As essential as it is, Wi-Fi can be pretty erratic. The bandwidth strength can be affected by many things, from owning too many household appliances and electronics to having a mirror between the room you're in and the Wi-Fi router.

A Wi-Fi extender, also known as a repeater, is the fix for laggy Wi-Fi or network blind spots in your home. While you can always buy one, building one yourself is pretty fulfilling and will save you some bucks. Check out the ideas below to build yourself a Wi-Fi extender. Some are so easy to make, they'll take less than ten minutes.

1. Truly Wi-Fi Extender

Depending on factors like brand and specs, a commercial extender costs anywhere from $20 to $100. Building this Raspberry Pi-based DIY Wi-Fi repeater will cost you less than ten bucks, yet it boasts some capabilities not present in commercial extenders. For instance, if you find ads annoying, you'll be glad to know it has some ad-blocking features. Plus, it runs on highly customizable software. Check out the Instructables guide to complete this project.

Looking to make use of your improved wireless connectivity for Internet of Things ideas? Here are some Raspberry Pi IoT projects you might be excited to build.

2. Skewer and Can Wi-Fi Extender

Need a quick fix for your laggy internet? DIY this skewer and can Wi-Fi extender to save the day. You’ll need some pretty common household items: aluminum foil, a pair of scissors, some electrical tape, and, as the name implies, a wooden skewer. The aluminum foil does all the Wi-Fi repeating: it concentrates signals towards your favorite spot, enhancing Wi-Fi strength. Check out how to build it in the Instructables guide.

3. Cantenna Wi-Fi Extender

For another quick fix for laggy internet, try building the Cantenna! Get it? Can-tenna? No? Because it's built using a can? Still don't get it? Never mind, let's get back to the DIY Wi-Fi extender project.

There are several variations on this classic project, but we've created a step-by-step guide to make a Wi-Fi antenna out of a Pringles can. As well as the can, you'll need a female N type connector, a small piece of 12 gauge copper wire, a female RP-SMA to male N type connector (also known as a pigtail), and a USB Wi-Fi adapter. Tools required include a soldering iron, wire cutters, a file to remove sharp edges, and a drill to make a hole in the can.

4. Stainless Steel Strainer Wi-Fi Extender

Do you prefer DIY projects that use regular household items? You will love this one. It turns your kitchen strainer into a Wi-Fi extender. We would have argued it's impossible, but there's even a video of it in action. Plus, it's cheap: it costs about 20 bucks and is easy to build. It should take you no more than an hour.

Besides the regular $2 to $3 stainless steel strainer, you will need a USB extension cable, a Wi-Fi dongle, and some tape. The DIY instructions are featured in the Instructables guide.

5. Uni-Directional Wi-Fi Range Extender

Want another take on turning a regular household item into a nifty, functional gadget everyone will want to know how you came about? The uni-directional Wi-Fi range extender built in this Instructables project is just what you need. It turns a metal strainer into a Wi-Fi repeater that extends the signal right from the source.

Just drill a ½-inch hole in the middle of the strainer and insert your Ethernet cable. Then apply some glue and let it cure for about 24 hours. Secure it with some tape if you share your household with kids or someone who might absent-mindedly yank it out, and then plug the Ethernet into your outlet. This should boost your Wi-Fi speed instantly. And the best part is that it amplifies Wi-Fi signals in all directions, so if you have multiple Wi-Fi blind spots, it's just what you need.

6. Cheap Wi-Fi Range Extender for IoT

Prefer a far more sophisticated DIY solution for a Wi-Fi repeater? This cheap Wi-Fi range extender for Internet of Things projects fits the description. It can extend your Wi-Fi range from a mere 20 feet up to 310 feet. That's a significant difference! And it means you can now use your smartphone and other devices you own from anywhere in the house. It uses the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, so start by downloading the firmware and software tools from the link provided in the Instructables project.

7. Portable Solar Powered Wi-Fi Extender

This portable solar-powered Wi-Fi extender is for you if you are about sustainability. As the name implies, it's solar-powered. It's also portable, meaning you can leave it out so everyone in your household can enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity. Check out the Instructables guide for supplies and DIY instructions. While you're looking to preserve the world's ecosystems, here are some more eco-friendly DIY projects you can try out.

8. USB Battery Powered Wireless Wi-Fi Extender

Always on the move and need a reliable, cost-effective way to stay connected? This USB battery-powered wireless Wi-Fi extender will change your life. It is USB powered, meaning it doesn't require a mains outlet. Build it as shown in the Instructables project, and you’ll never have to deal with lousy hotel Wi-Fi again. This can be an awesome gadget for tech ideas that instantly upgrade your man cave.

9. The 30-Second Wi-Fi Extender

So, is your internet connection lousy today, and you don't have the range of supplies needed for the quick fixes listed earlier? Are you looking for the fastest, most temporary fix for bad internet? Or maybe you are in a lounge, and the signal doesn't seem to reach where you are?

Whatever the scenario, this incredibly easy-to-build Wi-Fi extender will provide the fix in about half a minute. You just need some sticky tape, a pop can, skewer, and utility knife. Yes, that's it! Oh, and the Instructables guide for the instructions.

Laggy Internet? Build a Wi-Fi Extender

There's always one spot in a home or a workspace the Wi-Fi doesn't quite get to. You get there, and the Wi-Fi signal just drops to zero bars. If it happens to be one of your favorite spots, getting a Wi-Fi extender can help amp up your comfort by extending the Wi-Fi bandwidth. If you've got some time or don't mind tinkering around, consider trying to fix laggy internet with the DIY Wi-Fi extenders covered in this guide. You may want to tweak the project details to suit your liking.