Best Wi-Fi extenders 2024: devices to boost your network
9 min read
Boost your internet experience with the best Wi-Fi extenders of 2024 – also known as Wi-Fi boosters, they can stretch your Wi-Fi signal beyond the confines of your current router’s reach. Even if your setup already includes one of the best wireless routers, you might still face challenges like limited coverage or fluctuating network strength, particularly in larger homes or office spaces. A potential solution lies in investing in the best mesh Wi-Fi system, designed to blanket your area with seamless connectivity. However, mesh systems often come with a heftier price tag.
This is where the best Wi-Fi extenders come into play, offering an economical yet effective remedy, especially when tackling dead zones in your environment. These extenders work diligently to fortify your internet signal in regions where connectivity previously faltered. They boast simplicity in setup, often accompanied by user-friendly app-guided instructions, and seamlessly integrate into your network without disrupting its flow.
Additionally, we address the most frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi extenders to clarify your understanding. And if you’re caught in the dilemma of choosing between an extender and a mesh system, our comparative analysis of Wi-Fi extenders vs mesh routers will provide you with the clarity you need. Embark on your journey towards a superior internet connection with our expert recommendations for the best Wi-Fi extenders of 2024.
The quick list
There are quite literally hundreds of Wi-Fi extenders on the market, and they all ultimately do the same thing. With that in mind, we’ve whittled our list down to only the very best options, so you can be assured that you’re getting your money’s worth. Remember to hit “Read more below” to find out more before you hit buy.
Best Wi-Fi extender overall
A fast, affordable ‘dead zone killer’ that’s easy to set up and use straight out of the box, the TP-Link RE700X is basically the best Wi-Fi range extender out there right now.
Read more below
Best budget Wi-Fi extender
If you want to set up your home with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities but don’t want to spend a fortune, the RE605X from TP-Link is a solid choice.
Read more below
3. Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80)
Best for gamers
A sleek and powerful Wi-Fi 6 range extender, this model is a bit on the pricey side, but Netgear’s Nighthawk range is aimed at gamers for a reason – this extender offers high speeds and excellent coverage.
Read more below
The best Wi-Fi extenders of 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best Wi-Fi extender overall
The TP-Link RE700X is proof that you do not need to spend a lot of money to get great Wi-Fi coverage in every corner of your home. While many Wi-Fi extenders are trying to charge consumers enough money you might as well get a mesh system, this one keeps its price inexpensive by keeping things simple and offering Wi-Fi 6 connectivity on top of it.
Though not loaded up on features, this Wi-Fi 6 support is certainly more than enough when combined with just how effective it is at covering dead spots. Nicknamed the “dead-zone killer,” it certainly delivered during testing, covering an area in our space where the weak Wi-Fi signal normally forces us to rely on PowerLine adaptors.
It’s also easy and simple to set up, making it a great option for most people, including those who have never even seen a range extender before. You can spend a lot of money on an intimidating range extender, or you can make things easy for your self and your wallet with the TP-Link RE700X.
Read our full TP-Link RE700X review
The best budget Wi-Fi extender
If you’re looking to extend your newly-minted Wi-Fi 6 network to all four corners of your home, TP-Link’s RE605X WiFi 6 Range Extender is worth taking a look. It’s as affordable and as easy to set up as the RE650 extender while being backwards compatible with older Wi-Fi 5 routers.
We found during testing that TP-Link’s Tether app does a good job of keeping setting up simple, making this a great option for Wi-Fi extender newbies. It isn’t just for the less savvy users, however. The RE605X also provides a web browser interface for more experienced users who want more control over their network settings.
It’s also proven to deliver noticeable improvement in Wi-Fi performance. On test, it boosted our router’s speed to 100Mbps from 34Mbps on the 2.4GHz and from 85Mbps on the 5.0GHz bands in the poorly connected part of our space. Our stream downloads saw a marked improvement as well.
Read the full TP-Link RE605X WiFi 6 Range Extender review
The best Wi-Fi extender for gamers
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) may be a little older, but with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and an impressive range, it certainly deserves a spot in this best Wi-Fi extenders list. It’s a little on the pricey end, but it’s not really for people who are on the budget anyway, as it’s more of an investment for those who require top-notch performance and massive coverage.
It boasts some features you typically see in actual routers such as four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting a games console and a USB 3.0 port for connecting a hard drive to provide network storage. It also has mesh extender capabilities, which means you can buy additional EAX80 extenders and link them together to create an enormous mesh network.
On test, its performance will blow you away. Performance on the slower 2.4GHz band jumped from our usual 18Mbps to 21Mbps. Meanwhile, the faster 5.0GHz band really got a shake-up, leaping from just 60Mbps to 342Mbps. This isn’t going to be the best Wi-Fi extender for most people, but it’s amazing for those with massive homes and offices to cover.
Read our full Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) review
Frequently asked questions
How to choose the best WiFi extender for you
You want to make sure that your Wi-Fi extender is speedy enough to give you the kind of solid connection you need. That means at least a wireless standard of 802.11ac, the default on most current routers. And, if you want to future-proof, consider one with Wi-Fi 6, the successor to 802.11ac that is slowly taking over.
Installation and setup is always a concern so look for one that’s easy to connect to your existing network. And, make sure that it has the ports you need if you’re hoping to connect something that needs a physical connection like an older computer.
If you plan on expanding beyond one extender – maybe you need it for a large business – then consider a mesh extender as you can add additional units that will automatically find the best signal route for you. On that note, consider your budget. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are expensive. But, if you need more than one extender or need to replace the router as well, getting a Mesh Wi-Fi router will be more cost effective in the long run.
What’s the difference between a WiFi booster and a WiFi extender?
Wi-Fi extenders, also known as Wi-Fi boosters or repeaters, are largely the same thing under a different name. If you have areas of your home where your current wireless internet cannot reach, they’re the perfect piece of kit to boost your existing signal.
They’re typically easy to use and set up, with most simply plugging into an available AC outlet in your wall, though some can resemble a stand-alone router.
Naming conventions appear to be a branding decision, but there are a few different ways that Wi-Fi extenders work. The most common is that your booster or extender houses two wireless routers, much like the wireless router you already have at home, or in your place of work. One of these wireless routers picks up the existing Wi-Fi network and then passes that to the secondary router which transmits the boosted signal.
It’s worth noting that many Wi-Fi extenders broadcast on a new Wi-Fi network with its own name, so you’ll need to connect to a different Wi-Fi signal depending on where you are in your home. As most devices will automatically connect to a trusted signal, this isn’t likely to cause too much of an issue.
How do I know if I need a range extender or a router?
There are a few things to consider when trying to diagnose your internet woes and deciding between replacing your router or simply adding an extender. If you’re having trouble with getting a solid connection regardless of how close you are to the router or how many devices are connected to it, chances are adding an extender won’t help. That poor quality connection won’t get any better; it just will have a larger range.
Getting a newer wireless router is a must in that case since the connection itself will only improve with a better device at the heart of your network. Upgrading the router to a newer one that can handle more devices or has Wi-Fi 6 support will also be the better way to go if you have a slow connection.
So, when should you buy a Wi-Fi extender? If your router is capable enough and is just not reaching where you want it to, a Wi-Fi extender is a great solution. A connectivity issue within your home or office that’s related to the router’s actual reach might be better resolved with one of the best Wi-Fi extenders because it’s more cost-effective than replacing your whole router.
In other words, if some of your devices are getting a good connection or the internet gets better the closer you are to the router, save some money and add an extender. Maybe you want your network to cover a couple of floors of a house or building, but some rooms are just not getting a signal. An extender is the perfect solution as it will take the existing signal, strengthen it and extend its reach so that you can access it or get a better connection where you couldn’t before.
It’s also important to consider the price. Wi-Fi extenders can get pricey if you want some of the newest models, especially those that offer Wi-Fi 6 technology. However, companies like Netgear and TP-Link offer very affordable Wi-Fi extenders to help increase coverage across whatever area you need a boost in. The cheaper options obviously won’t have as many bells and whistles but will work great for streaming content or loading webpages.
How we test
TechRadar tests Wi-Fi extenders in a variety of ways, from how easy they are to connect and setup, what apps or software they might come with, and of course, how much increase you get to the range of your wireless internet.
Features will be noted, we check to see if Wi-Fi 6 is supported, as well as if they’re able to connect to any existing router and if the products are Dual-band or Tri-band compatible. As a Wi-Fi extender is designed to support an existing router, and not act as a dedicated router in itself, you’ll likely want to check if your wireless router isn’t up to scratch before you spend serious money on an extender.
A series of benchmarks are used to determine how effective a Wi-Fi extender is, using applications like the Ookla Speed test and the Steam game download client to test how many megabytes per second of data is achievable in different locations of a home, such as right beside the extender itself and behind partition walls that could block a signal.
link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1466674703-a1a006bd4c65442ea26918f3f79abb44.jpg "5 Simple Ways to Invest in Real Estate")
