High speed wifi range extender

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. There's an app you can use instead, but it's only available on Android devices. By default, the device automatically steers you between the 2. The device supports automatic firmware upgrades, which is great, but you can't use the Linksys Wi-Fi app to tweak settings -- instead, you'll have to log in via the web portal.

On top of all that, the RE seemed to be the least stable of all the extenders I tested, with more than one dropped connection during my tests.

Most plug-in range extenders only offer basic features at best, but the TP-Link RE also includes a signal strength tester and a High-Speed Mode in the app.

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. I also spent time playing with each extender's settings.

You shouldn't expect much, but most will at least make it easy to change the extension network's name or password. Some include app controls with extra features, too. Again, the features make for slim pickings, but you can check signal strength or turn on High-Speed Mode, which dedicates the 2. That mode actually wasn't as fast as sharing the 5GHz band like normal when I tested it out, because those incoming 2. Setting a range extender up is about as painless as it gets. Most, including all ten that I've tested here at home, support Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS, which is a universal protocol that wireless networking devices can use to connect with each other.

Just plug the range extender in and wait a minute for it to boot up, press the WPS button and then press the WPS button on your router within two minutes. It's also worth making sure that your range extender includes at least one Ethernet port. 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. 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 and you can get one for less than you might think.

One last note: If you're living in a larger home, or if you need speeds faster than Mbps 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. You've got more options than ever these days, and just about all of them would likely outperform a standalone router paired with a plug-in range extender like the ones tested here.

For instance, I had a three-piece TP-Link Deco M5 mesh router on hand during my tests, so I set it up and ran some speed tests alongside the four range extenders I initially tested. My average speeds stayed well above Mbps throughout my entire house, even in the back.

Better still, I didn't need to jump back and forth between my main network and separate extension networks. Everything was consolidated to a single, unified network and the mesh automatically routed my connection through an extender whenever it made sense. If you can afford it, my recommendation is to invest in a system that does both, as tri-band design paired with Wi-Fi 6 makes for one of the most powerful combos you can get in a mesh router.

We're also seeing a new crop of mesh routers that support Wi-Fi 6E , which adds in exclusive access to the newly opened , ultra-wide 6GHz band. I've got plenty of information on systems like those in my full mesh router rundown , so be sure to give that a look, too. 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.

Got questions? Look me up on Twitter rycrist or send a message straight to my inbox by clicking the little envelope icon on my CNET profile page. In the meantime, I'll post answers to any commonly asked questions below. Plug-in range extenders like these can help boost your speeds when you're connecting far from the router, but they can only do so much. The actual speed boost will depend on a multitude of different factors, including the layout of your home, the type of router you're using, the type of device you're trying to connect with and your internet plan's speeds.

If your home's internet connection offers top speeds of Mbps or higher, then a decent, well-placed range extender should be able to boost your download speeds in a dead zone or when you're in range by at least 50Mbps.

That's enough to browse the web or stream video online. Having a separate network like that under the same roof as your main network could potentially cause a small amount of interference, but I haven't seen any noticeable slowdowns on my main network during any of these tests.

That said, keep an eye out for client devices phones, laptops and so on that automatically connect to whichever network offers the best signal at the time. If you've used a device like that on both your main network and the extender's network, then it's possible that your device will jump from one to the other without you realizing it.

For instance, if your laptop is on your main network and you move a bit closer to the extender than the router, then your laptop might lose its connection and jump over to the range extender's network for the stronger signal strength, even though the speeds on that extender network might be slower.

Plug-in range extenders are a good fit when you need to boost the signal in a single dead zone. If you have more than one dead zone in your home where the speeds plummet, then you might be better off just upgrading to a good mesh router we've got plenty of recommendations there, too.

The best way to figure out how many dead zones you're dealing with is to grab your phone or a laptop and run some speed tests in each room where you need to use the internet. Start with a fresh connection to your network in the same room as the router, and then pull up a good speed-testing site I like the Ookla speed test , but there are several good ones you can use.

Run at least three speed tests in the room, jot the download and upload results down for each one, then move to the next room and repeat.

Those are the rooms that could use a boost -- if it's just one or two that are close together , then a single range extender might be all you need. If there are more than one, then maybe mesh is the way to go. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic.

We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. WiFi extenders work like stereo amplifiers used for driving hi-fi systems. They use electric power from a power supply to increase the strength of the original WiFi signal, transmitting the amplified signal in the air.

To accomplish this feat of engineering, WiFi range extenders contain two WiFi antennas: one is used for signal capture and the other one for signal transmission. Most wireless range extenders plug into the standard electrical outlet. They can be then set up with the help of the WPS button or a dedicated smartphone app. WPS is a network security standard that allows WiFi-enabled devices to communicate without entering long passphrases.

However, you should be prepared for some speed loss. Some of the best WiFi extenders on the market can rebroadcast WiFi signal with only a negligible speed loss, but most single-band extenders lose up to 50 percent of the original bandwidth. One of the two antennas receives a signal from a wireless router, and the other antenna broadcasts it after it has been amplified. When placed correctly, a WiFi extender can help you extend your WiFi network to cover your entire home.

NetSpot is a professional app for wireless site surveys , Wi-Fi analysis, and troubleshooting. You can download it for free, and it works on both Windows and macOS. Even though NetSpot is praised by professional network administrators, its simple user interface makes it suitable even for regular home users. WiFi range extenders come in all sizes, shapes, and price ranges. Always make sure to read online WiFi extender reviews before you click on the Order button. Some products work seemingly flawlessly, whereas virtually identical alternatives from other manufacturers only cause headaches.

If you care at all about your security and privacy, avoid products from unknown manufacturers and companies with a poor reputation. You should also avoid WiFi range extenders that have suspiciously few positive online reviews because such extenders are likely to perform unreliably, or they may have hidden flaws that become apparent only after weeks and months of use.

If you have an older router, it most likely supports only the IEEE This earlier standard can provide data throughput rates of up to Mbps, making it considerably slower than the newest standard but still fast enough even for larger households. You should also decide whether you need a dual-band WiFi extender or not.

A dual-band WiFi extender can broadcast either on the 2. A single-band WiFi extender can only broadcast on the 2.

If you live in a densely populated area, the chances are there are many wireless routers in your vicinity that broadcast on the 2. Switching to the 5 GHz band is an easy way how you can avoid these issues and often even enjoy faster speeds and a more stable signal. When selecting the best WiFi extender, you need to decide whether you want to buy a desktop or plug-in extender.

Desktop WiFi range extenders: As their name suggests, WiFi range extenders of this variety are meant to be placed on a desk or shelf and connected to power using a standard power cable. This gives you a lot of flexibility during installation since the only limiting factor is the length of the power cable.

Plug-in WiFi range extenders: Most WiFi range extenders sold today are designed to be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Plug-in WiFi range extenders are extremely convenient to install as long as you have an available outlet in a suitable location. The good news is that most WiFi range extenders — both desktop and plug-in — that are sold today take just a few minutes to install and another few minutes to configure.

Almost all of the best WiFi extenders available are equipped with an LED status indicator that clearly informs you when you find the perfect place for your extender. From there, you simply need to connect the extender to your existing WiFi network and pick a password for the new network. WiFi range extenders are tremendously useful devices that can instantly extend the reach of a weak WiFi network and eliminate places of signal weakness. Separate network: WiFi range extenders create a separate network, which means that your devices must switch from your main network to the extended network as you move around your house.

Some devices can transition between WiFi networks relatively smoothly, while others take a long time. Broadcasting one more WiFi network can also create issues with signal interference, especially in the 2. Limited bandwidth: Because of how WiFi range extenders operate, they effectively reduce the available bandwidth in half for any device connected to them. If network performance is critically important to you, it might be a good idea to research other solutions, such as mesh networks.

Another device to configure: When you buy a WiFi range extender to increase the reach of your existing network, you need to configure it separately from your router.

From time to time, you should also check if there is an update available for your extender to keep it secure and in the best possible working condition.

If these limitations of WiFi range extenders are not dealbreakers for you, go ahead and move on to the next chapter of this article to learn how to use NetSpot to plan your WiFi extender purchase. To select the best WiFi range extender, you should check your current WiFi coverage to see where the weak spots are.

In theory, you could take your smartphone or laptop and simply base your analysis on the WiFi strength indicator icon, but a professional wireless site surveillance app such as NetSpot will give you much more accurate results.

The best high speed WiFi extender is a small device with antennas that boost a router signal and transmit it to various receiving devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and Smart-TVs.

WiFi range extenders allow you to connect your device to the amplifier via a wireless connection. You can also connect your computer, TV, or other gadgets via cable if they do not support a wireless connection. All high-speed amplifiers support a 2. When selecting the best high speed WiFi extender, pay attention to the supported speed and network standards. Besides, such devices should be easy to set up and use. You need to consider the type of extender, the location and the number of antennas, the availability of USB and LAN ports.

Speed : Mbps Coverage : m Wireless Type : The NETGEAR EX is a great little extender that has a great amount of flexibility and is able to connect to your broadband internet, connect with wireless routers, and connect to a cable modem for hooking up to the internet. This allows for a greater amount of range and allows for two-way communication between the computer and router. It allows for much faster downloads and internet speed.

The five times more powerful processor also allows for much more simultaneous connections. The TP-Link AX is one of the latest products that offers a great amount of flexibility and power in a small form factor that can be easily taken anywhere. One of the best things about this model is that it can be configured into any wireless network, be it a home or a public access point.

It also has built in power saving features, so even when there are fluctuations in the power supply, it does not affect the performance of your computer.

It has a wireless security system, so even if someone were to try to access your computer, there is no worry because the wireless security system will protect your system from intrusion. It is not as big as some of the other brands, but it offers the same range of connection speeds and transmission speeds. One of the best features of this router is the automatic WAP update feature that it has.

With this feature, you do not have to manually prompt the WAP module to update every now and then.