What you look for from a WiFi extender might be different from other readers, and that’s ok. Every home is just a bit different, and therefore so will network needs. Yet developers and manufacturers of these products know this. To this end, there are plenty of products on the market, meant for people with different homes, budgets, and download speed needs. There can be a lot to consider, and there is also a lot of junk on the market as well.
We want to help you avoid that, by narrowing down the WiFi extenders on the market to the top performers. We selected one option for five categories that are each best for a certain kind of user, so we can ensure there’s something for everyone. Here are our top five WiFi extenders for people in 2024:
1. Best All-Around Option: TP-Link RE650 AC2600 WiFi Range Extender
If you’re looking for the best overall WiFi extender that you can keep confidence in, then you’ll want the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 WiFi Range Extender. It is a wireless extender made for performance and yet still remains accessible to the average person, and we suspect it will be one of the best for some time to come.
It has 4X4 MU-MIMO for faster performance and simultaneous handling of devices, an ethernet port for the fastest connections, and a signal light to help you find the exact right spot to put it. With its 4-stream setup, it has simultaneous 800Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1733Mbps on 5GHz. This might be one of the best speeds you’ll see on this level of extenders and is more than enough to help the average home. The setup with four antennas also boosts its range. While connection stability will never be as perfect as with a direct connection to the modem, the extender does its best to keep things at their best: as if you didn’t remember you had an extender.
If you need a range extender quickly and don’t want to or cannot spend the time to look into every option, look into this one. It will serve you well just about no matter the use case.
Pros:
- Plenty of features that make this extender a breeze to use and control.
- Some of the highest available download speeds you can find on a reasonably priced WiFi extender, allowing you to make the most of your high-tier home internet service plan.
- It is likely to continue the trend set by an excellent internet connection and an excellent router. Whether you use one or more, this will allow you to have a connected home.
Cons:
- It can be relatively expensive when compared to other non-specialized WiFi extenders or those with lower speeds.
- It may not have the full reach or speed of the absolute specialized range extenders on the market.
- It is not necessarily the best option for a mesh setup.
Recommended for:
- People who are looking for a WiFi Extender but aren’t entirely sure what they need or what to get.
- People who want a WiFi extender they can rely on in most homes, even if they might move.
- Households with larger families that use a lot of devices and would require a fast and stable connection throughout a somewhat larger home.
2. Best Performance Option: Netgear Nighthawk EX7500 AC2200
Perhaps you have a room in your house that you want to have the best internet possible but is away from your router. While you can rewire your home or rearrange the furniture over a weekend with great stress and possible injury, it might be better to get the Netgear Nighthawk EX7500 AC2200 instead. Assuming you don’t live in a mansion or some odd arrangement, this extender will handle whatever you need it to, wherever you need it to.
In terms of the specifications, it uses 3 bands of WiFi, including two 5 GHz channels at 866 Mbps and one 400 Mbps 2.4 GHz channel to maximize the effectiveness and range of the connection. All-in-all, the extender can support speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps, which is more than even most routers can support. It has a coverage area of 1500 square feet and uses the WiFi 5 standard. Normally we would be concerned about picking a performance extender that isn’t WiFi 6, but in this case, the other points were simply too good.
We don’t sing its praises for nothing. And while there might be a couple of range extenders out there that might have better numbers, the Nighthawk EX7500 simply has the best balance and the right price for what you’re getting. There are diminishing returns, and we don’t want to see you suffer from them. It might not be for everyone, but power users should take a look here.
Pros:
- Amazing features and easy control over your network.
- Some of the best speed and range for an extender on the market without going into heavy diminishing returns.
- Dedicated links and technology to reduce the speed loss over range as well as provide the strongest connections to the devices that need it.
Cons:
- It is a somewhat larger device that might dominate your whole outlet depending on placement.
- This is not a cheap WiFi extender.
- Depending on the store you use and available supply, it may be harder to find than most extenders.
Recommended for:
- People who want the absolute best in technology that will last them years to come.
- People who need maximum internet speed throughout their entire home, and want a stable connection at all times.
- People who already have related products will be able to take advantage of the app and extra features.
3. Best Budget Option: TP-Link RE315 AC1200 WiFi Extender
Sometimes you might need a WiFi extender, but you don’t need the best one or might have a smaller budget. Perhaps you just have one extra room you want to cover well. In these circumstances, we would recommend the TP-Link RE315 AC1200 WiFi Extender. It is a simple enough device that has decreased in price over time (you might be able to get it on sale for even lower prices), and yet it will serve the needs of smaller homes or alcoves well.
It uses both a 2.4 GHz (300Mbps) and a 5 GHz signal to keep the connection as stable as possible and has a high speed mode if you’re interested in gaming or heavier lifting with the device. You can connect it to an ethernet port, making it a wireless access point. It has a fair number of the special features TP-Link is known for at this point as well, so control is always in your hands.
If you want to use it for a more robust purpose, that is possible as well. However, you might want to get several. You can use these devices to create a mesh setup using a OneMesh router, which is something you may want to look into. Connection is easy for the most part (a few button presses), and it overall works with any router. It may not be the best, but it sure is versatile.
Pros:
- Compared to other WiFi Extenders and setups which can cost more than $100, it is highly affordable.
- Despite its affordability, it is generally reliable and will be good for a room or two in your home, if not more depending on placement.
- It can handle up to 25 devices, which is more than enough for most homes unless they are filled with smart devices.
Cons:
- It will not reach the same range or speed as most of the other extenders on this list, and may not be as reliable to some.
- It has limited extra features compared to premium extenders.
- It might need replacing sooner in your home if you upgrade the rest of your technology or your internet plan.
Recommended for:
- People who want to try out a range extender for the first time or who know they won’t be using it often.
- People with a limited budget who still want a reliable option in their home.
- People who are looking for a range extender just for one rarely used room or a small area of the home.
4. Best for Large Households: D-Link DAP-1720 WiFi AC1750
The reason you are looking for a WiFi extender in the first place is probably that you have something of a larger living space (or a lackluster router), but what about those really large homes? In those cases, we recommended that you look into the D-Link DAP-1720 WiFi AC1750.
It uses external antennas to improve performance, which means that overall, you can trust the additional 95 feet of range it provides your network. This is more than enough for most homes when combined with a solid router. This model also should be noted in that it is excellent for homes with multiple floors. You can likely find an extender that is better for pure distance, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that works for your second floor for the price point.
It uses both 2.4 and 5 GHz channels to provide speeds up to 1750 Mbps, which is more than most homes need. Setup is easy, and it even has features to help you figure out where to place it.
We would also like to note that the D-Link AC1750 chosen as our best all-around option makes for an excellent choice for larger homes as well but understand that might not be for everyone. Look at both and consider which is best for your home.
Pros:
- Some of the best ranges you can find for the price point outside of the D-Link AC1750.
- Excellent coverage if you have a multiple-story home.
- Extremely easy to set up. Whether you’re making an adjustment or setting it up for the first time, it will only take a few minutes (if that).
Cons:
- More specialized routers and range extenders have it beat in terms of speed and additional features.
- There are long-range extenders that are better for pure distance. Extremely large single-story homes might want to look at another extender.
- The actual unit is very large, meaning you might need to devote an entire power outlet to it.
Recommended for:
- People with large, spacious homes that a normal router and extender couldn’t completely cover.
- People who do not want a complicated setup process and know that they might need to adjust the placement of the extender occasionally.
- People who want to make sure they have coverage in every part of their home.
5. Best Alternative Range Extender: Google Nest WiFi
And while we could find something fancy or out of the blue, in truth what some people might need is a mesh network setup. And out of the available mesh setups, we think that Google Nest WiFi is best for the average home. There might be other solutions that are more well-suited to your unique home, so we do recommend doing a little research in this department.
Yet what does Google Nest WiFi do? It is essentially a framework for the rest of your smart home. With it, you can easily connect to and easily interact with smart doorbells, smart thermostats, other devices, and so much more. You can install additional points to the network, and it is easy to do so.
Your overall range with Google Nest WiFi will depend on the number of nodes you have, ranging from 2200 sq ft. with just the router to 5400 sq ft total with two extra points. The points have a max speed of up to 1.2 Gbps and the router has 2.3 Gbps, which is more than enough for nearly every internet setup. Ethernet ports are available as well. Essentially, you won’t be lacking connection options.
Pros:
- It allows for much more than your usual router setup or WiFi range extender, including coverage that might not otherwise be possible.
- It is relatively easy to set up and connect additional devices. Other mesh networks or alternative options are not so easy.
- Each point is a smart speaker, allowing you to play music or interact with your smart devices via voice command.
Cons:
- It can be expensive on average, and grow more expensive depending on how many nodes you want in your home.
- It is not so much of a range extender and more of a completely different setup entirely. People with great routers and modems already will probably not want to go down this route.
- It is better for people who are already engrained into Google’s online infrastructure and have plenty of smart devices in their homes (or are planning to).
Recommended for:
- People who have an extremely large home and want a system that’s easily expandable and functions throughout the home. Consider this if you are looking to make the most of modern technology.
- People who have a smart home and want to ensure everything will have a constant connection. Alternatively, people who have oddly shaped homes that might benefit from the node and point structure.
- People who aren’t set on getting a WiFi extender but instead are looking for an overall larger network size and more functionality for their home.
On Multiple Extenders
A single WiFi extender might not be enough for your needs, and that’s ok. We understand that there is a limit to what a single extender can do. Fortunately, nothing is stopping you from getting multiple extenders to set up around your home. You might want one for the patio and another for another floor of your home. You might want one dedicated to your basement bunker of extreme internet usage.
Do note that most of our recommendations are based on the idea that will be the only one in your home. There might be other options that work better in pairs or multiples, and in other cases, a multiple extender setup might not require such premium extenders as those listed here. Still, there is a setup that will work for your home, and thinking about what you need will never guide you wrong.
Conclusion
When it comes to WiFi extenders, you want to make sure you pick out the best and that you get something that will last your home for years. Not all of the above options will be for you, but we are certain that one will be the perfect fit. Do further research if you need to, take your time, and order the right WiFi extender. You’ll be happy you did, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about in your day.
