Wi-Fi extender buyer's guide: Know more, buy better - Versus

Let’s face it, weak Wi-Fi sucks. If you've been stuck buffering during your favorite show's cliffhanger or hearing family members shout about dropped connections, it might be time to consider a Wi-Fi extender. But wait — why are some dirt cheap while others cost as much as a fancy dinner? And what’s with all the options Versus offers to filter the Wi-Fi extenders on our site? Let’s clear up some of the jargon so you know what to look out for before hitting that “Add to cart” button.

Link to Getspeed

Why the big price differences?

You’ve probably seen some extenders going for $20 while others can be north of $400. With Wi-Fi extenders, it really is a case of ‘You get what you pay for.’ The difference in pricing usually comes down to performance, coverage, and features.

Cheaper extenders tend to offer basic coverage suitable for simpler tasks — think checking emails and casual browsing. Pricier models support faster speeds, stronger signals, more simultaneous devices, and better tech like beamforming or mesh capabilities, all of which lead to smoother streaming and fewer headaches.

The cheap Wi-Fi extenders typically also only support the Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standard. (More on Wi-Fi standards later.) When you’re looking through the different price options, think about it like flying commercially — cheap tickets get you from A to B, but more expensive ones include extra perks, more legroom, and fewer hassles. It's the same principle here.

The really pricey extenders are the ones that support Wi-Fi 7, but most of your devices probably don't support that yet anyway. Even though the pricier units tend to work better, you can still get a great extender for under $100 like the Tenda A36.

More antennas — gimmick or useful?

You've probably seen extenders that look like robotic spiders, bristling with antennas, while others seem sleek and antenna-free. Does it matter how many antennas a Wi-Fi extender has? Yep. More antennas typically mean better performance due to technology called MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output). 

MU-MIMO basically allows multiple devices to communicate simultaneously without slowing each other down. Think multiple grocery store lanes open at checkout versus everyone stuck in one never-ending line. Additionally, more antennas help the extender better receive and transmit signals, enhancing overall coverage and reducing dead zones — definitely useful if your home is device-heavy or sprawling.

While more antennas themselves don’t explicitly mean "more bands," manufacturers typically add multiple antennas to support multiple bands and improve communication efficiency. So yeah, more is better.

Beamforming — fancy jargon or must-have feature?

Beamforming is wireless magic trickery that is worth the extra bucks. It works by analyzing the location of your devices and then actively shaping and directing the Wi-Fi signal straight toward them. Think of it like aiming a spotlight precisely where you need it, rather than broadly lighting an entire room.

By doing this, beamforming reduces interference, improves signal strength, and boosts overall connection reliability, especially in larger spaces, homes with complex layouts, thick walls, or notorious dead zones. If you live in a cozy apartment, it's nice to have but not strictly essential.

Dual-band vs. tri-band

Again, this is a case of ‘more is better.’ Dual-band extenders handle two frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz), suitable for moderate use. Tri-band adds another 5GHz band, perfect for busy households, significantly improving speeds and reducing congestion by providing a dedicated communication channel between the router and extender.

Dual-band is like a two-lane highway — one lane for slower traffic (2.4 GHz), another for fast-moving vehicles (5 GHz). It’s efficient but can get crowded quickly as more cars (devices) use it. Tri-band is like a three-lane highway — with one lane dedicated solely to express traffic, significantly easing congestion. Heavy traffic moves smoothly, because there's an extra lane for demanding devices.

Mesh vs repeater — what’s the difference?

The term “Wi-Fi extender” is pretty generic and generally refers to a repeater, especially the cheaper ones. It’s important to note that there’s a big difference between a simple repeater and a mesh system.

Repeaters:

Repeaters are simple and affordable. They take your existing Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcast it, extending its range. However, repeaters work by receiving and retransmitting your existing signal on the same frequency, effectively cutting available bandwidth in half and resulting in slower internet speeds for connected devices. They're best suited for smaller homes, apartments, or situations where you just need a little extra range in one or two areas.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Simple setup
• Great for basic needs

Cons:

• Reduced bandwidth and slower speeds
• Less effective for large homes

Mesh systems:

Mesh systems are like Wi-Fi teamwork — multiple units placed around your home work together seamlessly, creating a robust, unified network. They intelligently manage traffic and connections, ensuring consistent speeds and reliable coverage throughout your home. These are ideal for large houses, multi-story homes, or households with heavy internet use.

Pros:

• Seamless and extensive coverage
• Stable, high-speed connections
• Great for large or multi-level homes

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Potentially more complex initial setup

Wi-Fi security — why it matters

Security protocols aren't just technical details — they're critical for protecting your internet connection. The main Wi-Fi security protocols you’ll encounter are WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): An outdated security protocol used to encrypt WiFi networks but still supported by some Wi-Fi extenders. Avoid this.
• WPA: Old-school, outdated, and insecure. Avoid this.
• WPA2: Common and decent but now considered less secure as hackers have found ways around it.
• WPA3: The latest and greatest — much more secure, providing robust protection against hackers.

Always aim for an extender that supports WPA3. If it's unavailable or too expensive, WPA2 is still acceptable but not ideal.

Features that actually matter

Beyond price, antennas, and fancy jargon, here are specs to keep your eye on:

• Wi-Fi standard: Later Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) offer better speeds, improved efficiency, and handle more simultaneous connections compared to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). However, if most of your devices are still running on Wi-Fi 5, paying extra for Wi-Fi 6 won't significantly improve their performance. Wi-Fi 6 primarily benefits newer devices that specifically support it. So, aim for Wi-Fi 6 only if you're future-proofing or already using compatible devices.
• Dual-band vs. tri-band: Opt for tri-band if you have loads of devices or heavy usage (streaming, gaming), as it provides an extra 5 GHz band, reducing congestion and significantly boosting WiFi speed, stability, and performance.
• Ethernet ports: Super handy for wired connections to devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs. Wired is always going to beat a Wi-Fi connection when it comes to speed and latency.
• Beamforming: A big help for complex home layouts or stubborn dead spots.
• MU-MIMO: Essential for homes with many active Wi-Fi devices.

Extras worth considering:

Here are some extras worth considering if you're trying to break the tie between two options you're considering:

• WPS button: A handy feature for easy setup — press a button on your router and extender, and voilà, connected without passwords and endless menus.
• App management: Extenders with dedicated apps can simplify the setup and management significantly.
• Compatibility: Confirm your extender plays nicely with your existing router brand.
• Dedicated backhaul (common in tri-band mesh systems): Reduces speed loss by using one band solely for communication between the router and extender units.

Wrap-up

Picking the perfect Wi-Fi extender doesn't need to feel like solving a techy puzzle. Stick to the basics we've outlined, keep your home's layout and needs in mind, and avoid cheap Wi-Fi extenders as much as possible. You'll say goodbye to buffering screens and hello to smooth streaming and peace at home. Happy hunting — and here's to never hearing "the Wi-Fi's down!" again.

Our picks

Edit ZIP code Why we chose these providers Sort by Linksys RE Best overall Wi-Fi extender TP-Link RE605X A close second TP-Link RE220 The best budget Wi-Fi extender D-Link DAP-X Wait for a sale for this Wi-Fi extender TP-Link RE505X Solid Wi-Fi 6 extender performance for the price

Editor's Note: We think you should be aware that TP-Link routers are under investigation by the US government over security concerns and could be banned in the US this year, according to multiple news reports. The TP-Link Archer RE605X was previously named our best overall choice for Wi-Fi extenders. While our evaluation of the hardware hasn't changed, out of extreme caution for our readers, we decided to pause it as our top recommendation until we learn more. Read CNET's reporting for more information.

Even the newest Wi-Fi routers will struggle to connect every corner of a multi-story home. When that happens, you have two choices: Swap out your router for a mesh system or add a Wi-Fi extender to your existing router. For as little as $20, a Wi-Fi extender can boost your internet signal to a specific area without you having to invest in an entirely new setup. Installation is as simple as plugging the extender into an electrical outlet and connecting it to your Wi-Fi router. If that sounds too good to be true, it kind of is. 

CNET's testing has found that Wi-Fi extenders can be a passable solution if you're looking to improve the connection in a single room, but you'll likely end up disappointed if you're hoping to boost the speeds to an entire floor or wing of your home. For that, you're better off upgrading to a full-fledged mesh system.

If you're looking to bring your Wi-Fi outside the house, be sure to check out our explainer on extending Wi-Fi outdoors, which includes Wi-Fi extender and mesh network recommendations.

What is the best Wi-Fi extender overall? 

If you decide to go the Wi-Fi extender route, our vote for the best Wi-Fi extender is the Linksys RE. While it's slightly more expensive than other models at $100, it delivered significant speed boosts in every room I tested and offers full support for Wi-Fi 6 speeds.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of WiFi Repeater Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

If you're looking for something more affordable, there are plenty of options for under $50, although not all of them have Wi-Fi 6 support. I've spent the past few years regularly testing them to find the best of the bunch. After countless tests, my data identified the range extenders that reigned supreme. Let's get right to them.

Best Wi-Fi extenders

What is a Wi-Fi range extender?

Also called a Wi-Fi signal booster, a range or Wi-Fi extender is a compact, plug-in device that is simple and hassle-free to implement. Wi-Fi extenders use built-in Wi-Fi radios and antennas to pair wirelessly with your router; no Ethernet cable required. Just plug one near the edge of your router's wireless range and pair it with the network, and it'll start rebroadcasting the signal farther out for significantly faster internet speeds throughout your home.

Should I buy a Wi-Fi extender?

Wi-Fi extenders are great options when you have a single room that you want to give a speed boost, like an office or a room with a smart TV. Wi-Fi extenders are generally less expensive than upgrading to a full-fledged mesh router with its own mesh Wi-Fi systems and range-extending satellite devices. Plus, they are generally a cinch to set up, they'll work no matter what brand of router you're using, and you can typically use the same SSID and password as your original router. That creates a single, seamless connection that will give you the best Wi-Fi range available with your current setup -- all without you needing to think about it too much.

However, signal boosters can't extend your Wi-Fi signal to an entire floor or side of the house like a mesh router can. An extender is only as good as the router it's connected to, which means you won't see huge improvements if your router is failing, outdated or in the wrong spot. 

How CNET tests Wi-Fi extenders and signal boosters

In , I was able to resume tests at the CNET Smart Home, a 5,800-square-foot multistory home in the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, that served as a living lab for our product tests. It's a much better environment for testing wireless devices at range than my somewhat cramped, shotgun-style house -- and with more ground to cover, it offered a much bigger challenge for these extenders.

The CNET Smart Home has a fiber internet connection with matching upload and download speeds of up to 150Mbps. That's a far cry from the gigabit connections more and more of us have access to (not to mention the new, blazing-fast multi-gig internet plans emerging in some parts of the country). However, it's in line with the Federal Communication's broadband definition, which makes it a great place to test how home networking products will work for the average consumer.

For my purposes, I started by setting up a router in the Smart Home's laundry room, where the modem is set up. I went with the Netgear RAX, a perfectly decent model I reviewed last year. It offered reliable performance but limited range when I tested it -- and that's exactly what I wanted for these range extender tests.

Sure enough, the router was able to deliver strong speeds on the home's main floor, but as soon as I headed down to the basement level, speeds started to fall. That includes single-digit upload speeds in the bourbon room and the mud room. (Yes, the Smart Home has a bourbon room that the previous owners used to age their own barrels. We don't have any barrels of our own, but it smells amazing in there. Kentucky, folks!)

Running the range test

With my control speeds established, it was time to start adding in the range boosters and seeing which ones improved things the best. Pairing each one with the router required me only to plug it in nearby and press the WPS button on both devices -- after that, I relocated them downstairs to the basement rec room, which was the farthest point from the router that still had a decent signal and speeds. Whenever you're using a Wi-Fi range extender, that's typically the best place to put it: just shy of the edge of your router's range, where it will still receive a strong enough signal to put out a strong signal of its own. The best way to find that spot? Grab your or laptop and run some speed tests.

In the end, I ran at least 96 speed tests for each extender, two rounds of 24 tests to find its average speeds to a Wi-Fi 5 client device (an iPad Air 2 from ) and another two rounds of 24 tests to check its speeds to a Wi-Fi 6 client device (a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop). In each case, I started the first round of tests with a fresh connection in the laundry room, closest to the router, and then started the second round of tests with a fresh connection in the mud room, farthest from the router. With each test, I logged the client device's download speed, its upload speed and the latency of the connection.

Aside from my speed tests, I made sure to stream video on each extender's network, and I made several video calls while connected through each one. 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.

It's also worth making sure that your range extender includes at least one Ethernet port (almost all of them do). If you can directly connect your wired device (like a smart TV), then you'll enjoy speeds that are as fast as possible.

Wi-Fi extender test results

Ready to see how the range extenders did in terms of upload and download speeds? Let's take a look.

On the left, this first set of graphs shows you the average download speeds by room for each extender I tested. On the right, you're looking at the average upload speeds. All of these speeds are to my Wi-Fi 6 test device, a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop from .

So what jumps out? First, all five of these extenders did a decent job of boosting speeds in those last four rooms, down in the basement. With all of them, I had a faster connection throughout the house than I had when I connected through the router alone. The D-Link EaglePro AI struggled a bit with upload speeds in the basement, but still kept things above a minimum of 20Mbps or so.

That was with a Wi-Fi 6 device, though. How did the performance look with an older Wi-Fi 5 device from several years ago?

Things get interesting here -- you can see a greater gulf between download and upload performance, as well as some more distinct weak spots and dead zones throughout the house. Each of the five extenders struggled to keep uploads speedy in the upstairs dinette, for instance. With Wi-Fi 6, we barely saw any issues there at all, save for the Netgear Nighthawk X4S.

Meanwhile, in the basement, our top picks from TP-Link and Linksys (as well as the high-performing Asus RP-AX56) were each able to keep download speeds above 100Mbps, which is great. Uploads were another story, as all of the extenders struggled. None of them failed to deliver a usable upload connection outright, though the D-Link EaglePro AI came close with single-digit upload speeds in the basement's farthest reaches.

The TP-Link RE605X makes it easy to tweak settings via TP-Link's Tether app on an Android or iOS device. Again, the features make for slim pickings, but you can check signal strength or turn on High-Speed Mode, which dedicates the 2.4GHz band for traffic from the router to the range extender, leaving the 5GHz free for your normal Wi-Fi network traffic. That mode actually wasn't as fast as sharing the 5GHz band like normal when I tested it out, because those incoming 2.4GHz speeds are limited, but it still might be a useful option in some situations.

Another key takeaway from these tests is that Wi-Fi 6 delivers some of its most noticeable speed boosts on the upload side of things. If you're looking to make lots of video calls, upload lots of large files to the web or anything else requiring sturdy upload performance, then upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 hardware should be high on your list of priorities (assuming you haven't already made the jump).

Affordable Wi-Fi booster picks

For my first batch of range extender tests a few years back, I tested four bargain-priced models to see which one offered the most bang for the buck. It was the start of the pandemic and people were scrambling to bolster their home networks -- I wanted to be sure we could point them to a good, budget-friendly pick that would do the best job as a signal booster offering an extra room's worth of coverage in a pinch.

In the end, the aforementioned TP-Link RE220 was the runaway winner. Currently available for $15, it remains a solid value pick.

I've separated these models from the other six because the test setup was different in my initial tests and it wouldn't be fair to make direct comparisons with those results. You've already read about the TP-Link RE220, but here are my takeaways from the others I tested:

D-Link DAP-: This was the only range extender that ever managed to hit triple digits during my tests, with an average speed of 104Mbps in my bedroom during evening hours. Setup was just as simple as what I experienced with TP-Link, too. I was able to stream HD video, browse the web and make video calls on the extender's network without any issue.

Network speeds were inconsistent though -- and much slower in daytime hours, with a bigger dropoff than I saw with TP-Link. The device also dropped my connection at one point during my speed tests. On top of that, the app was too finicky for my tastes, refusing to let me log in and tweak settings with the supplied device password, something that ultimately forced me to reset the device. That's too much hassle for me to recommend outright, but if you can grab it on sale for less than $30, it could be a decent alternative to the TP-Link RE220.

Netgear EX: It's a dated-looking device and it wasn't a strong performer in my tests. The 2.4GHz band was able to sustain workable speeds between 30 and 40Mbps throughout most of my home, which was strong enough to stream video with minimal buffering, or to hold a quick video call with a slight delay. But the 5GHz band was surprisingly weak, often dropping into single digits with only a single wall separating my PC or connected device from the range extender. 

I wasn't a fan of the web interface, as it seemed more interested in getting me to register for the warranty (and opt in to marketing emails) than in actually offering me any sort of control over the connection. WPS button-based setup lets you skip all of that, which is helpful, and some outlets now have it listed for less than $30, but even so, this is one you can safely pass by.

Bottom line

Before investing in a Wi-Fi extender, evaluate the Wi-Fi problems you're trying to fix. Are you trying to improve internet access in one room or extend the internet to an entire floor? Wi-Fi extenders aren't as effective as mesh Wi-Fi systems in improving signal throughout the house, but they still offer impressive speed boosts in rooms that need them. Our top pick was the Linksys REw, with the TP-Link RE605X coming in as a close second. If you want to stay within a budget, our top competitively priced pick is the TP-Link RE220.

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Wi-Fi range extender FAQs