BUYER’S GUIDE 2024: Choosing the right cell phone signal booster for home

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Over 90% of people experience bad cell service at some point in the day. That’s because almost every modern building is constructed to block cell phone signals! That’s right, all the same energy-efficient upgrades that keep heat and cold out also block cell phone signals.

Luckily there’s a way to bring great cell service into your home, office, or vehicle. It’s easy to install, has no monthly fee, works with all phones, and is futureproof. It’s called a cell phone signal booster, or cell booster for short.

How a cell booster works

courtesy of weBoost

Cell boosters use three parts which, when working together, give you great service inside your home, office, or vehicle. There’s an outside antenna which is mounted up as high as possible. This pulls in the most signal from nearby cell towers. Then there’s a powerful amplifier which helps you get the most out of the signal that’s there. Then, there’s an indoor antenna which blasts great cell service inside. The system amplifies signals from outside and also makes them stronger going back to the cell tower.

Choosing the right cell booster for your needs

Most cell phone booster companies won’t tell you how many square feet their products will cover. That’s because it really varies from location to location. If you are dealing with metal studs such as in an RV or commercial building, that will cut down the range. Large amounts of wiring in the walls can also have a negative effect.

As a general rule of thumb, choose the largest booster you can afford. Every booster comes with everything you need to install including antennas and wiring. However, if you choose a more powerful booster down the line you can generally reuse antennas and wiring, making it a quick upgrade.

Cell boosters for home

There are two things you’ll want to consider when choosing a booster for home. The first is whether you’ll need to boost signal in more than one room. The other is whether or not you can install it yourself.

For smaller spaces: weBoost Home Room

If you only need boost in one room, for example a home office, weBoost’s Home Room booster is the right choice. It’s great for those on a budget and the indoor antenna is small and unobtrusive. It’s also available in a refurbished version.

For experienced DIYers: weBoost Home Multiroom

weBoost’s Home Multiroom cell phone booster installs easily. If you’re comfortable with getting on a ladder and a little bit of drilling, it’s the one for you. You can save a little money by going with a refurbished one.

Ultimate Power without lifting a finger: weBoost Installed | Home Complete

This cell booster, the weBoost Installed | Home Complete, will give you the most power and the most coverage in a home or very small office. When you get it, there’s a quick way to schedule your installation, and a technician will come out to you on your schedule and do a complete pro-level installation. If you’re looking for the best, this is where you’ll find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to install a cell booster?

If you can put Christmas lights on your roof, you can wire up a cell booster. You’ll need a wrench and screwdriver, and you may need a drill depending on how you choose to route the wires.

How much cell service do I need in order for a booster to work?

A cell booster will work as long as you have one bar outside while standing on your roof. If you have no service, a cell booster won’t work.

Do cell boosters work with 5G?

Yes. All cell boosters sold today work with nationwide (low-band) 5G from all major carriers in the US.

Do I need any sort of license or permit for a cell phone booster?

No. Because cell boosters use the same broadcast frequencies as cell phones, you don’t need a license or special permit to operate one.

If I have a cell booster and my neighbor gets one too, will that cause a problem?

No. While it’s best practice to have about 15 feet of separation between your outside antenna and that of your neighbors, you won’t have any problems with feedback no matter how you both install your boosters.

Are there health risks associated with the higher level of radiation coming from cell boosters?

No. Cell boosters output a maximum of under 2 watts of radiation, less than the average night light. There is no evidence that this amount of radiation will have any effect on your health.

What if I can’t drill a hole to run a cable (for example in apartment buildings)?

You can get a window entry cable which is thin enough to run between the window and the frame, even with the window closes.

Want to know more?

Solid Signal has cell phone boosters for home, office, enterprise, and vehicle. We can help with spaces from 10-100,000 square feet. Shop our great selection of boosters or call us at 888-233-7563 for a personalized recommendation. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.