your house.
Does an Access Point Need to be Wired to the Router?
An access point receives data through wired Ethernet and makes it into a 5 GHz or 2.5 GHz wireless signal. An access point is very different from a wireless router since it lacks firewall functions, so it does not protect your local network against internet threats.
How Do I Connect Two Wireless Access Points?
In order to connect two wireless access points easily, you need to make sure that there is a single DHCP server present. Then, use the same wireless network name for both the access points. You can also use the same encryption and password settings for both the access points as well and enjoy the new connection.
