What Is the Best Wireless Repeater to Buy
Nosotros independently research, exam, review, and recommend the best products—learn more nearly our process. If y'all buy something through our links, we may earn a committee. If you lot're having a problem getting Wi-Fi in every room of your firm, our experts say you lot should probably just buy the Netgear Nighthawk X4 EX7300, as it offers the path of to the lowest degree resistance. It has the coverage, speed, and compatibility most people need, with a straightforward app-based setup procedure. Range extenders similar the Nighthawk work by connecting wirelessly to the router yous already have in an area where your Wi-Fi signal is stiff, and rebroadcasting that point to parts of your house where the bespeak is weak or nonexistent. With a Wi-Fi range extender, you can boost a weak Wi-Fi signal, and even bring high-speed wireless connectivity to parts of your house that previously had no coverage. Our Ratings What We Like Great wireless performance Simple to employ What We Don't Like Blocks power outlet App setup is a bit clunky Netgear Nighthawk X4 Wi-Fi Mesh Extender Review If yous're happy with the overall functioning of your router and just want better Wi-Fi coverage, the Netgear Nighthawk X4 will become the job washed. This is our favorite Wi-Fi extender because information technology provides excellent performance and coverage for a decent price, and it isn't as well difficult to gear up upwardly. This extender has a range of up to 2,000 square feet, which makes it groovy for extending a network to a different flooring or the distant corners of a large domicile. It's too able to handle a lot of devices at once. The AC2200 office of the name means it tin deliver two.2Gbps of bandwidth at once (we've got an caption of what that actually ways here), which is enough to stream Netflix in 4K, video conversation on FaceTime, and maintain a competitive edge in online games, on several devices all at once. Realistically, your internet connection won't be this fast, simply if you pay actress for a super fast connection, it's worth bearing in mind this unit will back up information technology. It's designed to plug directly into a wall socket, and information technology supports WPS push button-push setup, which makes it really piece of cake to set up and use. It doesn't have an outlet pass-through, then it does take upwardly one outlet, only it leaves the other free. If you have any devices that don't accept Wi-Fi, this extender has you covered there equally well. The Nighthawk X4 includes an Ethernet port that allows you to use a network cable to connect a smart TV, game console, or anything else requiring a wired connection. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC2200 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1 Tested by Lifewire I set up my Netgear Nighthawk X4 using the iOS app, and while the process is straightforward, the Nighthawk app itself was a fleck wonky. I had to try connecting to the router's setup network several times earlier information technology went through, and it but seemed inconsistently responsive throughout. Ultimately, all the same, I was able to end the setup process. The Nighthawk X4 worked equally advertised, delivering strong speeds, improving upon the signal bachelor from the router in the further corners of my house, and even holding a 5GHz signal pretty well when a fair distance away from the extender. Even though I paired it with a TP-Link router, the Nighthawk X4 maintained the same network names equally my router uses. My smartphone and laptop automatically switched to the stronger signal when plugged in. Online gaming was also smooth across the board with the Nighthawk X4. — Andrew Hayward, Production Tester Lifewire / Andrew Hayward Our Ratings What We Like Enhanced Wi-Fi coverage and signal forcefulness Wi-Fi Analytics app for all condition updates What We Don't Like Difficulty connecting to 5GHz band Netgear EX3700 Wi-Fi Range Extender (AC750) Review If y'all're working on a budget, the Netgear EX3700 is worth a look. Information technology doesn't have the range or speed offered past many of the other extenders on this list, just information technology's a keen option if y'all just need a lilliputian extra range to connect a handful of wireless devices. The platonic scenario for this extender is expanding a spotty wireless network into a guest room or home function where y'all expect to connect merely a few devices at a fourth dimension. It can provide a maximum of 1,000 square feet of coverage, and information technology tin handle virtually enough bandwidth to stream in 4K, video chat, and download big files on a couple devices at in one case without a lot of wearisome downward. If you have smart dwelling devices that accept trouble connecting to your network, this extender tin help with that as well. Smart dwelling house devices crave a connection to your network, but they don't utilise up a lot of bandwidth. This extender has a small size to go along with its low price, and it's designed to be plugged directly into a ability socket. It leaves the top outlet free for your other electronics, merely it does utilize up the bottom one as information technology doesn't have a pass-through. Information technology does include a single Ethernet port though, which makes it a cracking option for your dwelling house office if you have a figurer that doesn't support Wi-Fi. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi five (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1 Tested by Lifewire Unlike other competitors' graceful designs, the EX3700 has a fleck of a bulky body and casing. The antenna placement is some of the worst we've seen on power line devices. Whether flipped all the way up or hanging on either side of the device, they don't always stay put when arranged just so and don't feel particularly sturdy. The browser-based setup procedure is simple and efficient. When putting the EX3700 through its paces, we simultaneously continued several devices to the aforementioned network: a Google Nexus 6 phone, iPhone X, iPad Pro, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4. Afterward setting up the extender in the bedchamber, nosotros experienced a strong and reliable wireless betoken. Plugging in with the Ethernet port is the best option for devices similar TVs and game consoles, though we didn't have a problem using them on Wi-Fi either. At 10 feet to effectually lxxx feet away from the router in our 2,100 square foot home, the point rarely, if ever, wavered. There were a few drops here and there, merely they but happened when large amounts of information were passing through. Beyond lxxx anxiety, signal forcefulness degraded. This is a pretty mediocre range every bit far equally an extender goes. — Brittany Vincent, Production Tester Lifewire / Scot Braswell Our Ratings What We Like Avant-garde Wi-Fi 6 Applied science Intelligent Signal Indicator Tin be used as a wired Admission Point What We Don't Like Optimal performance requires Wi-Fi 6 devices TP-Link RE505X Wi-Fi Extender Review If yous have a blazing-fast net connection and like to buy all the latest gadgets and devices, then the TP-Link RE505X offers one key feature yous absolutely need: Wi-Fi 6. The latest and greatest Wi-Fi engineering science, likewise known as 802.11ax, offers theoretical speeds almost 3 times faster than Wi-Fi 5. The catch is that your router and your devices also demand to back up Wi-Fi 6 or you won't see whatsoever benefit. Jargon aside, what this means is that Wi-Fi 6 is both faster and more efficient than Wi-Fi 5, which means it allows more devices to connect at once without experiencing slowdown. Devices also use less power when connected to Wi-Fi 6, which tin can interpret to longer bombardment life. Apple brought Wi-Fi 6 to their phones starting with the iPhone 11, and information technology'southward as well supported in the latest laptops, game consoles, and other devices. If y'all accept one of these devices, get this - The TP-Link RE505X lets you enjoy the benefits of Wi-Fi six throughout your abode, instead of just in the immediate vicinity of your router. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AX1500 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: i Tested by Lifewire The overall build quality of the TP-Link RE505X is infrequent, and you can feel this is a high quality, well-built device. I tested the RE505X in my home, which is located in the Raleigh/Cary, NC, area. I have Spectrum as my internet service provider, and my Wi-Fi speeds max out at 400 Mbps. My home is two levels, and at 3,000 square anxiety, it's big enough to experience expressionless zones and wearisome zones with shorter range routers. The RE505X is supposed to be able to handle up to 25 devices. I continued two PS4s, one gaming PC, three FireTV devices, three laptops, and two iPhones. Speeds remained steady at effectually 80 to 100 Mbps on the five Ghz band, and at effectually 20 Mbps over ii.four Ghz. The RE505X is supposed to be able to extend point range by around ane,500 square feet. I found this to be an accurate representation. I was able to get the extended signal all over my house—in every bedroom, closet, and fifty-fifty outside in the lawn. — Erika Rawes, Product Tester Lifewire / Erika Rawes Our Ratings What Nosotros Similar Weather-resistant Works with almost whatever router What We Don't Like Expensive Some features require an Orbi system Any range extender can technically spread a Wi-Fi bespeak outside, specially if y'all place information technology near a window, but very few are rugged plenty to actually brave the elements. If your goal is to comprehend a big outdoor expanse with Wi-Fi, the Netgear Orbi RB50Y is the best option. Information technology's a bit pricey, just it's weather-resistant, works with just about any router, and has iii information bands which means information technology tin handle a lot of connections at once with ease. The Orbi RBS50Y has a durable IP66 rating, which ways it's capable of withstanding high-pressure jets of water from multiple directions. You could technically hit this extender with your garden hose without interrupting the Wi-Fi signal, so a little rain and air current is unlikely to phase it. Just avoid knocking it into the pool, and yous'll exist fine. In addition to being conditions-proof, the Orbi RBS50Y likewise provides great connectivity. It can cover upward to 2,500 square feet, has three information bands, and has 3Gbps of bandwidth to share among your devices. With those specs, your network is probable to be only as strong and fast outside as information technology is inside. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC3000 | Bands: Tri-ring | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Yeah | Wired Ports: None Tested by Lifewire Previously, my domicile network offered fair reception within about 20 anxiety of my house. However, once I added the Orbi RBS50Y that expanse ballooned to encompass a decent clamper of the small farm where I live. The Orbi RBS50Y offers a coverage surface area of upward to 2500 foursquare feet, which seems to be a fairly accurate judge. I establish myself crossing my yard, driveway, the fenceline into the goat pasture, through a patch of wood all the way to the border of the marsh where the signal started to cut out. Roughly estimated, that'southward virtually 140 feet through trees and parked vehicles. Network speed does drop off gradually as yous become farther from the router. Within 30 feet I was able to accept advantage of my full network speed, within 100 feet that declined by about 20 percent, and at the limit of its range I was able to go about threescore per centum of my full network speed. —Andy Zahn, Product Tester Lifewire / Andy Zahn Our Ratings What We Similar Can add Wi-Fi 6 to your existing network Solid range Four Gigabit Ethernet ports to plug in TVs, consoles and other devices What Nosotros Don't Like Expensive Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender Review The Netgear Nighthawk EAX80 is fast, but expensive. This would likely exist our pick for the best range extender if it wasn't for the price, which is on the high side. But if you're looking for the best range extender to slot into a high-speed, loftier-traffic Wi-Fi network, this is it. This extender blankets an area of up to ii,500 square feet with a high-speed Wi-Fi 6 network. Its capabilities rival many high-end, standalone routers, which means you tin look the same speeds and strong connections from devices connected to this every bit devices connected to your chief Wi-Fi network. The AX part of the proper name refers to Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, while the 6000 means this extender can handle up to 6Gbps of data at in one case. It also supports beamforming, which allows compatible devices to course a stronger connection, and has four Ethernet ports for connecting devices via a cablevision—something you lot'll ideally want to exercise for the best speeds for devices similar a streaming TV or console. It'due south very fast, but conduct in mind you may not need or be able to use that extra speed. Your connexion speeds will depend on your internet connexion and principal router, but this extender is prepare to handle simply about anything you can throw at it. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AX6000 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Yes | Beamforming: Aye | Wired Ports: 4 Tested by Lifewire The Netgear's Nighthawk EAX80 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender is non only the largest and heaviest Wi-Fi extender I've tested at x inches tall and near two pounds, but information technology's also one of the oddest-looking. Once through the hassle of setup, the Nighthawk EAX80 really did evangelize strong performance. I tested the connection in my office, which reliably sees reduced 5GHz reception from my router due to obstructions in between, and saw a noticeable boost in both reception and speed. The Nighthawk EAX80 also performed pretty well in distance testing. That 5GHz signal dropped down to 77Mbps at 25 anxiety, 74Mbps at 50 feet, and 56Mbps at 25 feet—still pretty speedy from the farthest edge of my property. Given the high max speeds, information technology wasn't surprising to see strong gaming performance, as well. — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester Lifewire / Andrew Hayward What We Like Iv antennas offer keen range Fast throughput Gigabit Ethernet port What We Don't Like A scrap bulky If you have a big house with several rooms, or even whole floors, that are out of range of your main router, then y'all 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 feet. It also has plenty of bandwidth and supports beamforming for especially strong connections. This is a good extender to cull if you need to extend Wi-Fi to a busy part of your house, or you accept a large house with several rooms that need coverage. It has better overall range than the other options, and information technology'south capable of treatment a lot of data at in one case. That makes it a skilful fit for roofing a family room or busy home office, with a bunch of devices all continued at once. It also has a single Ethernet port, which is groovy for connecting a computer or game console. While the TP-Link RE650 is powerful and lets y'all extend your Wi-Fi over a large area, it's also very easy to use and set upward. It uses an app-based setup procedure that walks y'all through the procedure with on-screen prompts, and fifty-fifty includes a betoken indicator to take all the guesswork out of choosing where to install the extender. That ways you lot don't need to worry about trying to go the best connection, fifty-fifty if yous don't take a lot of experience with networks. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi five (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC2600 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: Aye | Beamforming: Yes | Wired Ports: one What We Like Powerline technology offers extended range Includes Gigabit Ethernet port What We Don't Like Operation is dependent on quality of home electrical wiring About range extenders work past capturing the Wi-Fi betoken from your main router and rebroadcasting it, only that isn't always possible. If you're trying to extend Wi-Fi to office of your home where the indicate is blocked past something like brick walls or appliances, then a powerline extender like the Netgear PowerLINE chiliad can solve your trouble. The Netgear PowerLINE 1000 sends a network connection through the electric wiring in your firm to an adapter, which creates its own Wi-Fi network at the other terminate. Devices that connect to the network are so connected to your main router through the electrical wiring in your house. Information technology supports up to 1Gbps of bandwidth, which makes information technology a adept solution for spreading a Wi-Fi point to a small home function or guest bedroom where a connection would otherwise exist impossible. In addition to creating a remote Wi-Fi network that connects back to your router through the electric wiring, the PowerLINE g too includes an Ethernet port for connecting a smart TV, game console, or figurer that doesn't support Wi-Fi. You tin can also add together up to 16 adapters to the system to bring both wired and wireless connectivity to different parts of your home. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC1000 | Bands: Dual-ring | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: one Our Ratings What We Similar Dual-Band Wi-Fi Solid Performance Versatile with v wireless modes What We Don't Similar Not ideal for a large number of Wi-Fi devices TP-Link TL-WR902AC Travel Router The TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a travel router that's modest enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its main purpose is to provide a potent Wi-Fi signal on the road, merely it can pull double duty at home as a personal, portable Wi-Fi extender. If you lot travel a lot and also accept a room or two in your business firm that could do good from a stronger Wi-Fi signal, this extender could solve two problems at in one case. Different nearly Wi-Fi range extenders, the TL-WR902AC is really small. In fact, it tips the scales at well-nigh 8 ounces. Information technology'south too powered through a micro-USB port, which means you lot don't need to pack a special power adapter. Information technology will run off just near whatever USB power supply, similar your phone charger, or even a portable ability pack. This extender'south range and bandwidth are on the low terminate, which means it doesn't extend Wi-Fi very far, and you lot can't connect too many devices at once. It has enough of bandwidth to stream in 4K though, if you lot connect it to a fast-enough cyberspace connectedness, and portability is the bigger business anyhow if you're just trying to stream Netflix in a hotel. Then when you get dwelling house, you can use information technology to boost the Wi-Fi signal in your business firm also. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |Security: WPA2, Invitee Wi-Fi Secure Admission |Standard/Speed: AC750 |Bands: Dual-band |MU-MIMO: No |Beamforming: No |Wired Ports: ane Tested by Lifewire The minor size and light weight of the TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a definite boon to frequent travelers. It'south so small that it easily fits in my pants pocket, making it diminutive plenty to go with you lot wherever you become and however picayune yous're able to carry. The TL-WR902AC works effortlessly as a travel router; it'southward basically plug and play. It took me less than ten minutes to get it upwards and running the commencement time in router style, and subsequent installations were of truly inconsequential length. I never experienced any issues with speed or reliability when using this router. I also appreciated that this router packs in dual-ring capability despite its small size. Range was just OK, but past no means terrible for such a diminutive device. I was able to use it throughout a medium-sized house and around the grand beyond upward to virtually 100 feet. —Andy Zahn, Production Tester Lifewire / Andy Zahn Our Ratings What We Similar Dual-band Wi-Fi Ethernet port High speed mode What We Don't Like No Gigabit Ethernet cable ports TP-Link RE200 AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender Review If yous don't need to connect a lot of devices, or speed isn't really important, the TP-Link RE200 is a upkeep pick that however gets the job done. The TP-Link RE200 comes with an extremely attractive price tag, information technology's piece of cake to set up up and utilise, and has enough of bandwidth for multiple devices to casually surf the internet, or more than intense use on a single device. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, simply information technology's the best option if you take fairly basic requirements. This extender plugs directly into a power outlet, but it's quite pocket-size, so it doesn't cake the other outlet. It also supports WPS for 1-touch connections, or you can have the TP-Link app walk y'all through the process if y'all prefer. The TP-Link RE200 has enough of bandwidth to stream high definition video, download big files, and play games, as long every bit yous don't need to exercise all of those at once on a bunch of different devices. Wireless Spec: Wi-Fi v (802.11ac) | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: one Tested past Lifewire I tested the TP-Link RE200 primarily in my part in my house, where I routinely run into slower and sometimes inconsistent Wi-Fi speeds than when in closer proximity to my router. The RE200 clearly had an impact on both the speed and steadiness of the connection, with both my 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks showing full confined and typically delivering up to double the speed or more compared to my router'south own networks. The 5GHz performance was a bit underwhelming, though, with other tested extenders meliorate able to maintain the faster speeds allowed by the Wi-Fi band. You usually see less range only faster speeds with 5GHz networks, and distance testing showed that the 5GHz connection became much less consistent the further I pulled abroad from it. When information technology came to gaming, I saw pretty smooth performance while playing Rocket League over both the ii.4GHz and 5GHz networks. There is one big annoyance with the TP-Link RE200: If you lot don't accept a compatible TP-Link router, so the extender will create separate versions of your networks. — Andrew Hayward, Product Tester Lifewire / Andrew Hayward Final Verdict The Netgear Nighthawk X4 (view at Amazon) has decent range and can handle a lot of devices at once, so it'south the best option for most people. If yous take a Wi-Fi 6 router and a really fast internet connexion, so yous'll find the TP-Link RE505X (view at Amazon) more than satisfying, and the Netgear Orbi RB50Y (view at Amazon) is your best bet if yous specifically want to extend your Wi-Fi network outdoors. Whether information technology'south only a proliferation of laptops, tablets, and smartphones or a full smart dwelling ecosystem, today'south homes accept more Wi-Fi connected devices than always before. Think about how many devices in your dwelling apply your wireless network—Boob tube streaming boxes, game consoles, smart TVs, smart home devices, Echo or Google Habitation speakers, security cameras, phones, tablets, and computers. It can hands add together up to dozens of devices all vying for a piece of your home'due south Wi-Fi betoken. This makes it more than essential than ever before to have a reliable signal in every corner of your home. A Wi-Fi extender can provide a more than stable connectedness in areas where your router can't deliver a powerful enough signal on its own. If you have a multi-level home, a large amount of square footage, or you simply accept areas in your habitation that don't become a adept signal for one reason or another, a Wi-Fi extender can help improve your coverage. They're as well handy for pushing a indicate to your backyard or deck, where coverage is frequently weaker due to interference. Jesse Hollington is a freelance writer with over 10 years of feel writing virtually applied science and three decades of experience in information engineering science and networking. He's installed, tested, and configured just about every type and brand of router, firewall, wireless admission point, and network extender in places ranging from unmarried-family unit dwellings to office buildings. university campuses, and even coast-to-coast wide-expanse network (WAN) deployments. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006. His areas of expertise include smartphones, vesture gadgets, smart home devices, video games, and esports. He reviewed several of the WiFi extenders on our list. Brittany Vincent writes for a variety of publications including Complex, IGN, Tom's Hardware, CNN Underscored, Mic, Mashable, GamesRadar, Destructoid, Kotaku, and GameSpot. She reviewed some of the WiFi extenders featured on our list. Erika Rawes has written for Digital Trends, U.s. Today, Cheatsheet.com, and more. Previously a personal finance writer and freelance tech writer, Erika has tested more than 50 consumer technology products, ranging from kitchen gadgets to WiFi extenders, cameras, and more. Andy Zahn has been writing for Lifewire since April 2019. He is a consumer technology expert who has tested several of the products on this list.
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What to Expect For in a Wi-Fi Extender
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What Is the Best Wireless Repeater to Buy
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