Welcome to our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders money can buy in 2018. These handy little devices are ideal if you struggle to get Wi-Fi in all areas of your home or office.
The best Wi-Fi extenders will help you boost your wireless network coverage without costing you a fortune, and without having to resort to running network cables through your property.
For people who work in a large office or live in a large home, then you may find that your Wi-Fi network becomes weak – or non-existent – in the furthest corners of the building.
The best Wi-Fi extenders work by placing them in areas where the Wi-Fi begins to get weak. They can connect to the existing network, then boost the signal so that the Wi-Fi network coverage goes further.
So, if you want to super-charge your Wi-Fi network, read on for our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy in 2018.
For more ways to extend your Wi-Fi network, check out our list of the best wireless mesh routers as well.
1. Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150
Fast speeds throughout your house
Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz | Connectivity: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port | Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), Extender/Access Point mode switch, power button
Super simple setup
Compact design
Pricey
Only one Ethernet port
Over the last few years, Netgear has basically become a household name in the networking world. And, they’ve put their extensive expertise to fantastic use with their AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender EX6150. This fantastic extender is a simple device that you can inconspicuously plug right into any electrical outlet, and is our current choice for the best Wifi extender in 2018.
As an added bonus, the EX6150 features quick and simple installation, free of any hassling installation software. Just follow the easy-to-read instructions, and before you can even blink, you’ll have fast and reliable Wi-Fi covering the entire home or office. It’s just that easy.
2. D-Link Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender DAP-1520
Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz | Connectivity: N/A | Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), two internal antennas
Small design
Easy to use
No Ethernet
Basic functions
D-Link’s Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender (DAP-1520) is tiny and inconspicuous, meaning that while it has extremely robust performance boosting your Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office – it’s virtually invisible to anyone who isn’t explicitly looking for it.
The unassuming and straightforward design does come with some inherent issues, however: it doesn’t feature an Ethernet port for extending a wired connection. Also, contrary to some of the best Wi-Fi extenders, the antennae are internal, and while that does allow it to disappear into the background, it does mean range is somewhat reduced. Despite this, it is still one of the best WiFi extenders money can buy.
3. TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz | Connectivity: 1 x Ethernet | Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), LED shows connection strength for easy placement
Ethernet connection
LED showing connection strength makes installation easy
Large
Sure, TP-Link is a Chinese networking company that has been slowly been gaining recognition in the west, and with good reason. With devices like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range extender, it’s easy to see their worth: it does the job well, and it’s cheap. It might not be the fastest Wi-Fi extender in the world, but with the range this extender offers at the price it’s available at it’s a steal. Plus, thanks to an LED signal indicator on the front, installation is simply a breeze.
4. Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender
Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz | Connectivity: 4 x Ethernet, Audio Jack | Features: Linksys Spot Finder Technology, music streaming, easy setup
Audio streaming capability
Powerful
Expensive
Bulky design
The Linksys RE6500 AC1200 is an yet another Wi-Fi extender that looks more like a router. The more sturdy design allows Linksys to include four gigabit Ethernet ports, which means that you are empowered to expand your network to internet-connected devices that need an ethernet connection.
It also has an audio output jack which allows you to connect it to speakers or an audio system, allowing you to stream digital music from your PC to your audio receiver. This is a pretty robust and flexible device, and one of the best WiFi extenders for the money.
5. D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender
Bands: 802.11n 2.4GHz | Connectivity: N/A | Features: WPS, internal antennae
Very small
Cheap
Not the fastest Wi-Fi
No Ethernet
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to beef up your Wi-Fi network, and you’re ok with making a few concessions in performance and features, then the D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender is a great device for you. This tiny device doesn’t include any Ethernet ports, and it doesn’t feature dual bands or 802.11ac, presently the fastest form of Wi-Fi.
Still, it is designed well and built to last, and it’s a quick, easy and cheap way of bolstering your Wi-Fi network as long as you’re not anticipating too much network traffic.
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the TP-Link RE350
6. Linksys Velop
Layman’s mesh Wi-Fi comes at a cost
Bands: 802.11ac 5GHz and 2.4GHz | Connectivity: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet per unit (1 WAN and 1 LAN each) | Features: App-based setup; dual-stream (2×2), 802.11ac networking; 716MHz quad-core ARM Cortex A7 processor, beamforming
Fully modular mesh network
Inconspicuous design
Pricey in comparison
Performance too dependent on position
The Linksys Velop makes a sound argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. With the aim of replacing both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop arrives at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are doing the same thing. The main way Linksys hopes to differentiate its contender in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can understand. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have the Linksys Velop running in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly a worthy addition to our list of the best WiFi extenders in 2018.
Read the full review: Linksys Velop
7. Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2
Bands: : 802.11n (up to 300Mbps) 802.11ac (up to 866Mbps) | Connectivity: : 3x Gigabit LAN ports | Features: : 300m range over electrical power lines, Auto-connects to other TRENDnet powerline adapters, QoS Management support
Easy to set up
Three LAN ports
Wide Wi-Fi band
Flawed Design
If you’re looking for a great way to upgrade your network to have great coverage no matter where you go in your house, a powerline adapter is a fantastic choice. Not only do they maintain the same functionality that the best Wi-Fi extenders can afford, but the TRENDnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline might just be a dream come true. It may not be aesthetically pleasing, and the price tag may be a tad high, but this unit more than makes up for those issues with sheer performance. And, unlike other powerline adapters, the TRENDnet Wi-Fi Everywhere comes equipped with a clone button that will, well, clone the SSID and WPA key of your network so that it can double as a Wi-Fi extender. An expensive Wi-Fi extender.
Read the full review: Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere powerline 1200 AV2
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys Velop
