What are the best Wi-Fi extenders for gaming? Wireless internet access has come a long way in recent years, being more than a viable option for most gaming. With technologies like Wi-Fi 6 available, you can get an experience similar to a wired connection.
However, you might find yourself in need of a little extra range. A Wi-Fi extender helps give some more reach to your wireless router’s signal without the need for an additional router or mesh network. So, after looking at dozens of options, here are our top picks for the best Wi-Fi extenders for gaming:
- Best Overall: TP-Link AX3000
- Best for Gaming Performance: ASUS RP-AX56
- Best for Low Profile Setups: NETGEAR EAX15
- Best for Outdoor Gaming: Linksys RE7000
- Best Value: Tenda A33
- Best for Large Homes: TP-Link AC1900
#1 Best Overall: TP-Link AX3000
- Speeds up to 3 Gbps
- Great for bandwidth-intensive tasks like cloud gaming or 4K UHD video
- Supports 2x2 160 MHz on the 5G band
- Features 4 high-performance amplifiers
The TP-Link AX3000 is one of the best overall Wi-Fi extenders for gaming. It comes with native Wi-Fi 6 support, meaning you’re getting blazing speeds if you’ve got an adequate internet service plan. The AX3000 has a fairly decent range, as well, with an additional 1,300 square feet or so added to your wireless coverage.
This isn’t the best option for extreme range, but it does have 3 Gbps throughput. The AX3000 is a breeze to set up, as well, thanks to TP-Link’s included app. If you’re a TP-Link mesh user, this also readily integrates with other OneMesh products.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The AX3000 has native OneMesh support. | The range could be better. |
| It’s a high-speed extender with up to 3 Gbps of throughput. | It costs about as much as just purchasing another router. |
Check out the TP-Link AX3000 on Amazon.
Best for Gaming Performance: ASUS RP-AX56
- Supports 80 MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM
- 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band
- When extending an AiMesh network, you can keep one Wi-Fi name (SSID) for the entire network
If you’re looking for top gaming performance, the ASUS RP-AX56 is the wireless extender for you. What makes the RP-AX56 one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for gaming is its high bandwidth and super wireless support.
You’ve got access to Wi-Fi 6 support, meaning you’re getting top speeds. During testing, it held up well to the rigors of online gaming with low latency on a fiber line. It also directly integrates with the ASUS AiMesh system, meaning you can extend your coverage seamlessly with a tweak in the mobile app.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has fantastic support for gaming, with high bandwidth and low latency. | The RP-AX56 is one of the most expensive extenders on the market. |
| It integrates readily with other ASUS network equipment. | It has an average range of 1,800 square feet of coverage. |
Check out the ASUS RP-AX56 on Amazon.
Best for Low Profile Setups: NETGEAR EAX15
- Coverage up to 1,500 sq. ft.
- 4 simultaneous streams
- Speeds up to 1.8 Gbps
- Supports 20+ devices
Users looking for a low-fuss and compact wireless extender would do well with the NETGEAR EAX15. This compact device features the same great Wi-Fi 6 functionality seen with most of these extenders, but it takes up minimal room compared to most offerings.
You only need a simple power outlet to extend your coverage up to 1,500 square feet. The throughput on this unit is decent, coming in at 1.8 Gbps when connected to your router. It is a dual-band extender so you’ve got options if you’re a fan of portable gaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is a compact and handy little extender. | The EAX15 is relatively expensive for its functionality. |
| WPA3 security is provided for extra privacy. | The throughput isn’t the best. |
Check out the NETGEAR EAX15 on Amazon.
Best for Outdoor Gaming: Linksys RE7000
- Coverage up to 2,500 square feet
- Lets you stream 4K and HD movies, play online games, download music, and more
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for combined speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps
Portable gamers who love to lounge outdoors will want to choose the Linksys RE7000. The RE7000 features 1.9 Gbps of throughput, which is more than enough for most gaming sessions. However, what sets it apart from the other extenders is its dual antenna setup.
You’ve got plenty of signal strength with this unit, with a claimed 1,900 square feet. Some users have reported the coverage is as high as 2,500 square feet, depending on the construction of the home. If you want to lounge in the garden while enjoying some online gaming with a Nintendo Switch, the RE7000 is a solid choice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The dual antenna setup provides plenty of range. | The highest Wi-Fi standard supported is Wi-Fi 5. |
| It can sync up to 25 devices simultaneously. | It isn’t ideal for high-speed internet plans over 500 Mbps. |
Check out the Linksys RE7000 on Amazon.
Best Value: Tenda A33
- Provides max. speeds of 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 2402 Mbps on the 5 GHz band
- Coverage up to 2100 sq. ft.
- You can connect to 20+ devices without issues
- Uses your existing network SSID name
Users looking for the best bang for their buck would do well with the Tenda A33. While Tenda isn’t quite as known as some of the other manufacturers on this list, the A33 is certainly an impressive extender. What makes it one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for gaming is the plethora of features packed into such an affordable package. You’re getting up to 2.4 Gbps of throughput on the 5 GHz band. The A33 can cover areas up to 2,100 square feet. This all comes with native Wi-Fi 6 support, too.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is feature-packed while costing significantly less than other options. | The signal strength can vary depending on the device connected. |
| It comes with an Ethernet port for connecting your console or PC if needed. | It doesn’t have any sort of mesh support for other wireless routers. |
Check out the Tenda A33 on Amazon.
Best for Large Homes: TP-Link AC1900
- Simultaneous 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 1300 Mbps on 5 GHz
- 3 adjustable external antennas
- Up to 1900 Mbps of fast speeds
- Great for bandwidth-intensive tasks like 4K streaming and online gaming
Gamers looking for the best range will be pleased with the TP-Link AC1900. The AC1900 features similar connectivity options as the AX3000 but covers quite a bit more distance. In fact, you’ve got up to 2,800 square feet of coverage. The throughput does suffer a bit, with a quoted maximum of 1.9 Gbps. Despite the extreme range, it is unfortunately only a Wi-Fi 5 device. However, if you’re on a 300 Mbps internet service plan you won’t notice much of a difference.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The AC1900 provides up to 2,800 square feet of range. | It only supports Wi-Fi 5. |
| The setup is easy and done entirely through a simple smartphone app. | Signal consistency can be spotty if you have interference in your home. |
Check out the TP-Link AC1900 on Amazon.
Picking the Best Wi-Fi Extender for Gaming: What to Know
What should you look for when picking a Wi-Fi extender? It isn’t quite the same as shopping for a wireless router because you’ve presumably already got your home network configured. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when shopping for extenders.
Range
The range is one of the primary reasons to install a wireless extender. Wireless routers can only reach so far with the built-in antennas. If you have a larger home or you’re experiencing signal loss, then a wireless extender can be a great addition to your network.
Some of the more modern offerings will come with wireless mesh capabilities, meaning you get reliable connections and availability more in line with your router’s capabilities.
MU-MIMO Support
What is MU-MIMO? MU-MIMO stands for Multi-User Multiple Input Mulitple Output. What this technology allows is for multiple users to maintain the same quality and speed of connection as other devices on the network. MU-MIMO is becoming a standard feature with most wireless network equipment and is great for maintaining reliable speeds and minimal latency while gaming.
Wi-Fi Standards
You should be aiming for Wi-Fi 5 as your base minimum standard supported. If you have a faster internet plan, then Wi-Fi 6 is preferred. Opting for newer Wi-Fi standards grants access to higher bandwidth and greater speeds.
Another benefit of higher Wi-Fi standards is the sheer number of devices you can connect reliably to an extender at once. If you’re looking to have near parity with a wired ethernet connection, Wi-Fi 6 is the way to go.
Using a Wi-Fi Extender: What It’s Like
When properly installed, a Wi-Fi extender should function identically to the capabilities of your wireless network. You’ll be selecting the same network ID and entering the extender’s password to connect. If you’ve got a Wi-Fi 6 router and extender, then the speed should be roughly the same.
You’ll want a wireless extender if you’re experiencing any sort of signal loss. While a Wi-Fi extender isn’t an ideal solution, it certainly beats trying to set up an entirely different router to serve as an access point.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Proxima Studio/Shutterstock.com.
