Basements and distant garages are the most common places to have Wi-Fi dead zones. After writing about garage WiFi extenders, several readers requested my advice on WiFi range extenders for their basements. So, here we go!
Extenders can help expand internet connectivity to your basement, but selecting the appropriate option can prove to be challenging. That’s why I decided to perform thorough testing of 15 devices, using each for up to 5 days.
As a result, this list comprises 7 options that demonstrated excellent performance and met the required standards for speeds, signal quality, stability, and core features.
7 Best WiFi Extenders for Basements in 2024
No matter what type of device you’re searching for – be it high-end, mid-range, or affordable yet dependable – you can rest assured that the list has got you covered. Figure out what you need and budget, read through the reviews, and make a choice.
So, without further ado, let’s dig in.
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
Do you live in an apartment or a mansion-style house with a few hundred square feet basement? TP-Link RE650, with a claimed coverage of 14,000 Sq Ft, is one of the top-rated WiFi extenders with a long range.
Aside from that, its massive throughput capacity and its OneMesh compatibility fulfill most of your internet needs in a basement.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Coverage-wise, TP-Link RE650 is the best you can get. Its four antenna setup paired with beamforming tech ensures a basement as large as 6,000 Sq Ft+ is filled with strong and reliable signals.
Alongside, the extender entails a OneMesh tech, which you might have seen in many TP-Link routers. Pair with one of them, and you can enjoy a mesh-like network. Well, it comes with benefits like stable and undroppable signals alongside a decent speed output throughout your space.
The MU-MIMO paves the way for multiple connections. At one time, I had around 37 gadgets connected, and they worked just fine. And based on its claimed limit, I am sure there is space for a few more.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Talking of its throughput capacity, with a rating of AC2600, TP-Link RE650 stands above all. And its band-wise speeds are as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 800 Mbps |
To test it out, I got Cox 1 Gbps plan with a TP-Link Archer AX90 router. My iPhone 13 had an impressive performance as RE650 surpassed many extenders in this range with its 194 Mbps download and 19 Mbps upload speed over a 20-feet through a wall.
While in my basement, around 55 feet away, the extender clocked respective speeds of 146 Mbps and 16 Mbps, which still betters most. It easily played music and 4K videos on my iPad Pro while running the entire day without any issues.
Conclusion
TP-Link RE650 is a great device in terms of the performance it delivers over an area twice as large as others. Courtesy of its OneMesh tech, signals didn’t drop often, and its multi-device connectivity with beamforming and MU-MIMO ensures you never miss anything.
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Long wireless range
- Technologies like OneMesh
- Easy to install
Cons
- No automatic roaming
2. Best Runner-Up: TP-Link RE550
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,800 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 35
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 1 Gig Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
If you don’t want an extravagant range like RE650, yet need a device as reliable as it, go for its younger sibling, TP-Link RE550. It offers enough coverage for around $20 less to cover hard-to-reach areas like the basement, attic, garden, and garage.
Besides, you get the usual benefits of OneMesh tech. Let’s find out if the step-down is massive or works just well enough for any network ecosystem.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
A 2,800 Sq Ft of a claimed range, which translates to around 2,400 Sq Ft in real life, is just enough to sheath your entire space, including your basement. Just make sure to pair a decent router with it.
The OneMesh & MU-MIMO tech works wonders in terms of stabilizing the signals my devices capture.
I got connected to over 31 devices, and it worked without breaking a sweat. Some of them were for internet browsing, while it also had one TV streaming and my friend playing games on his Xbox console.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
In terms of speeds, RE550 falls a bit behind its elder sibling, with a rating of AC1900. It operates on dual-band frequency where each band shares speeds as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
With my usual networking setup, the extender had decent scores in WiFi performance. My client reported erratic WiFi in his basement, which sometimes cuts altogether.
But with RE550 plugged into a power socket just near the front door of his house, the download and upload speeds clocked 187 Mbps and 18 Mbps, respectively. Note that this was measured at 25 feet distance from the extender.
At the same time, my 50 feet test yields a maximum download and upload speed of 126 Mbps and 15 Mbps, respectively. Besides being faster, the speeds remained consistent and smooth, which was noticeable while attending video calls, streaming TV, and playing music.
Conclusion
TP-Link RE550, despite lacking behind RE650 in terms of speeds and coverage, had a decent performance across each department. It comes as a great option for anyone who needs to improve WiFi coverage in the basement and engage in decent internet-based tasks like streaming, video conferencing, etc.
Pros
- Great range
- Decent speeds
- OneMesh and MU-MIMO for stable connections
- Easy to install
Cons
- Middling device handling capacity
3. Best Value for Money: 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
Linksys RE7000 outperforms the most in its budget range and even stays a tad behind my previous recommendation. Its powerful dual antenna setup comes with a claimed coverage of 2,500 Sq Ft, alongside a decent throughput capacity to fulfill the data needs of devices installed in your basement.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Linksys RE7000 had a decent performance in my range tests, covering around 2,100 Sq Ft on WiFi with ease.
Such additional coverage was more than enough to blanket my old house’s basement with strong signals. Just ensure to place the WiFi extender at an optimal location, i.e., between your basement and the router.
Besides, the extender bandwidth handles my iPhone 13, Dell XPS laptop, smartphones, and 23 other devices with ease, thanks to MU-MIMO tech. And, with the integration of smart roaming technology, the devices could automatically connect to the best available bandwidth, improving the experience.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Speed-wise, the RE7000 at AC1900 is identically rated to my previous recommendation, and its band-wise speeds are as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
Pairing it with the same plan, i.e., Cox 1 Gbps plan, but this time with a different router, Linksys MR9610, the throughput results were decent.
Despite lacking any mesh tech, the 20 feet test had values of 179 Mbps down and 15 Mbps up. In contrast, doubling the distance records respective speeds of 102 Mbps and 14 Mbps for downloads and uploads.
Considering I wasn’t engaged in online gaming or 4K streaming, the speeds fares well for me. The video calls, online audio streaming, and stock trading alongside tasks like sending emails and surfing the web seem like a cakewalk.
Conclusion
With the performance in terms of speeds and coverage it delivers, RE7000 is well worth the money. Although it falls behind my previous recommendations, prominently lacking any mesh tech, it stays well ahead of most basement WiFi Extenders in this price range.
Pros
- Decent coverage range
- Smart roaming technology
- Easy to install and manage
- Decent throughput capacity
- Pocket-friendly price
Cons
- Lack of mesh tech
4. Best with Wi-Fi 6: 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 Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Asus RP-AX56 is primarily a gaming-friendly WiFi extender and, therefore, can be your best bet for data-intensive activities.
The latest Wi-Fi 6 standard makes it future-proof and an AiMesh tech for strong and stable connection across your space. While its range performance lacks a bit, it provides great performance overall.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Compared to the models I have tested so far, its two antennas are encased inside which delivers a clean and sleek look.
In terms of coverage, my backyard and basement were filled with signals, areas that remained dead most of the time. Putting it in numbers, the range of standalone extender stay just around 1,900 Sq Ft.
Best part of it is, pairing with the ASUS RT-AX86U router, it established a mesh-like network, so speed drops were minimal in far-off areas. The MU-MIMO further resonated well with it to establish stable connections on my 35 devices at once.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Asus RP-AX56 with its 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 support, has a maximum throughput capacity of 1800 Mbps, with speeds on each band as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1201 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
The AX56 gave great results in my proximity speed tests. It scored 167 Mbps for downloads and 18 Mbps for uploads in my 20-feet test with the Cox 1 Gbps plan.
While over 40 feet, a speed score of 97 Mbps down and 13 Mbps up was much below the RE550 but still ahead of the other.
So, mid-tier tasks like UHD video and audio streaming, web surfing, and WiFi calling were feasible and didn’t have any major lags. But, the extender lacks any roaming technology as we saw in RE7000.
Conclusion
Asus RP-AX56 is an ideal choice for households that require a fast and reliable signal throughout the day. This is made possible by its Wi-Fi 6 and AiMesh support. However, it has a shorter range and is more expensive than Linksys, which is why it ranked fourth.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Minimalistic design
- Compatible with AiMesh
- Decent WiFi range
- Stable and faster speeds
Cons
- No roaming tech
5. Best Mesh Range Extender: NETGEAR EX7300
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,300 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 40
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 1 Gig Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Netgear introduces another product to its premium range, which I, to be honest, wasn’t bothered to test at first. But going through its spec sheet, alongside its patented Fastlane technology, caught my eye, and I decided to use it in the basement.
The EX7300 comes as a replacement to Netgear’s flagship, EX7000 extender, and inculcates upgrades in most aspects, except the wireless standard.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
The extender turned out excellent results as paired with my Netgear RAX70. I had an additional coverage of around 2,000 Sq Ft. It easily filled my basement area. And the best part is signals were stable, courtesy of its capability to form a mesh-like network.
This added with MU-MIMO, lets you connect multiple devices at once. I kept around 27 devices, including the bandwidth-hogging ones, inside the network ecosystem created by the extender, and none had a signal drop once.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Spec-wise, the throughput capacity of EX7300 maxes out at 2200 Mbps, where the share of each band is as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps |
Similar to its range, results in speed tests also turned out to be fine. With my Cox 1 Gbps plan, downloading a 3GB file took a few minutes to complete, maximizing 138 Mbps. At the same time, uploads continued at the rate of 16 Mbps.
Note: These results were obtained on iPhone 13 when it was kept around 25 feet away.
Now in my second test, i.e., keeping the distance to 45 feet, download and upload speeds were recorded at 81 Mbps and 13 Mbps, respectively.
Irrespective of speed drops, signal strength remained almost constant and the audio output never lagged even in the garage.
Conclusion
I had a positive experience, but there was no wow factor, which was expected at a premium price. The speeds were consistent over a distance, and its patented Fastlane technology knew no boundaries when it comes to your high-bandwidth streaming tasks. But you can get almost a similar and probably a bit better in many extenders that cost half its price, which is why the ranking.
Pros
- Fast and stable throughput
- Decent wireless range
- Fastlane technology
- Entails a mesh tech
- Handles multiple devices
Cons
- On the expensive side
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
6. Best Weatherproof Extender: WAVLINK AC1200
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 50
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 500 Mbps Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is the Wavlink AC1200 which comes at a range lower than most of my tested models, but compensates it with its IP65 water and heatproof rating.
This means you can install this extender outside in your yard, garage, near your pool, basement, or anywhere you wish. Besides, its multi-operational modes make it a better choice than other extenders meant for the basement.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Installing it in my client’s house, got her access to WiFi signals in the basement. In numbers, the range of the extender can be put at around 1,700 Sq Ft, which is great.
It further comes with MU-MIMO, which you already know, helps the cause of multi-device connectivity. My client’s devices put together (23) were running smoothly and running the online tasks they are intended to.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
The Wavlink AC1200 comes with a speed rating of AC1200, where each of its bands has a speed limit as follows:
| 5 GHz: 867 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
In the 20 feet testing with TP-Link Archer AX90 and Cox 500 Mbps plan, the bandwidth continued to be strong with download speeds at 89 Mbps and upload speeds at 13 Mbps.
Furthermore, testing the extender in my basement a floor between my iPhone 13 and the extender (around 45 feet), download and upload speeds clocked at 47 Mbps and 8 Mbps, respectively.
With such speeds and an obtained ping value of 79ms, online gaming wasn’t an option, but tasks like reading online e-books, watching videos (decent quality), web browsing, and sending emails are very much possible. I streamed multiple songs without a hint of sluggishness or lags.
Conclusion
While the Wavlink AC1200 may not be the fastest extender, it can effectively transmit signals to the basement. With its various operating modes, it provides flexibility in connectivity options, and its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions is a plus.
Nevertheless, its slower speeds and relatively high cost may diminish its overall attractiveness. If you need a good WiFi extender for the outdoors, this one is worth it.
Pros
- IP65 certified
- Stable throughput
- Multiple operation modes
- Decent range
Cons
- Premium with a sub-par throughput capacity
7. Cheap Yet Good: Cudy RE1200
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Devices Capacity: 30
- WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Suitable For: 300 Mbps Connections
- Ports: 1 x Gig Ethernet
- App Support: Yes
Lastly, let me present to you a cheap yet reliable extender to use in the basement. Cudy RE1200 is worth picking for your entry-level plan and a decent routing device.
It has got some handy features like a dual-band WiFi standard, decent throughput and device-handling capacity. Also compared to its predecessor, you can expect a better performance, courtesy of the features it brings.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Cudy RE1200 finds a pretty sweet spot in the extender market that delivers a WiFi range much better than the cheaper models and enough to cover most of your basement with WiFi signals.
In my test, the standalone extender transmits signals to a distance as large as 1,200 Sq Ft and paired with my staple TP-Link router covers as much as 3,500 Sq Ft area.
Moving on, the extender bandwidth was able to handle 16 devices at once, which includes smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and others.
However, it lacks MU-MIMO tech, which means signals shouldn’t be as great as the ones with it. My experience was in line with it, as hogging the network with tasks like streaming potentially affects the performance on other devices.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
The Cudy RE1200 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and has a speed limit of 1200 Mbps. Its individual bands have the following speeds:
| 5 GHz: 900 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
Unlike most extenders that cover basements with ease, this model lacks mesh support, so I expect a potential speed drop over a distance. But irrespective of that, the performance was more than decent.
At a 15 feet distance, the extender managed to clock the respective download and upload speeds of 62 Mbps and 8 Mbps. While the 30 feet test recorded speeds of around 30 Mbps and 4 Mbps.
Despite its lower throughput, I managed to stream HD music without any jiffy. Other than that, staying close to the extender, I even managed to attend video calls and read e-books online.
Conclusion
Cudy RE1200 may not be the quickest extender available, it is a dependable device that comes at an affordable price of around $40. Its coverage and speed are satisfactory for those seeking a basic extender that can effectively eliminate dead spots and smoothly operate most devices.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Decent throughput
- Pairs with any routers
- Decent coverage
Cons
- MU-MIMO is absent
Frequently Asked Questions
WiFi extenders are known to extend the signals emitted by the router to a long distance. If you have an extender with a decent range to pair with a similar router, signals can even be accessed in faraway places like the basement, garage, and attic.
A great way to improve the WiFi signal in the basement is to install a mesh system or an extender to pair with your existing router.
Depends primarily on how much area a router can cover an area of your house. Calculate the respective ones and install your extender accordingly.
Yes they do. If you get a decent extender, it should fulfil most of your networking needs with ease.
Verdict
That’s all for my recommendations and reviews. I hope you found it informative and got enough information to make an informed decision. But if you are still unsure, here are my final suggestions:
- TP-Link RE650, with its massive 14,000 Sq Ft range, stands on top of most extenders I have tested, so choose this if you have a large space to cover.
- If you don’t have the facilities for that, get Linksys RE7000 for a much lesser price.
- Finally, if you need the cheapest option for your entry-level plans, Cudy RE1200 is your go-to option.
If you have a decent router to pair with and a mid-sized home, I would recommend spending a few extra dollars and opting for a future-proof extender.
