Best WiFi Extenders to Eliminate Dead Zones in Your Home

Is your home plagued by WiFi dead zones? Perhaps the signal doesn‘t reach your home office or drops off in the backyard. If you have a large home or one with an unusual layout, even the best WiFi router may not provide complete coverage. That‘s where a WiFi range extender comes in.

A good extender picks up your router‘s WiFi signal, amplifies it, and rebroadcasts the boosted signal. When placed in the right spot, an extender can eliminate dead zones and provide WiFi to parts of your home the router can‘t reach on its own.

However, a WiFi extender is not a magic bullet for poor WiFi. It‘s important to choose the right type of device and to configure it optimally. Here‘s what you need to know to extend your WiFi network the right way.

Types of WiFi Extenders

WiFi extenders come in a few different form factors:

Plug-In Extenders

The most common type, plug-in extenders are compact devices that plug directly into a wall outlet. Setup is simple – just plug it in, press the WPS button to sync it with your router, and the extended network is up and running.

The main benefit is the small size. A plug-in extender stays out of the way and doesn‘t take up shelf or counter space. On the downside, the compact design limits antenna size and overall power. Coverage and speed won‘t be as good as larger extenders.

Desktop Extenders

Desktop WiFi extenders are larger, standalone devices designed to sit on a desk, shelf, or table. The bigger size allows for more powerful hardware, larger antennas, and additional features like Ethernet ports and USB connectivity.

Desktop models typically offer faster speeds and wider coverage than plug-ins. They take up more space and tend to cost more, but provide a more robust solution for larger homes.

Powerline Extenders

Powerline extenders use your home‘s electrical wiring to create a wired connection back to the router and avoid potential interference and range issues. The kit includes two adapters – one connected to the router, and one in the room where you need better WiFi.

With powerline, distance from the router is not an issue. The extended WiFi can reach any room with an electrical outlet. Speeds can be very good if your home has high-quality wiring. The downside is it requires two bulky adapters and is more complex to set up.

Matching Your Extender to Your Router

When choosing a WiFi extender, a key consideration is compatibility with your existing router. While an extender will technically work with any router, you‘ll get the best results if you match up the capabilities.

Look for an extender that supports the same WiFi standard (802.11ac/WiFi 5, WiFi 6, etc.) and the same maximum speed as your router. An AC1200 router will work best with an AC1200 extender, an AC1900 mesh router with an AC1900 mesh extender, and so on. Don‘t pay extra for extender features your router can‘t take advantage of.

If you have a mesh-capable router, using a mesh extender from the same manufacturer will provide the best experience – a true mesh system rather than an cobbled-together extended network. The NETGEAR Orbi and Linksys Velop are two examples of mesh extenders that create a seamless mesh network when paired with a compatible router.

Steps to Take Before Buying

Before investing in a new piece of networking hardware, it‘s worth doing some due diligence to see if you can improve your WiFi with the equipment you already have.

Map Out Your Existing Coverage

Start by analyzing your current WiFi coverage. Is it as bad as you think? You may just need to tweak router placement rather than adding an extender. I recommend using a WiFi analyzer app like NetSpot to map out signal strength around your home. This will highlight true dead zones.

Optimize Router Placement

If the analysis reveals some dead zones, try relocating your router to a more central location in the home. Avoid placing it near thick walls, large metal objects, or appliances that can interfere with the signal. A small adjustment can make a big difference.

Consider Replacing Your Router

If your router is more than a few years old, it may be time for an upgrade. A new router with the latest technology can provide better speed and range than an old router plus extender combo. For very large homes, a tri-band router is ideal to reduce congestion.

Upgrade to a Mesh Network

For the best whole-home coverage, a mesh WiFi system is the way to go. A mesh system consists of a main router and one or more satellite units placed around the home. The mesh satellites communicate with each other to provide seamless coverage.

Unlike an extender, devices don‘t have to switch between networks as you move through the house. Many mesh systems can cover homes of 5,000 sq. ft. or more with strong, reliable WiFi. Mesh does cost more than an extender, but may be the better long-term investment.

How We Picked the Best WiFi Extenders

Our selection of the best WiFi range extenders is based on several key criteria:

Positive Ratings from Real Users

We heavily weighed the reviews and ratings of real owners of these products. User feedback provides excellent insight into real-world performance. All of our picks have at least a 4 out of 5 star average rating from hundreds of customers.

Easy Setup and Management

Adding an extender shouldn‘t require an engineering degree. We sought out devices with clear, straightforward setup via app or browser interface. WPS support for push-button sync with the router was a must-have.

Strong Performance and Specs

Our picks deliver AC1200 speeds or better and support the latest WiFi 5 (802.11ac) standard. We looked for advanced features like MU-MIMO, beamforming, and FastLane technology to maintain strong speed throughout the extended network.

Fair Pricing

Extender prices range from under $50 to nearly $200. We sought out the best values in terms of performance per dollar at various price points to fit any budget. Our top picks strike an excellent balance between price and capability.

Best WiFi Range Extenders

Best Overall: TP-Link RE650 AC2600

For most homes, the TP-Link RE650 hits the sweet spot of speed, range, features and price. This plug-in extender delivers AC2600 speeds (up to 800Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1733Mbps on 5GHz) and can cover a home of up to 14,000 square feet.

Using TP-Link‘s Intelligent Processing Engine, the RE650 identifies the optimal WiFi channel for each device to avoid congestion. MU-MIMO and beamforming deliver faster speeds for compatible devices. Setup is a breeze using the Tether smartphone app or the RE button.

With four gigabit Ethernet ports, the RE650 can connect wired devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs. For under $150, it‘s simply the best all-around extender on the market. It‘s an excellent match for most modern routers.

Top Premium Pick: NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S EX8000

Have a large home with a high-end router? The NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S is the most powerful tri-band extender you can buy. It delivers combined speeds up to 3Gbps and can extend your network up to a whopping 168 feet.

The dedicated 1.7GHz band acts as a backhaul to communicate with your router, freeing up the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for your devices. With dynamic frequency selection, the X6S automatically chooses the best WiFi band for each device for optimal performance.

Other standout features include a quad-core processor, MU-MIMO, and six high-performance antennas. You also get four gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 2.0 port for connecting peripherals. For very large homes with high-end routers, the X6S is worth the premium price.

Best Powerline Extender: TP-Link TL-WPA8630P

For bringing WiFi to a distant room like a garage or basement, a powerline extender kit like the TP-Link TL-WPA8630P is an excellent option. It uses your home‘s electrical wiring to create a wired backhaul to the router.

In our tests, the TL-WPA8630P hit speeds up to 680Mbps. That‘s more than enough for HD streaming, gaming, and more. We also like the three Ethernet ports on the receiving adapter for connecting game consoles, smart TVs, and other devices.

The kit includes two adapters pre-paired out of the box. Just plug one into the router and the other where you need WiFi and you‘re all set. For under $150, the TL-WPA8630P is great for extending strong WiFi to hard-to-reach areas.

Other Excellent Options

Budget Pick: TP-Link RE220

The TP-Link RE220 is proof that you don‘t have to spend a fortune for good WiFi coverage. For under $30, this plug-in extender delivers dual-band AC750 speeds, two external antennas, and an Ethernet port. It covers up to 1,200 sq. ft. and supports 20 devices. If you have a small home or apartment, the RE220 gets the job done.

For Mesh Lovers: NETGEAR EX7700

The NETGEAR EX7700 is a great pick if you have a mesh-capable NETGEAR router like the Orbi. When synced, the EX7700 acts as a mesh satellite, providing seamless roaming with a single network name.

It‘s a tri-band extender with a dedicated backhaul band delivering speeds up to 2.2Gbps. The fold-out design is convenient while the two Ethernet ports add flexibility. For Orbi owners, it‘s a no-brainer upgrade.

Best Desktop Extender: D-Link DAP-1650

Prefer a desktop form factor? The D-Link DAP-1650 packs in AC1200 dual-band speeds, four Ethernet ports, and a USB port. The two external antennas are adjustable for optimal positioning. Signal strength LEDs help you find the best placement while the Smart Signal Indicator in the app ensures your devices always connect to the strongest signal.

Key Things to Know About WiFi Extenders

They Can Cut Your Bandwidth in Half

Some cheaper extenders can actually cut your bandwidth in half. That‘s because they use a single radio for both receiving the signal from the router and re-broadcasting it to devices. Look for dual-band extenders with a dedicated backhaul band to avoid this issue.

The More Radios the Better

The best extenders are tri-band, meaning they have three separate radios (2.4GHz, 5GHz-1, and 5GHz-2). One 5GHz band communicates with the router while the other two are dedicated to your devices. This prevents speed slowdowns as more devices connect.

MU-MIMO Makes a Difference

MU-MIMO technology allows an extender to communicate with multiple devices at the same time rather than rapidly switching between them. This greatly improves speed and responsiveness when you have many connected devices. For busy networks, MU-MIMO support is a must-have.

Mesh is Best

If you have a mesh router system, using an extender from the same brand in mesh mode will provide the best experience. In mesh mode, the extender works as part of a single unified network rather than creating a separate extended network. Your devices can roam seamlessly without losing their connection.

Wrapping Up

The right WiFi extender can make a huge difference in your home, letting you enjoy strong coverage in areas that were previously dead zones. To recap our top picks:

• For most homes, go with the TP-Link RE650.
• Have a mansion? Grab the NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S.
• The TP-Link TL-WPA8630P is best for extending via powerline.
• On a budget? The TP-Link RE220 is a steal.
• For NETGEAR Orbi mesh owners, the EX7700 is the one to get.

Consider your home size, router capabilities, and budget when making your choice. And don‘t forget to tweak your router placement and settings before committing to an extender.

With the right extender in the right location, you‘ll enjoy strong whole-home WiFi for all your devices. Wave goodbye to dead zones for good!