Best Verizon Signal Booster
Cel-Fi GO X Signal Booster for Verizon
Best Verizon Booster for Apartments, Homes, and Offices When Outdoor Signal is Weak
Once you’ve tested the signal outside your building, you’ll know if you have weak or strong Verizon signal.
- We consider an RSRP of over -60 dBm (e.g. -50 dBm or -40 dBm) to be strong signal
- We consider an RSRP of under -80 dBm (e.g. -90 dBm or -100 dBm) to be weak signal
- Please note: If you have signal of less than -115 dBm RSRP the GO X won’t work correctly.
If you have weak signal outdoors, the most important specification of the Verizon signal booster you choose is the gain.
Most boosters are limited to around 65 dB of gain by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, the FCC has special rules for “provider-specific” boosters, allowing for up to 100 dB gain. Provider-specific boosters only amplify signal for a single carrier at a time.
The Cel-Fi GO X is a “provider-specific” booster – and thus can amplify signal by up to 100 dB. The extra 35 dB makes a huge difference, particularly if you have weak signal outdoors. That’s why it’s at the top of our review of verizon cell phone signal booster.
Cel-Fi is the only manufacturer that makes provider-specific boosters, and the GO X is their most popular kit.
The GO X is a little bit more complicated to set up than other boosters, and we only recommend it if you have weak Verizon signal outdoors. If you have strong Verizon signal outside, we recommend checking out our other recommendations.
There are a few important caveats:
- The GO X only boosts Verizon LTE signal. It won’t amplify older Verizon 2G CDMA signal. You must have Verizon 4G LTE signal outside as well as a device that supports Voice over LTE (also known as HD Voice). Almost all devices released since 2014 (e.g. the iPhone 6 and newer) support HD Voice, allowing both data and voice to be transmitted over the LTE connection.
- You need to have at least 1 bar of LTE of signal outside, where the outdoor antenna is installed, and at least -115 dBm RSRP signal strength.
- We recommend only using the Cel-Fi GO X if you have a SINR of 5 dB or more outdoors.
- Unlike most other boosters in this list, the GO X will only improve Verizon signal.
WeBoost Installed Home Complete
If Verizon signal outside the building is strong, you can use a “broadband” signal booster like the weBoost Installed Home Complete.
In stronger signal situations, you don’t need a lot of gain. The limiting factor for the performance of your system will be the “downlink output power” of the system you choose.
As a result, we recommend using a broadband booster. There are two main advantages to a broadband signal booster like the weBoost Installed Home Complete over provider-specific boosters like the Cel-Fi GO X for Verizon:
- Professional installation is included.
- They amplify voice and data signals for all carriers, not just for Verizon.
While there are many manufacturers of broadband boosters, we’ve received great feedback on weBoost’s products. weBoost was formerly known as Wilson Electronics, and is the biggest manufacturer of cell phone signal booster kits, repeaters and amplifiers on the market. weBoost is headquartered in St George, Utah. All weBoost products are designed, assembled, and tested at the company’s U.S. facilities and are both FCC and Industry Canada certified.
The weBoost Installed Home Complete includes turnkey professional installation by a certified network of installers. This service is available anywhere within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). After purchase, installation can be scheduled for a two-hour window that’s most convenient to you (often, as soon as the next day).
SureCall Fusion4Home
If you’re budget-conscious, we recommend using the SureCall Fusion4Home with Yagi and Panel Antennas, which is currently priced at $549.99.
We recommend the Fusion4Home if:
- Signal is relatively strong outdoors, and
- You’re looking to cover a small apartment or part of a home
While the Fusion4Home is simple to set up, you shouldn’t expect a large coverage area. And it doesn’t include an LCD screen for troubleshooting.
SureCall Force5 2.0
If you’re looking to improve Verizon signal in a larger building of up to 35,000 sq. ft. the SureCall Force5 2.0 is an excellent choice.
The previous-generation SureCall Force5 (now discontinued) was one of our most popular enterprise boosters for many years. Our own enterprise installation team has installed hundreds of them in buildings across the country.
This updated version offers even higher downlink output power (up to 15 dBm) and includes a built-in remote monitoring solution. If you’re looking for a Verizon signal booster for enterprise applications, the Force5 is an excellent choice.
The one downside compared to competing devices from Wilson (below) is an LCD screen. While it’s not a huge loss, you may want to consider the similarly-spec’d Wilson Pro 1000.
Verizon Enterprise LTE Network Extender
If you’re looking to cover an office space of up to 50,000 square feet, but don’t have strong, good quality signal outside your building, a signal booster won’t work. The Verizon Enterprise LTE Network Extender, also known as “Verizon eFemto,” is a great choice instead. The network extender is built by Samsung, and our installation team strongly recommends it for situations where there’s no outdoor signal.
Unlike most of our Verizon signal boosters, the eFemto doesn’t rely on outdoor signal. Instead, it connects back to Verizon’s core network over the Internet. The eFemto requires an Internet connection (with at least 30 Mbps up/down) in order to work correctly.
The eFemto also requires a GPS signal in order to work correctly. The device comes with a small GPS antenna that can be installed near a window, or you can also use a higher-grade outdoor GPS antenna if needed.
A couple of caveats:
- The Verizon eFemto only provides Verizon LTE signal – it doesn’t transmit older Verizon 2G CDMA signal. Your device needs to supports Voice over LTE (also known as HD Voice) to be able to place calls. Almost all devices released since 2014 (e.g. the iPhone 6 and newer) support HD Voice.
- If your Internet connection goes down, the eFemto’s will stop working. So if you need your phones as a backup to Internet connectivity, the eFemto isn’t a good option.
Why Your Verizon Cell Phone Signal is Weak
We know, it’s frustrating.
Verizon has perhaps the best cell phone service in the country. And you pay thousands of dollars every month for cell service.
But often, cell service can be less than ideal.
There’s a few reason why signal problems can happen:
Inter-cell interference: It’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes having too many cell phone towers nearby can make your cell signal worse. Multiple towers call inter-cell interference, meaning that they interfere with each other and cause low bars and dropped calls. The best way to fix this is to make sure you purchase a booster that includes a directional outdoor antenna.
Distance from cell tower: Sometimes it’s simply that Verizon’s nearest tower is simply too far away. This is a particularly common problem if you leave in a very rural area.
Building materials: As cell phone signal travels through building materials, it “attenuates” (weakens). Some building materials attenuate signal more than others. Some of the most common culprits are:
Metal exterior: Metal blocks cell phone service more than any other material. If you have a metal roof or exterior, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll have poor cell service.
Environmentally friendly “Low-E” windows: Low-E windows insulate your building and are great for the environment. But they’re also metal-doped, and as a result they attenuate cell phone signal considerably.
Concrete: Thick concrete walls attenuate signal quickly
Buildings and geographic features: Cell phone signal is blocked by any kind of natural obstacle. Typical obstacles include:
Hills: If there are hills (without cell towers) nearby, they will often block cell signal from the nearest tower from reaching you.
Valleys: Similarly, if you’re in a valley (even if it’s only small), your cell signal will suffer as a result.
Buildings: Nearby buildings can block signal from the nearest tower from reaching you. This is particularly an issue if you’re in a dense, urban area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Verizon Signal Booster for Free?
Unfortunatley at this time there is no way to get a free Verizon Signal Booster. Years ago, Verizon used to offer free signal boosters to customers, however that practice was discontinued.
Why should I trust your Verizon signal booster reviews?
We’ve tried to keep these reviews as unbiased as possible. While the different kits do cost different amounts, and we do make different profits on them, one of our company’s values is to do what’s best for our customers. We’ll never try to upsell you to something more expensive than you really need.
How do I install a Verizon signal booster in my home?
All of the kits that we sell for home users are designed to be easy to install. But while that’s the case, they do involve installing an antenna on your roof. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that yourself, any local handyman or electrician can perform the antenna installation for you.
Can I use an iPhone or Android app to boost my signal?
Unfortunately not. No apps are able to give you better Verizon signal. While some apps may claim to do so, they are generally snake oil.
Can I use a homemade cell phone signal booster?
Even if you have a PhD in electrical engineering, making your own signal booster isn’t a good idea. Use of signal boosters is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, and signal boosters must be certified in order to be used in the US.