Here’s my review of 5 of the best RV WiFi Boosters.
You know the story, it goes something like this. You’re parked up, you’ve got access to a hotspot, tired kids want to watch something on their pads, you need to watch a Youtube video on how to fix something – but not much chance of that. Because the Wifi sucks.
The solution is an RV Wifi Booster. A booster like the King WiFi Max will dramatically improve patchy Wifi signal on an RV park or any other WiFi you can get access to.
From my own personal experience and recommendations from fellow RVers, I’ve put together this review of 5 of the best RV Wifi boosters, which will hopefully keep everyone in your RV happily connected.
Contents
🏆 Best Overall
What Kind Of WiFi Booster Is Best For An RV?
From a performance point of view, the best WiFi repeaters for an RV will have some form of external antenna with a wired connection to an internal router/repeater. The wall of an RV may be thin, but the fewer obstructions between the source signal and your router the better.
Lets have a look at some of the best options available.
The Best RV WiFi Boosters
- King KWM1000 WiFiMax Router/Extender
- C.Crane Vector Extended Long Range
- Alfa CampPro 2v2
- C.Crane Vector Long Range
- Bearifi Outdoor Wi-Fi Extender
King WiFi Max
⭐️Best Overall
The King WifiMax router/extender is an excellent wireless router with a couple of optional extras.
The router itself is pretty compact and has four directional antennas. One of the antennas is detachable so you can attach the optional external antenna.
The unit will easily fit on a shelf and can also be wall mounted via the hanging screw holes on the underside.
The router is reasonably easy to set up and uses dual-band technology to pull better WiFi signals.
The King WiFiMax router is a great choice as an RV WiFi booster and comes with a couple of package options that will get you the best WiFi signal possible.
Pros
Dual Band
Directional Antennas
Optional Extras
Cons
Basic Instructions
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
On the back of the router you’ll find three LAN ports and a WAN port.
The unit is supplied with a 9v DC power supply which in turn needs a 110v plug in source.
The King Swift antenna is a short spring loaded antenna that can be mounted externally. The King Falcon antenna is a large, roof mounted antenna that automatically scans for networks, and then aims itself towards the best signal.
The King Swift antenna is a short spring loaded antenna that can be mounted externally. The King Falcon antenna is a large, roof mounted antenna that automatically scans for networks, and then aims itself towards the best signal.
The router does perform very well as a stand alone device, but there are some optional extras that will improve your WiFi signal even further. The King WiFi router can be purchased with two different types of external antenna, the King Swift Antenna, or the much larger King Falcon Antenna.
C.Crane Vector Extended Long Range
⭐️Choice #2
The extended long range WiFi system from C.Crane is designed to retrieve distant WiFi signals and turn them into something really usable.
The heavy duty parabolic antenna measures 15” x 11” and is designed to be mounted on a mast. The mast isn’t supplied so you would have to find a suitable one for your application.
The unit is easy to install and comes with very clear installation instructions. If you are struggling with set-up, C.Crane support staff are excellent and readily available.
This system is another great option for improving weak RV WiFi.
Pros
Easy Installation
Clear Instructions
Good Support
Cons
Needs Mounting
Mast Not Included
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
The compact repeater has two ethernet ports and uses dual band technology to get the best signal.
All the relevant tapes and wraps are provided to seal the external connections properly.
The manufacturer’s claim is that the system will support two people streaming films at SD quality, or several general WiFi users at once, (provided the source signal is good) which would be a great result on campground WiFi.
Alfa CampPro 2v2
⭐️Choice #3
The Alfa CampPro 2v2 is a booster that is specifically designed for RV’s and boats alike.
It comes with an antenna and 25ft of cable for connection to the extender/mini router.
The connection for the cable to the antenna is a very good watertight one with various gaskets to seal out moisture. The antenna also comes with some zip ties to mount it, which is fine, but if you want it to be removable there are better options available.
The Alfa Network CampPro 2v2 is a very user friendly device. A plug and play solution to patchy campground or hotspot WiFi.
Pros
User Friendly
Smartphone Setup
12 Volt Cord
Cons
Mount Required
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
The unit comes with a choice of power cords, an AC and a DC cord.
Initial software set-up is very straightforward. You can use either the web wizard or to make things really easy there is a QR code for smartphone set-up.
C.Crane Vector Long Range
⭐️Choice #4
The C.Crane long range WiFi repeater is the baby brother to C.Crane Extended Long Range WiFi Receiver System.
The repeater is the same as the extended long range system and has two ethernet ports and dual band capability.
As is the case with the larger version, set-up is relatively easy, and should you encounter any problems, customer service is very good.
A very good, less expensive version of the C.Crane Extended WiFi System.
Pros
Easy Setup
Good Support
Dual Band
Cons
Needs Mounting
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
This system comes with a 1” wide wand style 8 DBI antenna which measures approximately 22” high. The antenna comes with its own cast aluminum mount and 30ft of cable to connect to the internal repeater.
Manufacturer figures suggest a strong WiFi connection at up 400ft (133 yards).
Bearifi Outdoor Wi-Fi Extender
⭐️ Best Budget Option
The BeariFi WiFI extender is a reliable budget option for getting RV WiFi.
It has to be stressed that this device doesn’t repeat a WiFi signal, but instead amplifies a WiFi signal to a single device with a USB port.
The device is a 10 DBI antenna with 16ft of heavy duty shielded cable that connects directly to a laptop via a 2.0 or 3.0 USB port.
The antenna is highly water and dust resistant, it also has an anti UV and corrosion coating, making it suitable for external mounting.
The BeariFi WiFi extender is a basic and cost effective way of getting WiFi to a single PC/Laptop.
Pros
Reliable
Affordable
Dual Band
Cons
Not A Repeater
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
The device has dual-band capability and it’s possible to get a really good WiFi signal when mounted high with a clear line of sight to the WiFi Source.
The device has a couple of mounting options, wall mount and on the included stand. It also comes with a rubberized cover to prevent slipping if put on a windowsill etc.
Terminology
The terms “Wifi booster”, “Wifi extender” and “WiFi repeater” are basically all terms used to describe the same thing.
How Does It Work?
They work by acquiring a Wifi signal from an accessible network, (park Wifi or hotspot of your choice) and then transfering that signal to your devices.
Types Of RV WiFi Booster
There are two main types for an RV.
External Antenna Booster
Collects the WiFi signal with the antenna, and then transmits it to a mini router/repeater inside your RV, which in turn sends the signal to your devices.
Combination Router / Extender
This is a unit that doesn’t require an external antenna. It’s a wireless router that finds the Wifi signal and then sends it through your RV.
RV Antenna Mounts
Some RV WiFi boosters have an exterior antenna that requires mounting in some form or another.
Antennas are prone to breaking, so making them removable is the way to go. I’ve tried a number of ways of doing this with broom handles, zip ties etc., with varying degrees of success. There are a couple of better options.
The makers of the Alfa CampPro make their own removable RV antenna mount, and if you’re after something really sturdy, TechnoRV sell a really nice heavy duty removable RV antenna mount.
What Are The Limitations Of RV WiFi Boosters?
It’s important to remember that your WiFi signal is only going to be as good as the source signal.
A good WiFi booster/extender will make it appear that you are much closer to the campground WiFi or hotspot than you actually are.
If the campground doesn’t have a good connection to the internet then neither will you.
My pick would be the King KWM1000 WiFiMax Router/Extender.
These days we all seem to need a decent internet connection. Even for the most basic of tasks.
An RV WiFi booster will turn a frustratingly weak signal into something you can actually use.
See how we test and rate products in our reviews here.
Please check out my other RV equipment reviews.
FAQ’s
Will A WiFi Booster Improve Streaming Quality?
Yes. Improving Wifi strength and stability will allow better streaming.
