WiFi range extenders are affordable and reliable solutions to expand coverage to weak or dead network spots. Compared to mesh WiFi, they cost four to five times less.
However, selecting the best could be as difficult as other networking devices. And looks can be deceiving, meaning a device may seem top-notch from its spec sheet but isn’t close to that. This is why I took charge and tested the top-rated extenders on the market (27, to be precise).
As a result, I found some dropping the signals, some providing inconsistent speeds, and some unable to handle more than 10 devices. Finally, after 3 months of rigorous testing, I’m here with a list of 7 options that won’t let you down.
7 Best WiFi Extenders in 2024
The list includes suitable options in each category, from high-end to mid-tier and basic. Also, I’ve added dedicated choices for homes, garages, basements, etc. Rest assured, you’ll find a device that best fits both your requirements and budget.
Now, go through them and make an informed investment decision!
1. Best Overall: TP-Link RE700X
- Suitable For: Gigabit Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 50
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Let’s start with a high-end wireless extender. TP-Link RE700X tops the list courtesy of features like dual-band Wi-Fi 6, massive throughput capacity, and built-in AP mode.
Upgraded from RE650X, it also entails OneMesh support that creates a mesh-like network with compatible TP-Link devices and tries to offer stable connectivity.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
TP-Link RE700X, with AX3000 of total bandwidth, can reach maximum data speeds for its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
The extender involves a simple installation process, and it only took me around 30 seconds to pair it with the TP-Link Archer AX90. I subscribed to a 1.2 Gbps connection by Xfinity and tested the speeds on my iPhone 13 to obtain excellent results.
At 15 feet, the score of 215 Mbps for downloads and 29 Mbps for uploads was much higher than most devices I tested so far. On the 35 feet, the RE700X managed to score 107 Mbps and 19 Mbps, respectively.
With such speeds in place, most high-bandwidth tasks like 4K streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and others were smooth sailing.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Its theoretical range of 1,500 Sq Ft isn’t the highest of the lot but certainly isn’t below par either. In my test, the extender managed to cover an area of up to 1,250 Sq Ft, which, paired with my TP-Link router, got strong signals, even in a detached garage.
Besides, with OneMesh tech, my WiFi analyzer app shows a decent spread of signals throughout my entire space. Paired with it, the MU-MIMO allowed me to establish lag-free connections with 45 devices at once.
Conclusion
TP-Link RE700X is undoubtedly the best WiFi range extender on the market today. It delivers solid performance in every aspect. If you have a budget for it, grab it without any second thoughts. Yes, it’s that good!
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Top throughput capacity
- Stable, quality signals
- OneMesh compatible
- Handles multiple devices
Cons
- Middling range
2. Best For Gaming: ASUS RP-AX56
- Suitable For: Gigabit Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,200 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 40
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
ASUS RP-AX56 misses the top spot due to its lower throughput capacity to my top recommendation, but stay clear of it in terms of coverage.
Like the OneMesh tech in the previous, it entails an AiMesh tech that works in a similar way to establish a mesh-like network in your encased space.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
This Asus range extender comes with a speed rating of AX1800 with its support for the future-proof Wi-Fi 6 standard. The speed is distributed amongst its two operating bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1200 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
With such speeds, I’d recommend pairing it with Gigabit internet. I did the same and got impressive results.
With the ASUS RT-AX88U router, at 15 feet test, my iPhone 13 achieved a download speed of 156 Mbps while the upload speed touched 24 Mbps. Moving farther to 30 feet, respective speeds for downloads and uploads fared at 103 Mbps and 19 Mbps.
In my signal strength test with my WiFi Analyzer app, the heat waves weren’t dull in any area; hence, streaming HD content was possible anywhere.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The RP-AX56 claims a decent wireless range of 2,200 Sq Ft. In my test, the value stays just around 1,900 Sq Ft, which is the size of a medium home.
Courtesy of the AiMesh tech, I could access stable signals in my backyard and garage. I could always keep the mini workstation in my garage online and stay connected with my partners through Zoom calls.
Aside from the 9 devices in my workstation, I could connect 25 devices to the bandwidth simultaneously. The MU-MIMO concentrates and sends the signal to connected devices rather than spreading them around.
Conclusion
ASUS RP-AX56 is among the highly-recommended WiFi extenders for gaming. It offers robust speeds even over long distances. You can effortlessly engage in online gaming and streaming while browsing on multiple devices.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Decent WiFi coverage
- Reliable and fast WiFi
- Support for AiMesh
- Convenient design
Cons
- Sometimes price exceed $120
3. Best for Home Use: Netgear EX7300
- Suitable For: Gigabit Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,300 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 40
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Netgear EX7300 is a dual-band WiFi extender with great features like AC2600 speed, 2,000+ Sq Ft range, and the ability to handle multiple devices in a large house.
I tested it side-by-side with Netgear EX7000 and noticed many performance-based upgrades to become my top pick for home use.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
The EX7300, similar to most devices, works on two bands and has a maximum throughput capacity of 2200 Mbps. Its band-wise speeds are as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps |
Connected to my Netgear RAX70 and 1 Gbps plan by Xfinity, it yields decent speeds, with downloads and uploads valued at 137 Mbps and 20 Mbps, respectively, at 20 feet.
Moving my testing device a bit farther (at 40 feet) yields respective speeds of 98 Mbps and 17 Mbps.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
While the Netgear extender boasts a coverage range of 2,300 square feet, according to my tests, it could cover a 2,000 sq ft area in my home setting. This is much better than TP-Link RE700X, which is ranked #1.
I had a three-bar signal in my garage, establishing a lag-free connection to most smart devices. The extender also comes good in terms of handling multiple devices at once.
Paired with the mesh tech, its MU-MIMO helped me to connect 34 devices simultaneously, used for multiple tasks like streaming, gaming, downloading files, video conferencing, and more.
Fun Fact: The quality signals at distanced locations readily secure its position in my list of extenders suited for the basement.
Conclusion
EX7300 from Netgear passes all my tests with ease. But the fact that the manufacturer charges an exorbitant price for it, and the features it offers are available in many lesser-priced models. Nevertheless, the performance is great.
Pros
- Excellent WiFi range
- Decent throughput capacity
- Great near-band speeds
- Multi-device handling
- Easy to install
Cons
- Lacks Wi-Fi 6
- Premium price
4. Best Value for Money: Linksys RE7000
- Suitable For: 500 Mbps Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 30
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is a budget-friendly WiFi signal booster, Linksys RE7000, that sets up high standards when it comes to performance.
Features like smart roaming technology and MU-MIMO paired with powerful antennas deliver a much better performance than Linksys RE6300 when paired with any mid-tier internet plans.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
With a speed rating of AC1900, it certainly stays on par with most of my top recommendations. And the individual band speeds are as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
To find out how fast it is, I didn’t take the claims Linksys made and rather paired it with my friend’s Linksys MR9610 router and Xfinity’s 800 Mbps plan.
At 15 feet away, the extender managed a download speed of 121 Mbps and an upload speed of 18 Mbps. That’s rather decent for an extender that lacks any mesh tech.
At the same time, the 30 feet test records respective speeds of 86 Mbps and 14 Mbps for downloads and uploads. Despite a lower price, its performance is on par with some of the high-speed WiFi extenders on the market.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
When determining how far the Linksys extender can transmit signals, I found it difficult to get signals beyond 2,300 Sq Ft. Do not misunderstand; that’s a great result and even supersedes the extenders on the top half of the list.
Besides, its smart roaming tech comes in handy when you ought to shift to another room to attend video calls in peace. The antennas keep you connected to the fast network all day long, and you won’t experience any issues picking up calls and staying online for hours.
Furthermore, I could connect over 32 WiFi-enabled devices to the extender bandwidth, and courtesy of MU-MIMO, signals weren’t weak in any.
Conclusion
This neat-looking wireless extender is an excellent budget buy. Despite entailing any mesh tech, its performance in terms of speeds, signal strength, and range make it an enticing pick for users looking for an excellent device without spending much.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Great range
- Decent speeds
- Convenient design
- Handles multiple devices
Cons
- No mesh tech
5. Best Outdoor Extender: TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor
- Suitable For: 1 Gig Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 6,000 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 100
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
If you’re looking for the best-rated outdoor extender packed with features, is sleek, and covers a large area, then TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor is the right investment.
Tagged as an “outdoor extender”, it comes with an IP67 rating that keeps it safe from any weather and provides you with the flexibility to install it anywhere and experience fast speeds.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
TP-Link EAP610-Outdoor being a Wi-Fi 6 device, comes at a speed rating of AX1800, which is split between its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1200 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
In my tests with my staple TP-Link router and Xfinity Gigabit plan, it manages to reach 151 Mbps for downloads and 21 Mbps for uploads from 20 feet.
Being an outdoor extender with extra-powerful antennas, the 50 feet test produced decent results. The respective download and upload speed reaches 108 Mbps and 16 Mbps.
Such speeds in the farthest of corners let me attend HD Zoom calls on four devices and stream HD audio on my smartphones at once. The fact that it entails a OneMesh tech and signal strength doesn’t change much even after travelling long.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The EAP610 comes with a sleek design, and the detailed instructions manual makes it easy to install. I placed it on my garage door from where it could access most parts of my space. And aside from the leftover areas like the basement, attic, backyard, and others, the signals even reached the hallway of my neighbour.
Number-wise, the area covered was around 2,700 Sq Ft. Added to the OneMesh, the MU-MIMO tech helped to establish stable connections on up to 54 devices I had. Provided its claimed capacity of 100, you can add a few more if you need to.
Conclusion
TP-Link EAP610 is an excellent long-range extender that stays true to its claims of transmitting signals outside. The signal strength is similar in most parts of the house and lets you connect multiple devices at once without losing connection.
But being a premium device with a middling throughput performance has pushed it down to the fifth position.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6
- Long wireless coverage
- Handles multiple devices
- IP67 weatherproofing
- Impressive speeds
Cons
- Expensive
- Middling throughput
6. Best for Garage or Basement: TP-Link RE550
- Suitable For: 500 Mbps to 1 Gig Connection
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,800 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 35
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Another offering of TP-Link, RE550, entails a number of features to qualify in the list of top-rated WiFi extenders. Its three-antenna setup makes it suitable for garages and basements.
Its decent throughput capacity, coupled with OneMesh tech, makes it a much better choice than the TP-Link RE450.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
RE550 comes at a speed rating of AC1900, already taking the lead to its elder siblings, and the speed cap on each frequency band is as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
The testing setup was as usual with my TP-Link extenders, i.e., Archer AX90 router and an Xfinity 800 Mbps plan. At 15 feet, my iPhone 13 connected to the WiFi reached speeds of 101 Mbps for downloads and 17 Mbps for uploads.
Similarly, the 30-feet test yields respective speeds of 66 Mbps and 10 Mbps. Moving the device farther than 50 feet didn’t move the signals, even by a whisker.
Nevertheless, you can access the stable internet within the range for various tasks like HD audio and video streaming, web surfing, and others.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Its range doesn’t come with any weatherproof cover, and its stipulated range is much less than its elder sibling. Still, it can transmit signals to up to 2,500 Sq Ft, much better than most recommendations.
There’s also a OneMesh tech for a persistent outflow of stable signals throughout the day. However, the WiFi analyzer app shows some discrepancies in the nooks. Added to it, the MU-MIMO helps connect 30 devices.
Conclusion
TP-Link RE550 is an all-around option at $70, offering effective signal extension over long distances. It strikes the perfect balance between features and price. However, it falls behind my top picks in terms of wireless standards, placing it in sixth position. Nonetheless, it still provides excellent value for the price.
Pros
- Excellent range
- OneMesh support
- Decent speeds
- Easy to use
Cons
- Signal inconsistencies in the corner
7. Best Budget Extender: Netgear EX5000
- Suitable For: 300 Mbps Connections
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 25
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
When considering entry-level and basic internet plans, opting for the Netgear EX5000 is advisable due to its affordability and reliability. Compared to the predecessor, it improved the speed capabilities and more potent antennas that can extend its range to approximately 1,500 square feet.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Even though EX5000 comes at quite a low price, I had to include it in the list courtesy of its Wi-Fi 5 standard and a maximum throughput capacity of 1200 Mbps. The speeds on its two bands are as follows:
| 5 GHz: 900 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
The testing device could record decent speeds with my Netgear router and a Cox 300 Mbps plan. The downloads at 15 feet transpired at 68 Mbps and uploaded at 12 Mbps. At the same time, respective speeds at 30 feet abide at 31 Mbps and 6 Mbps.
Although the values seem much less compared to previous extenders, having something is better than nothing.
Most importantly, you won’t get this much, only from other similar-priced models. And you can enjoy smooth jazz relaxing beside the pool without any interruptions.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Coverage-wise, it can’t compete with the top models, but the additional 1,200 Sq Ft range, as obtained in my tests, is enough for any mid-sized home with a backyard and garage. But it lacks any networking technologies, be it mesh or MU-MIMO.
So maintaining almost equivalent speeds on the devices won’t be feasible, but still, you can easily connect up to 16 devices.
Conclusion
Although the Netgear EX5000 may not provide extensive coverage and high throughput, it should meet the majority of typical networking needs in a household.
While it demonstrated satisfactory performance during testing, there were intermittent delays and disruptions when multiple devices were being used, primarily due to the absence of MU-MIMO technology.
Pros
- Compatible with any router
- Easy to set up
- Stable throughput
- Compact design
Cons
- Lacks any mesh tech
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the WiFi boosters have no compatibility factor and work with all internet providers. Just evaluate your selected extender and tally it against your needs before making an investment decision.
A WiFi extender connects to the existing WiFi network established by your networking setup (modem & router), creating a new channel to send the signals to the stipulated receiver.
WiFi extenders and boosters are often used interchangeably; the main difference lies in how they boost WiFi coverage. An extender generally works by re-transmitting the signals sent by the router to farther distances, while a booster enhances the coverage increasing your router’s power output.
Yes, mesh systems are a much better option than a WiFi extender, but they are much costlier than the latter. However, if you have the facilities for a mesh system, I’d recommend investing in a quality device.
Verdict
WiFi extenders can possibly be the best investment one can make, provided you have made it right. I hope you have made the right decision with the options I have provided. However, if you still are scratching your head, here’s the list of the best extenders in each category:
- If you want the best option regarding range, speed, and others, TP-Link RE700X is your top option.
- If you don’t want to spend extraordinarily yet aren’t willing to compromise much on the features, go for Linksys RE7000. And if you need an extender for covering your large backyard and keeping your security cameras and other devices online, go for TP-Link EAP610-outdoor.
- Lastly, if you need a budget extender for an entry-level networking setup, Netgear EX5000 is the best option.
With that comes an end. I hope you found the guide both informational and enjoyable to read.
