How do I extend WiFi to my garden?

The distance your WiFi can reach outside your home depends largely on the technology inside the Hub in your home. As a general guide, most Hubs can deliver a WiFi signal of up to around 120 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors. WiFi tends to travel further outside because there are fewer obstacles like walls and doors to get in the way.

That said, WiFi range has continued to improve with each new generation of wireless technology. Newer standards are designed to go further and perform better than older ones. For example, WiFi 5 typically offers a stronger, more reliable range than WiFi 4 or WiFi 3. And with the latest WiFi 6 Hubs, like the Hub 5, coverage can stretch even further, helping to keep more of your home, garden and garden office connected.

Even after taking steps to extend your WiFi into the garden, you may notice it’s still not as strong as it is indoors, and that’s completely normal. WiFi signals almost always weaken the further they travel from the Hub, especially outdoors. There are three main reasons why:

1. Distance

The Hub needs to stay inside, so you’ll never be sitting right next to it when you’re out in the garden or in your garden office. For the strongest possible signal, devices usually need to be within around a metre of the Hub, something that’s not possible outdoors.

2. Obstacles

Every wall or solid surface your WiFi signal passes through reduces its strength. If you’re connecting from a shed, summerhouse or garden office, the signal has to travel through your home’s walls and then through the structure outside, weakening along the way.

3. Interference

WiFi doesn’t just compete with devices inside your home. Outside, things like brick walls, trees, weather conditions and other environmental factors can also interfere with the signal and reduce performance.

WiFi strength is measured in decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm), on a scale from 0 (strongest) to -100 (weakest). For everyday tasks like checking emails or browsing, you’ll want a signal of around -67 dBm or better in the garden. If you’re planning to stream films, join video calls or do other high-bandwidth activities, aim for a stronger signal of around -50 to -60 dBm.

1. Move the Hub

It might sound simple, but where the Hub sits can make a big difference. WiFi is strongest closest to the Hub, so if it is tucked away at the front of the house and you’re trying to get online at the back of the garden, the signal may struggle to reach. Moving the Hub closer to the garden or garden office is a quick, free fix that’s always worth trying first.

2. Upgrade the Hub

If the Hub’s been around for a while, it may not be built to deliver the coverage you need today. Older Hubs can struggle to push WiFi over longer distances, especially if they’re using outdated technology. Upgrading to a newer model can help deliver a stronger, more reliable signal throughout your home and out into the garden.

3. Plug in a broadband extender

A broadband extender does exactly what it says on the tin. It picks up your existing WiFi signal and boosts it from a new location. Placed between the Hub and your garden, an extender can help push WiFi further outdoors. You might notice a small drop in speed, but coverage should improve.

4. Use a mesh WiFi system

If an extender doesn’t quite cut it, a mesh WiFi system could be the answer. Mesh uses multiple WiFi points around your home to create a seamless network. Positioning nodes closer to the garden can help extend coverage outside and into a garden office. Just make sure any nodes placed outdoors are designed to handle the weather!

5. Switch WiFi frequency

Some Hubs broadcast WiFi on two bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. While 5GHz is often faster, 2.4GHz typically travels further. Switching to the 2.4GHz band can help your WiFi reach the garden, especially if you’re happy to trade a little speed for better range.

If you’re planning to work from a sunny spot in the garden or stream Netflix from your summerhouse, it might be worth thinking beyond WiFi. If the wireless signal just won’t stretch far enough, a wired connection using an ethernet cable could be the answer.

A direct cable connection usually delivers the most stable and reliable performance outdoors. Just bear in mind that you’ll need to run a cable from your router to your device, so make sure it’s routed safely and securely to avoid any trip hazards.

Tried all the tips and still struggling to stay connected in your garden or home office? It might be time for an upgrade to your broadband speed. With our WiFi guarantee, you can enjoy speeds of at least 30Mbps in every room.

Explore what broadband packages you can get in your area and enjoy seamless internet connections in your home and garden.