The best Wi-Fi extenders can seriously improve the range of your existing Wi-Fi router while also helping to eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots in your home. They’re also much cheaper than upgrading to a new router and can be set up in just a few minutes. To help you pick the right Wi-Fi extender for your home, we tested out six of the most popular models available today and rated them based on speed, features, and ease of use. In order to get a clear picture of how well each device performs, we used a combination of real-world testing along with controlled benchmark testing. As always, you can check pricing for any of these products in the description below, and if I’m able to get any discounts or coupon codes, I’ll include those for you as well.
Table of Contents
1. TP-Link RE220
The TP-Link RE220 is one of our favorite extenders we tested. Setup is made easy with a QR code on the box that links to the app and guides you through a setup that takes mere minutes. We love its stylish look and the fact that it’s no larger than the average air freshener or nightlight. Despite its size and aesthetics, the RE220 has still managed to fit in an Ethernet port, which is fantastic. The RE220 has an excellent range for home use; however, we recommend opting for another device if you need to project a signal over more extensive square footage for businesses or special events. On that note, it’s not the fastest repeater, so you’ll need a faster model to get maximum Mbps for gaming or an office. Despite that, we still think the RE220 is great for most applications.
2. Netgear EX5000
If you don’t feel like downloading apps, resetting your router, or dealing with confusing instruction pamphlets, we recommend the Netgear EX5000. Netgear claims that this product takes 5 minutes to set up, but it only took us about 3 minutes. It doesn’t require any app; any browser will guide you through the setup process by simply going to the website listed on the box or scanning the QR code. Although it’s a bit boxy, the EX5000 is compact and has a discreet look. This model can connect up to 25 devices, the highest number we’ve seen to date. Where this model truly shines is in the speed it delivers. During our Mbps test, the EX5000 was much faster than any other wall plug model that we’ve used to date. Unfortunately, the Netgear EX5000 does not support mesh capabilities, so you’ll need to manually change back to your primary router if you’re in a location where the extender signal is weaker than the primary router signal. The compact design lacks an Ethernet port, so if you want to hardwire a device to the extender, you’ll need to look into a different model. Despite some minor drawbacks, the EX5000 Wi-Fi extender is a top choice for those needing high speeds and an easy setup.
3. TP-Link AC200 Wi-Fi Extender RE315
TP-Link’s RE315 Wi-Fi extender is physically very similar to the RE705X but with lower specs, and that’s what makes it a $50 device. You’ll get up to 8667 Mbps speeds on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, and it only provides coverage for up to 1,500 square ft. That won’t be as much of an issue for most people as max speeds will, but if you have a particularly large property, you’re better off going with a more expensive extender that can cover more space. There’s also no Wi-Fi 6 support on the RE315, which may be a deal breaker for those who recently invested in a Wi-Fi 6 router. This model does support OneMesh, though, which is nice if you already have a OneMesh system in your home. I’m focusing on specification differences because my experience with the RE315 wasn’t that far off from the RE705X. Setup was just as plain and simple since the RE315 also uses the Tether mobile app. While speeds were slightly slower in my testing, I didn’t notice too much of a difference in real-world use. For $50 normally and often closer to $30 when on sale, the RE315 is an easy pick for anyone who wants a budget-friendly way to fill Wi-Fi dead zones in their home.
4. TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender
If you have a big house with several rooms or even whole floors that are out of range of your main router, then you probably want to prioritize range over everything else. The TP-Link RE650 is a range extender that puts the emphasis on range, with a maximum coverage area of up to 2,800 square ft. It also has plenty of bandwidth and supports beamforming for especially strong connections. This is a good extender to choose if you need to extend Wi-Fi to a busy part of your house or you have a large house with several rooms that need simultaneous coverage because it’s capable of handling a lot of data at once. That makes it a good fit for covering a family room or busy home office with a bunch of devices all connected at once. It also has a single Ethernet port, which is great for connecting a computer or game console. While the TP-Link RE650 is powerful and lets you extend your Wi-Fi over a large area, it’s also very easy to use and set up. It uses an app-based setup procedure that walks you through the process with on-screen prompts and even includes a signal indicator to take all the guesswork out of choosing where to install the extender. That means you don’t have to worry about trying to get the best connection, even if you don’t have a lot of experience with networks.
5. Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi Mesh Extender EAX80
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi mesh extender EAX80 stands out on this list since, instead of being a plug-in extender that goes directly into an outlet, it’s designed to sit on a desk or table. Its larger size means it takes up a lot more space, but this provides you with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports along with a USB 3.0 port for sending data across your network. Like the TP-Link RE705X, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi mesh extender can use wide 160 MHz data channels and is built around MIMO, 1024 QAM modulation, and beamforming. During our test, it moved 358 Mbps at 10 ft and the extender has a range of 85 ft. This extender can also be used as part of an Orbi mesh network, but only as an extender and not as another mesh node. If you don’t mind having an extender that takes up extra space and plan on making full use of its ports, this Wi-Fi extender is well worth its higher price.
6. TP-Link AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender RE705X
TP-Link offers a range of Wi-Fi extenders with the AX3000 model being a standout choice for most users. This model comes in two variants: the RE700X and RE705X. Both share similar specifications, including Wi-Fi 6 support, but they differ in design, with the RE705X featuring pull-out antennas on each side. My review is based on the RE705X, having tested it personally. The setup process is straightforward: plug the extender near the router, follow the instructions in the TP-Link Tether mobile app, and then relocate the extender to the desired area. The pairing with my Verizon FiOS router was quick, taking just about 5 minutes. The extenders let you set up separate 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks, which I named identically for convenience, allowing automatic band selection for devices like smartphones and laptops. In my test, the extenders were placed in my basement, a location with typically weak signal reception. Speed tests on various devices showed slower speeds compared to the main router network, a common observation across all extenders I tested. The RE705X and RE700X models, however, posted impressive speeds of up to 242 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Despite the slower speeds in the basement, the RE705X performed reliably, supporting normal work activities without noticeable interruptions or slowdowns. The Tether app used for managing TP-Link’s networking devices was user-friendly and allowed easy naming of connected devices, a feature particularly useful for identifying devices paired with the extender. An important aspect of these TP-Link extenders is their OneMesh support, enabling the creation of a seamless network with a compatible mesh router. While I couldn’t test this feature due to my ISP-provided router, it promises a unified network experience, avoiding the need to switch between router and extender networks manually. This is especially beneficial in homes with spotty extender coverage or complex layouts. The RE705X, priced at $130, and the RE700X, at $120, are not the most affordable options, but their coverage range, Wi-Fi 6 support, and high speeds justify the investment. The choice between the two models depends on specific needs; the RE700X is suitable for straightforward placements, while the RE705X offers the flexibility of adjustable antennas.
There you have it, our comprehensive rundown of the top Wi-Fi extenders on the market today. From sleek, compact designs like the TP-Link RE220, ideal for average-sized homes, to the powerhouse TP-Link AX3000 with its impressive range and speeds, there’s something for everyone. Each of these extenders brings its unique strengths to the table, whether it’s ease of setup, speed, range, or advanced features like OneMesh support. Our testing journey has been extensive, ensuring we provide you with the most reliable and practical insights. We’ve dived into the specifics of each model, considering crucial factors