The coronavirus quarantine has given us many reasons to adjust the equipment in our homes to more easily make the transition to a remote work environment. This also means that we’re discovering the limitations of our houses as workstations, however, and this is never more apparent than in the state of our wi-fi networks.
You don’t want to lose your signal when you take your work to a back room or down a long hallway to the outer edge of your house. Even TV installation can be difficult nowadays because of the necessity of connecting it to a router for all your smart TV applications. The range limit on your internet may not be as wide in practice as you think.
This is why an outdoor wi-fi antenna is a necessity in the modern household, especially during quarantine. We’ll review the 5 best models available for purchase in 2020, as well as go over the features that you should look for in an extensive buying guide.
| Product | Type/Features | Rating |
| TP-Link | EAP225-Outdoor easily delivers dual-band Wi-Fi Including access points, switches & gateways |  Check Price |
| Extender G2424 | 2.4Ghz wifi antenna extends a 7 degree wide cone Extender antenna is a signal booster ideal for outdoor |  Check Price |
| CC Vector | 15 dBi parabolic antenna which reduces interference Signal strength and speed | Check Price |
| Ideaworks | Connect to Hot Spots up to Half a Mile Away Includes 10 foot USB Cable and Removable Stand | Check Price |
| TUOSHI N4000 | N519D can work with R658U router Up to 600Mbps Wi-Fi speeds on 5GHz |  Check Price |
Regardless of which you choose, just a few extra feet of signal could make a huge impact on your ability to work efficiently in your house without worrying about losing signals, dropping calls, or refreshing pages.
Here are the 5 best outdoor wi-fi antennas that you should consider buying in 2020. For the full reviews, keep on reading:
1. TP-Link Omada AC1200 Wireless Outdoor Access Point
This 40cm-long antenna by TP-Link Omada can be mounted to most external areas of your house by a small mounting plate that can even attach to wall or ceiling tiles if necessary. The waterproofed access plate on the bottom allows space for an Ethernet cable.
It uses a power-over-ethernet system that is becoming more popular as people are turning to outdoor wi-fi antennas for their home systems. This allows the TP-Link antenna to be powered through the ethernet cable itself, using a small power adaptor.
This makes the TP-Link particularly convenient for businesses, since you can run the ethernet cable wherever you want.
This antenna has been tested for up to 1200 Mbps of bandwidth and because of this, has become one of the most popular solutions for commercial buildings and homes alike for affordable wi-fi. Omada’s cloud controller software built into the antenna is easy to use and allows you to link your system to your monitor or device and change the options, monitor the status, or even manage the clients on your network anytime.
Facebook and SMS authentication systems allow you to manage your business network much more efficiently. Its weatherproof housing is essential since you plan on using it outside; the Omada antenna holds up.
Anyone looking for a great all-around, reasonably priced outdoor wi-fi solution for their home or business would do well with the TP-Link Omada antenna, which is why it’s our overall best pick.
Pros
- Weatherproof housing
- 1200 Mbps of bandwidth
- Easy to use authentication systems
- Detachable antenna
- Convenient configuration settings compatible with connective devices
Cons
- The TP-Link doesn’t function as a bridge
2. SimpleWiFi Ultra Long Range WiFi Extender G2424
This antenna by SimpleWiFi is a heavy-duty speed signal booster for those that need as much extension as possible, which is particularly useful for those with a large house. The 2.4Ghz antenna increases your wi-fi strength and the quality of your connection.
This antenna doesn’t look like most of the models on the market: it has a more industrial, radio antenna look. This is because of its wide wire cone, which allows the antenna to perform over 8 miles, which is great, whether you want to put it on the outside of your house, commercial installation, or RV. No matter where you put it, its test chamber-certified wi-fi extender will do the job.
It can manage data transfers up to 150 Mbps, with speeds up to 1.3 GBPS. The antenna is constructed from powder-coated cast aluminum, which makes the SimpleWifi model particularly weather-resistant.
Unlike some of the models out there, the SimpleWifi antenna can be installed using a simple U-bolt mounting system. So long as you have a cord that can reach, it easily connects to your router system as well.
This is our pick for the most durable outdoor antenna you can buy because of its cast aluminum construction, unique grid design, and easy to install U-bolt mounting system. It also has an extreme suggested range of up to 8 miles, though most people won’t need it at that distance.
Pros
- Cast aluminum construction
- 8-mile range
- 150 Mbps data transfer speed
- Unique design
Cons
- Higher than average price
- Large physical size
3. CC Vector Extended Long Range WiFi Receiver System
The CC Vector Extended antenna uses a multi-directional 15dBi parabolic antenna to give your personal Wi-Fi network more speed and reduced interference. This heavy-duty receiver system mounts outside but easily connects to the CC vector inside the house.
The system is compatible with all Windows, Android, Apple, and Smart TV devices. It has additional Ethernet jacks to connect more routers to its 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi band, which provides a standard and versatile setup for novice computer users.
The antenna has a range of 3 miles, which is particularly useful if you want to use this outdoors Wi-Fi receiver system to feed into a barn, shop, office, or garage separate from the house. The CC Vector Long Range Receiver System can also support two users at once on standard quality Netflix or regular internet browsing.
It can make data transfers up to 150Mbps, though the CC Vector’s internet speed becomes lowered when it processes the maximize data limit.
The heavy-duty antenna system mounts easily and connects to smart TVs, gaming consoles, Windows, Apple, and Android devices. For its durability and high price, it’s our premium pick for outdoor Wi-Fi antennas.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction
- 15dBi parabolic antenna
- 2.4Ghz capacity
- 150Mbps data transfer speed
- 3-mile range
Cons
- High price
- Prone to speed reduction in the presence of physical obstructions
4. Ideaworks Long Range Wi-Fi USB Tower Antenna
The IdeaWorks Long Range Antenna is a great budget option for those with tight purse strings that still want to boost their wi-fi signal. Once you mount this antenna, you can connect to hot spots from a half a mile away. It has software capabilities for Windows and Mac devices.
A unique feature of the Ideaworks Tower Antenna is its ability to be taken anywhere, which makes it the only truly portable long-range wi-fi enhancer on this list. It’s ideal for travel to sustain and extend a strong wi-fi connection while you’re on the road, in a hotel or guesthouse, or at a campsite.
In keeping with its portable nature, it mounts through powerful suction cups that can attach to a window or other surface and includes a 10-foot USB cable for power.
Not only is it our budget pick for long-range wi-fi extenders but it is also the most portable unit on this list and ideal for anyone tired of losing wi-fi signal on long trips or when you’re trying to conduct business on dodgy hotel servers. Just wait till quarantine lifts to use it for that purpose.
Pros
- Portable design
- Sleek, simple appearance
- Movable mounting system
- Cheap price
Cons
- Not as long a range as some other available models
5. TUOSHI N4000 Long Range Wi-Fi Antenna
This long-range wi-fi extender can transfer data at 300Mbps with a frequency range of 2.4 GHz. Its transmission power is 36 dbm with a maximum range of about 328 feet, which is not as extensive as others on the market, but many aren’t as cheap as the TUOSHI.
This is a budget-priced wi-fi antenna for those that don’t need to extend their signal to another building or installation. For home use, this antenna’s CCA technology should be sufficient for improving your home’s signal stability and data transfer performance.
This is also one of the safest options to buy due to the N400’s MIMO technology that encrypts your transfers so that your signal can’t be hacked. For a cheap antenna, the TUOSHI is surprisingly waterproof, hardy, and with a high data transfer speed.
Pros
- High transfer speed and limit
- Cheap price
- Encrypted transfers prevent signal hijacking by unwanted users
Cons
- Plastic construction
Buying Guide
Before you buy a Wi-Fi extender to install on the outside of your home or business, you need to know which features have to be compared to help you make the decision. Use this buying guide to sort out your options will help you make the right decision to suit your needs.
Range
The main feature to watch for when buying a long-range wi-fi extender for the outside of your home or business is the range. Some of these models can communicate signals for miles, allowing you to use your network in a large installation or connect to your hotspot in a garage or office separate from the house.
Since the normal range of a couple hundred feet is surprisingly small when you factor in how many devices like smart TVs and phones use the internet, for business and pleasure, you need to compare the tested ranges of these devices to find one that suits the needs of the physical place you plan on installing it in.
Weather-resistance
Since this antenna will be installed on the outside of your house, you need to consider your area’s weather conditions when choosing one. An antenna made of plastic may not hold up as well as one made of cast aluminum. You need to make sure that the ports and docking systems are waterproof as well, particularly if you intend to use this in an area that gets a lot of rain.
Also Read : The 5 Best Long-Range TV Antennas
Data Transfer Speeds
The upload and data transfer speeds vary between each model and should be on your shortlist of factors to consider when comparing these units. Some of them feature business-grade data transfer speeds while others are somewhat limited to normal home use specifications.
If you plan on streaming multiple Netflix accounts or want to use your connection for high downloads related to work or programming, you need an antenna that can handle the load.
Price
The range of prices on this list alone should make you pause and consider your needs before buying this technology. Some of these units cost hundreds of dollars and some cost less than fifty, meaning that if you simply want an extender for casual use in your home, you may not need to shell out as much as one for an important business installation with multiple satellites and a large workload.
Connectivity
Many modern antennas easily connect to commonly used devices from Windows, Apple, Android, or Smart TV systems. Some have interfaces that allow you to control the users on your network, manage connections, and alter the settings on your system from other devices.
Safety
Since you’re extending the range of your wi-fi network, on some of these units for up to miles, you want to take precautions so that unwanted visitors don’t hack or hijack your connection. Especially if your family is on your extended data transfer network, you want to keep your connection safe and your data protected.
The Takeaway
A long-range outdoor wi-fi antenna can improve your working conditions during the COVID-19 lockdown by increasing your data transfer speeds, extending your connection, protecting your network, and maintaining a stable connection no matter the workload.
If you keep your own needs as a new user in mind, you can choose the right antenna system for you. Some can extend their signal for miles, providing service to your outdoor garage, office, or guest house. In any outdoor antenna, you want to make sure it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to install.
The TP-Link Omada is our top pick because of its huge bandwidth limit, high range, and wireless authentication system. Its ease of use is particularly useful for those unused to the technology and who want to provide a more stable wi-fi connection for their family.
Regardless of your needs, one of these units will provide you the stable internet connection you need in order to work through the lockdown, whether you need it for work or for crisscrossing Netflix accounts.