Looking to beef up your Wi-Fi network? A wireless range extender is a less expensive alternative to a new router. (Some can even turn your router setup into a mesh system.) Here are the top performers in our testing.
With telecommuting and distance learning ascendant, more apps than ever are careening across our Wi-Fi networks. Some require not only sufficient bandwidth, but steady bandwidth. When it flags, that chat you’re having with your boss using voice over IP suddenly sounds like you’re underwater. The same goes for many consumer-grade apps, especially video streaming services like Netflix and the latest games. A new Wi-Fi router or an internet service upgrade may help, but chances are, so will an under-$100 range extender. Aptly named, range extenders pick up your router’s Wi-Fi signal, amplify it, and rebroadcast the boosted signal. We test range-extender throughput on all bands and visually map the signal using specialized equipment. Our current top-rated extender is TP-Link’s AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Extender (RE715X). See it and several good tested alternatives below, followed by a detailed guide to selecting the range extender that meets the needs of your home.Why We Picked It
The RE715X is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 range extender that is easy to install, works with any Wi-Fi 6 router, and installs in minutes. It can even be used to create a mesh network in tandem with a compatible TP-Link router, which makes it a logical alternative for people whose existing routers work fine and who therefore don’t need to spend $200 or up on a new mesh system with multiple nodes. The RE715X turned in solid scores in our throughput performance tests and did particularly well on the 5GHz tests, where it garnered 410Mbps on the close proximity (same room) test.Who It’s For
Besides serving as a mesh alternative when coupled with a TP-Link router, the RE715X is an ideal candidate for someone with a relatively recent Wi-Fi 6 router from any manufacturer who just needs a bit of extra range to carry their Wi-Fi signals to a distant spare bedroom or perhaps the back deck. Why We Picked It
At $99.99, this range extender offers a fairly inexpensive way to boost Wi-Fi coverage without having to invest in a new router or mesh system. It’s smaller and less expensive than our top pick, the RE715X. In return for the space and money saved, you give up some performance as well as support for 160MHz channel width. Still, it’s easy to install and manage, and a solid performer overall. Who It’s For
If you need to boost the signal of your Wi-Fi 6 router, the RE600X is a solid option that won’t break the bank. It’s an especially good choice if you have a TP-Link router, since, like many TP-Link products, it can be used to create a mesh network instead of a separate extended one. Why We Picked It
Although it lacks the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, the TP-Link RE450 offers excellent performance at a very reasonable price. When we tested it in 2016, it delivered very good scores on our throughput and range-performance tests. This means it’s an excellent addition to a network in a larger home that mostly uses older devices also lacking Wi-Fi 6 support. Plus, it’s now heavily discounted from its original $120 price. Expect to pay around half that, which is an excellent deal for a solid-performing wireless range extender. Who It’s For
Anyone with a large house who needs to add reliable Wi-Fi coverage in areas currently lacking it should take a look at the reasonably priced TP-Link RE450. However, you’d want to skip this range extender if you have many Wi-Fi 6 devices, or you plan to buy more in the near future. Why We Picked It
Sometimes just one or two rooms in your house can’t get a reliable Wi-Fi signal, while every other room is blessed with a strong connection. Or perhaps you live in a building with plaster walls and lead paint, known for killing signals even across relatively short distances. That’s where the Linksys RE7000 can help. This Wi-Fi range extender achieved impressive results in our close-proximity tests (although performance did drop significantly when we moved further away). In addition to strong same-room performance, the RE7000 also offers extensive network customization options. Who It’s For
Houses or apartments that lack a Wi-Fi signal in just one small area could benefit from the excellent close-proximity performance of the Linksys RE7000. Why We Picked It
If your router is having trouble delivering a strong Wi-Fi signal to certain areas of your home but you loathe the thought of switching between differently named networks for different parts of your house, the Netgear EAX15 can help. It’s easy to install, and you can use it to create a mesh-like network without buying a whole new mesh system, since it supports single-SSID naming for seamless roaming.
