Wi-Fi Extenders and Their Usage
Wi-Fi extenders are also called range expanders that help us to maximize the reach of the wireless internet or give internet access to the areas where there are weak or no signals. It is situated between a base router and a recipient that is not close enough to the base router to receive acceptable internet connectivity.
You may be using good internet packages such as the spectrum tv service yet your television in the den may be facing blockages. Whereas the television in your living room situated next to your Wi-Fi router will be perfectly streaming. This is because the television in the den does not receive signals as strong as the television in the living room does.
To solve this issue Wi-Fi extenders are installed that work as signal boosters between the base router and the recipient.
Table of Contents
Types of Wi-Fi Extenders
- External Antennas
Some extenders have external antennas that connect to wireless devices to send and receive signals.
- Powerline Adapters
Powerline adapters make use of existing electrical wiring in your house or building to connect to your wireless provider.
- Weather-Proof Extenders
Weatherproof extenders are mostly used outdoors to cater to a broader area. They are not weather sensitive.
- Router and Extender Combos
If you are satisfied with your current Wi-Fi router, then installing an extender to reach out to no connectivity zones is the most efficient and cost-effective method. Wi-Fi extenders are much cheaper than mesh routers.
Are Wi-Fi Extenders Worth It?
As the number of smart devices in houses and commercial entities is increasing every day. A strong Wi-Fi connection is integral to back up all these devices to ensure smooth running of operations. Therefore good use of Wi-Fi extenders can be made based on user requirements.
Best Wi-Fi Extenders of 2023
Below is a list of the top Wi-Fi extenders of 2023
TP_Link RE605X
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Speed Rating | AX1800 |
| Range |
Up to 1500 square ft
|
| Wireless Network Security | WPA 2 |
| Bands |
Dual Band (2.4 and 5 GHz)
|
RE605X is one of the most popular picks in the range extender category with a variety of options to choose from at various price points. It has a highly capable AX1800 design and fully supports Wifi 6 speed and features. Its adjustable antennas and user friendly control app make it run smoothly both on iOS and Android. Even its performance in the basement is just as good as the upper floors with strong signal inhibition.
Linksys RE7310
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Speed Rating | AX1800 |
| Range |
Up to 2000 square ft
|
| Wireless Network Security | WPA 2 |
| Bands |
Dual Band (2.4 and 5GHz)
|
Linksys RE7310 has almost the same capacity and specifications as TP-Link RE605X. Its only shortcoming is its inability to connect well with earlier-gen Wi-Fi 5 devices, particularly with respect to upload speeds. But its performance otherwise, is exceptional across the board and at all levels including the basement.
TP-Link Re220
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Speed Rating | AC750 |
| Range |
Up to 1200 square ft.
|
| Wireless Network Security | WPA 2 |
| Bands |
Dual Band (2.4 and 5GHz)
|
Tp-Link RE220 is fast-paced, reliable, and connects with almost all kinds of Wi-Fi routers. It is easy to use and entails a strong capacity to catch signals ensuring undisrupted Wi-Fi connectivity without dropping signals. It is extremely pocket friendly and works just as well as any other Wi-Fi extender available in the market. The only unimpressive aspect of RE220 is its performance with Wi-Fi 6 speeds.
D-Link EaglePro AI
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Speed Rating | AX1500 |
| Range |
Up to 2600 square ft
|
| Wireless Network Security | WPA 3 |
| Bands |
Dual-Band (2.4 and 5 GHz)
|
D-Link EaglePro AI
EaglePro AI is much cheaper than the top list extenders mentioned in the list, but it has the same speed Wi-Fi 6 model and has a refurbished user-friendly Control App for Android and iOS.Adjustable antennas and software that easily syncs up with your router to form a unified network as soon as you first set things up.
Netgear Nighthawk X4S (EX7500)
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Speed Rating | AC2200 |
| Range |
Up to 2300 square ft.
|
| Wireless Netwrok Security | WPA, WPA 2 |
| Bands |
Tri Band (2.4 and two 5 GHz)
|
As soon as Netgear Nighthawk X4S is plugged in it automatically syncs in your router to as a single, integrated network that efficiently connects your device with the router and extender as needed. It also has a multi-feature control app that makes its usage much more convenient.
D-Link DAP-X1870
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Speed Rating | AX1800 |
| Range |
Up to 2600 square ft
|
| Wireless Network Security | WPA WPA 2 |
| Bands |
Dual-Band (2.4 and 5GHz)
|
D-Link DAP-X1870 is an excellent extender and at par with all top-of-the-line extenders discussed in this article with respect to its performance and features. It syncs in with your router organically forming a unified network throughout. However, it is slightly more expensive than the other extenders having the same features.