The Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders 2024

Thu, Dec 14, 2023 7:47 PM

While having access to WiFi is helpful, it also comes with a slew of drawbacks. Regardless of how good our WiFi connection is, there are always some areas of our house that are without internet access. The majority of the time, poor connectivity is caused by inadequate hardware. Rather than investing hundreds of dollars in a new wireless router, you can improve your home's signal with some of the best WiFi extenders on the market. These are the tried-and-tested best WiFi extenders for 2021 currently available on the market.

Also, Read: What Difference Between Wired and Wireless Internet

How to Choose the Best WiFi Extender

You should think about a few things to make sure you obtain the greatest WiFi extender for your home, such as:

• WiFi compatibility

• Port

• Wi-Fi coverage

The latest WiFi versions, such as WiFi 5 (Wireless AC) and WiFi 6, should be supported by your extender (Wireless AX). WiFi extenders based on WiFi 4 may be adequate, but if you have the funds, we recommend going with the WiFi 5/6 option.

Consider your extender's range; it's pointless to buy a new extender if it doesn't extend your range. On the product listing for most WiFi extenders, you'll find detailed information on the range.

Ports are extremely valuable; the more ports you can obtain, the better. Most WiFi extenders come with one Ethernet port that supports speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps and can be used by many devices.

 2024's Best WiFi Extender

Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk X6S

The Nighthawk X6S WiFi extender (EX8000) from Netgear is a powerful piece of equipment. It comes with three different bands that can accommodate all of your devices. The extender uses one specialized band (5 GHz) to connect with the router, while your devices use the other two (2 GHz and 5 GHz).

Because it does not utilize the same frequency to interact with the router and the devices, the dedicated 5 GHz line is ideal. A clean, distinct line ensures signal transfer to and from the router is faster and more stable.

The extender also features cutting-edge MU-MIMO (Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output) technology, which allows it to interface with the devices. All of these advantages, however, come at a price, so if you have the cash, acquire this extender right away.

Also Read: Easy Ways to Boost your WiFi Signal

Best Budget Option: TP-Link TL-WA855RE

If you're on a tight budget, you might have to sacrifice some features. TP-Link has a reasonable price, yet it nevertheless lets you extend the range of your WiFi connection.

Only one 2.4 GHz band is available on the TP-Link TL-WA855RE, which delivers rates of up to 300 Mbps. This helps to keep the price cheap while still providing adequate functionality. The Ethernet port is outdated, restricting the speed of the connected connection. The extender's maximum range is 866 square feet, which is less than other of the extenders on our list but still outstanding.

The extension can also transition to AP (Access Point) mode, which is a fantastic function. Extenders usually duplicate the WiFi network, including its name (SSID). Users can use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender directly to the router in AP mode. As a result, the extender establishes a new WiFi connection for your devices in remote areas of your home.

Ideal for Multi-User Networking: Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream

The Linksys RE7000 is a close competitor to the Netgear Nighthawk X6S and features MU-MIMO technology. The only significant difference is that Linksys is significantly less expensive.

Other important considerations include speed and connectivity; the RE7000 has two fewer external antennae, lowering the maximum speed to 1,300 Mbps. In comparison to the Netgear Nighthawk, the WiFi extender takes up significantly less space. If you're clumsy, the Linksys RE7000 might need some more attention.

Ideal for Large Residences: TP-Link RE450

To be honest, the TP-Link RE450n has a poor design, yet it has excellent Amazon reviews. When it comes to extending WiFi signals, it does an excellent job, even to the upper floors.

The High-Speed Mode is a unique feature of the WiFi extender. Normally, a router and an extender use the same band to send and receive data, but in “high-speed mode,” the extender utilizes one band to connect with the router and another band to communicate with devices.

The extender also has an Ethernet port, however the placement isn't ideal. The connector is located on the side of the extender, making it more difficult to connect to devices. You may link it by pushing the RE button on the front, or you can use wires to connect directly to the router.

Also Read: What Is a Cable Modem and How Does It Work?

Best Compact Extender: Netgear EX6120

Are you looking for a low-cost WiFi extender that can boost your WiFi signal? Then the Netgear EX6120 is the device for you. If you have a flaky connection in a certain area of your house or office, boosting your WiFi signal power can help you a lot.

The EX6120 is the smallest and thinnest of all the alternatives on our list. That doesn't rule out the possibility of having the device in your home. It's still a terrific option that will ultimately merge into your home's decor. Regardless of its size, it provides adequate speed and range for the price. The Ethernet port, on the other hand, has a fundamental flaw: it only allows rates of up to 100 Mbps, which is OK as long as your router and extender can reliably send data.

Thoughts on the Best WiFi Extenders for  2024

When all of the options are compared, the Netgear Nighthawk EX8000 comes out on top. It is unquestionably one of the greatest WiFi extenders available. It has three bands, one of which is a dedicated connection to your router. While the price may be a bit steep for some customers, it is still a great option to extend the length of your WiFi connection without having to upgrade your plan or router.

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