Verdict up front. If you run a commercial building, a 5 to 6 bedroom detached house, a large converted barn, a pub, a restaurant, a shop, an office or any property over 500 m² on EE, BT Mobile, ASDA Mobile or Virgin Mobile, buy the D1000 at £396.00. It is the D-series commercial model: 1000 m² coverage, 80 dB gain, up to 27 dBm output power, a 12 dBi Yagi outdoor antenna, a 10 dBi directional panel indoor antenna, a 2.5 dB noise figure and up to 100 simultaneous users.

If your property is a standard 4 to 5 bedroom home of 350 to 520 m², the D500 at £265.00 is the D-series flagship home model and saves you £131. Both units are tuned to the exact same frequency, EE Band 3 at 1800 MHz, which is why they both fix dropped EE voice calls and slow 4G LTE data in a single box.

We also compare them against the smaller D300 at £183.82, and against the two traps on the shelf next to them: the G1000 at £505.91 for O2 and Vodafone voice only, and the C1000 at £535.00 for O2 and Vodafone 4G only.

The D-series is one product family, tuned to EE Band 3 at 1800 MHz

Before we compare numbers, it is critical to understand what the D-series is. The D-series is our product family built exclusively for EE Band 3 at 1800 MHz. EE is the only UK operator that broadcasts both 2G voice calls and 4G LTE data on 1800 MHz, which means a single narrow repeater channel fixes both problems in one box.

All D-series units are UKCA marked, Ofcom licence-exempt and include automatic gain control.

There are three steps in the D-family. The D300 at £183.82 is the high-end home model for 3 to 4 bedroom large homes of 220 to 320 m². The D500 at £265.00 is the flagship home model for 4 to 5 bedroom detached houses of 350 to 520 m². The D1000 at £396.00 is the commercial model for 1000 m² buildings: offices, pubs, restaurants, shops, warehouses and 5 to 6 bedroom rural estates.

The G1000 and C1000 look like they belong in the D-series because they cover 1000 m², but they do not. They are tuned to O2 and Vodafone frequencies, not EE.

Specification comparison across the whole D-series ecosystem

Here is the full technical picture across the D1000, the D500, the D300, the G1000 and the C1000. Numbers come from manufacturer datasheets and our lab measurements.

The D1000 and D500 are clearly the same family: same Band 3, same EE voice plus 4G, same 27 dBm output, same Yagi and panel antenna philosophy, same dual coax. The differences are coverage, gain, indoor panel gain, noise figure, outdoor Yagi gain, user slots and power consumption.

The G1000 and C1000 columns are the trap: they match the D1000 on 1000 m², 80 dB and 27 dBm, but they are tuned to 900 MHz and 800 MHz respectively, which are O2 and Vodafone frequencies. They will do nothing for an EE customer.

The £131 upgrade: what D1000 gives you over D500

Coverage: 1000 m² versus 500 m², a 100 percent increase

The D1000 covers 1000 m², the D500 covers 500 m². That is 500 m² more coverage, a doubling of the footprint. In a real UK property that is the difference between a 5 bedroom detached house and a 5 to 6 bedroom rural estate with a separate annex, a large pub trading floor, a 50 to 80 person office, a restaurant with a function room, a warehouse or a commercial workshop.

In our Oxfordshire barn test, the D500 delivered 4 bars in the main function room but left the rear store and the upstairs flat at 2 bars. The D1000 delivered 5 bars in every space with headroom to spare.

Gain: 80 dB versus 75 dB, a 5 dB difference

The D1000 delivers 80 dB of maximum gain, the D500 delivers 75 dB. Five dB may sound small, but in RF terms that is a 3.16 times increase in amplifier gain. In weak rural areas where the outdoor EE signal is already marginal at the Yagi, that extra 5 dB is the difference between pulling in a usable carrier at all and not pulling one in.

In our Gloucestershire test 11 km from the mast, the D500 held a call but throttled data to 2 Mbps. The D1000 held the same call and pushed data to 24 Mbps.

Indoor antenna: 10 dBi panel versus 8 dBi panel

Both units use a directional panel antenna indoors, which is already better than the D300 6 dBi panel. The D1000 panel is 10 dBi, the D500 panel is 8 dBi, a 2 dBi step up. That extra 2 dBi focuses roughly 60 percent more power into the horizontal beam you aim at the rooms where people actually spend time.

It is not just more signal, it is signal aimed at the trading floor, the office floor and the customer seating area rather than wasted on external walls.

Outdoor antenna: 12 dBi Yagi versus 10 dBi Yagi

The D1000 ships with a 12 dBi Yagi, the D500 with a 10 dBi Yagi. That 2 dBi difference on the roof antenna means the D1000 pulls in a weaker outdoor EE carrier. In a rural location 10 to 15 km from the nearest EE mast, where the outside signal is -115 dBm, the 12 dBi Yagi is the difference between getting a carrier at all and getting nothing.

Noise figure: 2.5 dB versus 3 dB

The D1000 noise figure is 2.5 dB or less, the D500 is 3 dB or less. A lower noise figure means the amplifier adds less of its own electronic noise when boosting the weak incoming EE signal. In practice that translates to cleaner calls with less static, fewer dropped connections at the edge of coverage and slightly faster 4G throughput.

User capacity: 100 versus 50 simultaneous users

The D1000 supports up to 100 simultaneous users, the D500 up to 50. For a family home this never matters. For a pub, a restaurant, a busy shop, a 60 person office, a gym, a clinic or a warehouse floor, the extra 50 user slots mean the booster will not throttle or drop connections during a busy Saturday service.

Power consumption: 25 W versus 20 W

The D1000 draws up to 25 W, the D500 up to 20 W. That 5 W difference costs about £7.30 more per year at 34 p per kWh, or £36.50 over five years. It is trivial against the £131 price gap.

Value for money across the D-series

Is the D1000 worth £131 more than the D500? Here is the per-unit economics over a realistic five year life.

On a per-square-metre basis the D1000 is the cheapest unit in the entire comparison over five years, at £0.43 per m², because it covers so much more area. The D500 at £0.59 per m² is second, the G1000 at £0.54 and C1000 at £0.57 are irrelevant to EE customers, and the D300 at £0.69 per m² is the most expensive per square metre because it covers the least.

The £131 price gap between D1000 and D500 buys 500 m² of extra coverage, 5 dB of gain, 2 dBi of indoor panel, 2 dBi of outdoor Yagi, a quieter 2.5 dB noise figure and 50 extra user slots. That is excellent value for any commercial or large rural property.

The G1000 and C1000 traps: do not confuse them with the D1000

The G1000 at £505.91 and the C1000 at £535.00 look almost identical to the D1000 on a spec sheet. All three cover 1000 m², all three deliver 80 dB of gain, all three reach 27 dBm, all three ship with a 12 dBi or 10 dBi Yagi and a 10 dBi panel, all three support 100 users.

There is only one difference that matters: the D1000 is tuned to Band 3 at 1800 MHz, which is the EE frequency for voice and 4G. The G1000 is tuned to Band 8 at 900 MHz, which is the O2 and Vodafone frequency for voice only. The C1000 is tuned to Band 20 at 800 MHz, which is the O2 and Vodafone frequency for 4G data only.

If you are on EE, BT Mobile, ASDA Mobile or Virgin Mobile, both the G1000 and C1000 will do absolutely nothing for your signal. They are also £109.91 and £139 more expensive than the D1000 respectively. Buy the D1000 at £396.00.

If you are on O2 or Vodafone and you only need voice calls, the G1000 at £505.91 is the correct unit. If you are on O2 or Vodafone and you only need 4G data, the C1000 at £535.00 is the correct unit. The D1000 will do nothing for you.

Honest pros and cons of each D-series and neighbour unit

The D1000 at £396.00 commercial

Pro 1: 1000 m² coverage fits offices, pubs, restaurants, shops and 5 to 6 bedroom estates.

Pro 2: 80 dB gain is the highest in the D-series.

Pro 3: 27 dBm output reaches the Ofcom ceiling.

Pro 4: 12 dBi Yagi outdoor antenna pulls in weak rural EE signal.

Pro 5: 10 dBi directional panel indoor antenna focuses coverage on occupied floors.

Pro 6: 2.5 dB noise figure delivers the cleanest calls in the range.

Pro 7: Up to 100 simultaneous users handles commercial busy periods.

Pro 8: Ships with 10 m outdoor plus 5 m indoor coax.

Con 1: £131 more than the D500.

Con 2: Overkill for homes under 500 m².

Con 3: Does not support O2 or Vodafone.

Con 4: Roof Yagi install may need a professional at £80 to £150.

The D500 at £265.00 flagship home

Pro 1: 500 m² coverage fits 4 to 5 bedroom detached homes and small offices.

Pro 2: 75 dB gain and 27 dBm output reach the Ofcom ceiling.

Pro 3: 10 dBi Yagi outdoor antenna.

Pro 4: 8 dBi directional panel indoor antenna.

Pro 5: Up to 50 simultaneous users.

Pro 6: Saves £131 versus the D1000.

Con 1: 500 m² coverage leaves commercial buildings on the edge of the bubble.

Con 2: 75 dB gain is 5 dB behind the D1000.

Con 3: 8 dBi panel is 2 dBi weaker than the D1000 10 dBi panel.

Con 4: 3 dB noise figure is 0.5 dB noisier than the D1000.

Con 5: Only 50 user slots, half the D1000 capacity.

The D300 at £183.82 high-end home

Pro 1: 300 m² coverage is the sweet spot for 3 to 4 bedroom large homes.

Pro 2: 72 dB gain and 20 dBm output are adequate for suburban EE.

Pro 3: 9 dBi Yagi outdoor antenna.

Pro 4: 6 dBi directional panel indoor antenna.

Pro 5: Up to 30 simultaneous users.

Pro 6: Saves £212.18 versus the D1000.

Con 1: 20 dBm output cannot reach the far rooms of a 500 m² home.

Con 2: 6 dBi panel is 4 dBi weaker than the D1000 panel.

Con 3: 3.5 dB noise figure is 1 dB noisier than the D1000.

Con 4: Only 30 user slots, tight for any commercial use.

The G1000 at £505.91 O2 and Vodafone voice

Pro 1: 1000 m² coverage for large O2 and Vodafone properties.

Pro 2: 80 dB gain and 27 dBm output.

Pro 3: Tuned to Band 8 900 MHz for O2 and Vodafone voice calls.

Pro 4: Up to 100 simultaneous users.

Pro 5: 10 dBi panel indoor antenna.

Con 1: £109.91 more expensive than the D1000.

Con 2: Does not support EE at all.

Con 3: Voice calls only, no 4G data.

Con 4: Will do nothing for EE, BT, ASDA or Virgin customers.

The C1000 at £535.00 O2 and Vodafone 4G

Pro 1: 1000 m² coverage for large O2 and Vodafone 4G properties.

Pro 2: 80 dB gain and 27 dBm output.

Pro 3: Tuned to Band 20 800 MHz for O2 and Vodafone 4G data.

Pro 4: 12 dBi Yagi and 10 dBi panel antennas.

Pro 5: Up to 100 simultaneous users.

Con 1: £139 more expensive than the D1000.

Con 2: Does not support EE at all.

Con 3: 4G data only, no voice calls.

Con 4: Will do nothing for EE, BT, ASDA or Virgin customers.

Pros and cons summary table

Final verdict: which D-series EE booster should you buy?

Get the D1000 Commercial EE Booster for £396.00

Frequently Asked Questions