We all know the feeling of sticking out our phones in the air and waving it about, till it gives us an additional Wi-Fi bar. But the kicker is, your wireless router likely works perfectly fine – it just needs a boost for the hard-to-reach corners of the house.
That's where Wi-Fi extenders come in. Just how do these devices work, and which one best suits your home? We spoke with two experts on the benefits of Wi-Fi extenders: Jacob George, from Dubai-based Yellow Apple Technologies, and Adam Robert Hurst, the founder of Hurst First WiFi and AV Solutions. Scroll down to read what they said.
Here, you'll find a curated list of the best Wi-Fi extenders on Amazon, based on expert recommendations, so that you can stream, game, work and stay connected, even if you’re in the backyard. With a Prime subscription, your extender will be delivered to you the very next day.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Ax1500 Wi-Fi Extender Internet Booster
Pros
- Strong 5GHz performance
- Accessible control settings
- Easy installation
Cons
- Bulky
- Requires OneMesh router to share single SSID (service set identifier)
If you're seeking to supercharge your home network, the TP-Link Ax1500 seems to be a popular choice. Reviewers on Amazon agree that the device offers “seamless” connectivity and a stable connection. Moreover, the Ax1500 has been praised for its easy installation and its fluid compatibility with any router. In fact, if you would like it to work as a mesh node with seamless roaming, you can also pair it with a compatible TP-Link router. With a compact size of 4.9 by 2.9 by 1.8 inches, the extender is powered by a 1.5GHz tri-core processor, and can achieve theoretical speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and up to 1,200Mbps on the 5GHz band. Another point to be noted about this extender is that it can also work with older Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 technology. A welcome addition is the inclusion of the gigabit port, which benefits wired connections. According to reviews, the Access Point (AP) mode provides flexibility, and allows you to transform your extender into a WiFi access point when required. The Re505x can be controlled with the TP-Link Tether mobile app, for Android and iOS. You can try using a web console, but you’ll be faced with a few more advanced settings, including access control with blacklist and whitelist settings and power scheduling.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh18 and two years for Dh29.
2. Best Premium: NETGEAR Nighthawk Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Range Extender EAX80
Pros
- Stellar performance
- Access point operation
- One USB port and four LAN ports
- 160MHz data channel option
Cons
- On the pricier side
George recommends NETGEAR's Nighthawk EAX80 as one of the best Wi-Fi range extenders in the market. Despite its bulk and expensive price, the EAX80 is a sure shot when it comes to a house filled with dead Wi-Fi zones. The device’s variety of ports, including four gigabit per second LAN connectors, helps it mould well into a home network. Moreover, the data travels over its 4X4 data streams and adds up to the ability to deliver 1.2Gbps over the 2.4 GHz band and up to 4.8Gbps over the 5GHz band. The EAX80 uses dual-band technology for heavy-duty 4K HD streaming and multi-player gaming. To top it off, there’s also a USB 3.0 port for connecting a storage drive or a printer, which is not available in most extenders. It works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with Wi-Fi, and is optimised for all Wi-Fi 6 routers. This clearly is a satisfactory purchase, and Amazon reviewers have hailed it as an 'excellent' buy.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh62.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and two years for Dh75.
3. Best Mesh System: Google Nest Wi-Fi Mesh System Router and Point
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Coverage of up to 408 square metres
- Supplies Wi-Fi to 200 devices
- Voice assist feature
Cons
- Some found set-up to be complicated
With Google’s Nest Wi-Fi, you get two units: one is a router and the other is an access point. For a blanket coverage of 408 square metres, plug the router to your internet provider’s modem, then set up the point where you’d like a stronger connection. The Nest Wi-Fi routers can handle up to 200 devices, letting you stream 4K videos easily and many report improved speed after the mesh installment. What’s more, the point comes with built-in Google Assistant and speakers, so you can even command your point to play music from Spotify.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh61.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and two years for Dh75.
4. Best for Apartments: D-Link E15 Eagle Pro AI Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender AX1500
Pros
- AI-powered dynamic tuning
- Dual-band operations
- Can run as wired access point
Cons
- Gets hot with use
George gives this extender a thumbs up. The D-Link Eagle Pro AI E15 has many good qualities, including AI (artificial intelligence) to steer data. It’s also one of the smallest Wi-Fi extenders, which means that it is also incredibly convenient to use and can push a network into new areas. Unlike with other Wi-Fi extenders, the E15’s power of AI reduces latency, increases throughput and covers more space. The AI engine scans the 2.4-5GHz bands for congestion and routes data over open data channels, which is a glowing positive in crowded Wi-Fi areas like apartment buildings. However, it cannot extend to a 6GHz network, when using a WiFi 6E router, as it supports only Wi-Fi6. The E15 also uses beamforming, MUMIMO and 1024 QAM modulation, which can grab and extend signals in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This means it can also extend Wi-Fi into remote areas of the house, and move up to 300Mbps over the 2.4GHz band, as well as 1.2Gbps over the 5GHz band. The pair of flipper antennas support 2X2 streaming on both bands. When extended, they add 1.5 inches to the height of the device. However, they cannot be rotated to grab a weak signal.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and two years for Dh19.
5. Best for Convenience: Linksys RE7000 WiFi Extender
Pros
- Supports multi-user multiple input, multiple output streaming
- Easy installation
- Supports beamforming
Cons
- Bulky
- Lacks pass-through outlet
A bestseller on Amazon, the Linksys RE7000 is easy to install, and supports throughput speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1.733Mbps on the 5GHz band. The enabled wireless devices will automatically switch to the strongest WiFi signal, so you won't have to manually connect to the router or range extender when you move from one room to another. It's also a win for gamers, as it supports beamforming. Some reviews on Amazon have mixed opinions on its performance however, with a few people calling it middling, but also acknowledging that it is a good choice if you're looking to expand your wireless network's reach with a plug-in extender. It delivers on solid performance for proximity devices, but has issues with a larger range, according to many reviews.
Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty for Dh35 and two years for Dh57.
Why do we need Wi-Fi extenders?
If you're unfamiliar with Wi-Fi extenders and how they work, our experts break it down for you.
These useful devices are designed to enhance and extend the coverage of a wireless network. The Wi-Fi extender first receives the existing Wi-Fi signal from your router. This is typically done wirelessly, as the extender needs to be within the range of your router's signal, explains George. "Once the extender receives the signal, it amplifies or boosts its strength. This is a crucial step as it ensures that the extended signal is powerful enough to reach areas in your home or office where the original Wi-Fi signal may be weak," he adds.
But just how does it pick up the signal? It all depends on the placement of the router. According to George, its location is crucial for optimal performance. "It should be positioned in an area where it can receive a strong Wi-Fi signal from the router while effectively transmitting the boosted signal to the desired coverage area," he says.
What features should I look for, in a Wi-Fi extender?
George guides us through key aspects to keep in mind when shopping for one of these devices.
- Compatibility: Ensure that the Wi-Fi extender is compatible with your existing router. Check for support for the Wi-Fi standards used by your router, such as 802.11ac or 802.11ax.
- Frequency Bands: Wi-Fi extenders can operate on either a single band, 2.4GHz, or dual bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Dual-band or tri-band extenders are preferable as they provide more flexibility and help avoid interference.
- Speed Rating: Look for extenders with high data transfer speeds, especially if you have devices that require fast and stable connections. The speed rating is often indicated in terms of Mbps or Gigabits per second.
- Mesh Networking Capability: Some modern Wi-Fi extenders support mesh networking, allowing multiple units to work together seamlessly. Mesh systems can provide more consistent coverage across larger areas, explains George.
- Ease of setup: Choose a Wi-Fi extender with a straightforward setup process. Many devices now come with user-friendly mobile apps that guide you through the installation, making it easier for people with varying levels of technical expertise.
- Ethernet Ports: Extenders with Ethernet ports allow you to connect wired devices directly. This can be beneficial for devices like gaming consoles, smart TVs, or computers that may benefit from a wired connection.
- Beamforming technology: Beamforming allows the extender to focus its signal towards connected devices, improving overall performance and coverage.
- Security features: Ensure that the extender supports modern security protocols, such as WPA3, to provide a secure connection. This is crucial to protect your network from unauthorised access.
- Signal Strength Indicator: Some Wi-Fi extenders have signal strength indicators, helping you find the optimal placement for the device to ensure the best coverage.
In simple words, extenders aim to circumvent problems of poor connectivity, speed and range. If you wish for a simple setup, Hurst recommends buying mesh hardware, instead of a simple solo extender. "Mesh hardware is more expensive than an extender, and you need to buy a minimum of two units, but it is more reliable, easier to extend and helps to give you a single network around your home, rather than multiple networks," he explains. "Whichever brand you decide you’d like to try, I’d recommend getting a Wi-Fi 6 setup, as it’s supported by almost all recent devices and the technology helps with connectivity in homes with lots of devices and gives better speeds," adds Hurst, who recommends the TP-Link Deco range, Eero Wifi 6 range and the newer Asus models.
"I recommend buying enough mesh access points to ensure you don’t need to go through more than one or at most two concrete walls between each point, they usually come in packs of two or three and you can extend a Deco system to six points before reliability starts to suffer," continues Hurst.
However, for larger homes, where speeds and reliability are more important, like gaming, working from home, or you would need proper parental controls, he recommends a fully wired setup, using higher end home and small to medium-sized business hardware.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
