Does your Windstream wireless router drop the signals after two walls? Do you want to strengthen it and expand the coverage to places like the kitchen, backyard, garage, or basement? A good WiFi extender should work.
But, what is considered ‘good' can differ depending on individual needs, features, and budgets. This is why I tried 13 WiFi range extenders compatible with Windstream. I spent about 5 days using each option in different scenarios and ended up with 6 top picks that successfully passed all my tests.
6 Best WiFi Extenders for Kinetic Windstream in 2024
I will provide detailed reviews of the qualified models in the following sections. The list includes a variety of options, including high-end, mid-range, and a budget offering towards the end. This ensures that you will find at least one option that aligns with your specific requirements and budget.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link RE700X
- WiFi Extender Signal Booster For Home: Expand high-performance WiFi with RE700X featuring 4 high-performance amplifiers to reach hard-to-cover areas.
- WiFi Booster with WiFi 6 Speeds: Enjoy smoother and more reliable streaming, gaming, downloading, and more with dual-band WiFi speeds up to 3 Gbps (2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz)
- Connect More Devices to Your Network: Connect more devices that are out of range from your main router while eliminating poor performance and weak WiFi
- WiFi Extender with Gigabit Ethernet Port: Experience wired speed and reliability anywhere in your home by connecting your favorite device to the gigabit ethernet port
- OneMesh Compatible: Create a seamless WiFi network using compatible routers and range extenders so you never have to switch networks or lose signal. Compatible router: Archer AX21
RE700X is the new addition to TP-Link’s series of premium extenders, replacing one of its top-selling models, RE650X. It establishes its position at the top of my list with its future-proof Wi-Fi 6, massive throughput capacity, good range, and OneMesh support.
Let's find out how these features work with each other to deliver a seamless outflow of signals throughout the space.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
RE700X with a dual-band setup has its speed capped at 3,000 Mbps, which is split amongst its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 2401 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
To justify its massive throughput capacity, pairing my TP-Link Archer AX90 seemed like a smart choice, and it indeed was.
Coupled with a Windstream 1 Gbps plan, the extender managed to extract speeds of 178 Mbps for downloads and 29 Mbps for uploads. The values were obtained on my Galaxy S23 Ultra, kept at 20 feet away.
Even the speeds at a distance (about 40 feet) were good, with respective downloads and uploads clocking at 104 Mbps and 18 Mbps. The signal strength measured over my WiFi analyzer app was also great.
So, having a OneMesh tech form a mesh-like network in the enclosed space is a blessing for people like me who have their setup established in a detached garage. I could even stream Netflix in 4K quality.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
Installing the TP-Link RE700X halfway between the garage and the router was actually transformational. It certainly did the trick in my garage, where I mainly had to rely on powerline adapters due to weak WiFi signals.
In numbers, the extender provides you with additional coverage of 1,300 Sq Ft, which should be enough for most WiFi dead zones.
Moving on, I was already impressed with the power its internal antennas possess, and added to it, the MU-MIMO adds a cherry on top. I could connect a total of 43 devices to the RE700X, including smart lights, Ring cameras, doorbells, smartphones, etc.
Conclusion
Overall, RE700X is the fastest Windstream WiFi extender available. It works exceptionally well thanks to Wi-Fi 6, OneMesh, and its massive throughput capacity. Besides, it lives up to the “dead-zone killer” tag with its powerful antennas capable of carrying signals to far distances.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 standard
- Exceptional throughput
- OneMesh compatibility
- Good WiFi coverage
- Excellent speeds
Cons
- Premium price
2. Best Runner-Up: ASUS RP-AX56
- High Efficiency WiFi 6 - Enjoy fast speeds up to 3000 Mbps with WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Commercial-grade Network Security – Lifetime free ASUS AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, with WPA3 to protect your home
- More Privacy, Anywhere - Instant Guard gives you one-click secure internet access via RT-AX68U from anywhere in the world
- Parental Controls for All Ages - Customize settings for different age groups, giving your kids the internet access they need
- ASUS AiMesh Support – Create a flexible, seamless whole-home mesh network with AiMesh-compatible routers
Next on my list is yet another Wi-Fi 6 extender with fast speeds and a decent range to become a runner-up choice for Windstream Gig internet connections.
Its AiMesh tech, paired with a compatible router, transmits signals on a similar network so you can access strong signals throughout the space.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
To give you an idea upfront, the RP-AX56 has a speed rating of AX1800, divided between its two frequency bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1200 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
The throughput capacity and Wi-Fi 6 support make it one of the better WiFi extenders for gaming. With that said, paired with the Kinetik Fiber Gig plan and my ASUS RT-AX88U gaming router, the results were impressive.
At a 15-feet distance, RP-AX56 manages a speed of 163 Mbps for downloads and 27 Mbps for uploads. Moving farther to 30 feet, the respective speeds were recorded at 98 Mbps and 17 Mbps.
And with AiMesh, there wasn’t much alteration in signal strength, so low-latency gaming was also feasible at a distance.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
In my test, Asus RP-AX56 outperformed TP-Link RE700X with a range of around 1,900 Sq Ft. It easily covered every nook of my basement.
Also, AiMesh created a mesh-like network throughout the home, providing access to strong and stable signals. Please note the numbers might change for you with the number of obstructions and interferences the bandwidth is subjected to.
Moving on, with MU-MIMO, I could access reliable internet throughout the day and connect to over 35 devices at a time. Even video and audio streaming, Zoom calls, and other mid-tier activities are realistic with this wireless extender.
Conclusion
ASUS RP-AX56 is an excellent range extender for Windstream that comes with Wi-Fi 6 and AiMesh to deliver strong and stable performance, even at a distance. It lets multiple devices stay active and get diligent at multitasking. However, like my previous recommendation, it's on the expensive side.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Reliable and fast WiFi
- AiMesh compatible
- Excellent speeds
- Decent WiFi range
- Convenient design
Cons
- Expensive
3. Best Signal Quality: TP-Link RE550
- Fast AC1900 Dual Band WiFi - Simultaneous 600Mbps on 2.4GHz plus 1300Mbps on 5GHz
- Better WiFi Coverage with 3 Antennas - Three adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliable connections
- Gigabit Ethernet port - Act as a wireless adapter to connect a wired device to your network at Gigabit speed
- Intelligent Signal Light - Help to find the best location for optimal Wi-Fi coverage by showing the signal strength
- AP Mode - Create a new WiFi access point to enhance your wired network with WiFi capability
TP-Link RE550 takes the third spot on my list with some eye-catching features like a 2,800 Sq Ft range, decent throughput capacity, and stable signals.
Aside from that, it comes with OneMesh support that helps its cause of delivering stable and strong signals over a distance.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
RE550 gets its nose ahead to ASUS RP-AX56 with 1900 Mbps of speed capacity. It’s split between its two frequency bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
Compared to the RE450 I used before, there was a noticeable improvement in the performance.
At 15 feet with TP-Link Archer AX90 and Kinetic Fiber Gig plan, the extender could churn out speeds of 159 Mbps and 24 Mbps for downloads and uploads, respectively.
But with my testing device kept 35 feet away, the respective values stayed at around 91 Mbps and 16 Mbps. The decent speeds with stable signals (courtesy of OneMesh) make for a decent streaming and gaming experience, even at a distance.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
TP-Link RE550 hits the top of the ceiling with a massive theoretical coverage of 2,800 Sq Ft. And its 3 external antennas coupled with OneMesh tech work the magic throughout your entire space, including the backyard and garage.
Putting it in numbers, the numbers max out at 2,400 Sq Ft, which makes it one of the better extenders to cover long range.
Added to it, the MU-MIMO tech lets me connect up to 35 devices simultaneously, which ought to suffice for most residential and commercial network setups.
Conclusion
Priced at $70, TP-Link RE550 is a superb Kinetic WiFi extender that offers quality signals everywhere, regardless of its size or the extent to which devices are spread out.
With its extensive range, it likely surpasses many others and has the ability to form a mesh system alongside OneMesh-compatible routers. However, its older Wi-Fi standard takes it to the third position.
Pros
- Impeccable range
- Great WiFi speeds
- OneMesh compatible
- Strong & stable signals
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Old Wi-Fi standard
4. Best Value for Money: Linksys RE7000
- ELIMINATE DEAD ZONES AND BOOST AC1900 plus WIFI RANGE: Extend your home WiFi to hard-to-reach locations in your home such as your backyard, garage, or bedroom so you get AC1900 plus WiFi speeds to Smart TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, iPads, tablets, laptops and smartphones to enjoy streaming 4K / HD movies, simultaneous online gaming, social media, and more.The RE7000 has a slim, compact design: plug it into the bottom A/C outlet and you'll still have access to the outlet just above it.
- EXTEND NEXT-GEN AC WIFI TO MULTIPLE USERS WITH MULTI USER-MIMO: Next-Gen AC with MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) technology ensures your WiFi is delivered faster and with more efficient throughput to every MU-MIMO connected device. This means your whole household can surf the Internet, stream 4K and HD movies, play online games, and more simultaneously--without annoying buffering or lag.
- ROOM-TO-ROOM WIFI WITH SEAMLESS ROAMING: The AC1900 plus Range Extender offers Seamless Roaming as you move around your home when linked with a Max-Stream WiFi router. With Seamless Roaming, your enabled wireless devices will automatically switch to the strongest WiFi signal, so you won't have to manually connect to the router or range extender when you move from one room to another--or even to your backyard. This means that you can move freely throughout your home while video chatting or streaming videos without experiencing dropped calls or buffering.
- WORKS WITH ALL WIFI ROUTERS: This range extender is compatible with any WiFi router, including those from Internet service providers. There's no need to adjust your router's settings when installing the extender.
- EASY SETUP OPTIONS FOR OPTIMAL PLACEMENT: Simply press the Push Button Connect feature on the MAX-STREAM AC1900 plus to automatically sync it to your router. Simple setup from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
If you have a budget constraint and are searching for a reliable extender that works with Windstream, look at Linksys RE7000.
Despite coming at around $50, it boasts an excellent range, throughput capacity, and multi-device handling capacity to stay much ahead of its predecessor, RE6300. Let’s find out how it performs in real life.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
Linksys RE7000 comes at a speed rating of AC1900, which is shared by its two frequency bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
I connected it to the Linksys MR9600 router and Windstream’s 500 Mbps plan and measured the speeds on my iPhone 13.
Using the Ookla Speed test, the device managed a speed of 91 Mbps and 21 Mbps for downloads and uploads, respectively, at 15 feet. The respective speeds at 30 feet stand at 46 Mbps and 14 Mbps.
I had it placed in the basement, and my Steam downloads and internet-using experience improved majorly from just having a router. Overall, it's a good WiFi extender for the basement.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
With a theoretical range of 2,500 Sq Ft, the RE7000 ticks all the checklist to become a great budget Windstream extender. It outperforms most devices in this price range with a range of 2,100 Sq Ft in practical situations.
Despite lacking any mesh tech, signals weren’t much inconsistent over a distance, adding a few brownie points to the score.
But it entails a smart roaming tech that automatically detects and connects you to the best available network. This and courtesy of its better range, I could run the mini-setup established in the garage.
There are 10 devices there working with 22 other devices all across the home without any issues, and the credit goes to the MU-MIMO tech.
Conclusion
If you're looking to extend your Windstream internet connection over a wide area and happen to have a compatible Linksys router, the Linksys RE7000 presents itself as an excellent option on a budget.
This device effectively delivers reliable signals to multiple devices simultaneously, courtesy of its MU-MIMO, ensuring a satisfactory throughput performance.
Pros
- Smart roaming
- Decent speeds
- Decent coverage
- Budget-friendly
- Value for money
Cons
- Lack of mesh tech
5. Best for Streaming: Netgear EX6250
- EXTENDED WIRELESS COVERAGE: Adds WiFi range coverage up to 2000 sq ft, and connects up to 32 devices such as laptops, smartphones, speakers, IP cameras, tablets, IoT devices, and more.Connectivity protocol:Ethernet,Wi-Fi
- SEAMLESS SMART ROAMING: Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move around your home or office
- AC1750 WIFI SPEED: Provides up to 1750Mbps performance using dual-band and patented FastLane(TM) technology for demanding HD streaming and online gaming.
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: Works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with WiFi.
- WIRED ETHERNET PORT: Simply plug in game consoles, streaming players, or other wired devices into the one Gigabit port for maximum speed.
Netgear EX6250 is a pioneering, moderately priced dual-band Wi-Fi 5 extender to use with Windstream Internet. It's aimed at transmitting signals to an area of 2,000 square feet. It’s a solid performer and takes a few steps ahead of the model it replaces, primarily in terms of coverage and throughput capacity.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
This is an AC1750 extender, which means theoretically, it can achieve speeds on its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 450 Mbps |
Reflective of its affordable price, the Netgear EX6250 delivers solid but not class-leading performance in my testing.
Paired with Netgear RAX50 and Kinetic Fiber 500 Mbps plan, it achieves a score of 87 Mbps for downloads and 19 Mbps for uploads in my close proximity test (15 feet).
Results were similar in my 30 feet test, managing just 39 Mbps and 12 Mbps for respective speeds.
Aside from speeds, I used my WiFi analyzer app to test wireless strength, and the generated heat maps revealed that signal strength was mostly consistent across the space, despite entailing any mesh tech. It does get weak in the farthest corners.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
As per the spec sheet, the maximum area the signals cover can get as high as 2,500 Sq Ft. Its two antenna setup provides impressive signals with enough range to cover a two- to three-bedroom house easily.
Number-wise, the EX6250 could cover a maximum area of 2,200 Sq Ft, which means your blacked-out garage is now available to stream web shows or movies.
Besides, it does have a device-handling capacity of up to 28, thanks to the MU-MIMO tech. That’s more than enough for any residential setup, isn’t it? Plus, if you have an above-par router like me, the extender finds its use even in commercial setups.
Conclusion
Netgear EX6250 is a great Windstream range extender with an excellent range to cover most of your hard-to-reach areas like the basement, attic, garage, and others.
Despite lacking any mesh tech, signal strength was consistent in most areas and let you access decent speeds in the farthest spaces. But the thing is, my top recommendations offer better network quality and speeds despite coming at a similar price range.
Pros
- Netgear's reliability
- Solid wireless range
- Stable throughput
- Decent device handling capacity
- Easy to install
Cons
- Middling speeds
6. Cheapest Option: Netgear EX6110
- Device Type: range extender
- Condition: new
- Data Link Protocol: IEEE 802.11 AC
As I have reached the end of my list, let me present you with a cheap yet reliable extender option to set up in your space, i.e., Netgear EX6110.
The features it presents, like its dual-band Wi-Fi 5 setup, decent coverage, and others, make it a suitable choice for any mid-sized home with a decent networking setup.
Wireless & Wired Speeds
The throughput capacity of EX6110 maximizes at 1200 Mbps, where its two bands have a speed cap of:
| 5 GHz: 900 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps |
With just the extender setup with the Netgear RAX40 router, it clocked 20 Mbps for downloads to the receiving device 15 feet away. The uploads also weren’t bad at 10 Mbps.
Besides locking in FastLane technology, a feature exclusive to Netgear devices, the extender lets me stream HD movies and web shows sitting in my garage.
And as per the test with my WiFi extender app, the signal strength was more or less consistent over the area.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity
As obtained in my speed tests, the Netgear EX6110 could transmit signals as far as 1,200 Sq Ft. Such an additional range easily covered most parts of my backyard and garage. I could browse the web and listen to the music.
Other than that, he had around 11 devices connected simultaneously to the extender. However, it lacks MU-MIMO, so bandwidth-hogging tasks were prioritized with Fastlane technology, leading others to weaken a bit.
Conclusion
While the Netgear EX6110 may not excel in coverage and throughput, it should meet the majority of typical household networking requirements. Although it performed well in testing, there were occasional delays and interruptions when multiple devices were in use, mainly due to the absence of MU-MIMO.
Pros
- Stable throughput
- Compatible with any router
- Decent coverage
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Lack of MU-MIMO
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike modems, there’s no compatibility quotient with the extenders; therefore, you can pair any with your Windstream connection. But you must take note of a few things before making an investment, like the plan you’re subscribed to, the area you wish to cover, and others, so you don’t end up with a sub-par device.
Here are a few basic steps you must follow to connect your extender to a Windstream router:
– Place the extender at an optimal location, i.e., it has access to router signals as well as the area suffering from lack of signals.
– Plug in the device to a power plug and press the WPS button on the top. Follow it up by pressing the WPS button on the router.
– Login by entering the login credentials for the extender. Once logged in, follow the on-screen instructions to configure it.
– Connect the devices you wish to access the internet on, and that’s it.
Yes, mesh systems are miles ahead of WiFi extenders in terms of everything, including speeds, coverage, device handling, and others. But they are much costlier and might not be an option for many out there.
Verdict
That concludes my list of WiFi extenders for Kinetic Internet by Windstream. Most of you reached up to this point must have made a correct decision, but for those who still are confused, here’s a list of the best options:
- TP-Link RE700X is the best WiFi range extender you can find in the market. Its massive throughput capacity makes it suitable for Kinetic Fiber Gig plan.
- If you don’t have the facilities for that, go for Linksys RE7000. At around $50, it’s one of the best you’ve got.
- And finally, if you got that most basic setup with an entry-level plan, go for Netgear EX6110.
With that, I’ll wrap this up. Goodbye for now!
