devolo WiFi Repeater ac, we have tested it

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You want to see the latest hit series on the Internet. You load it on your laptop and go to your bedroom to see it quietly in bed. But upon arrival you realize that the connection speed has dropped drastically , or even not fully loaded. In the end, you have to go back one meter from the router to enjoy a stable connection. The distance, obstacles or the low power of the router (something common in some other operator) are problems that can cause the speed to plummet in some corners of the house.

In these cases, the devolo WiFi Repeater ac can become a perfect solution. It is a WiFi signal extender that boosts the router's signal so that it reaches every corner of the house. Its protocol support WiFi ac allowed to reach very high speeds of over 1,000 Mbps (combining the bandwidth of 2.4 GHz and the bandwidth of 5 GHz), while the use of technology MIMO 2 × 2  enables a more stable network experience when we use multiple connected devices. The devolo WiFi Repeater ac is available on the market for a price of 70 euros. We have had the opportunity to try it, we will tell you what our impressions are.

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Simple commissioning

Without a doubt, it is one of the keys to this type of WiFi repeater. The ease with which it is installed allows us to configure our network in a few minutes, without major headaches. The devolo WiFi Repeater ac has two modes to configure the network. The first of them is the fastest, but it requires that we have a router compatible with WPS . To verify this, it is enough that we check the existence of a button of this type on the router itself.

If so, we plug the devolo adapter into a socket (it is not recommended to do it on a power strip) that is halfway between the router and areas where the connection does not reach. The adapter itself will tell us later if it is the best place to place it through the LED indicators . To synchronize the adapter, you must press the WPS button for several seconds and then do the same on the router button (we have two minutes to spare).

We can configure the devolo WiFi Repeater ac both through its WPS button and through the web browser of a laptop or PC

In case the router does not have WPS or we want to access in another way, we can also configure the device directly through the browser of our device. Once we have the devolo WiFi Repeater ac  plugged in, look for the “devolo WiFi Repeater” network . Then we enter "//www.devolo.wifi " in the address bar and follow the steps indicated. In this process, we will have to first select that we want to use this equipment with repeater mode and then select our local network from the available options. The connection list is divided into two lists for the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and for the 5 GHz bandwidth. We can keep the same name of the repeating network orcreate a new name to connect through the adapter.

We have the option of using the same home network or having a different network name when configuring this adapter

In the next window we will have to enter the password of the and then we will have to wait a while for the synchronization process to take place (in our case, it took approximately one minute). By the way, one of the good news that this device leaves us is that once we have configured it we can change the plug without having to go through the same process again. In these cases, the devolo WiFi Repeater ac will take around half a minute to start up again and then extend the signal from the router.

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Very high speeds thanks to ac WiFi

The devolo WiFi Repeater is an extender that supports the WiFi ac network protocol . This technology allows us to connect simultaneously to the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and the 5 GHz bandwidth. In the first case, the 2.4 GHz width is the one used by the vast majority of connected devices in the actuality. However, it suffers from several problems that can weigh down the experience. On the one hand, we are talking about a width that is congested and in which interferences are very common (for example, our microwave generates waves in that bandwidth). In addition, it is a protocol designed for a maximum of eight devices connected at the same time., something that collides head-on with the current trend of having more and more gadgets connected at home. And all this with a lower top speed.

For its part, the 5 GHz bandwidth is less congested, supports higher speeds, and can seamlessly handle a larger number of connected devices at the same time.

To take advantage of all the possibilities of the devolo WiFi ac repeater, it is necessary to have a compatible router 

With this previous explanation, it must be taken into account that the devolo adapter needs a router that is compatible with WiFi ac in order to take advantage of its full potential. The maximum speeds it reaches are 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz bandwidth and 300 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth. That means that we are facing a device prepared for the future, when the offers fiber Internet connections rise above the current 300 Mbps.

Apart from WiFi connectivity, this equipment has a useful Ethernet port to connect our equipment directly via cable (with a maximum speed of 1,000 Mpbs). This is a very interesting option if, for example, we want to use a printer, an older PC or a TV that does not have a WiFi connection in a room other than the router.

Also noteworthy is the 2 × 2 MIMO technology. This technology consists of the use of two receiving antennas and two transmitting antennas capable of generating a more stable connection in the connected device (it is necessary that the gadget is also compatible with this technology). Personally, our experience with this gadget has been very good. Its presence has not been noticed so much in a rise in connection speed, but in the stability with which the Internet works in those areas furthest from the router (in the furthest room it was very common that every so often the connection was cut off and then it would work again without problems).

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Compact design and easy to install

Another aspect that we liked about this gadget is its design. devolo has opted for a simple and functional appearance with a square shape , with dimensions that are not annoying when connecting it to any socket in the office. Its white color goes quite unnoticed with the usual color of the plugs. Of course, the detail of the LED lights is a good indicator of whether we are placing it in the right place. The devolo WiFi Repeater ac incorporates five different LED lightsthat mark the strength with which the router signal arrives. Ideally, the device should reach four or five of these LED lights, although we have also placed it in a corner where three LED lights reached and the result is stable (although not as fast).

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Price and reviews

The devolo WiFi Repeater ac can be found on the market for a price of 70 euros . It is a very useful gadget that has one great virtue: it works and goes unnoticed . Its installation is simple, and once you find the most optimal place you can forget that it is there . The fact that it saves the configuration means that you will never have to go through the WPS button or the web browser every time you change places. And, in addition, with the visual support of its LED lights , which are a great indicator that you have found the right plug. All this while fulfilling its mission, that of extending the WiFi signal so that you do not have to pull your hair in the rooms furthest from the router.

Of course, keep in mind that it is compatible with ac WiFi . This protocol requires a compatible router, so we recommend that before buying it you make sure that your home or business router is. Otherwise, you can opt for a more affordable option (devolo itself has another traditional repeater for 40 euros ) or invest a few more euros for the future to avoid having to change the gadget in the future. Without a doubt, an interesting option to improve your Internet connection.

devolo WiFi Repeater ac

Branddevolo
Modeldevolo WiFi Repeater ac
TypeWiFi repeater / extender

Signal

ScopeUp to 300 Mbps (WiFi)
StandardsIEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)
Maximum speedsWi-Fi 5 GHz: 867 Mbps, 2 × 2 MIMO

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi: 300 Mpbs, 2 × 2 MIMO

10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

Technologies2 × 2 MIMO (for a more stable network signal)
SecurityWPA / WPA2 WPS PBC
Ethernet1 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port

Design

Dimensions115 x 190 x 81 mm
Weight240 grams
ColorsWhite
Buttons and LEDsButton to sync WPS

Five LED indicators

Antennas2 internal antennas

software

Pcdevolo Cockpit, management via browser
Smartphone and tabletApp my devolo, devolo Cockpit
CompatibilityWindows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android devices

+ info

Release dateAvailable
Manufacturer's websitedevolo

Price 70 euros