The best Wi-Fi extenders let you add Wi-Fi coverage to any part of your home, reducing dead spots without rearranging to an expensive mesh networking system. Whether you call them Wi-Fi extenders, signal boosters, or wireless repeaters, they all do the equivalent thing: give a stronger Wi-Fi signal where you want it. These small and inexpensive Wi-Fi signal boosters plug into the nearest outlet to provide a fast explication for weak wireless signals and uneven coverage.
We’ve reviewed wall plug assemblies that can be stored behind the couch and desktop units that prioritize power over aesthetics, but the best Wi-Fi extender for you is the one that can be positioned to add wider Wi-Fi coverage where you need it, whether it’s so you can get work done in a basement office or stream points out in the backyard. Overall, our rating criteria include design, range, throughput, setup, and which settings you can change. But our suggestions aren’t purely about speed and coverage, but also price. The best Wi-Fi extender for you will meet your coverage needs and be ready to use, as well as meeting your budget.
1. OptiCover 300 Mbps WiFi Extender
OptiCover’s 300 Mbps WiFi Extender is an affordable yet very utilitarian extender on the market right now. With dual-band WiFi broadcasts at up to 300 Mbps and universal device compatibility, dead spots become just that – dead. Easy connection setup, a bright and easy-to-read LED indicator panel, and 24/7 support coupled with a 100% satisfaction guarantee by OptiCover also make this one tough to beat for the price.
2. Netgear Orbi RBS50Y Outdoor Satellite Wi-Fi Extender
While you can use a strategically placed indoor Wi-Fi extender to get some Wi-Fi coverage outside your home, the usual brick and concrete construction of most homes will still block at least some of the Wi-Fi signal from getting through, so if you’ve got a large outdoor space and you want a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout, it’s hard to beat getting a range extender like Netgear’s Orbi RBS50Y that you can leave out in the open air.
Ordinarily, the Orbi name refers to Netgear’s excellent mesh Wi-Fi systems, but even though the RBS50Y uses the same branding, it works with just about any normal Wi-Fi router out there, and thanks to its IP66 weatherproof rating, it’s an extender you can plug in anywhere outside—within the limits of your existing router’s range, of course—and get a huge blanket of strong Wi-Fi for your backyard, poolside deck, or pretty much anywhere you like outside your home without worrying about rain, snow or sprinklers.
The RBS50Y delivers strong performance thanks to the same tri-band mesh Wi-Fi technology that Netgear uses in its mainstream Orbi units, and a single Wi-Fi name offers seamless roaming for all of your devices, inside and out. The only downside is that it doesn’t come cheap, but it could be well worth it if you’ve got the kind of large outdoor area where you want to keep on surfing and streaming.
3. Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000 Tri-band WiFi Extender
The Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000 Tri-band Extender developed as the best-performing Wi-Fi extender we’ve examined by a large margin, with faster data speeds and an immense range. It’s also got some skills up its sleeve that other extenders might not match, like the ability to use the X6S with any standard router to make a real mesh network, providing you more seamless coverage throughout the house. You can even add additional units to increase that mesh network considerably and extensively.
The Nighthawk X6S uses a desktop design that’s much larger than the average plug-in signal booster, but that size allows for more antennas (six in total) and beefier hardware that offers tri-band coverage out to 168 feet. It’s big and expensive, but it’s worth every penny.
4. TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender
The TP-Link RE650 takes a top spot as the best Wi-Fi extender overall, with a central plug-in design, and long-range for big homes. It carries a lot of power and delivers great speeds at up to 75 feet. Our only difficulty with the TP-Link RE650 is that the plug-in unit is large enough that it will probably block adjacent outlets, but that’s a small quibble for the excellent review this extender provides.
That show came second only to our top overall pick, but the TP-Link RE650 gives competitive speeds in a handy, easy-to-install design. With four external antennas and dual-band wireless-AC support, the TP-Link RE650 is an excellent option for large homes. You can also set up and monitor your extended network with TP-Link’s handy Tether app, which puts advanced settings and security tools right on your phone or tablet.
5. Amake Super Boost WiFi Repeater
An all-internal antenna system makes Amake’s Super Boost WiFi Repeater an arguably more break-resistant and compact repeater system than most others out there. We also like this one’s 4-light LED indicator panel, strong, one-touch encryption, and rapid setup as well as the noteworthy stability it offers without those large, outwardly-projecting antennas. Near-100% device compatibility and dual operating modes make this one even sweeter of a deal for such a low cost.
6. Coredy Prescitech 300 Mbps WiFi Range Extender
Anyone in search of a solid, affordable 300 Mbps WiFi repeater system is going to be well-served by Coredy Prescitech’s 300 Mbps WiFi Range Extender. Users of this great repeater unit can look forward to a super-stable connection that is very quick and easy to pair to as well as being completely device-universal. Three operation modes and a competitive output range also add to the value you get in this great, affordable repeater come to the end of the day.
7. Rock Space WiFi Range Extender
For those seeking high-performance signal boosting capabilities, in particular, this WiFi Range Extender by Rock Space leaves little to be desired. Here, we get a total of 1,167 Mbps of signal output via a dual-band, 2.4, and 5ghz channel arrangement. 1,292′ of distance is covered by this top WiFi extender, while super-fast, 8-second, one-touch pairing and a 99% router compatibility rating add greatly to overall end-user convenience.
8. MSRM US754 Long-Range Extender
The US754 Long-Range Extender by MSRM gets the job done and at a price that’s very reasonable when compared to many, rival models. Some of the great features in this one include a high total transmission rate, via dual bands, of 1,200 MBPS, two simple setup methods, and a near-100% device compatibility rating. Four antennas for that extra stability and strength along with a signal strength indicator panel and three operational modes make this one of the best Wi-Fi extenders options for overall versatility.
9. Netgear EX6200 Dual Band AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
The Netgear EX6200 makes a nod as the budget-friendly alternative for large homes, giving a less expensive option to our top recommendation. The desktop layout is a bit late for a category dominated by little plug-in devices, but it also allows for some of the best Wi-Fi extenders performance we’ve seen, delivering high speeds as considerably out as 85 feet. It’s also got lots of ports, with attachments for Ethernet and USB that give it a cinch to attach printers, storage, and other accessories even when you’re far from your base router.
It lacks a few features, most significantly a dedicated backhaul channel for data, but it balances that omission at a great price. On top of that, you’ll get excellent performance, great range, and a flexible setup that can position the extender horizontally or vertically. It’s the greatest value we’ve seen in Wi–Fi extenders, delivering excellent enjoyment for the buck.
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