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An RV WiFi booster could be the key to keeping you connected no matter where your travels take you. More and more RV parks offer WiFi to guests, but you usually won’t have the lightning-fast speeds you’re used to at home. Even worse, that wonderful WiFi might be unusable if you’re too far from the park’s access point.
That’s where your booster comes in. It may not work in every situation, but in others, it can come in clutch! It might be just what you’re looking for. Let’s take a look at how they work and some of the best choices.
What Is an RV WiFi Booster?
An RV WiFi booster is a device that takes a weak or distant WiFi signal and, as its name implies, boosts it to improve the performance of devices in your RV.
How Does an RV WiFi Booster Work?
These devices start with an antenna, either movable or mounted on your RV. That antenna captures the distant WiFi signal.
Next, you have the booster itself, which receives your antenna’s signal, amplifies it, and pushes it to your devices. Without the booster system, you’re relying on the built-in antenna within your computer, phone, or tablet.
But with the booster, the powerful external antenna can capture much weaker signals. Once your device receives the data, it sends data back to the booster, and the entire process happens in reverse.
What You Should Know About WiFi Boosters
RV WiFi boosters can work wonders in certain situations, but they’re not magic. The technology needs a WiFi signal to boost. This means if you’re boondocking, have major obstructions between you and the WiFi, or are so far from the WiFi access point that you have no signal at all, you’re out of luck.
Due to the way the technology works, boosters also tend to sacrifice speed in exchange for the extended range they provide. Furthermore, if many others are trying to use the same WiFi network, the booster can’t increase your speed because the network is overloaded.
Regardless of your booster, location, or the technology in use, there’s simply no way to get around the overall download and upload speed limits of the primary connection.
6 Best RV WiFi Boosters to Boost Your Signal
So which RV WiFi booster is best for you? We took a look at a few to help find the right one.
Roadlink TOGO C2 WiFi Extender
- Get connected with improved speeds to the internet even while off the beaten path
- Connect to 4G LTE networks faster in areas where cell coverage is weak
The Roadlink TOGO C2 from Winegard is a combination WiFi extender and cellular booster. Installed on the roof of your rig, the powerful antenna and booster help pick up WiFi signals from distant sources and share them with multiple devices in your RV.
The device also gives access to cellular 4G LTE networks if you have a compatible data plan and SIM, which is ideal for when there’s no WiFi around. The Roadlink TOGO C2 costs $399 retail and is an excellent option for RVers who also use cellular networks for their internet access.
KING KF1000 Falcon WiFi Extender
- fully automatic, directional wi-fi antenna with extender
- provides fast, reliable, and secure long-range signal acquisition from your wi-fi network
The KING KF1000 Falcon WiFi Extender offers one of the easiest ways to boost your RV WiFi experience. A powerful, roof-mounted directional antenna seeks out the strongest WiFi signal and points itself toward it automatically. It then shares that network in your RV, allowing you to connect multiple devices.
You can find the KING KF1000 Falcon WiFi Extender for sale for around $375.
Winegard ConnecT 2.0 RV WiFi Booster
- Fit Type: Universal Fit
- Wireless Speed: 2.4Ghz: 450Mbps (Rx), 450Mbps (Tx)
The Winegard ConnecT 2.0 is a more affordable WiFi booster option, available for less than $200. It’s also packed with security features to protect your network and devices from hackers and other unexpected situations on unfamiliar networks.
For those who also want to connect to cellular networks, you can get a different version of this device with 4G LTE capabilities for around $370.
WeBoost Drive 4GX RV WiFi Booster
- COMPATIBILITY: The Drive 4G-X RV Signal Booster is compatible with all US carriers including: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon,...
- SIGNAL BOOSTER: The weBoost Drive 4G-X RV (470410) Cell Phone Signal Booster boosts your 4G LTE and 3G signal up to 32X...
This is not an RV WiFi booster; instead, it’s an RV cellular signal booster. These boosters work along the same lines, capturing low-power cell signals and sharing them on a local network. For those who rarely stay in RV parks or anywhere near a WiFi signal, you’ll need something like the WeBoost Drive 4GX.
Retailing at $500, it isn’t cheap, and you’ll also need to pay for a compatible cellular plan. You’ll often use this potentially expensive cellular data since there’s no WiFi boosting capabilities included. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to stay connected anywhere and everywhere cell signals may go.
Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2 WiFi Range Extender
If you’re not afraid of a little assembly, check out the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2. This three-part kit is somewhat basic, but for around $175, the unit has a good reputation for boosting distant WiFi.
Drawbacks include no support for cellular networks and that it only connects to 2.4 GHz WiFi instead of the newer, fast 5 GHz. Still, it’s ideal for those on a budget with minimal WiFi extension needs.
Bearifi BearExtender RV And Marine WiFi Booster
For on-the-go RVers with the most limited budgets, the Bearifi BearExtender will set you back less than $60. That makes it easily the most affordable of these options.
However, the bargain price comes with one major downside–it only works for one device at a time. Plus, it connects via a physical USB cable rather than Bluetooth.
This booster is portable, so it can sit on your desk or be strapped somewhere temporarily instead of permanently mounted on your RV. The Bearifi also can’t pick up cell networks, so you’re limited to WiFi only on this device.
Stay Connected With the Right RV WiFi Booster
Overall, RV WiFi boosters can majorly change your mobile internet experience. These devices present various features and price points, from basic WiFi antennas connected physically to your computer to powerful cellular signal amplifiers. As with many RV accessories, take a careful look at your rig and travel style before buying.
If you’re ready to learn about more ways to staying connected on the road, check out our article called RV Hotspot, Cellular Data, WiFi – A Look at the Technology.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jason,
Thanks for the thoughtful review. Have you had any experience with the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2 mini which is the indoor version of the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2? I’m trying to decide between these two.
Thanks again,
Dale
Thanks for the information. This is very helpful stuff. Did you look at the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2 mini as well as the Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2? Trying to understand how much difference the outdoor version would improve over the indoor version. Any thoughts?