The demand for Wi-Fi range extenders has significantly increased as more people are working from home and relying on a strong and reliable wireless network. Wi-Fi range extenders are devices that extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi signal, eliminating dead spots and ensuring that you have Wi-Fi coverage in all areas of your home, including your basement or backyard. These devices connect to your existing home network and are often quite affordable, making them a cost-effective solution for improving Wi-Fi coverage.
Wi-Fi range extenders work by receiving the Wi-Fi signal from your router and rebroadcasting it to areas that are not well covered by the router alone. In order to achieve the best results, it is recommended to place the extender halfway between your router and the dead zone you want to fix. However, it’s important to note that most Wi-Fi range extenders actually create a new Wi-Fi network when rebroadcasting your existing one. This means that you will have to connect to different networks when you move around your home, which can be slightly inconvenient for some users.
If you prefer to have one seamless network throughout your home, you may want to consider upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system. Mesh systems consist of a main router and access points that create a unified and seamless Wi-Fi network, providing coverage throughout your entire home. However, mesh Wi-Fi systems are more expensive and may require working with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to set up your existing network on the new router.
When choosing a Wi-Fi extender, there are a few key factors to consider. Speed is an important consideration, as Wi-Fi extenders can support single, dual, or tri-band Wi-Fi. The maximum speeds supported by each band should be indicated by the extender. Higher speeds generally result in better performance, but it’s important to note that Wi-Fi extenders are not designed to increase speeds across your home. Instead, their primary purpose is to increase Wi-Fi coverage.
The range of the extender and the number of supported devices are also important factors to consider. The range should be suitable for the size of your home, with larger homes requiring extenders with greater coverage. Similarly, if you have many devices connected to your network, it’s important to choose an extender that can handle the capacity. Smart home devices, in particular, can put a strain on your Wi-Fi network, so it’s important to choose an extender that can handle multiple devices simultaneously.
Design is another consideration, although there isn’t much variation in Wi-Fi extender design. Most extenders are small, rounded rectangles that plug into a standard wall outlet. Some have moveable antennas that can provide better signal strength, while others have extra Ethernet ports for connecting devices directly. The design ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the layout of your home.
After considering these factors, we have identified a few of the best Wi-Fi extenders currently available in the market.
TP-Link offers a range of Wi-Fi extenders, but one of the best options is the AX3000 extender. This extender supports Wi-Fi 6 and comes in two variations: the RE700X and the RE705X. Both models have the same specifications, but the RE705X has pull-out antennas for better signal strength. The setup process for this extender is simple and can be done through TP-Link’s Tether mobile app. In terms of performance, the extender may have slower speeds compared to the main router but provides good enough coverage for most users. The companion app is easy to use and allows you to name devices connected to the extender’s network for better organization. Overall, the TP-Link AX3000 extender offers a good balance of price, performance, and ease of use.
Another reliable option is the TP-Link RE315 Wi-Fi extender, which is more budget-friendly compared to the AX3000 extender. The RE315 has slightly lower specs, supporting speeds up to 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It provides coverage for up to 1,500 square feet, making it suitable for smaller homes. While it lacks Wi-Fi 6 support, it does support OneMesh, which allows you to create a seamless network if you have a compatible mesh router. The setup process is straightforward, and the performance is decent for the price.
Netgear also offers a high-quality Wi-Fi extender with some premium features. The Netgear EAX80 mesh network range extender stands out for its “seamless smart roaming” feature, which allows it to be set up under your existing SSID name. This means that you don’t have to switch between Wi-Fi networks as you move around your home. The EAX80 is a dual-band extender with Wi-Fi 6 support, offering speeds up to 6 Gbps and coverage for up to 2,500 square feet. It performed well in speed tests and has the option to connect devices directly through Ethernet ports. The Nighthawk mobile app offers convenient features for monitoring and troubleshooting your network. While the EAX80 is more expensive compared to other options, its fast speeds and convenient features make it worth considering.
In conclusion, Wi-Fi range extenders are an affordable and practical solution for improving Wi-Fi coverage in your home. When choosing a Wi-Fi extender, factors such as speed, range, design, and the number of supported devices should be considered. Based on these factors, the TP-Link AX3000, TP-Link RE315, and Netgear EAX80 are among the best Wi-Fi extenders currently available. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Source link
