These devices piggyback off of the signal coming from cell towers and amplify it, eliminating pesky dead zones on the road or at home.
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“Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?!” We’ve all been there before: little to no cell phone service at a time when you desperately need it. Losing signal stinks—whether you’re driving cross country on a road trip or sitting at home in your living room (maybe especially if you’re just sitting at home in your living room).
The good news is you can proactively fight dropped calls and no connection with a quality cell phone signal booster. These gadgets improve signal strength when the connection is weak or unreliable and are particularly helpful in buildings with thick walls or locations where service is compromised by distance from cell towers, like if you’re driving through mountainous terrain or rural landscapes.
Read on as we break down what to consider before investing in one of these handy devices, followed by our recommendations for the best cell phone signal boosters.
Looking for more cell phone reviews? Read our evaluations of the best phones for seniors and best cheap phones, as well as a comparison of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Cell phone signal strength is measured in decibels (dB), a more accurate way to gauge versus the number of bars on your display. Generally speaking, that ranges from -50 dB to -120 dB. Values of -50 to -70 dB (or anything closer to zero) indicate a strong signal; anything from -85 on to -120 dB is considered a weak signal. Essentially, the goal is to get as close to zero dB as possible.
Manufacturers of cell phone signal boosters use gain value to represent the strength of the signal and how much an antenna can amplify it. So, a unit with a higher gain value improves coverage to give you a stronger signal than one with a lower gain value. Most units can gain between 50 dB to 72 dB—so if you need maximum boost, stick to 72-dB models. Also, note that most wireless providers require device registration and consent before use based on Federal Communication Commission protocol.
Make sure to choose a booster with the appropriate coverage range to meet your needs. Find the best model by asking how you’ll use it: Is it for inside your home? Is it for a single room or your entire house? Do you want to travel with your cell signal booster? In your home, consider how many square feet of coverage you need and choose a stationary unit accordingly.
If you plan on taking the device in your vehicle, on a camping trip, or while you’re traveling in a rural environment, consider investing in a compact, lightweight model to take on the go. The best way to judge coverage on portable devices where square feet isn’t relevant, look for a model with a high gain value.
The majority of cell phone signal boosters work with multiple devices simultaneously, whether you’re at home or in a vehicle.
Cell phone signal boosters are either omnidirectional or directional. The best type of antenna for you depends on your location, cell phone provider, and other factors, which we cover below.
As you can probably guess, an omnidirectional antenna has a 360-degree radius to pick up several signals over a broad area. That makes it better for urban areas, particularly to boost 4G and 5G signals when the main coverage issue is structural interference, and in situations where you’d want to amplifying signals from multiple carriers. Boosters designed for vehicle installation are typical omnidirectional.
A directional antenna has a narrower radius of roughly 45 to 90 degrees, better for picking up a single signal from farther away, and for households that have one provider. Directional antennas amplify a signal for one network can go up to 100 dB—ideal for folks who live in rural areas that need a big boost.
Most cell phone signal boosters are universally compatible with all the major providers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular. That said, if everyone in your home or office shares the same service provider, it’s best to stick with a signal booster from that carrier versus opting for one with universal compatibility.
Cost (and quality) will depend on the use case, required strength, and desired coverage area. Pick the appropriate size signal booster to make sure you’re not overspending (or underspending). Boosters with a larger max gain and larger coverage area are more expensive. For example, a cell phone signal booster made for a very large home (up to 7,500 square feet) can cost up to $1,000, whereas boosters made for smaller homes (up to 3,500 square feet) can go for $300 or less.
In seeking out the best cell phone signal boosters, we extensively researched consumer reviews, consumer technology websites, and experts online. Tapping into our decades of experience using and reviewing cell phone gadgets and gear, we extensively researched cell signal booster brands across the market and narrowed down our selections by category, considering customer insight and feedback, price point, product descriptions, and overall user satisfaction. Our final list represents the best cell phone signal boosters in each category, including best overall and best value.
The SureCall Flare 3.0 is the best overall model for small- to medium-size homes and offices, improving weak cell signals across two to four rooms and delivering roughly 3,500 square feet of coverage.
What impresses us most about this model is that it offers both types of antennas—directional outdoor and omnidirectional indoor—something that much of the competition lacks. That means you get better overall signal amplification and quality of service, faster speeds, and improved data capacity. Plus, it’s more affordable than competitors in its class that have less dB gain and works with most major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile networks.
It’s also easier to set up than most. You mount the directional antenna outside—either on the roof, the side of your house, or a pole using the included metal clip—point it toward your carrier’s nearest tower, and run the connected co-ax cable inside. The indoor device has an integrated omnidirectional antenna—which generally have spottier reception than any directional antenna provides—but the tradeoff with this unit is that you can place it anywhere without being tethered to a cable.
This affordable but mighty booster punches above its weight class for its sub-$300 price. The HiBoost for Home boasts 62 dB gain and coverage up to 2,000 square feet. A bright LCD screen makes it easy to monitor cell connection strength.
For average home sizes or small office spaces, the HiBoost for Home is a reasonable and budget-friendly option. It also comes with a money-back guarantee and a three-year warranty, so you don’t have to worry about regretting your purchase either.
If you’re looking to maximize cellular coverage throughout your entire home, the Home Complete is the ideal solution. This powerful cell signal booster is one of the strongest you’ll find with coverage of 7,500 square feet, featuring both directional and omnidirectional antennas
While pricey, this cell phone signal booster offers quick and efficient setup, reliability, and unmatched strength. For slightly smaller homes (5,000 square feet) or coverage for two to three rooms, you can also opt for the more affordable weBoost Home MultiRoom ($570).
Cellular dead zones in certain parts of your home? Target problem areas with the weBoost Home Studio, a compact cell signal booster for coverage indoors around your home and office. Similar in performance range to the HiBoost for Home but slightly more compact and trim, it’s best for single rooms or home areas up to 1,500 square feet.
Due to its small, lightweight design, this booster is guaranteed to go unnoticed in your home after setup—other than its seamless ability to boost your cell connection.
The Winegard RangePro is built for the RV life. It comes equipped with a flexible and durable external antenna that mounts directly to a side ladder or the RV roof. Its trim and simple design is so seamless that it goes unnoticed, unlike many other bulky signal boosters that hog space and jut out from the roof of an RV.
Don’t let the simple setup fool you, though. This booster also has a serious hold and is built to stay attached and secure even on bumpy, uneven terrain, like gravel roads into public parks and campgrounds, plus backroads.
Off-grid with no service? No problem. Built for exploring by car or offroad vehicle, the Drive Reach is a rugged, durable, and reliable signal booster for outdoor enthusiasts who want access to cell coverage in remote areas. It comes with a versatile mounting bracket that attaches to the roof rack of your car, truck, or offroad vehicle.
An adjustable outside antenna can easily fold down if your garage has a low ceiling, plus an all-weather omnidirectional antenna provides maximum connectivity, even when you’re off the beaten path.
Driving with spotty service can really damper your day. For folks who are constantly on the go—from family road trips to long-distance trucking to rural work commutes—the Drive Sleek signal booster makes the perfect car companion.
At under $200, this cell signal booster is a cost-effective option if you need access to phone reception wherever you drive. You can install it in 30 minutes or less, and the durable, magnetic external antenna stays put in place even in inclement weather and wind. For long-haul truckers, weBoost also makes an OTR truck-compatible version of the cell signal booster, the Drive Sleek OTR.
Erica Zazo (she/they) is a Chicago-based freelance writer covering outdoor news, gear, and guides for Backpacker Magazine, Outside, and more. She’s a big fan of urban nature, exploring lesser-known trails and towns, and the Midwest. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @onecurioustrvlr.
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