The Best WiFi Extenders to Boost Your Internet Speed
If you're fed up with your internet crawling along at a snail's pace, it might be time to invest in a WiFi extender. A good quality WiFi extender can take your feeble wireless signal and turn it into a robust one, giving you the fast speeds you need to get online without any lag time.
We've rounded up our top picks to help you find the best WiFi extender for your needs. From budget-friendly options to ones that offer robust coverage, there's an ideal choice for everyone.
If you have a small home or apartment, then the TP-Link N300 is an excellent option as it doesn't cost too much and still offers decent speeds (up to 300Mbps). If money is no object and you want the best performance possible, go for the Netgear Nighthawk X6S, which offers speeds of up to 3200Mbps across 6000 square feet.
There are plenty of other excellent choices for those who need something in between those two extremes, like the TP-Link AC750, the Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream, or the Amped Wireless Ally Plus. No matter your specific needs, one of these WiFi extenders will boost your internet speed so you can surf, stream, and download at lightning-fast speeds.
The 5 Strongest and Most Powerful WiFi Extenders
Do you live in a house with several floors and find that your WiFi signal doesn't reach upstairs? Or maybe you have many devices competing for bandwidth, and your internet suffers. Whatever your reason for wanting stronger, more consistent WiFi, a WiFi extender can help.
A WiFi extender takes your existing signal and extends it, giving you better coverage throughout your home (or office). Most modern routers offer good scope for small to medium-sized homes, but anything beyond that may need extra help. That's where a WiFi extender comes in handy – it helps eliminate any dead spots so you can enjoy fast, reliable internet no matters where you are.
There are tons of different WiFi extenders on the market, but not all are created equal. So to save you the hassle of finding the best one for your needs, we've compiled a list of the five most robust and potent WiFi extenders available today.
1. Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000 Tri-Band Range Extender
If you're looking for an industrial-grade solution to boosting your home's WiFi signal, look no further than the Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000 Tri-Band Range Extender ($199). This beast of an extender is powered by six external antennas and offers up to 3Gbps of extended throughput thanks to its tri-band operation — meaning it won't bog down your network even if dozens of devices are attached. Additional features like MU-MIMO support ensure every device on your network receives optimal speeds without bottlenecks, while FastLane3 technology automatically switches between bands to avoid congestion. Wall-mounting options make it easy to place this large unit out of sight, but be warned: It'll still take up quite a bit of space wherever you put it down due to its size (it measures 10 x 6 x 2 inches). Nevertheless, there's no better performing or harder-working range extender on the market right now if money is no object and absolute top speeds are what you seek — making the Nighthawk X6S EX8000 our Editors' Choice pick in this category. Please read our full review here.
2) TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender
For about half the price as our top pick (and significantly less bulk), TP-Link's RE650 AC2600 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender ($99) is another excellent choice for filling any pesky holes in coverage around corners or walls in larger homes — especially those fraught with lots of interference from other electronics thanks to its four built-in antennas that create 2x2 MIMO connections. You also get some extras like access control over when specific devices can connect, along with parental controls, which come in handy if younger family members tend to hog bandwidth while gaming or streaming movies. But since it tops out at 800Mbps on 2. 4GHz frequencies and 1,733Mbps on 5GHz channels versus 3Gbps total with the Netgear Nighthawk, keep expectations realistic: The RE650 shouldn't be thought of as an upgrade so much as an alternative if the budget is tighter or space inside crowded cabinets or shelves is limited since its smaller footprint means it will fit almost anywhere (5 x 3 x 2 inches). Like many other consumer-grade networking products these days, setup is painless provided you have a compatible router already up and running since this model uses Smart Connect technology which makes band steering automatic during installation—a feature found only on more expensive enterprise solutions until recently. Our complete TP-Link RE650 review has more details.
How to Extend the Range of Your WiFi Network
It's no secret that the average person spends a good chunk of their day browsing the internet. Whether for work, school, or leisure, we are constantly tethered to our devices in one way or another. And while there are plenty of hotspots and public wifi networks available for use, you still need to extend the range of your home network. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:
If you live in an apartment or condo, chances are your router is located in a common area, like a living room or kitchen. Unfortunately, this means that the walls and other obstructions in your home can impact your wifi network's signal strength and reach. Try placing your router on an elevated surface like a bookshelf or dresser to combat this. This will help ensure that the signal has a clear path to reach all areas of your home.
Another common issue leading to weak wifi signals is interference from other electronic devices. Things like microwaves, cordless phones, and even baby monitors can disrupt the flow of information between your router and device. One way to fix this is by changing the channel on which your router broadcasts its signal. You can usually find instructions on how to do this in your router's documentation or online support forums.
If neither of these solutions seems to work for you, it may be time to invest in some new hardware. One option is to purchase a mesh wifi system that creates multiple access points throughout your home for maximum coverage. Another possibility is buying a range extender which will amplify the signal from your existing router and relay it to dead zones in your home with weak connectivity.
