Best Wi-fi Extenders of March 2024: Expert Comparisons, Reports & Reviews
Compare
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
The scores from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Read more How we Score
Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you live in an apartment or your house has many rooms, there will be a situation where the wifi wave cannot cover the entire room. Meanwhile, the best Wi-Fi extenders will help the coverage of Wi-Fi broader and more stable, ensuring a connection between mobile devices and the internet in places where previously impossible.
So with this article, we will bring you the best Wi-Fi extenders that only with one of them, wherever you are, the internet access will be very convenient.
Wi-Fi extender is also known with names such as: Wifi Repeater or Wifi extender or Wifi amplifier ... This device is capable of receiving wifi waves and amplifying waves to spread wifi waves covering many places. and avoid wifi flicker.
Again, the names of the devices tell us somewhat of their function. Most people find it difficult to distinguish between a repeater and an extender (short for range extender). And in fact, a wireless repeater will also be called a wireless range extender, which is also a Wi-Fi extender. And this device takes an existing signal from the wireless router or wireless access point and replays it to create a second network.
The bottom line here is that it creates a second network. Devices out of range of the first network can connect to the second network. The downside is that it divides the bandwidth into 2 parts.
So how to find out the best Wi-Fi extenders? Where do we base?
Technically, a Wi-Fi extender is used to extend the coverage of a WiFi network. It works by receiving current WiFi signal, amplifying it, and then transmitting the boosted signal.
To avoid worrying about which Wi-Fi range extender to buy, you should choose from Xiaomi technology brands, suppliers of TP-Link network products, Asus, Tenda, Linksys, D-Link, Mercusys... These are all famous names, giving you more peace of mind when choosing to buy.
And you should also note the following criteria:
-
Receiving and broadcasting range
This is a factor to pay attention to when choosing to buy a Wi-Fi extender capable of good quality wifi broadcasting, you should pay attention to this factor through the configuration of the product. Choose the high-power (dbi) high-capacity Wi-Fi extender (dbi) with strong, far transmissions to ensure good transmission speeds.
The range of receiving and broadcasting also depends on the antenna router, you should choose to buy external antenna routers with flexible direction adjustment to ensure more flexible wifi waves. Pay attention to the transmitters through the wall to help ensure good transmission in the building, office.
-
Standard Wi-Fi support and connection speed
Each Wi-Fi extender has a standard support and different connection speed. Currently, there are two popular standards, AC standard, and N standard. In which, AC standard is a new Wi-Fi standard, so it has a higher price than N standard device. If the demand is not too high, you can also choose N standard equipment.
-
Wi-Fi range extender
It should be purchased based on the connection speed. If the need for home use, choose an extender with speed of about 300 Mbps is enough. If using for other activities such as business, restaurant, office, it is recommended to choose the higher speed extenders. Note that this speed depends on the transmitter such as LAN, Modem.
Based on the above factors, we have the following best Wi-Fi extenders:
1. TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Extender (TL-WA850RE)
TP-Link TL-WA850RE is one of the outstanding Wi-Fi extenders of TP-Link brand, helping users increase the network signal with the bandwidth design of about 300Mbps and increase the wifi coverage area everywhere in your home.
Users can easily carry them or hang them on the wall thanks to their smart, compact design with small holes in the body of the device. Unlike other devices, TP-Link TL-WA850RE can store information with a paired wireless network. You can easily connect to different routers without necessarily restoring factory settings.
The TP-Link TL-WA850RE is designed to add an Ethernet port to help the device act as a wireless adapter and easily connect to other devices such as game consoles, Internet TV, ...
2. TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Extender, simple design, easy to use
With four external and dual-band antennas, the TP-Link AC2600 RE650 establishes a stable wireless connection with any Wi-Fi router and increases the network's coverage to 14,000 square feet.
880 MHz dual-core processor provides maximum Wi-Fi performance, keeping your smartphones and tablets connected as you move around the house. Beamforming technology detects the location of the devices and focuses Wi-Fi on them for a more powerful connection.
Using 4-stream technology to increase Wi-Fi capabilities, the TP-Link AC2600 RE650 achieves industry-leading top speeds of up to 800Mbps on 2.4GHz, 1733Mbps on 5GHz. This delivers the elite speed and performance needed to support your most demanding online applications, including simultaneous 4K streaming and lag-free gaming.
MU-MIMO technology allows the RE650 to serve up to four devices at once, reducing waiting times and significantly increasing Wi-Fi throughput for all devices. With MU-MIMO, the RE650 runs up to 4 times faster than traditional AC range extenders. The RE650 is more than just a wireless range extender. Just plug an Ethernet cable into its Ethernet port and easily turn your wired internet connection into a 4 × 4 MU-MIMO dual band wireless access point.
And what is special about the TP-Link AC2600 RE650 is that if one of the router's dual bands drops suddenly or in the case the main router can only provide single-band connectivity, the RE650 still provides band-link connectivity. Dual stable for customers. Allows you to enjoy a stable and drop-free experience across all your devices.
3. NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender EX3700
The NetGEAR EX3700 Wi-Fi extender is very low cost (just $ 38.95) and plugs directly into a wall outlet. The device uses dual band and is compatible with Wireless-AC technology (the latest wireless standard). It provides bandwidth throughput of up to 750Mbps.
The EX3700 features two external antennas for enhanced Wi-Fi coverage, as well as the option to create a new Wi-Fi hotspot or hotspot via a wired Gigabit Ethernet port. This is ideal if you want to create a private network for guests. NETGEAR also includes the Wi-Fi Analytics app, which allows you to gauge your Wi-Fi signal strength, check its status, or identify channels that are “crowded”.
Some of the extra features may be irrelevant, but the fact that all of these features are built into a relatively inexpensive device like the NETGEAR EX3700 suggests it's a better option than the competitor D-Link DAP-1520. Buy the NETGEAR EX3700 if you want the most comfortable Wi-Fi access possible.
4. NETGEAR EX6200-100NAR AC1200
If you need a Wi-Fi Extender device, the Netgear EX6200 will be the best choice for most situations. It is an affordable, versatile, and powerful dual-band extender. It supports the latest Wireless-AC standard and can act as a second Wi-Fi hotspot.
It's important that any Wi-Fi Extender you buy has dual-band functionality (for reasons mentioned in the introduction), which means it can play on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The same goes for the EX6200. It works on both Wi-Fi bands and provides throughput up to 1200Mbps. It has 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, significantly faster than standard Fast Ethernet. This allows the EX6200 to function as a (pretty fast) wired access point. It also includes a dual core processor for optimal performance, as well as high power amplifiers and two 5dBi antennas.
All of this will extend the coverage of your home router by a few hundred square meters. Both home and professional user reviews support this, making the NETGEAR EX6200 one of the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market today.
5. TP-Link AC1200 (RE305)
This may not be the fastest extender at close range, but the dual-band RE305 is one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for long range. Its dual bands run at 2.4GHz (up to 300Mbps) + 5GHz (up to 867Mbps) and it has a Fast Ethernet port that allows you to connect to a wired device. That will help boost the Wi-Fi signal to match your desires.
The most accurate word to describe the design of the TP-Link AC1200 RE305 is "cute". It is white with rounded edges and two short antennas. It has three LEDs on the front that indicate if the device is connected properly or not. This makes setting up the device very simple. If you have any doubts, then the good news is that the TP-Link AC1200 RE305 has a warranty period of up to 2 years plus 24/7 technical support.
6. D-Link DAP-1650 Wi-Fi Extender
If you are looking for a stylish, fast, and capable Wi-Fi extender, the D-Link DAP-1650 is definitely on your list. and looks great wherever you place it. It also has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, ideal for setup in addition to a smart TV, wired PC, or wireless printer.
You will find that the setup is very simple, especially with the Wi-Fi Protected one-touch setup and media server option enabled. The DAAP-1650 is compatible with any wireless standard and provides backward compatibility with 802.11n, b, g and a, and WPA or WPA2 security.
Although it reconnects to your router on the same band used (there is some chance of network congestion), this may not be an issue for your particular network setup. The 5GHz band provides throughput of 867Mbps, while the 2.4GHz band provides throughput of 300Mbps. The design of the D-Link DAP-1650 is also quite amazing, without any unsightly antennas on the stylish black cylindrical device.
1. How to choose a Wi-Fi extender based on different needs?
First of all, you should determine that you need the Wi-Fi range extender for work, study, or entertainment. Also, how often or not you stay home and use Wi-Fi waves should be considered.
If we go to work, school more and only stay home at night, rarely travel in rare areas, we should find ways to overcome this instead of buying a Wi-Fi range extender. For example, you can move the source to a better broadcast area or where you often sit / study / work so the Wi-Fi is stable as expected.
Conversely, if you run a beverage business, cafe or restaurant, then use a Wi-Fi range extender is essential. This helps your customers have a pleasant experience and stay in the shop for longer. The habit of working and exchanging information at cafes is quite common. So ensuring that the Wi-Fi is always strong and stable is a good way to help your service be more appreciated.
2. Can I choose a Wi-Fi extender based on my network speed?
Of course, you should also base on the amount of network used to find an extender with the right support standard. Specifically:
-
Network speed is about 54Mbps: This line is suitable for home space, you should choose the Wi-Fi range extender with 802.11g standard. This is the Wi-Fi standard that was born in 2009, the device is capable of supporting a maximum speed of about 54Mbps. This line can meet the needs of watching movies, learning and entertainment in the family in a stable way.
-
300Mbps speed: This line is suitable for those who regularly play games. You should now choose the 802.11n Wi-Fi range extender. This model can support a maximum speed of up to 300Mbps at the 2.4GHz frequency.
-
Speed 1,200 Mbps: For internet rooms, with multiple machines operating at the same time, the 802.11ac Wi-Fi range extender will be a great choice. This series allows bandwidths up to 867Mbps in the 5 GHz band and 300Mbps in the 2.4GHz band. Therefore, the system of heavy games or the process of downloading huge data from Wi-Fi waves is still guaranteed as expected.
3. What other criteria should I be aware of?
In terms of design, you should prioritize products with compact and beautiful designs to increase the aesthetics of the decorative architecture. Selecting Wifi extender with ABS plastic ensures scratch resistance, dust free, outstanding durability. In addition, you should pay attention to the color of the device to get a delicate living space. Usually white has a modern, new style. Black, on the other hand, possesses a healthy beauty and a very good dirt mark.
Coverage is just as important, choosing a Wifi range extender according to the coverage range will ensure stable Wi-Fi operation. At the same time, this also helps you to save significant costs, take full advantage of the device's functionality.
And although quite a lot of people do not notice, when choosing a Wifi range extender, you should pay attention to the security of the device. This is especially necessary for offices and companies.Because a Wi-Fi extender with high amt65 security will help us stay away from data leakage or theft. By building a multi-layer firewall fence, good quality Wi-Fi range extenders can keep you away from hackers' intrusion.
4. How to setup and use Wi-Fi extenders properly?
In the apartment building, the Wi-Fi extender will work best when you install them at the bedroom door, diagonal corners in the space. In high-rise buildings, it is necessary to catch waves on different floors, so for the Wi-Fi extender to work effectively, you should install the device in a well-ventilated area such as the staircase and limit the place to too tight.
You can also check by using your phone and catch wifi, you can put the range extender in the worst wifi transmission.
5. Are there any other important things that people often miss when choosing a Wi-Fi extender?
Actually, the above criteria are close enough to help you choose the best Wi-Fi extender already. If it is necessary in case you want to know more, coverage is also an important criterion. Because the coverage will determine whether the device can broadcast the wifi far away or not and whether the device is good or not.
Usually divided into 3 main categories below:
-
Wifi extender 1 antenna: The advantage of this type is its affordable price but the transmission speed is limited to 150Mbps. With a small area or level 4 house, you should choose this type of range extender.
-
Wifi extender 2 antennas: There will be a higher bandwidth speed than 1 antenna wifi, so the cost will be higher and can spread to a larger area.
-
Wifi extender 3, 4 antennas: Has the strongest bandwidth speed and can cover a wider area. If you need wifi coverage to tall buildings, you should choose this type of Wi-Fi extender with 3, 4 antennas. This type also has the highest cost today.
In short, a Wi-Fi extender is a necessary device when you are living in a multi-storey apartment with too many rooms like in an apartment complex, you may experience a situation where some parts of the house cannot receive wifi. Or maybe you are temporarily sharing wifi with neighbors or nearby stores, but the shared wifi is too weak. And a Wi-Fi extender does it all.
Once there, just choose from a list of the best Wi-Fi extenders we have provided:
1. TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Extender TL-WA850RE
2. TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Extender
3. Netgear WiFi Range Extender EX3700
4. Netgear EX6200-100NAR AC1200
6. D-Link DAP-1650 Wi-Fi Extender
Hopefully this article will be helpful in case your Wi-Fi experience is not good. Then consider and rely on the criteria in the article to choose the right equipment!