In the end, I found three clear range extender winners that outperformed the rest - let's get right to them:Ĭurrently available for $80, the TP-Link RE505X is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi range extenders that includes support for Wi-Fi 6, which means it supports faster, more efficient speeds for current-gen devices with the latest Wi-Fi radios. If you're thinking of spending more than $100 or so on a fancier, table-top wireless extender, you should really be thinking about replacing your router instead - more on that towards the end of this post. I've focused on plug-in range extenders because that's the most popular style, and the most affordable, too. Over the past year, I've tested 10 different range extenders here at my home in Louisville, Kentucky, and performance definitely varies. And if your home network demands the latest and greatest, then you're in luck - our picks for the best Wi-Fi range extenders include models that support Wi-Fi 6, the newest and fastest generation of Wi-Fi.ĭon't start thinking these range extender things are interchangeable, though. In most cases, your wireless range extender doesn't even need to be the same brand as your existing router in order to work. They're easy to set up, too - just pick a good spot, plug one in and press the WPS button to sync it with your main router.
Wi-Fi range extenders give your network a boost by receiving the wireless signal from your router and rebroadcasting it out farther into your home. It's a real pain to have dead zones where you just can't connect to your Wi-Fi router, which you've probably learned the hard way if your mobile device or workspace isn't close enough to the router. Whether you're working from home, binging on Netflix, gaming online or keeping up with friends and family over video chats, you probably want a solid internet connection that works in every corner of your home - and in a pinch, a good Wi-Fi range extender can be helpful.