Is your current router unable to penetrate WiFi through walls? Do you want to extend your internet connection to the garage, backyard, or garden? A long-range WiFi extender should help, but which one should you pick?
With a ton of models claiming “long wireless coverage”, it’s obvious to get confused while choosing one. And to save you from the arduous process of browsing through many options & comparing them, I myself tested 16 WiFi extenders with a long range.
Before beginning, let me tell you that each of the 16 devices was thoroughly tested, not just for strong coverage and quality signals but for all the essential aspects, like speeds, stability, reliability, and longevity.
6 Best Long Range WiFi Extenders in 2024
Note: Extenders operate as a WiFi repeater for your router and hence speed & signal quality wouldn’t be strongest in far-off places. If you have a budget, I’d rather suggest getting a mesh WiFi suited for large homes. They’re pricey but worth it.
That said, the list includes varying choices aimed at different use cases, preferences, and budget marks. Rest assured, any of the recommended options will not disappoint you.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link RE650
- WiFi Range: Up to 14,000 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 50
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 1 Gig Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Starting off my list is a TP-Link RE650, designed to fill all the WiFi dead zones in a large house. Its excellent range of up to 14,000 Sq Ft and throughput capacity of 2600 Mbps make it my top pick.
I tested this wireless extender parallel to RE550 and a number of upgrades were noticeable which contributes to an overall improved performance.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The powerful four external antennas of RE650 boost its coverage to a phenomenal degree. Theoretically, the numbers are as high as 14,000 Sq Ft, which is much higher among all the WiFi extenders that come with a long range.
So, even the farthest corners of your space should be filled with strong WiFi. Although I didn’t have such a large area to test, the extender paired with the xFi gateway enabled four-bar signals to be accessible throughout my 3,700 Sq Ft house.
Based on the signal strength across the area, it’s safe to say that it can fill a 3,500-4,000 Sq Ft area with good signals. Added to it are beamforming and MU-MIMO tech that make RE650 suitable for multiple devices.
As a result, 42 Wi-Fi-operated devices were connected and worked just fine without hogging much. These include security cameras, doorbells, smart lights, phones, etc.
Other than that, the device also supports OneMesh tech which works with most TP-Link routers to create a mesh-like seamless network.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
This powerful TP-Link extender comes with a speed rating of AC2600 and operates on two frequency bands, i.e., 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. Below are the band-wise speeds:
| 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 800 Mbps |
RE650 is ideal for households with a 1000 Mbps internet connection. I had Xfinity’s Gigabit plan at the time of testing this WiFi booster and it achieved decent speeds.
At about 30 feet from the extender, my iPhone 13 clocked 156 Mbps of download and 19 Mbps of upload speed. At the same time, a 50 feet speed test had respective results at around 93 Mbps and 13 Mbps.
With these speeds and an intelligent processing engine, the extender could handle smart home gadgets, TV streaming, and browsing without lag or buffering.
Conclusion
TP-Link RE650 is the longest-range WiFi extender on the list, which I feel is ideal for large homes. It delivers quality signals and stable performance that let you stay online on any internet activities at a long distance. I just wish it had Wi-Fi 6 support.
Pros
- Excellent coverage
- Stable and consistent throughput
- Easy to install and setup
- Handles multiple devices with ease
- OneMesh compatible
Cons
- No Wi-Fi 6
2. Best for Outdoors: COTCLO WiFi Extender
No products found.
The next one doesn’t come from your all-popular brand but does bolster powerful antennas to take your wireless signals to long distances.
COTCOLO WiFi extender, with IP66 water-resistant rating, finds its place as an effective WiFi extender to use outdoors. And despite inferior WiFi standards, it boasts a decent throughput capacity.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The device has 2*10dBi detachable powerful antennas with a claimed coverage range of 10,000 Sq Ft. I got it installed in the garden and went to test its real-time ability.
In real-world scenarios, the device was able to provide coverage of over 4,600 Sq Ft. Thanks to the dual-core chipset and MU-MIMO tech that works harmoniously with the antennas to handle 48 different devices at once.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Despite boasting a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 setup, the COTCOLO WiFi extender has a maximum throughput capacity of 1200 Mbps, split between its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 867 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
The values are almost halved from the RE650, and so does the internet plan you pair it with. I had Cox Residential 500 Mbps plan and the TP-link Archer AX55 router paired to churn out 98 Mbps download and 17 Mbps upload speeds at 25 feet.
Moving further at around 40 feet, the respective speed values stand at 59 Mbps and 10 Mbps. Are these speeds enough? It definitely not belongs to the top 40% in this respect but you still can stream HD videos and attend video calls without any jitters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, COTCOLO offers you good value for the money. It might not be the fastest extender on the market, but if your primary aim is to access signals across a very long area, it’s definitely worth it.
Pros
- Exceptional coverage
- Weatherproof design
- Excellent device handling capability
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not so popular brand
- Middling throughput
3. Best for Streaming: TP-Link RE550
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,800 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 35
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 500 Mbps Fiber
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Moving on, I have yet another TP-Link device that establishes a perfect balance between the features and the price it comes in.
An upgrade to TP-Link RE450, the RE550 brings along some advanced features like a dual external antenna setup, excellent throughput, and device-handling capacity to deliver stable performance across a large area.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
In my test, RE550 responded well with a great range, lesser than my top models but still enough to get coverage in a detached garage.
If you’re into specifics, it reached a distance of 2,400 Sq Ft on WiFi that even covered a good portion of the garage and backyard of my 3,700 Sq Ft house.
Moving on, the MU-MIMO tech fared well in terms of connecting multiple devices at once. With RE550 installed, I could access the internet on over 32 devices including smartphones, tablets, appliances, and more.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Similar to its elder sibling I reviewed at the top, it operates on two frequency bands, but with a maximum speed rating of AC1900. The speed distribution is as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
The RE550 performed great in my throughput and range performance tests with a Cox 500 Mbps plan and TP-Link Archer AXE75 router paired.
Its respective download and upload throughput score of 104 Mbps and 18 Mbps in close proximity (within 25 feet) was just ahead of most extenders in this range.
However, at 45 feet, it had speeds at 79 Mbps down and 12 Mbps up to stay on par with similar-priced models. That’s primarily because of OneMesh tech, but such speeds over a distance certainly surprised me.
Nevertheless, for any residential setups not engaged in any heavy gaming or streaming tasks, RE550 should work nicely.
Conclusion
In my honest opinion, the TP-Link RE550 is an excellent deal. It’s priced reasonably, boasts decent wireless and Ethernet data transfer speeds, and long WiFi coverage.
The speeds might fall down at a distance but should get most of your mid-tier internet-bound tasks like web surfing, sending emails, and streaming movies with ease.
Pros
- Great range
- Decent proximity speeds
- Easy to install
- Decent device handling capacity
Cons
- Speeds in a distance suffer
4. Best Budget Extender: Linksys RE7000
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 30
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 500 Mbps Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
If you’re in search of a budget-friendly WiFi range extender with decent specs and performance, then Linksys RE7000 is a great option. It boasts a low-profile design but its built-in antennas should eliminate most weak or dead spots in your mid-size apartment.
I tested this extender in parallel with RE6300 and found some noticeable upgrades that ultimately translate to an overall improved performance.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The RE7000 sports a dual-antenna setup with a claimed range of 2,500 Sq Ft, which stays at a maximum of 2,200 Sq Ft in real life networking setup.
This added coverage is more than sufficient to cover most houses with decent signals. Just ensure to install it in between the space you want to cover and your router.
For any mid-sized homes, this extender should provide internet access to the most difficult-to-reach locations like an attic, bedrooms, basement, and detached garage.
Besides, the MU-MIMO tech the extender entails works well with any decent router to send WiFi signals to up to 25 devices at once. These might include your smart TVs and computers.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
The Linksys RE7000 despite its Wi-Fi 5 standard, comes at a decent speed rating of AC1900 which operates on its two frequency bands, as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
When connected to my router with Cox 500 Mbps plan, the speeds for downloads and uploads at 30 feet stayed around 96 Mbps and 16 Mbps, respectively.
At the same time, the 50-feet test yielded results at 62 Mbps and 10 Mbps. Nevertheless, the speeds over the WiFi are pretty decent and much better than the extenders I tested and reviewed.
It’s good enough for most households as it can support users watching HD movies, downloading large files, and using video conferencing simultaneously.
Another benefit of the extender is its smart roaming technology. It basically determines which bandwidth is the fastest in the location you’re in and automatically connects your devices to it.
Other than that, the extender instills an Ethernet port with a Gigabit speed capacity that as expected, delivers improved speeds over the WiFi. With a download speed of 621 Mbps, it’s quick enough to run high-end online games with ease.
Conclusion
Linksys RE7000 available at around $50 is well worth the money, that offers better range and WiFi speeds than most models in this price bracket. It also comes on par with many pricier models with just about similar features and advantages.
Despite its minor flaws like long setup time and speed drops over a distance, I am confident that the product will give your money’s worth.
Pros
- Smart roaming technology
- Decent speeds in proximity
- Great wireless range
- Minimalistic design
- Reliable manufacturer
Cons
- Speed drops over a distance
5. Best Value for Money: OYFNZI WiFi Extender
- WiFi Range: Up to 12,880 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 105
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 300 Mbps Connections
- Ports: 2 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
The OYFNZI WiFi Extender has only one job to do, which is to extend the signal coverage across your entire space.
Simply put, the four antenna setup of the extender takes your router signals to devices located very far away and the speeds are much better than anything you get at this price. Let’s discuss in detail how well these features translate in real life.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The figure it claims (12,880 Sq Ft) keeps it almost at a pole position, just behind TP-Link RE650. And in real life, the four-antenna setup combined with a powerful new-gen chipset extends signals to hard-to-reach locations.
With values faring at around 6,000 Sq Ft. the signals were accessible in every corner of the space, much better than my previous two recommendations.
Other than that, it can keep most devices kept in the area connected, but the lack of MU-MIMO means devices might not have access to signals of equivalent strength.
I could connect up to 32 devices at once, mostly used for browsing social media, sending emails, and streaming music. They stay more or less stable during the period.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Although the range was massive, the extender pulls some strings when it comes to its throughput capacity. It comes as AC1200 rated, which is split between its two bands as:
| 5 GHz: 867 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
Before installing this range extender, I tested the speeds with my Asus RT-AX86U around my home and found the numbers rapidly drop off as I moved to other rooms.
Pairing this device with a 500 Mbps connection made a good difference as download speeds near it almost reached 89 Mbps while upload speeds were valued at 12 Mbps.
The garage, at around 50 feet from the extender, which previously was a zero-network zone saw a speed of 52 Mbps and 9 Mbps for respective downloads and uploads.
Now comparing it with my previous recommendations, you will find a general dip in speeds, but those costs almost double. Besides that, the device entails two Ethernet ports with Gigabit speed capacity for better-wired connectivity.
Conclusion
The OYFNZI WiFi is an excellent device to have if accessing signals to far-off places is a priority. You can now send your emails or browse the web sitting in your backyard, and even listen to music while you do it.
However, throughput capacity and lesser speeds become an issue, especially when you connect multiple devices.
Pros
- Excellent range
- Decent speeds in the proximity
- One-tap installation
- Connects multiple devices
Cons
- Lack of MU-MIMO
6. Best for Gaming: ASUS RP-AX56
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,200 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 40
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Suitable For: 1 GIG Fiber
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
The final product on my list is not designed to transmit signals to far away places but to ensure users within the enclosed space receive consistently solid speed. With Wi-Fi 6 and AiMesh compatibility, you can create a fast and reliable network for data-intensive tasks like gaming.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Coverage-wise, it’s the least valued extender on this list, which is why ranked at the bottom. But with a long-range router in place, an additional 1,900 Sq Ft range should cover any large home with a backyard and a garage.
Not only that, the mesh network created with Asus RT-AX86U means signals accessed by the available devices are stable.
Added to it, the MU-MIMO tech plays out well when it comes to connecting multiple devices. I could stream lag or buffer-free UHD Netflix streams on around 34 devices simultaneously.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Asus RP-AX56 comes at a decent value of 1800 Mbps, which is shared over its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1200 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
With a 500 Mbps plan and Linksys MR9610 router, the extender had sustained download speeds of 99 Mbps in close proximity (25 feet), while uploads were valued at 18 Mbps.
At the same time, speeds over 50 feet were recorded at 71 Mbps and 14 Mbps. Yes, that’s the improvement you’ll see with the inclusion of just a mesh tech.
With such speeds at hand, I could play games at lower latency and higher FPS. Apart from that, the device was able to handle multiple connections.
Conclusion
ASUS RP-AX56 is one of the top-rated WiFi range extenders for gaming and streaming. It effectively utilizes advanced networking technologies such as Wi-Fi 6, MU-MIMO, and AiMesh to create stable connections.
Additionally, its signals can travel decent distances by easily passing through obstacles like thick walls and other connected devices. But in this list, that’s the lowest range an extender can deliver, hence the position.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Decent throughput
- Low-latency gaming
- Convenient design
- AiMesh support
- Decent range
Cons
- Not the best range
Frequently Asked Questions
As far as my tests go, TP-Link RE650 is the best long-range extender anyone can have with a maximum coverage of around 115 feet.
Yes, I have included a few extenders that can transmit signals to a distance even greater than 100 feet.
If your garages have zero network connection and you want the router signal to travel even farther, then get an outdoor extender. These won’t cost you a fortune and should get most of your space covered with decent signals.
Verdict
The long-range wireless extenders let you expand your WiFi network outside. Now that you went through the list, I hope you made a decision. If you didn’t, here are my final recommendations:
- If you want an extender with the best range and can’t compromise on the speeds, then I would recommend the TP-Link RE650.
- If you want to spend less but can’t compromise on performance, I would recommend the MGDYSS WiFi extender with a 9.8K theoretical coverage.
- Finally, if you want a budget yet reliable extender with a decent range, go with Linksys RE7000.
This brings an end to my review-based guide. See you later in another guide like this, till then, take care, and happy networking!
