Home Wi-Fi routers are some of the most unpredictable pieces of technology in our homes. There are times when the signal will reach across several rooms, but on other times, the signal drops as soon as you move away from the router. A WiFi extender doesn’t replace your existing router, it works together with it, making the original signal stronger.
How Does a WiFi Range Extender Work?
A WiFi extender is often referred to as “booster”, “repeater”, or “WiFi extender”, but all these names mean the same thing: a device that captures a WiFi signal, amplifies it and transmits it. WiFi extenders act like stereo amplifiers used for driving hi-fi systems. They use electric power from a power supply to increase the strength of the original WiFi signal, transmitting the 1amplified signal in the air.
To accomplish this feat of engineering, WiFi range extenders contain two WiFi antennas: one that’s used for signal capture and the other one for signal transmission. Most wireless range extenders plug into the standard electrical outlet. They can then be set up with the help of the WPS button or a dedicated smartphone app. WPS is a network security standard that allows WiFi-enabled devices to communicate without entering long passphrases.
Below are some of the best contenders when it comes to Wi-Fi extenders that provide a solid performance, and will always deliver a powerful signal.
- Plume SuperPods
The Future of Wi-Fi Extenders
In a Nutshell: | Bands: 802.11b/g/n/ac |
Connectivity: 2x Gigabit LAN ports | |
Features: Parental controls, Cloud-based ad-blocking, and cybersecurity | |
Pros: | Excellent coverage |
Easy setup | |
Cons: | Expensive |
Needing to increase your network coverage and get network-based cybersecurity as well? These Plume SuperPods will get the job done, but they won’t come cheap. This is because the Plume SuperPods act as one of the best Wi-Fi extenders straight out of the box. But perhaps more importantly, they also come with freebies; a subscription service to protect your network from cyber-attacks, as well as remove ads from the internet. Not only does it get the job done, but it also gives us more value for money. Nonetheless, even if you don’t care about the extra software, the excellent performance is more than enough to make this Wi-Fi extender worth your consideration at the very least. For more information, check here.
- Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150
Fast speeds for the whole house
In a Nutshell: | Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz |
Connectivity: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port | |
Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), Extender/Access Point mode switch, power button | |
Pros: | Super simple setup |
Compact design | |
Cons: | Pricey |
Only one Ethernet port |
Over the last couple of years, Netgear has essentially turned itself into a household name in the networking world. And, they’ve put their extensive expertise to impressive use with the AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender EX6150. This terrific extender is a simple device that you can discreetly plug right into any electrical outlet, and can definitely take up votes as one of the best Wi-Fi extenders available in the market. As an additional bonus, the EX6150 boasts quick and easy installation, free of any hassling installation software. Just follow the easy-to-read instructions and you’ll have fast and dependable Wi-Fi covering your entire home or office for as long as you please. Find out more about the EX6150 here.
- Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700 Mesh Range Extender
A smooth and compact solution
In a Nutshell: | Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz |
Connectivity: 2 x Ethernet | |
Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), Mesh connectivity | |
Pros: | Small design |
Easy to use | |
Cons: | Expensive |
Bring the power and convenience of a mesh network to your home with the Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700. Not only does this extend the area of your Wi-Fi network, but it creates a seamless Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office — so you never have to switch networks while moving around. Thanks to the powerful hardware inside the Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700, you can stream 4K content, play games and hook up all kinds of devices to your Wi-Fi network without a hitch. The included Ethernet ports are also a nice addition for bringing your network to wired devices. Click here to get more information.
- TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Affordable, simple, and easy to use
In a Nutshell: | Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz |
Connectivity: 1 x Ethernet | |
Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS) | |
Pros: | Ethernet connection |
LED showing connection strength makes installation easy | |
Cons: | Large |
TP-Link is a Chinese networking company that has been steadily gaining popularity in the west, and for good reason. With devices like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range extender, it’s easy to understand why: this extender is among the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy right now. It also gets the job done and is affordable. While it may not be the fastest Wi-Fi extender out there, the range this extender provides at the price it’s available at makes it a steal. Finally, thanks to an LED signal indicator on the front, installation is a breeze. To find out more about this product, visit Amazon.
- Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender
One more powerful extender
In a Nutshell: | Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz |
Connectivity: 4 x Ethernet, Audio Jack | |
Features: Linksys Spot Finder Technology, music streaming, easy setup | |
Pros: | Audio streaming capability |
Powerful | |
Cons: | Expensive |
Bulky design |
The Linksys RE6500 AC1200 is yet another Wi-Fi extender that could be mistaken for a router. Its robust design lets Linksys include four gigabit Ethernet ports, which basically empowers you to increase your network to internet-connected devices that need an ethernet connection. It also has an audio output jack so it can connect to an audio system, letting you stream digital music from your PC to your audio receiver. This is a pretty substantial and versatile product and is one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for the money. Click the link below to get further details on the Linksys RE6500 AC1200.
Overall, these are some of the top-performing Wi-Fi extenders available in the market now, and for the excellent signal they provide, each model is worth its price. And with these big, well-known brands, you’re sure to find one that will fit your home and your needs. Just be sure to grab the deal before it runs out, these great Wi-Fi extenders won’t stay in stock for long!