Like routers, extenders are rated in different classes, such as AC1200 and AC1750, where the number simply indicates the combined maximum speeds they are capable of supporting (measured in megabits per second, or Mbps). They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, from small plug-in units that will largely go unnoticed to bulky, desktop-style units you’ll need to clear some space for. H ow We Tested and Selected The Nighthawk’s huge size may rival that of your router itself, but it holds two internal Wi-Fi 6 antennas, providing a strong signal and mesh-like blanket of coverage. The EAX20 had no impact on the speed of our control router and combined its Wi-Fi coverage under one network name. This meant that as we moved rooms or out of range of the control router, our devices automatically switched to the Nighthawk instead of requiring us to connect to a separate “EXT” Wi-Fi network like those created by other extenders. Plus, its four ethernet ports allow for multiple devices to hook up to the wired connection.

Supporting dual-band Wi-Fi 6 with a top speed of 1800Mbps, this may not be the fastest on the market. But on test, it's proven to meet the needs of most home broadband services, especially in maintaining that solid, consistent Wi-Fi signal throughout your space. This is the best Wi-Fi extender for games consoles, smart-TVs and other devices that work best with wired connections.

Even if you have one of the best wireless routers, you might still encounter limitations in terms of coverage area and network strength, especially if you’re dealing with a larger house or office. An easy solution would be to invest in the best mesh Wi-Fi system, which you can strategically place around your space for the optimal network coverage. However, it’s not going to be the most cost-effective solution, since mesh systems tend to be pricier.

The same goes for the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E technologies, the current fastest flavors of Wi-Fi. If you recently bought a new router that supports these standards, you'll certainly want to make sure any range extenders support them as well. Wi-Fi mesh systems are ideal for users with little or no technical knowledge. They can be installed in minutes and typically come with a user-friendly mobile app that walks you through the installation process with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions. And their prices are coming down, too.With so many of us working from home these days, we now have more apps than ever careening across our household Wi-Fi networks. And some of these require not only a good amount of bandwidth, but steady bandwidth. When they don't have it, that chat you're having with your boss on your company's voice over IP (VoIP) phone system suddenly sounds like you're underwater. The same goes for many consumer-grade apps, especially video streaming services like Netflix, and certainly the latest games. If you find that your internet speed is subpar everywhere in your home, it may be worth revamping your entire system. In these cases, we recommend going with a mesh Wi-Fi system, which can replace your router and any extenders by placing compact nodes around your home to create more seamless coverage without any separate networks. As mesh systems become more popular, they’re becoming more affordable too—though new systems will still cost much more than the average extender. In addition to the six standard extenders we recommend here, we’ve also included three mesh systems at the bottom of this roundup that we’ve tested and recommend. The Differences Between Extenders

We found that it delivers on Wi-Fi performance as well, helping the Wi-Fi speed in the less accessible part of our space jump up to a healthy range. It’s not going to be the fastest Wi-Fi extender out there, but with the range this extender provides at the price it’s available at, it’s a steal. TechRadar tests Wi-Fi extenders in a variety of ways, from how easy they are to connect and setup, what apps or software they might come with, and of course, how much increase you get to the range of your wireless internet. When shopping for a range extender, it's important to find one that matches your router's specs. For example, if you have a dual-band AC1900 router, get a dual-band AC1900 extender (or better). If your router supports Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming, which provides enhanced performance by sending data to compatible clients simultaneously rather than sequentially, look for an extender that supports this technology if you want to extend your MU-MIMO network.

Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX15)

It's also easy and simple to set up, making it a great option for most people, including those who have never even seen a range extender before. You can spend a lot of money on an intimidating range extender, or you can make things easy for your self and your wallet with the TP-Link RE700X. Still, maybe the fastest possible throughput is what you're after. That could be because you're running business applications across your network, or because you're in the market for a gaming router or especially a Wi-Fi 6 router. If so, be sure to test the connection between your endpoints to ensure you're getting the maximum traffic speeds you can. PCMag thoroughly tests all routers and range extenders that come through its doors so you'll have a good idea of what to expect before you buy. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ We made this tool using a responsive theme to made it as appealing as possible. We are all tired of the admin panel themes that every second booter is using, so we decided to so something special this time. While fairly easy to configure, range extenders have their limitations. They often use a separate network SSID that you have to log into as you move through the house, and Wi-Fi speeds are typically half of what you get from your main router. Most dual-band extenders use both radio bands to transmit data to and from the router, which means devices connecting to the extender are competing for bandwidth with the router. To help alleviate network congestion, some manufacturers let you dedicate a band for router-to-extender communications. Netgear's Fastlane technology and Amped Wireless' BoostBand technology are good examples.