It may sound over the top, but a strong and reliable internet connection is already a necessity. But since many have been pushed to work or stay at home, the amount of time people spend on browsing the internet has increased. As a result, internet traffic spikes, and the data flow slows down. Good thing there’s one device that can supposedly fix this ― the Wifiblast.
Early Impressions
Wifiblast has a lot of potential for an affordable Wi-Fi booster. It helps extend your WiFi coverage in areas you want. However, it also has claims that are too good to be true. You should not rush to buy it until you’re sure it is really what you need.
Wifiblast is a WiFi booster that extends the WiFi signal even in areas with low reception. However, there are still doubts about whether this could really increase the internet speed. Does the Wifiblast really work or is it just a scam? We’ll answer that here without filters. But before we come up with a final judgment, let us first know more about the device, its features, and how it works.
What Is Wifiblast?
Wifiblast claims that it could extend internet speed in hard-to-reach areas using 2.4 GHz band. There is no question on how wide a 2.4 GHz network can cover, but it’s also notorious for a fairly slower connection. Compared to 5.0 GHz, a 2.4 GHz network can only accommodate up to 300 Mbps connection speed. What good is a network with wide coverage if the connection is still slow, right?
Interestingly, Wifiblast also claims to maximize your bandwidth by 100 percent, at least according to the product specification. Just think about what you can do with a 300 Mbps connection, for instance, if you are able to maximize it. It’s probably lots of downloads, movies, and video conferences already.
How does Wifiblast do this, you might ask. The device supposedly prevents ISP from throttling your bandwidth. In case you are unfamiliar with the term, bandwidth throttling is the intentional speeding but mostly slowing of the internet by providers. They do this to regulate network traffic and decongest bandwidth.
The ability to bypass bandwidth throttling is a good selling point for Wifiblast. However, this claim is grandeur and misleading at some point. Most ISPs have excellent detection systems, and you can’t mask it when you go overboard with your browsing. Even the best VPNs or a proxy server are not a sure fix.
What Does Wifiblast Do Then?
Pretty much like any WiFi range extender, Wifiblast uses your existing WiFi signal and amplifies it in spaces where there is low or no reception. Dead spots are common pains within big spaces like offices and huge buildings. But, it could also happen even in households. WiFi signals cannot penetrate solid objects like walls. Your distance from your router can also greatly affect the WiFi reception of your device.
However, this is not the only reason for a spotty connection. Some problems are inherent on the servers or on the ISP itself. Additionally, your internet connection might also appear slow if your area has no network reception in general. Sadly, no WiFi booster can help you in that matter.
In order for Wifiblast to work, your router must have a steady connection. Then, it will be up to Wifiblast to improve your WiFi coverage. What it does is pretty basic. It pushes the WiFi signals it receives to your devices so you can surf the net anywhere from your home.
In terms of internet bandwidth, Wifiblast can help you maximize it given your ISP doesn’t hamper your connection. If you have a 300 Mbps plan, Wifiblast might help you to fully enjoy that. But if your internet bandwidth is only at 25 Mbps, per se, then you can’t expect anything beyond that. It doesn’t work some sort of magic that miraculously extends your bandwidth beyond what you pay for.
How Much Is Wifiblast?
Wifiblast is within the range of a basic WiFi booster. An entry-level WiFi range extender normally costs around $30, but the more powerful ones are around $80 on average. The good thing about WiFiBlast is that it gets cheaper the more you purchase the product from its main website. As if it’s not enough, it also offers a 50% off in a limited period. Here’s a rundown of the WiFiBlast pricing.
Quantity | Price |
1 WiFi Range Extender | $39.95 |
2 WiFi Range Extender | $69.95 |
3 WiFi Range Extender | $99.95 |
4 WiFi Range Extender | $129.95 |
Go to site |
On the other hand, Amazon has a more interesting offer. Nowadays, the Wifiblast is around $23 only, which is a major cut from the original price. Just be more cautious about what you add to your cart as there can also be counterfeits of this product.
How to Set Up Wifiblast?
Supposedly, this WiFi booster has an easy plug and play setup. But for non-techie people, setting it up can cause a headache. There are two ways to connect Wifiblast to your router. You can set it up using your computer or laptop. But, using your phone or tablet is an easier alternative way to configure it.
Here’s how you can configure Wifiblast through your phone.
- The first step is to plug in your Wifiblast to a power source. The light beside the power logo indicates that the device is already powered up.
- The next step is to go to your phone’s WiFi settings and scan for a network. Should the device work properly, you’ll see an open network named “WiFi Repeater.” Connect to that network.
- Launch your phone browser and type in “192.168.10.1”. This IP address is the default gateway to the admin page of any router. Use “admin” as both username and password to log in. You can choose to change this later to avoid unauthorized login to your network’s admin page.
- Once you are in the admin page, change the mode of connection from “Access Point” to “Repeater Mode.”
- At this point, you have to connect Wifiblast to your main router. After you switch to Repeater Mode, you’ll see the active WiFi networks that your device is capturing. Click on the network you intend to use.
- A text box should appear for the SSID and password. On the SSID, enter the network name you want for the WiFi repeater ー it should be different from your main WiFi network. However, the security key must still be the same as the network you connect before.
- Once you click on “Apply,” the configuration will start. You’ll notice that you’ll get automatically connected to the main router. This means that the configuration is successful.
- Finally, go back to your WiFi settings and connect to the Wifiblast network you have created. You don’t have to do the configuration every time you connect to the WiFi booster unless you are changing your main router.
Does Wifiblast Really Speed Up the Internet?
Whether Wifiblast really speeds up an internet connection or not is a bit tricky. The answer could change from case to case. It definitely helps improve connectivity as it helps distribute WiFi signals in areas that the main router can not manage to reach. That’s basic for a WiFi booster.
But its performance still depends on the main router or the network coverage within your area in general. If the network coverage in your area is too weak, then it’s normal for the WiFi signal to go low. In return, your router won’t have enough signal to feed to your WiFi booster and your WiFi booster will have no signal to distribute in the first place.
This is what most people don’t understand. There is a wrong notion that WiFi boosters can unconditionally speed up the internet. Many people fall into the trap of using WiFi boosters without understanding how they really work. In the end, they just end up wasting their money.
If network coverage is the problem, then a WiFi booster is not what you need. You might need to switch to another internet provider instead.
What Should I Consider Before Buying Wifiblast?
Before you shell out on Wifiblast, there are few things you should look into just to make sure that what you really need is a WiFi booster.
Check Mobile and Broadband Coverage
This is a basic thing to do whether you are planning to subscribe to an internet service or want to give your internet a boost. You should not jump into buying Wifiblast if you are not sure that it is really what you need, because chances are you might just be wasting your money. You can always check the broadband and mobile coverage in your area online. It will give you a clearer picture of the type and speed of connection you can get from a provider.
If the broadband performance in your area looks good and you only experience a slow connection when you are away from your router, then it’s safe to assume that Wifiblast might be able to help you.
Check Your Router’s Transmission Frequency
Your router’s transmission frequency is another factor you should consider when buying a WiFi booster in general. As mentioned earlier, there are two bands for WiFi transmission frequency, the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz WiFi bands. The two differ in speed and range. The 2.4 GHz has a wider reach but lower bandwidth. On the other hand, the 5 GHz band has a closer range but a faster bandwidth. It is also a dual-band that allows it to function at two different frequencies.
Wifiblast uses a 2.4 GHz band. So if you are planning to buy it, make sure that your router runs a 2.4 GHz band as well. Of course, a 2.4 GHz device wouldn’t be able to connect to a 5 GHz SSID, unlike the dual-band that can connect to either.
The easiest way to check your WiFi frequency band is on your mobile phone. Just go to your WiFi setting then select the SSID to which you are connected. It should display all the WiFi’s properties including the frequency.
Place Your Router on an Optimal Spot
You may not have given it a thought, but your home WiFi may appear slow in some areas for one simple reason ー your router is not in the best location. Even a change in angle can affect the performance of your WiFi connection.
If you are having mix results connecting to the internet, you can try moving your router around. Some people say that you should put it in the center of your home. But, it isn’t always accurate as every home differs in design. Instead, you can strategically place it near the places where you spend most of your time such as the living room and study area. You can also put it on an elevated area to help distribute the signals evenly.
Wifiblast Alternatives
As we already know, Wifiblast is not all unicorns and rainbows. In fact, there is nothing very extraordinary about the device. There are lots of similar devices which can provide the same performance or perhaps more. Here are some WiFi boosters you can use in place of Wifiblast.
Linksys Max-Stream RE9000
In terms of networking hardware products, there is none more prominent than Linksys and that is true with their routers and WiFi boosters. RE9000 is an intelligent device that focuses wireless signals on devices you want using either 2.4 or 5 GHz wavelengths.
D-Link DAP-1650
You may think of it as a smart speaker for its cylindrical shape, but DAP-1650 is rather a smart WiFi booster. Aside from its 5 GHz throughput speed and range, it also has a 4 gigabit LAN port so you could maintain a stable connection for every space.
Actiontec WEB6000Q
WEB6000Q is an easy-to-set-up WiFi booster with dual-band throughput. It can accommodate up to 2 Gbps bandwidth, which can give you the best possible HD streaming experience.
The Verdict on Wifiblast
There are lots of claims about what Wifiblast can do. Bypassing bandwidth throttling is among those that draw attention. However, for a price that is lower than average, Wifiblast looks shady. In truth, there is nothing special about it. It plainly boosts the WiFi coverage in your home, which is pretty basic for a WiFi booster. If you are looking for a cheap and an okay WiFi booster, Wifiblast may work for you. However, there can still be more powerful devices left in store for you.