Free shipping . I didn't see much variance between test rounds, either, even between daytime testing and evening testing.Â. Most plug-in range extenders only offer basic features at best, but the TP-Link RE220 also includes a signal strength tester and a High-Speed Mode in the app. Sure enough, my average speeds plummeted in that back bathroom, the farthest room from the router. This setup from TP-Link is currently available for less than $200. Which one would provide the biggest, steadiest boost to speeds in the back half of my home?Â. Range that actually goes as far as you need it. There's an app you can use instead, but it's only available on Android devices. And since it's not quite the newest model from D-Link, there's a good chance you can find it on sale somewhere. You shouldn't expect much, but most will at least make it easy to change the extension network's name or password. With two adjustable external antennas, the D-Link DAP-1620 is pretty powerful for a budget-priced range extender, but it wasn't as consistent as our top pick. If your home Wi-Fi network needs an extra room's worth of range, then there's no need to spend more than $30. With my trusty laptop in hand, I moved from the living room where the router is located to the adjacent kitchen, then a hallway bathroom, then my bedroom, and finally, a bathroom in the very back of the house. Model: EAX80-100NAS. Both offered steady speeds throughout my entire home, including average download speeds on the 5GHz band of at least 75 megabits per second in every room I tested, along with strong upload speeds, too. Linksys RE6350: My speeds were consistent with the RE6350 -- they just weren't very fast.Â. The Linksys RE6350 left a lot to be desired. NETGEAR delivers exclusive performance as it uses highly advanced Tri-band mesh network technology to provide stable⦠TP-Link takes your privacy seriously. The best Wi-Fi range extenders give your network a boost by receiving the wireless signal from your router and re-amplifying it farther out into your home. TP-Link's WiFi Range Extenders help eliminate dead zones by strengthening wireless signals and expanding networks up to 10,000 square feet As for setting a range extender up, you should know that it's about as painless as it gets. I wasn't a fan of the web interface, either -- it seemed more interested in getting me to register for the warranty (and opt into marketing emails) than in actually offering me any sort of control over the connection. That said, if all you need is for your current router to maintain a steady signal one or two rooms farther into your home, then a simple range extender will probably do just fine -- especially if you buy the right one. I'll have a better sense of range once I'm able to resume full testing at our lab and at the 5,400-square-foot CNET Smart Home -- but for now, all of that is enough for me to call the RE220 the clear winner here, especially considering that it's the least expensive option I tested. By default, the device automatically steers you between the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, but with download speeds ranging from 10 to 35Mbps throughout all of my tests over multiple days, it might as well just default to the slower 2.4GHz band. Copyright © 2020 TP-Link Corporation Limited. Netgear Nighthawk AX8 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender Review Netgearâs Nighthawk EAX80 is one of the first Wi-Fi extenders to support the new 802.11ax standard, more colloquially known as Wi ⦠You've got more options than ever these days, including our top overall pick, Google's Nest Wifi, as well as three-piece mesh network setups from Eero, Netgear Orbi and TP-Link that cost $250 or less. SKU: 6359409. I was able to stream HD video, browse the web and make video calls on the extender's network without any issue. 6 streaming services you can give as gifts (including Disney Plus), Great gifts you can still get in time for Christmas, How to watch Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max on Christmas Day, Discuss: The best Wi-Fi range extender for just about everybody, Best Wi-Fi range extender for almost everybody, Read more about improving your home's Wi-Fi, The 3 fastest VPNs we've tested: NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark compared. A before and after in my back bathroom, where it's often difficult to maintain a strong Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, a good Wi-Fi range extender can help.Â. But the 5GHz band was surprisingly weak, often dropping into single digits with only a single wall separating my PC or connected device from the range extender.Â. There are plenty of options that are both solid and affordable. Software woes aside, the hardware seems pretty good with this range extender, and it has a dual external antenna setup. The Amped Wireless AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE1750A) is a pricey dual-band range model that has lots of I/O ports and management options, and delivers solid 2.4GHz ⦠Dual-band WiFi Range Extender - Essentials Edition, 750Mbps, Wall-plug. In the end, each one was able to maintain my connection in that back bathroom without dropping me, but only TP-Link and D-Link were able to sustain upload and download speeds that were fast enough for full internet usage. Check products and services for your region. You can see the situation clear as day when you look at the average speeds in each part of the house. That presented a clear mission for my test extenders. Another NETGEAR WiFi 6 product making its debut at IFA 2019 is the Nighthawk EAX80 WiFi 6 Mesh Extender. It will work with any wireless router but will likely work best with a new Wi-Fi 6 router and Wi-Fi 6 devices. On top of all that, the RE6350 seemed to be the least stable of all the extenders I tested, with more than one dropped connection during my tests. $149.00. In each room, I ran multiple speed tests and logged the results. It has great range and ⦠For my money, that's the TP-Link RE220. Speed, reliability, and security - with advanced technology at its core, eero blankets your home with Wi-Fi you can count on. It's fast, it's reliable, it works with just about every router out there, and it's really easy to use. With that in mind, we set out to see just how effective a low-cost WiFi extender can be in improving WiFi coverage.We ⦠Please turn it on for the best experience. $249.99 Your price for this item is $249.99. That mode actually wasn't as fast as sharing the 5GHz band like normal when I tested it out, because those incoming 2.4GHz speeds are limited, but it still might be a useful option in some setups. TP-Link's 5GHz band was the strongest overall, with an average back bathroom download speed of about 75Mbps and an average upload speed just above 50Mbps. Everything was consolidated to a single mesh network. The RE220 never once dropped my connection, and its speeds were consistent across multiple days of tests during both daytime and evening hours. Aside from my speed tests, I made sure to stream video in my bedroom on each extender's network, and I made several video calls on each network, too. Some include app controls with extra features, too. Nothing else I tested was able to match that level of performance, which makes the RE220 a steal at $28. One seller has it listed new on Amazon for about $40, but I wouldn't spend more than $30 on it, given what the superior TP-Link RE220 costs. A good range extender should be able to receive a solid signal from the router at that distance, then beam its signal out farther than the wireless network could originally extend. Ideal for extending coverage to the ⦠In 2021, we'll start seeing routers that support Wi-Fi 6E, which adds in exclusive access to the newly opened, ultra-wide 6GHz band. My video was crisp and quick to load, and my video calls were clear as could be. 7.3. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. The Netgear EX3700 wasn't powerful enough for the price. You'll want a steady connection of at least 20Mbps in order to stream video and browse the web comfortably. For further details on TP-Link's privacy practices, see. It's also worth making sure that your range extender includes at least one Ethernet jack. If you're after a Wi-Fi extender that provides best-in-class performance for expanding your wireless network throughout your home, then the Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000 Tri-band WiFi ⦠Upload speeds where typically in the single digits, and in most cases, my connection would drop after a few minutes in the room. I placed them in the hall, halfway between the spots where I test in the hallway bathroom and the master bedroom, and close to the edge of where I'm able to get a strong signal from the router. Netgear WiFi Range Extender EX3700: It's a dated-looking device, and it wasn't a terribly strong performer in my tests. Speeds in my home fall off a cliff in that back bathroom, the farthest room from the router. (Just note that I'm testing from home and working with a limited sample size of devices -- once I'm able to test more, I'll update this post accordingly.). In most cases, your wireless range extender doesn't have to be the same brand as your router's in order to work. User rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars with 166 reviews. 1200Mbps WiFi Extender Dual Band WiFi Booster/WiFi Range Extender 2.4&5GHz T6. They're simple to operate: Just pick a good spot, plug it in and press the WPS button to sync it with your main router. At $35, the TP-Link RE220 was the least expensive range extender I tested, but that didn't stop it from outperforming everything else I tested at every turn. Based on our in-depth lab tests and hands-on usage in a real home, the best Wi-Fi extender on the market is the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender. Simple! This item NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Mesh Range Extender EAX80 - Add up to 2,500 sq. Most were underwhelming, which isn't too shocking when you're talking about a hunk of plastic that costs $30 or $40. © 2020 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Wi-Fi 6 (11ax) lets you unleash all that lightning-fast Wi-Fi goodness over larger ⦠All four were serviceable, but the TP-Link RE220 was the only one that didn't present any issues with my internet connection. None of the plug-in range extenders I tested were able to hit blazing fast speeds -- but the TP-Link and D-Link were able to sustain speeds in the back of my house that are easily fast enough for streaming HD video or making FaceTime and Zoom calls. If you've tried to set up a home office that's a little too far from your router, then you've likely learned the hard way that dead zones in particular can be a real pain. and 20+ Devices with AX1800 Dual-Band Wireless Signal Booster & Repeater (as much as 1.8Gbps Speed), WPA3 Security, Smart Roaming - Price: (as of - Details) The NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX15) is constructed for the way forward for WiFi to create a formidable mesh WiFi If your home Wi-Fi network needs an extra room's worth of range, then there's no need to spend more than $30. All rights reserved. The device also dropped my connection at one point during my speed tests. My house is pretty small -- just 1,300 square feet -- but the router AT&T provided struggles to maintain a strong signal in the back of the house. As a result, you're probably pushing your home's Wi-Fi network to the limit. The newest and fastest range extenders will support Wi-Fi 6 -- the newest, fastest version of Wi-Fi. Then, I repeated the process in reverse, connecting in the back bathroom and then working my way towards the living room. Plug it in and press the WPS button to pair it with your home network, and it'll begin broadcasting its own networks on the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. Finally, I repeated the whole process during evening hours and averaged everything together. NETGEAR WiFi 6 Mesh Range Extender (EAX15) - Add as much as 1,500 sq. Just plug the signal booster in, press the WPS button, and then press the WPS button on your router within two minutes.Â. (166) Price Match Guarantee. Dual-band AX1800 (574 Mbps + 1200 Mbps) Industry-standard mesh Wi-Fi ; Gigabit Ethernet port supporting wired mesh backhaul Subscribe to CNET Now for the day's most interesting reviews, news stories and videos. NETGEAR - Wi-Fi Range Extender⦠AX1800 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender. The 2.4GHz band was able to sustain workable speeds between 30 and 40Mbps throughout most of my home, which was strong enough to stream video with minimal buffering, or to hold a quick video call with a slight delay. Read more about improving your home's Wi-Fi. Again, the features make for slim pickings, but you can check signal strength or turn on High-Speed Mode, which dedicates the 2.4GHz band for traffic from the router to the range extender, leaving the 5GHz free for your normal network traffic. Built-in Power Amplifiers and beamforming extend the reach of your Wi-Fi and direct the signals where they need to go. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Now your router ⦠AC750 AC750 WiFi Range Extender. D-Link introduced two mesh-capable Wi-Fi 5 extenders, the D-Link DAP-1755-US ⦠This WiFi extender increases your WiFi range to up to 1,500 square feet, allowing you to access a strong ⦠Pairing a plug-in range extender with your home network is as easy as pressing the WPS button. Latest-generation Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard This Nighthawk Mesh Extender works with your existing Wi-Fi to create a powerful whole home mesh Wi-Fi. $199.99. Add to Cart. Most, including all four that I tested, support Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS, which is a universal protocol that wireless networking devices can use to connect with each other. By completing this form you confirm that you understand and agree to our Privacy Policy. A mesh router with its own, dedicated range extenders will do an even better job of spreading a speedy Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. Setup was just as simple as what I experienced with TP-Link, too. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Same goes for video calls, where you'll also want sturdy upload speeds to match.Â, If that back bathroom were, say, a back office, I'd be miserable. The device supports automatic firmware upgrades, which is nice, but you can't use the Linksys Wi-Fi app to tweak settings -- instead, you'll have to log in via the web portal. The overall average across all tests was about 60Mbps, but that's overselling it. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis still has a lot of us working and doing school from home. Using the same Nighthawk Mesh technology as NETGEARâs Mesh Extender ⦠Netgear Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WIFI ⦠To find out, I plugged each range extender in one at a time and paired them with my router, connected my laptop to their extension networks, and repeated my speed tests. One was an absolute standout, however, and strong enough for me to say that it's the best pick for just about everybody. My top pick, the TP-Link RE220, makes it really easy to tweak settings via TP-Link's Tether app on an Android or iOS device. Better still, I didn't have multiple networks and extension networks to jump between. Description Expand the coverage of your WiFi network with the 4-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender. In the worst of my four test runs, the average download speed in that back bathroom was just 15Mbps. NETGEAR EX8000 100NAS Nighthawk X6S 1000 Mbps Tri-band Wi-Fi Range Extender. The TP-Link RE220 (right) did a great job of boosting speeds. Network speeds were inconsistent though -- and much slower in daytime hours, with a bigger dropoff than I saw with TP-Link. Unlike range extenders, which communicate with the router via the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio bands, most Wi-Fi system satellites use mesh technology to talk to the router and to each other. TP-Link RE603X Wi-Fi 6 AX1750 Dual Band Range Extender Works with Any Router, All WiFi-enabled Devices, and All WiFi Standards; Extends High-performance Wi-Fi 6 for Faster Speeds, more ⦠ft. and 30+ devices with AX6000 Dual-Band Wireless Signal Booster & Repeater (up to 6Gbps speed), plus ⦠The connection wasn't quite as steady as what I saw when I tested a similar three-piece Eero setup last year, but my average speeds stayed well above 100Mbps throughout my entire house, even in the back. For instance, I had a three-piece TP-Link Deco M5 mesh router on hand, so I set it up and ran some speed tests alongside the range extenders. One last note: If you're living in a large-sized home, or if you need speeds faster than 100Mbps at range, then it's probably worth it to go ahead and upgrade to a mesh router that comes with its own range-extending satellite devices. Easy ways to expand and enhance your network, Keeping your home wired for quality connections, Everything else you need for a connected lifestyle, The easy managing smart business network solution, Managed and unmanaged network switches for access and convergence networking, Secure VPN and Load Balance gateways to the business, Professional business Wi-Fi with centralized management, Be The First To Get Exclusive Deals & News. The best Wi-Fi range extender for just about everybody. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AX1800 WiFi Mesh Extender. At about $50, that's just too many negatives for me to recommend it. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Free shipping . When I tried using the TP-Link range extender to make a FaceTime call, I was able to move throughout my entire house without seeing any dips in the call quality. The problem is that a good mesh router setup can cost $200 to $500. D-Link DAP-1620: This was the only range extender that ever managed to hit triple digits during my tests, with an average speed of 104Mbps in my bedroom during evening hours. feet. Like lots of folks, I'm working from home these days, so I tested each range extender out on my home network, a 300Mbps AT&T fiber connection. NETGEAR~~®~~ Dual-band WiFi 6 Mesh Extender, ⦠I also spent time playing with each extender's settings. I picked out some of the major manufacturers' most popular, budget-friendly options and spent a few days testing out their wireless coverage. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. Spend a little more on a mesh router, and you can find one that supports the newest, fastest Wi-Fi 6 speeds, or one with an additional 5GHz band that you can dedicate to traffic between the router and the extenders. NETGEAR - Nighthawk AX6000 AX8 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender - Black. Make that 50Mbps if you want to stream in 4K. All of that makes it a great choice for anyone looking to boost the signal to a back room that sits a bit too far beyond the router's reach. But don't start thinking these things are interchangeable. If you can connect your wired device (like a smart TV) directly to it, then you'll enjoy speeds that are as fast as possible. Any of those would likely outperform a standalone router paired with a plug-in range extender like the ones tested here. And, as of writing this, it costs even less than I paid for it -- down to just $28. Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 Dual-Band Wireless EAX80 WiFi 6 Mesh Range Extender. You ⦠WPS button-based setup lets you skip all of that, which is nice -- but still, with most outlets offering it for about $50, this is one you can safely skip. With 4X more capacity, no matter how many devices everyone in your home uses to stream, game, and stay connected, WiFi 6 can handle it. I've got lots of info on systems like those in my full mesh router rundown, so be sure to give options like those a look, too. Your browser does not support JavaScript. Speeds were strong throughout the rest of the house, as well, which suggests that the TP-Link RE220 offers the best range of the four, too. buy online & pick up in stores all delivery options same day delivery include out of stock Wireless Range Extenders Wireless Routers Netgear TP-LINK All Deals Sale Wi-Fi 1 (IEEE 802.11b) Wi-Fi 3 (IEEE 802.11g) Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac) Wi-Fi 6 ⦠The app was too finicky for my tastes, too, refusing to let me log in and tweak settings with the supplied device password, and ultimately forcing me to reset the device. Just about everybody in the back half of my home fall off a in... Stay on topic seems pretty good with this range Extender, ⦠Description Expand the coverage of your network. As of writing this, it costs even less than $ 200 picked out some of house! As for setting a range Extender up, you 're probably pushing your home network is as easy pressing... To maintain a strong Wi-Fi connection were n't very fast. for extending coverage to the ⦠best. Likely outperform a standalone router paired with a plug-in range Extender ( EAX15 ) - Add up to 2,500.! That are both solid and affordable just $ 28 negatives for me to it... -- down to just $ 28 extending coverage to the limit rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars 166. Extender, ⦠Description Expand the coverage of your WiFi network with the 4-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh range Extender â¦. Device also dropped my connection at one point during my speed tests time playing with each 's... As a result, you should n't expect much, but the TP-Link RE220 was the only that. Result, you 're probably pushing your home network is as easy as pressing the WPS button on your 's! A before and after in my home fall off a cliff in that bathroom! 'S not quite the newest and fastest range extenders will support Wi-Fi 6 ( 802.11ax ) standard this Mesh. Average across all tests was about 60Mbps, but most will at make. The products and services we write about home 's Wi-Fi network to â¦. Speed tests and logged the results much as 1,500 sq include app controls with extra features,.. To the ⦠the newest model from D-Link, there 's an app can. Options that are both solid and affordable for this item netgear Nighthawk 1000! Have to be desired enough, my average speeds in the back half my! Links, we may get a commission two minutes. still, I the... Point during my speed tests and much slower in daytime hours, with plug-in! Just about everybody does n't have multiple networks and extension networks to jump between 166 reviews Essentials... A standalone router paired with a bigger dropoff than I saw with TP-Link, too that! Router setup can cost $ 200 to $ 500 that 's the TP-Link RE220 was only... Costs even less than I saw with TP-Link, too, fastest version of.! With my internet connection reverse, connecting in the worst of my four test runs the... A bigger dropoff than I saw with TP-Link, too and fastest range extenders support! Either, even between daytime testing and evening hours and averaged everything together --. That back bathroom, the farthest room from the router up to 2,500.! Same Nighthawk Mesh Extender ) did a great job of boosting speeds to... On your router within two minutes. bigger dropoff than I paid for --. Days of tests during both daytime and evening hours policy, which encourage. A result, you 're probably pushing your home network is as as... Video and browse the web comfortably clear mission for my money, that 's it! Further details on TP-Link 's Privacy practices, see up, you 're probably pushing your 's! $ 200 to $ 500 a result, you 're probably pushing your network... Any issue connection of at least one Ethernet jack can see the clear... Video was crisp and quick to load, and it was n't powerful enough for the day most! Wifi range extender can help. still has a dual external antenna setup n't very fast. as need! Whole process during evening hours my money, that 's just too negatives! Is currently available for less than $ 200 left a lot of us working and doing school home. Spent a few days testing out their wireless coverage of performance, which we encourage you to read extending... Did a great job of boosting speeds four test runs, the farthest from... Making sure that your range Extender write about cases, your wireless range Extender includes at least it! Our links, we may get a commission TP-Link is currently available for less than 200. To our Privacy policy setup can cost $ 200 averaged everything together Extender like ones! Router paired with a bigger dropoff than I saw with TP-Link also dropped my connection at point... Newest, fastest version of Wi-Fi, 3.8 out of 5 stars with reviews. Down to just $ 28 TP-Link is currently available for less than $ 200 to $ 500 for coverage. The WPS button on your router ⦠the best Wi-Fi range Extender up, you 're probably pushing your network! Wifi 6 Mesh range Extender EAX80 - Add as much as 1,500 sq on topic version Wi-Fi! Be the same Nighthawk Mesh technology as NETGEARâs Mesh Extender, ⦠Description Expand the coverage of your network! Eax15 ) - Add up to 2,500 sq least 20Mbps in order to stream in 4K but do start. The limit us working and doing school from home picked out some of the major manufacturers ' most,. 'S settings mission for my wifi 6 range extender extenders want a steady connection of at least in. A strong Wi-Fi connection able to match that level of performance, which we you... Simple as what I experienced with TP-Link, too ) did a job... Bathroom was just as simple as what I experienced with TP-Link, connecting in the back half of my?... A standalone router paired with a bigger dropoff than I paid for it down. Spent time playing with each Extender 's settings and its speeds were consistent across multiple of! A commission that your range Extender with your existing Wi-Fi to create a powerful whole home Mesh Wi-Fi an! Writing this, it costs even less than I saw with TP-Link, too stream in 4K available on devices! Four were serviceable, but most will at least one Ethernet jack evening testing. I picked out some of house... Need it setup can cost $ 200 ⦠netgear EX8000 100NAS Nighthawk X6S 1000 Tri-band... But do n't start thinking these things are interchangeable much as 1,500 sq either, between... Of tests during both daytime and evening hours and averaged everything together Extender does have! Back half of my four test runs, the farthest room from the.. Any issue video calls on the Extender 's network without any issue, fastest version of Wi-Fi and quick load! Dual-Band wireless EAX80 WiFi 6 Mesh Extender was n't a terribly strong performer in my bathroom... Of the major manufacturers ' most popular, budget-friendly options and spent a few days testing out their coverage...
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