Key Points:
- A Wifi extender can expand the scope of how far the average modem’s signal reaches, especially in a larger home.
- Our review compares the top extenders by affordability, effectiveness, ease of use, versatility, and best overall.
- We’ve found that the Netgear Wifi extender is the best overall choice due to the depth, range, and reliability of their products.
Wifi extenders are a valuable asset for home use, outdoor use, and gaming. The average modem’s range is usually fine for a small home or apartment, but a large home will definitely benefit from some form of range booster. Netgear, TP-Link, and Linksys are all capable companies, each with its own line of interesting products. These companies all boast an impressive range of products, but today we’ll specifically focus on Wifi Extenders.
- Linksys WiFi Extender, WiFi 5 Range Booster, Dual-Band Booster, Compact Wall Plug Design, 1,000 Sq. ft Coverage, Speeds up to (AC750) 750Mbps - RE6300
- ELIMINATE DEAD ZONES: Easily expand your home WiFi to enjoy uninterrupted streaming, smooth online gaming, and more with the Linksys AC750 BOOST WiFi Range Extender (RE6300). The AC750 BOOST extends your existing WiFi range up to 1,000 square feet so you can enjoy a stronger WiFi signal--even outdoors.
- WORKS WITH ALL WIFI ROUTERS: The AC750 BOOST is compatible with all WiFi routers, including your existing unit or those from service providers. Easily expand WiFi without the need to modify any of your router's settings.
- EASY SETUP OPTIONS FOR OPTIMAL PLACEMENT: Simply press the Push Button Connect feature on the AC750 BOOST to automatically sync it to your router. Simple setup from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
- STRENGTHENS WIFI CONNECTION WITH DUAL BANDS: Stream movies, play games online, and browse the Web without interruptions, thanks to the range extender's simultaneous wireless dual bands. The AC750 BOOST features data transfer speeds up to N300 + AC433 Mbps* and can also focus the WiFi signal directly to your connected devices for optimal performance, thanks to Beamforming Technology.
- CROSSBAND TECHNOLOGY MAXIMIZES WIFI: Crossband Technology maximizes the simultaneous use of both bands for high-speed data transfer and uninterrupted streaming and gaming
- 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
- NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender
- Extends Wi-Fi range coverage up to 1000 sq. ft.
- Connects as many as 15 devices
- Performance up to 750Mbps
- Universally compatible with any Wi-Fi router, gateway, or modem
- Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
- Support for WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols
- NETGEAR Nighthawk Wi-Fi 6 Modem Router Combo (CAX30S)
- Compatible with major cable internet providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more
- NOT compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and any bundled voice service
- Best for cable provider plans up to 2 Gbps
- Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. and 25 concurrent devices with dual-band WiFi 6 (AX2700) speed (up to 2.7Gbps)
- Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, storage drive, and more with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 USB 3.0 port
- DOCSIS 3.1 and 32x8 channel bonding
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
- Best for Affordability: Linksys
- Best for Effectiveness: TP-Link
- Best for Ease of Use: Netgear
- Best for Versatility: Netgear
- Best Overall: Netgear
Best For Affordability: Linksys
The prices are closely comparable, but Linksys has the widest base of affordable options in relation to the services provided by each extender. Each of their corresponding counterparts from TP-Link and Netgear is priced faintly higher. For example, the Linksys AC750 covers 1000 square feet and costs less than $40.
- ELIMINATE DEAD ZONES: Easily expand your home WiFi to enjoy uninterrupted streaming, smooth online gaming, and more with the Linksys AC750 BOOST WiFi Range Extender (RE6300). The AC750 BOOST extends your existing WiFi range up to 1,000 square feet so you can enjoy a stronger WiFi signal--even outdoors.
- WORKS WITH ALL WIFI ROUTERS: The AC750 BOOST is compatible with all WiFi routers, including your existing unit or those from service providers. Easily expand WiFi without the need to modify any of your router's settings.
- EASY SETUP OPTIONS FOR OPTIMAL PLACEMENT: Simply press the Push Button Connect feature on the AC750 BOOST to automatically sync it to your router. Simple setup from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
- STRENGTHENS WIFI CONNECTION WITH DUAL BANDS: Stream movies, play games online, and browse the Web without interruptions, thanks to the range extender's simultaneous wireless dual bands. The AC750 BOOST features data transfer speeds up to N300 + AC433 Mbps* and can also focus the WiFi signal directly to your connected devices for optimal performance, thanks to Beamforming Technology.
- CROSSBAND TECHNOLOGY MAXIMIZES WIFI: Crossband Technology maximizes the simultaneous use of both bands for high-speed data transfer and uninterrupted streaming and gaming
Best For Effectiveness: TP-Link
TP-Link doesn’t need to overwhelm its competitors with endless variations of the same device. They offer a full line of devices that are affordable and thoroughly effective. Other companies like Netgear have very specific products for very specific needs at a very specific price. TP-Link offers fewer products, but the devices that they do sell are well above board for a reasonable price. The TP-Link AC1900 can cover 2800 square feet and 35 devices. It is a very effective unit.
- 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
Best For Ease of Use: Netgear
Linksys came in at a close second place, but Netgear wins for ease of use. They both have very simple set-up instructions for their basic units, but it seems that Netgear has significantly better support options. Their UX design helps to guide you to an answer whereas Linksys only has contact options. The most basic devices need only to be plugged into the wall and then connected to the system through an app. The Netgear EX3700 is simple to use and easy to set up while still being effective.
- Extends Wi-Fi range coverage up to 1000 sq. ft.
- Connects as many as 15 devices
- Performance up to 750Mbps
- Universally compatible with any Wi-Fi router, gateway, or modem
- Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
- Support for WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols
Best For Versatility: Netgear
A Wifi extender doesn’t necessarily need a lot of options. Most people are happy if all it does is extend the Wi-Fi. Netgear wins the versatility category for the sheer depth of options. There are so many different variations of each product that you can really fine-tune your shopping experience to exactly meet your needs. For example, the Netgear EX 7300 covers 2300 square feet and 40 devices.
- Extends WiFi range coverage up to 2300 square feet, and connects up to 40 devices such as laptops, smartphones, speakers, IP cameras, tablets, Iot devices, and more.Connectivity...
- Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move around your home or office
- Provides up to 2200 Mbps wireless speed performance using dual-band and patented FastLane(TM) technology for demanding HD streaming and online gaming.
- Works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with Wi-Fi.
- Simply plug in game consoles, streaming players, or other wired devices into the one Gigabit port for maximum speed.
Best Overall: Netgear
Not to belabor the point, but Netgear is the clear winner due to the depth, range, and reliability of its products. TP-Link and Linksys are both solid choices, but Netgear just overwhelms them with choice and support. The Netgear Nighthawk CAX30S may cost a bit more, but you definitely get what you pay for.
- Compatible with major cable internet providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more
- NOT compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DSL providers, DirecTV, DISH and any bundled voice service
- Best for cable provider plans up to 2 Gbps
- Coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft. and 25 concurrent devices with dual-band WiFi 6 (AX2700) speed (up to 2.7Gbps)
- Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, storage drive, and more with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 USB 3.0 port
- DOCSIS 3.1 and 32x8 channel bonding
How to Pick the Best Wifi Extenders: Step by Step
Choosing the right Wifi extender for you is simple if you do your research. Understanding your budget, your coverage needs, and the complexity of the device you choose are the most important things to focus on when making this purchase.
- Price
- Coverage
- Usability
Let’s look at these aspects in closer detail.
Price
For any purchase, it’s good to decide how much you expect to spend on said item. A realistic budget can help to guide you to the unit that best suits your needs. You’ll have to ask yourself what you need to accomplish with a Wifi extender in your current situation. Obviously, everyone would like to have a strong internet connection where they can, but that’s not currently the case for most people. These same people will buy a Wifi extender to cover as much area that they regularly occupy as possible. Any extender for home use should easily fit into the average person’s budget.
Coverage
If you don’t have Wifi anywhere other than the room with the modem, then you would benefit from a Wifi extender. However, you’ll have to decide how much coverage you need. Do you want more coverage just for gaming in a small home, or do you need a serious range booster for outdoor service or connection throughout a large home? Wanting to text on an outdoor patio is different than using that same patio for gaming. You’ll need to anticipate your needs so that you don’t waste time and money by purchasing a model that falls short. Conversely, you don’t want to overspend on coverage that you will never use.
Usability
A large home and a small home have different needs when it comes to Wifi extenders. A large home is usually looking to maximize distance while a small home is regularly looking to get a signal booster to maximize strength through walls and floors. When looking for the best wifi extender for your situation, you should focus on satisfying your current needs first. Then, you can always reevaluate your decision if you feel like you missed the mark. The most important point is that your problem has been solved in a satisfactory way.
What to Know Before Buying a Wifi Extender
It’s important to buy the right device for your specific home. There’s no need for you to go over budget for something that you don’t need and won’t use. Understanding your personal budget and personal needs will help to guide you when you decide to purchase a Wifi extender. Be sure to have the desired range in mind while shopping for an extender.
Using a Wifi Extender: What It’s Like
Having a Wifi Extender simply makes things a lot easier when it comes to connecting to the internet. It’s like adding wings to your WiFi signal, effortlessly extending it to every corner of your home or office. No longer will you have to deal with frustrating dead zones or weak connections that slow down your streaming and browsing experience. With a WiFi extender, you’ll be able to enjoy seamless connectivity from the comfort of your couch or bed. It gives you the freedom to work, play, and connect with ease.
The setup process is also simple and easy, making it accessible to anyone who wants to enhance their WiFi signal strength. Once you have it set up and it’s functional, you’ll wonder how you survived without it. It can strengthen and extend your internet connection which allows you greater effectiveness and freedom with your internet connection.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Lobro78.
