Sometimes you find yourself dealing with existing structures where retrofit solutions are challenging, at best. As much as AV pros can pride themselves on making the impossible possible sometimes wisdom requires taking the path of least resistance. Or, if it makes you feel better to think of it this way, be like Alexander the Great and the Gordian Knot: Instead of wasting time trying to untie it, just cut it in half.

One of the most common challenges in existing structures is Wi-Fi signal strength in areas where the signal from the router is obstructed. Wi-Fi repeaters may feel like “cheating” but unlike sports, you don’t get penalized for it in AV.
Sengled is a manufacturer of intelligent lighting products that integrate consumer electronics with LED bulbs. New to their product linup is the Boost, an LED light bulb with a built-in Wi-Fi signal repeater that can boost connectivity levels throughout the home.

Billed as the first product of its kind offered at an affordable price, the Sengled Boost incorporates two antennas in each unit, providing the connectivity levels users need to get a strong signal anywhere in the house and power devices throughout their connected homes.

We all know that most homes typically have a single Wi-Fi transmitter that provides a strong signal near the device, but signal performance for connected devices diminishes the further away they are from the transmitter. As Johnson Shen, CEO of Sengled puts it, “That’s a problem if you’re connecting in other rooms to use smartphones, tablets, gaming or entertainment consoles or any of the popular new home automation products since the signal may be obstructed by walls or objects or the device may be too far away to get a strong signal.”

In my experience the main challenge with Wi-Fi extenders is where to put them where they’ll not only provide the best extended coverage, but also have access to power and not look unsightly. Because the Sengled Boost fits in standard lighting fixtures, which solves two of those problems right there.

They emphasize that the key advantages of the boost over wall-wart extenders is that Boost is that it can de-clutter the home while still enabling users to access a stronger signal, maximizing the performance of their wireless devices. Sengled Boost LED bulbs come in a variety of sizes to fit most light fixtures.

Sengled is keen to point out that the Boost not only strengthens Wi-Fi signals, it provides users with eco-friendly, energy efficient, long-lasting LED lighting that can be controlled from their free app via a smartphone or tablet.

The app allows users to configure the Wi-Fi signal and control light levels. The Sengled Boost LED light bulb doesn’t have to be turned on to boost the Wi-Fi — the light can be dimmed or turned off while the Wi-Fi signal boost function continues, making Sengled Boost perfect for connecting devices in any room — day or night. Once configured, Sengled Boost saves the setup information so users don’t have to setup a new connection for each use.

At least at the moment, MSRPs were not available, and I’ve expressed interest in doing a full product review, so I’ll be giving more in-depth coverage of the Sengled Boost in the near future.