A WiFi extender, also known as a booster, is a plug-in device designed to eliminate “dead zones” by expanding the reach of your existing wireless network. It works by capturing the WiFi signal from your main router and rebroadcasting it into areas where the connection is weak or nonexistent, such as a far bedroom or a basement. While highly effective for extending coverage, it typically operates by creating a secondary network bridge, which can result in a slight reduction in overall speed compared to being directly next to the router. For optimal performance, it should be placed in a “sweet spot”—midway between the router and the area where you need a better signal—to ensure it has enough bandwidth to relay.