Best options to extend Wi-Fi to your Garden Pod or Shed

With an increase in people working from home, garden offices have become very popular—however, many fight with weak WiFi signals in these areas of the house.

A strong WiFi connection is very important for keeping productivity and connectivity high. The distance from the main house and physical barriers tend to weaken the signal.

Factors Affecting WiFi Signal

Distance from the Router

The physical distance between your router and your garden office significantly affects the WiFi signal. As the distance increases, the weaker it gets, reducing the speed of the internet.

WiFi signals operate within a range, mostly within 50 to 100 feet indoors. The farther the laptop/computer is away from the router, the weaker the signal. Moving the router closer to the garden office will ensure better Wi-Fi connectivity.

Physical Barriers

Thick walls, metal objects, and big furniture absorb or reflect the signal, weakening the WiFi strength.

Most garden offices have several barriers in the way, including extra walls that come between the device and the main house.

Minimising these barriers will improve signal strength.

Interference from Other Devices

Devices operating within the same frequency as your router can cause interference, such as microwaves and cordless phones.

The majority of routers operate at about 2.4 GHz frequency, which is a common frequency for household electronic gadgets. Top tip: change over to 5.8 GHz or 900 MHz to minimise interference. This can provide a stronger connection.

Assessing Your Current WiFi Setup

Checking Signal Strength

Its relatively straightforward to test your WiFi signal strength, you can download a WiFi analyser app (such as NetSpot, WiFi monitor, and Fing) on your smartphone to analyse the WiFi in your garden and various locations around your house. The apps give you a handy visual representation of signal coverage enabling you to see areas of weak signal.

Identifying Dead Zones

Dead zones refer to areas where the WiFi signal does not reach. These create no connectivity or extremely slow speeds.

Take a walk with a WiFi-connected device around your garden office.

Make a note of any place where the connection drops or slows down. This dead zone location will give you a good idea of a plan for installing an extender or some other solution to enhance coverage.

Solutions to Boost WiFi Signal

Move Your Router

Moving the router can improve your WiFi signal. If the router is moved closer to the garden office, connectivity will be better.

Moving the router provides many benefits. First, it will give strength and coverage of the signal. On the other hand, moving the router may need additional cabling and the new location may not be appropriate aesthetically and functionally.

Cost Considerations

There is hardly any cost involved in moving the router. You may have to get longer cables. No professional installation is required, which will save you money.

Using WiFi Extenders

A WiFi extender used in a garden office enhances the current signal.

This device extends the reach to the garden office by bumping up the coverage area. Installation is easy and relatively straightforward.

Wifi extender for garden office

A WiFi extender simply plugs into a mains socket and boosts the signal of the main router, giving your garden office a stronger internet connection.

PROs

Cost-Effective: Wi-Fi extenders are cheaper (£20 and go up to £100) than upgrading routers or using mesh systems.
Easy Setup: Most Wi-Fi extenders are plug-and-play devices, requiring minimal setup.
Extends Existing Network: Wi-Fi extenders amplify your router’s signal without needing to reconfigure your network or replace your router.
Improves Coverage: If your garden pod is just slightly out of your router’s reach, a Wi-Fi extender can effectively fill that gap and bring the signal to the area where you need it.
Portable: Wi-Fi extenders are easy to move around

CONs

Reduced Speed: Wi-Fi extenders can halve your internet speed, making streaming or gaming in the garden pod slower.
Signal Interference: Physical barriers between the extender and router can weaken signal strength, even with an extender in place.
Limited Coverage: A single Wi-Fi extender has a limited range (typically 30-50 feet), which may not be enough for larger gardens or if the distance from your home to the garden pod is too far.
Not Seamless: Wi-Fi extenders create a separate network (e.g., “HomeWiFi_EXT”), causing devices to not switch automatically between the router and extender.
Additional Latency: Extenders can cause latency as data passes through them before reaching your device. This may not be evident in browsing but can impact online gaming or video calls.

Installing a Mesh WiFi System

A mesh WiFi system creates a unified network. Multiple nodes work together to cover large areas. This system provides seamless connectivity.

PROs

Seamless Coverage: A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple nodes to create one seamless network covering your home and garden pod, allowing uninterrupted roaming without switching networks, unlike Wi-Fi extenders.
Eliminates Dead Zones: Mesh systems eliminate dead zones, ideal for areas like garden pods that regular routers can’t cover. The nodes collaborate to extend coverage without speed loss.
Strong Signal Strength: The system dynamically routes data through the most efficient path between nodes, ensuring that even the garden pod has a strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal. This results in more consistent performance than a single router or Wi-Fi extender can offer.
Scalable System: Mesh systems are scalable; you can start with a few nodes and add more to expand coverage for distant areas.
User-Friendly Management: Mesh Wi-Fi systems have user-friendly apps for simple setup and network management, allowing device monitoring and bandwidth prioritization without advanced knowledge.
Future-Proof: Mesh systems with Wi-Fi 6 are designed for modern smart homes, providing high speeds and capacity for many devices, ensuring strong Wi-Fi coverage as a long-term investment.

CONs

Cost: Mesh systems are pricier than Wi-Fi extenders or powerline adapters, costing £150 to £400+ based on brand, model, and nodes. This is a significant upfront cost.
Complex Installation for Larger Areas: Setting up for large outdoor areas may require strategic placement of multiple nodes to ensure communication, possibly needing Ethernet cables or intermediate nodes.
Requires a Strong Base Connection: Mesh systems extend coverage but won’t fix slow or unreliable internet speeds. They only improve weak connections.
Potential for Signal Interference: Mesh systems can face performance issues due to physical obstructions like thick walls or metal structures. A wired backhaul may be necessary to improve performance if wireless communication is inadequate.
Overkill for Small Areas: If your garden is close to your house and you don’t have any dead Wi-Fi zones, a mesh system may be excessive. A simpler and more cost-effective solution, such as a Wi-Fi extender or a powerline adapter, could be sufficient.

Upgrading to a More Powerful Router

Consider upgrading to a super-powerful next-generation router that will give you much better WiFi performance. These high-performance routers boast increased range and speed.

This will be ideal for garden offices, which might be far from the main house. With a powerful router, several devices can be connected without a reduction in speeds.

PROs

Better Range & Signal Strength: Newer routers with Wi-Fi 6 or mesh technology can provide stronger, more reliable signals, improving coverage to your garden pod.
Faster Speeds: Upgrading to a modern router, like one with Wi-Fi 6, can boost internet speed for your home and garden pod, enhancing streaming, gaming, and video calls.
Advanced Features: Modern routers with MU-MIMO and beamforming focus signals on specific devices, enhancing connection stability and strength.
Mesh Networks for Whole-Home Coverage: New routers support mesh systems, allowing extra nodes for better Wi-Fi coverage in distant areas like garden pods, eliminating dead zones.
Better Security: Upgrading to a modern router offers better security, like WPA3 encryption and frequent firmware updates to protect devices and data.

CONs

Cost: High-end routers with Wi-Fi 6 or mesh capabilities can cost £100 to £400 or more, making them pricier than simple Wi-Fi extenders.
Potential Overkill: If your current router already supports decent coverage and your garden pod is not too far away, a full upgrade might be unnecessary. A simpler solution, such as using Wi-Fi extenders or powerline adapters, might be more cost-effective.
Limited Impact on Distance: An upgraded router can enhance performance, but distance and obstacles will still impact the signal. A powerful router may not adequately reach a distant garden pod without additional support like mesh networks or extenders.
Complex Setup: Configuring a new router or mesh system can be more complex than using extenders, requiring reconfiguration of devices and learning new features.
May Still Require Extenders: After upgrading your router, you might still need Wi-Fi extenders or mesh nodes for good coverage, depending on your garden size and distance from the house.

Nighthawk 4G Router

Another option would be to acquire an additional 4G Router.

The Nighthawk M1 Mobile Router is like a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that gives you internet wherever you go, as long as there’s a good cellular signal. Think of it as a mini internet box you can take with you when you’re outside or traveling, instead of being stuck using home Wi-Fi or searching for public Wi-Fi.

Here’s how it works:

It connects to the internet using a cellular network (like 4G or 5G, similar to how your phone uses data).
Then, it creates a Wi-Fi signal that lets multiple devices (like phones, laptops, or tablets) connect to the internet through it.

It’s handy when you’re on the go, and you need fast internet for things like gaming, streaming, or doing homework. It’s small, portable, and can support many devices at the same time.

Here’s a review of one of our customers who implemented this solution.

“The pod is now online! I can now officially move in and accept guests. How did we do it? After much research, a LOT of advice (who knew my reel asking about WiFi was going to get over 100k views ), we opted for the Nighthawk mobile router solution.

No wires. No poles. And I can also take it with me wherever I go so I really can work from anywhere AS WELL as in my pod.”

G Sabini-Roberts

netgear nighthawk 4g router for a garden pod

PROs

Portable Internet Access: The Nighthawk M1 provides internet access without relying on home Wi-Fi. It can create a Wi-Fi network in areas far from your router, as long as there’s a good cellular signal.
Easy Setup: No complicated wiring needed. Just place the device in or near the pod, and it’s ready to use. A simple plug-and-play solution.
Support for Multiple Devices: The Nighthawk M1 supports multiple devices, allowing laptops, tablets, phones, and smart devices to connect simultaneously.
Portable & Flexible: It’s mobile, so you can easily move it to access the internet in different areas.
Battery-Powered: The router has a built-in battery, meaning it doesn’t have to be plugged in all the time, making it more flexible for use in places where power might not be easily available.

CONs

Reliant on Cellular Signal: The Nighthawk M1 depends on a strong mobile data signal (4G/5G). If the signal in your garden area is weak, the internet speed may be slow or unreliable.
Data Costs: You’ll need a data plan, which can become expensive for high-bandwidth activities like streaming or gaming.
Limited Range: While the Nighthawk M1 creates a Wi-Fi network, its range is limited. If your garden pod is far from where you place the router, the signal might not reach well. You may still need Wi-Fi extenders or mesh networks if it’s a large distance.
Not a Permanent Solution: Portable but not a substitute for fixed Wi-Fi long-term. A proper mesh network or extending home Wi-Fi is more reliable for permanent use.
Battery Life: If using the battery, monitor its life; it lasts hours but will need recharging.

The price range of the Nighthawk M1 Mobile Router in the UK is typically around £120 to £200, depending on the retailer and any available discounts. Prices may fluctuate with sales, so checking specific sellers like Amazon UK, Argos, or tech stores like Currys is a good idea for the most current deal.

Just like in other regions, the device cost doesn’t include a data plan, which would be an additional expense depending on your provider.

Implementing Wired Solutions

Cable solutions are quite stable and reliable methods of having an internet connection. This includes Ethernet cables and Powerline adapters.

Both these options are very commonly used these days. These bypass the limitations WiFi can create, including speed and interference. Wired connections face minimal to no interference, and speeds are consistent throughout.

Ethernet Cables (Recommended)

Ethernet cables plug directly into the router. This provides the fastest and most stable internet. Running an Ethernet cable to the garden office will ensure a strong connection. CAT6 or CAT6a cables will provide the best results.

Hully Pods can come with an Ethernet port as an optional upgrade!

ethernet port for garden pod — Hully Pods Ethernet port

PROs

Reliable and Consistent Connection: Ethernet offers a stable connection free from interference, leading to a more reliable internet in the garden pod.
Full Speed: Ethernet cables provide full internet speeds from the router to the pod, unlike Wi-Fi extenders that can reduce speed, making them ideal for high-bandwidth tasks like streaming and gaming.
No Signal Degradation Over Distance: Ethernet cables provide a strong, fast connection over long distances (up to 100 meters) without signal loss, ideal for a garden pod away from your home.
Low Latency: Ethernet offers lower latency than Wi-Fi, resulting in quicker response times, which is vital for real-time applications like gaming or video calls.
Security: Wired connections are more secure than wireless because data travels directly through cables, making interception harder.

CONs

Installation Difficulty: Drilling walls, burying cables, or routing them through your home may be needed to run an Ethernet cable to a garden pod, which can be labor-intensive, particularly if it’s far from your house or if you want to hide the cable.
Cost of Installation: Ethernet cables are cheap, but installation costs rise with underground burial, weatherproofing, or hiring professionals.
Lack of Mobility: The Ethernet cable provides a stable, fixed connection, which keeps devices in one place. To move around or connect multiple devices wirelessly, you’ll need to install a Wi-Fi access point or router in the pod.
Aesthetic Issues: Unattractive long cables from the house to the garden pod may necessitate extra materials for hiding, like protectors or conduits.
Weather Considerations: Use weatherproof or outdoor-rated Ethernet cables for outdoor installations to prevent damage from elements, adding complexity and cost.

Powerline Adapters

Powerline networking adapters make use of the existing electrical wiring. These are network-extending devices to the garden office.

Its installation involves plugging the adapter into a power socket.

The Powerline adapters present a convenient solution where running cables is difficult. Its performance, however, is solely dependent upon the quality of the electrical wiring.

PROs

Easy Setup: Powerline adapters are easy to install: plug one into a socket near your router, connect via Ethernet, then plug the second into your garden pod. They connect automatically through electrical wiring.
No Signal Loss Through Walls: Powerline adapters use electrical wiring, so physical barriers like walls don’t affect the connection, making them useful for garden pods too far for Wi-Fi.
Good Speeds: Powerline adapters, though not as fast as Ethernet, provide decent speeds, especially modern models like AV2 2000 or Gigabit, making them suitable for browsing, streaming, and gaming in the garden pod.
Affordable Solution: Powerline adapters are usually cheaper than mesh networks or upgraded routers, costing between £30 and £100.
Wired or Wireless Options: Powerline adapters can include a Wi-Fi hotspot, providing both wired and wireless connections to the garden pod, catering to devices needing strong connections and mobile devices.

CONs

Dependent on Electrical Wiring Quality: Powerline adapter performance relies on your home’s electrical wiring quality; old or poor wiring can cause inconsistent speeds or dropouts.
Not Ideal for Long Distances: Powerline adapters perform best with shorter distances between units. Greater distances degrade the signal, affecting performance, especially in large gardens far from the house.
Interference from Other Electrical Devices: Devices like microwaves, vacuum cleaners, or large appliances can cause interference on the powerline network, affecting the internet signal. This can be a problem if you have a lot of high-powered devices plugged into the same electrical circuit.
Limited to Sockets on the Same Circuit: For powerline adapters to work effectively, both units need to be plugged into sockets that are part of the same electrical circuit. If your garden pod is connected to a different circuit, the powerline adapters may not work at all.
Not as Fast as Ethernet: While powerline adapters provide decent speeds, they are generally slower than a direct Ethernet connection. If you need ultra-fast internet for tasks like high-definition video streaming or online gaming, you may experience some limitations with powerline adapters.

Conclusion

While Wi-Fi extenders provide a convenient, wireless solution for improving coverage, they fall short in terms of speed, reliability, and security compared to Ethernet cables.

Ethernet offers full internet speeds, a more stable connection, and greater security, making it the better choice for delivering strong, uninterrupted internet to a garden pod, especially when high performance is required.

Though Ethernet requires more effort to install, it is a long-term, superior solution for ensuring robust internet connectivity.

How to boost WiFi Signal to your Garden Office