As great as the wireless internet is, it doesn’t travel through walls very well. In fact, it can be so bad that parts of the house don’t even get reception at all.
I experienced this once while visiting a friend in Montana. God only knows why, but his wireless router was placed upstairs in some corner of the house, completely removed from the bedroom, office and living area. The internet connection was so bad; my friend had to turn on his cell phone data so that we could download a file.
If you’re fighting a battle against poor internet connection, there are solutions. One of the options is to invest in a wireless range extender. It really helps in bringing your WiFi to a place that might not otherwise get a signal, such as a garage, workshop or detached apartment.
It can also help break through the natural barriers of your home. If your bedroom is barricaded away from your modem and router, installing a range extender upstairs is a simple and affordable way to circumvent this handicap.
If you want the best range extenders on the market, NETGEAR is the way to go. Check out the specs for the NETGEAR AC1200 WiFi Range Extender.
Not all range extenders are made equal, however. We’ve reviewed countless WiFi extenders, and are happy to present the best of the bunch for you here.
Things to Consider
Before you buy a WiFi range extender, there are a lot of things you need to know to make the right purchase and get the most out of your money. You need to do your homework first. If you’re not acquainted with the speed of your wireless service and the maximum wireless speed of your router, you’re not going to be able to make an educated purchase.
But what exactly do you need to look for? If you keep the following things under consideration, you’re much more likely to be satisfied with your purchase.
1. WiFi Compatibility
The first thing you need to know is whether the extender in question is compatible with the internet protocol your wireless internet is running on. There are some different protocols, such as 802.11N and 802.11AC. If your extender doesn’t match your router, you’re out of luck.
2. Internet Speed
As I mentioned above, you need to make sure your speeds are compatible as well. If your router is rated for 1200 Mbps and your extender is only good for 750 Mbps, then you’re not going to get the full range of your extender. The reverse is also true. Buying an AC750 extender with a 300 Mbps router is pointless.
3. Security Standards
If you want to maximize your security against hostile online attacks, make sure your extender meets the latest internet security standards. WPA2-PSK (AES) is the current standard for internet security.
4. Ease of Use
Some WiFi extenders can be set up and activated literally at the push of a button. Others require you to install software on a computer or remotely through a connected app. If you’re not internet-savvy, that can be a real hassle. If you do go that route, try to find someone who is better-versed in computers than you are.
5. Price
If you want the best, you’re going to have to pay for the best. That said, never pay for more than you need. If the extender is faster than your router or paid internet service can provide, you’re wasting your money.
QUICK OVERVIEW
The Best WiFi Range Extenders
| Products | Features |
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EDITOR’S PICK
4 11.800+ 11.800+
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MOST REVIEWED
3.8 19,200+ 19200+
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TOP PICK
4 2,820+ 2820+
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BUDGET PICK
3.9 12,900+ 12900+
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BUDGET PICK
3.8 32,000+ 32000+
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There are no one-size fits all for wireless range extenders. The right product will always depend upon your current internet setup. But if you want the best range extenders on the market, NETGEAR is the way to go. Check out the specs for the NETGEAR AC1200 WiFi Range Extender.
Under $25
TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speeds of up to 300 Mbps
- Smart indicator lights
- PRICE RANGE: Under $25
They say you get what you pay for, and that’s true in this case. Although the TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender works pretty well, you can tell this isn’t a high-end range extender. That said, the N300 still gets the job done, especially if you’re on a limited budget or only need range extended through your house.
One thing it has in its favor is the ease with which you set it up. It plugs into any standard outlet and is ready to go with the push of a couple of buttons. It is as easy as that. If your modem or router is in the house and you’re trying to extend Wi-Fi to your garage or workshop, this extender doesn’t have enough power.
But if you just need to improve the reception in your home, this is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi extenders out there. It comes with an Ethernet port and two external antennas and is protected by a two-year warranty.
TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (TL-WA860RE)
Features
- Wireless speed up to 300 Mbps
- Extra power outlet
- PRICE RANGE: Under $25
This little Wi-Fi range extender sure doesn’t look like much, but we all know never to judge a book by its cover. The TL-WA860RE is also made by TP-Link and is very similar to the Wi-Fi extender mention above. The main difference is that this WI-Fi extender has a built-in outlet, so you don’t lose any available outlet space by using this extender.
Performance-wise, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two. They have the same power, and both are just as easy to install. But again, the TL-WA860RE has a slight advantage over the previous N300.
Little green LED lights at the bottom light up, helping you to find just the right spot to install it, giving you the best possible results. Like the previous Wi-Fi extender, this unit has an Ethernet port, two external antennas and is backed by a two-year warranty. Like the other model, it is also universally compatible with all cable modems and routers.
Under $50
TP-Link AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speeds up to 750 Mbps
- Smart indicator lights
- PRICE RANGE: Under $50
The third and final TP-Link range extender in this list, the TP-Link AC750 is a little more expensive and a little more powerful. In particular, it is ideal for improving Wi-Fi coverage for smart homes connected to Amazon Echo devices.
Like the TL-WA860RE, the TP-Link AC750 comes with a smart signal indicator to help you find the best place to set it up. It is compatible with wireless devices following both the 802.11 b/g/n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi protocols.
Like the other TP-Link devices, setup is extremely easy, and once setup is completed, you can move the range extender to any outlet in the house. Like all other TP-Link range extenders, the AC750 is backed by a two-year warranty.
NETGEAR N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 300 Mbps
- Includes an app to help you test signal strength
- PRICE RANGE: Under $50
The NETGEAR N300 is similar in concept and design to the like-named TP-Link models. Like the other extenders thus far, this model plugs into a wall outlet to conveniently and discreetly extend your Wi-Fi coverage.
The NETGEAR N300 is designed to work with any standard router or wireless gateway, and it can extend wireless signals up to 300 Mbps.It has two fixed external antennas and an Ethernet port to directly connect a wired internet device. It works best when installed as far away from your internet router as possible.
Whether you’re trying to improve your Wi-Fi signal on your cellphone or your gaming console, the NETGEAR N300 is an inexpensive and effective way to do so. If you’re trying to extend really fast internet connections, this isn’t going to do, but as long as you’re running on a slower connection, this is fine.
Under $75
NETGEAR EX3700 WiFi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speeds up to 750 Mbps
- High-speed connection for streaming and playing video games
- PRICE RANGE: Under $75
As it was in the case of the TP-Link range extenders, the jump from N300 to AC750 is the next logical step in the food chain. As such, the NETGEAR EX3700 does a great job eliminating dead zones and improving signal strength and coverage all around.
The NETGEAR EX3700 can extend dual-band Wi-Fi signals of up to 750 Mbps. The price range of just under $75 justifies the good reception for iPhones, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV – basically, anything that is used to stream videos. This range extender also doubles as a local WiFi hotspot, providing an Ethernet port that provides improved wired internet access from that location.
The NETGEAR EX3700 can also utilize FastLane technology to create a single high-speed connection, ideal for streaming or playing video games in HD. The WiFi extender requires a nonstandard battery, which is included.
Amped Smart 600mW Repeater and Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 300 Mbps
- 5 x ports
- PRICE RANGE: Under $75
The Amped High Power Wireless-N 600mW Smart Repeater packs a heck of a lot more punch than the previous extenders listed here. This range extender offers dual 600 mW amplifiers and five dBi antennas which are exceptionally capable of penetrating walls and improving the surface therein.
This Amped Smart Repeater works with all 802.11 b/g/n routers and wireless networks. It works as an extender, but it does more than that. It also repeats the signal at 300 Mbps, even going so far as to create additional wireless networks with their unique security setups.
This unit isn’t perfect. Setup can be quite complicated, and managing additional networks can be confusing as well. It also doesn’t repeat at extremely high speeds. Still, if you want to improve your wireless connections while simultaneously creating new networks, this is a good way to do it.
Under $100
NETGEAR AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 1200 Mbps
- 2 WiFi modes
- PRICE RANGE: Under $100
We’re starting to get to the good stuff here. With the NETGEAR AC1200, you can extend your wireless connection with dual-band signals up to 1200 Mbps, speeds fast enough to work with any of your smart electronic devices.
As far as features are concerned, there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the NETGEAR 1200 and the NETGEAR AC750. Like the AC750, the range extender doubles as a local WiFi hotspot. It has a Gigabit Ethernet port that can connect directly to your laptop, making it ideal to use for a student working in his bedroom, for example.
The NETGEAR AC1200 also utilizes FastLane technology to, channelling the dual-band WiFi signals into a single connection for powerful HD streaming and gaming. Like the AC750, the NetGEAR AC1200 works with any standard router or wireless gateway.
Securifi Almond Wireless Router / Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 300 Mbps
- 3-minute setup
- PRICE RANGE: Under $100
Securifi Almond is a completely different type of wireless range extender. Instead of functioning solely as an extender, the Securifi Almond can also function as a Wifi router. This means that you can double up with two Securifi Almonds for improved performance, as the technologies are perfectly in sync.
Another factor separating the Almond from other WiFi extenders is its interface. The Almond is the world’s first touchscreen extender. Thanks to an interface inspired by smartphones and tablets, installation and management of the extender have never been easier. As an extender, the Almond is compatible with all other wireless routers.
It transmits data at a rate of 300 Mbps, has two external antennas and comes with a very reliable security interface. It’s also backed by a one-year limited warranty. The only real problem with the Almond is that, for the price, it doesn’t work with a very high bandwidth.
NETGEAR AC1200 Desktop WiFi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 1200 Mbps
- 5 x ports
- PRICE RANGE: Under $100
The NETGEAR AC1200 Desktop WiFi Range Extender is similar in many ways to the standard NETGEAR AC1200. The difference is that this model is designed to break through physical barriers, distributing its signal more easily and further than the other model.
To that purpose, the AC1200 Desktop is equipped with two 700 mW amplifiers designed to boost the signal. It also has high-gain five dBi antennas helpful for improving coverage. It has a lot more Ethernet ports as well, with a total of five, making it easy to connect all of your compatible devices if necessary.
The Extender has a dual-core processor to help facilitate its tasks. As the name suggests, the AC1200 Desktop can extend dual-band WiFi of up to 1200 Mbps. An app is available with your purchase that helps you to manage and control your network.
Under $150
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Desktop WiFi Range Extender
Features
- Wireless speed up to 1900 Mbps
- Universal compatibility
- PRICE RANGE: Under $150
The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 has long been of the most powerful WiFi range extenders on the market. With extreme dual band speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps, this is the ultimate WiFi router for powerful, lightning fast internet connections.
The router uses two 700 mW high-powered extenders and three five dBi antennas to ensure the best possible coverage. Like the NETGEAR AC1200, this extender also features five Gigabit Ethernet connections, as well as FastLane technology for improved HD performance.
To improve the performance of the extender, the AC1900 also has a 1 GHz processor to help streamline and manage all the information being processed.
With the AC1900, you can boost your wireless coverage range to up to 10,000 square feet, which is incredible. Before buying this unit, make sure that your internet is fast enough to take advantage of the ultra-high speeds.
Otherwise, you’ll just be spending your money on speeds you can’t process. But for those who do have the internet speeds, this is simply a fantastic workhorse.
WiFi Range Extenders For better signals
Routers are not limitless, we know. But we can cry to extend its range as much as possible with help of any of the previous WiFI Range Extenders. Did you find yours?
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.9
Conclusion
Because all of us have different internet connections, there will never be a single range extender that’s right for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available for wireless networks of every speed under the sun.
If you’re not satisfied with the internet coverage in your home or office, the solution to your problem is here: the best WiFi range extenders on the market. All you have to do is make a choice.
*All prices mentioned above are at the time of publishing.
