Finding a quality Wi-Fi range extender is pretty difficult as many factors need to be considered before making your final purchase. We’ve written this guide to teach you all about this product so you can choose the right one for your home or office.
A Wi-Fi range extender increases the coverage area of a router by taking the Wi-Fi signals from it and transmitting them around. This device allows you to get a more stable and strong Wi-Fi connection in every corner of your home, which helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots.
Wi-Fi range extenders are also very budget-friendly, usually costing between $39 to $70, with high-end options going for as much as $120. They also don’t come with any additional costs such as wires or extra networking devices, which makes them a perfect budget-friendly option for improving Wi-Fi coverage around your property.
You’ll often come across terms like WPA and WPA2 when buying Wi-Fi range extenders. WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. These are security protocols the range extender employs to keep your data safe and secure. Before purchase, check the product description of a Wi-Fi range extender to see if it has security protocols.
Many Wi-Fi range extenders feature dual-band connections, which means they can broadcast a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHZ signal. This way, the Wi-Fi range extender can provide two separate high-speed Wi-Fi networks for your devices. Always be sure to check the product description of a Wi-Fi range extender to find out if it has dual-band capabilities.
The first thing you want to check when buying a Wi-Fi range extender is how much area it can cover. This way, you can find the option best suited for your home or office size. Generally, we recommend choosing a Wi-Fi range extender that covers an area of at least 3,000 square feet.
The Wi-Fi speed of a Wi-Fi range extender is another important factor to consider. Make sure to choose an option with at least 300Mb 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi speed. Generally, the higher the Wi-Fi speed is, the better performance you’ll get.
First, we wanted to make sure the Wi-Fi range extenders we chose for our list were super easy to set up, only requiring the push of a button. This way, anyone can set the device up in minutes and boost their Wi-Fi range no matter how tech-savvy they are. To see if a Wi-Fi range extender is easy to set up or not, read through the customer reviews.
We also made sure all the Wi-Fi range extenders on our list came with an ethernet port. This can be super handy when you need a wired connection for your device. Wired connections tend to be more stable and faster, making them ideal for gaming or streaming. If this is something you think you’ll need, make sure the product description lists an additional ethernet port.
The ANTIER Wi-Fi Range Extender provides coverage for an area of up to 6,000 square feet. Using dual-band technology to provide high-speed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections, this Wi-Fi extender also features two adjustable high-gain antennas to provide a stable connection.
What’s more, this range extender can accommodate up to three modes: AP, router and repeater. Plus, it boasts a signal strength indicator to help you find the perfect placement location. Thanks to its easy setup and high connection speeds, we’ve chosen this Wi-Fi range extender as our best overall pick.
The runner-up on our list is this Wi-Fi range extender by TECHFACTURE, which comes in two color options: black and white. This Wi-Fi extender’s setup is very easy, all you have to do is plug it in and press a button, making it ideal for less tech-savvy people.
What’s more, with this Wi-Fi extender you don’t have to worry about compatibility as it can work with all router brands. Plus, it can provide a connection for up to 25 devices simultaneously. As an added bonus, this Wi-Fi extender is very safe to use as it comes with overvoltage protection.
This Wi-Fi range extender by TP-Link features four powerful antennas, which are designed to provide a highly targeted Wi-Fi connection. Boasting an intelligent processing engine for balancing all your device’s connections to provide optimal performance, this extender can work with all router brands, so compatibility isn’t an issue.
This range extender has an impressive high-speed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connection. Plus, it can even be used to stream at 4K resolutions, making it perfect for watching high-quality videos. This handy extender can wirelessly connect up to four devices simultaneously and you can also connect an additional device using the included ethernet port.
This Wi-Fi range extender by CRYO360 can be used to provide coverage for a 3,164-square foot area, providing connectivity both indoors and outdoors. It can also be used with up to 35 devices simultaneously, making it ideal for use in offices or businesses where a lot of people use the internet at once.
What’s more, this extender features support for WEP, WPA and WPA 2 security protocols, so you can rest assured your data will be safe. Featuring an easy setup process — simply plug it in and press a button — this Wi-Fi extender also comes with an ethernet port for providing a strong wired connection should you need it.
HIJJPS brings us this Wi-Fi range extender, which features dual-band connection capability, allowing you to get a high-speed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connection for your devices. What’s more, this extender pick can cover an area of up to 3,000 square feet, increasing the coverage range of your router significantly.
This impressive Wi-Fi range extender also features bridge, client, repeater and router modes, making it very versatile. Plus, its installation is incredibly easy, simply requiring a push of a button. Boasting WPA and WPA2-PSK security to protect your personal data, this extender also has heat dissipating vents to keep the device cool for increased longevity.
A: We do not recommend placing a Wi-Fi range extender outside. The harsh outdoor weather and temperature can damage the Wi-Fi extender, so it’s best to keep it indoors.
A: Yes, some high-end Wi-Fi range extenders, like the ANTIER Wi-Fi Range Extender, can be used as a router.
A: It’s generally a good idea to place the Wi-Fi extender where it can get a strong signal from the router. This way, it will be able to provide a high-speed and stable connection to your device.
