With the financial uncertainty that has been sprung onto us this year due to the coronavirus, working from home has become the only valid option to stay afloat. The one thing that we have gotten dependent on more than anything else is the internet. Many U.S. households are using more number of internet applications than ever and rightly so, the internet has been taking care of our work, study, entertainment, and social lives during these testing times. And while we have made sure that our life is entirely careening across the Wi-Fi networks, sometimes we start losing the quality of it. When your video calls freeze, when there is a lag and you lose in an intense game session Dota 2, or when you are watching Notting Hill (1999) with your family and the video starts buffering – your plans are derailed because of your internet connection.
Depending on the frequency of such instances, many people would want to buy a new router or perhaps upgrade their internet service. While that is a plan, you might first want to check your internet connection. If the problem lies with the bandwidth, you might want to ring your internet provider, but if not, there are easy ways to come around with some Wi-Fi boosting devices. To figure out the problem, take a speed test and see if the speed you are getting is the same as the speed you are paying for. If there is even an ounce of doubt, you can check out Spectrum bundles for plans with download speeds up to 940 Mbps without any contract or data caps that you can bundle up with cable or phone services.
When paired with a good quality Wi-Fi router, a range extender can work wonders for the steadiness of your connection. Wi-Fi extenders work their way to boost your wireless connection to the point the way your regular router cannot, it eliminates the dead spots without having to upgrade to an expensive mesh network system. these Wi-Fi extenders come in all sizes and shapes and are plugged into the nearest outlet to supplement solution for spotty coverage and weak wireless signal. There is no fixed name for the supreme devices: Wi-Fi extenders, wireless repeaters, or signal boosters – their function is the same, providing a better and stronger wireless connection.
In this article, we have put together the best Wi-Fi extenders for you to get started with seamless and reliable wireless signals.
TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender
Features
- Four external antennas
- Supports dual-band 5GHz Wi-Fi
- 1 GB Ethernet port
- Gives Wi-Fi Protected Access
- Supreme class user interface
- Can be worked with a mobile phone or tablet app
For large households, this is one of the best options with its convenient design, and range up to 75 feet. The TP-Link RE650 is easy to install and supplies competitive speeds. With dual-band wireless 5G support, four external antennas, and one gigabit Ethernet port, RE650 is an ideal choice for large families. Furthermore, it provides the ease to set it up and monitor its performance with TP-Link’s app.
Netgear wifi mesh range extender ex8000
Features:
- Six internal antennas
- Supports tri-band 5GHz Wi-Fi
- 4 GB Ethernet ports and USB 2.0 port
- Easy to use software
Power-packed Netgear EX8000 is a full-featured wireless booster and is heavy in size favoring those living in huge houses or dorms. It is a tri-band router having speeds up to AC3000 and supports streaming of 4K Ultra-HD videos wirelessly. It also provides four Ethernet ports on account of its size and can be used to plug in wired devices. Additional coverage of 2800 square feet from your router is offered by this top-range extender.
Owing to the multifunction and great structure of the device, it is relatively expensive costing around 200 USD, which might work for you if you live in a big family or support your employees.
Netgear ax1800 eax20 mesh extender
Features:
- Four internal antennas
- Supports dual-band 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- 4 GB Ethernet ports
- Availability of customization
- In-built security system
- Offers compatibility with other Netgear devices
Netgear AX1800 supports Wi-Fi 6 speeds and houses in-built mesh capability. It has a large desktop design and cannot be hidden in a corner without a plug-in. Not many people are a fan of its price although it has landed the list of our top devices for boosting wireless connection for a reason. The performance of Netgear EAX20 is flawless and delivers top-leading speeds covering almost 95 feet. Contrary to its competition, the Netgear EAX20 boosts and extends faster networks and has a better range as well. Furthermore, the deal of it being able to support security itself and allowing customization is an added benefit.
Linksys re6500
Features:
- Best top speed of 1200 Mbps
- Supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11n
- 4 Ethernet ports
- Wide coverage
Linksys RE6500 is one of the best wireless connection boosters of 2020 due to its powerful body design and connection strength. It houses four Ethernet ports allowing you to directly plug wired devices for a smooth signal. Moreover, you get top speeds up to 1200 Mbps and dual-band range across the 5GHz and 2.4DHz frequencies. It supports power that is enough to cover 10,000 square feet. Although, it can seem somewhat pricy but it justifies with the top-of-the-line features.
Netgear WN3000RP
Features:
- Best top speed of 300 Mbps
- Supports Wi-Fi 802.11n
- 1 Ethernet port
- Easy to set up and use
Netgear WN3000RP is a solid device that can be plugged directly into a power socket providing you with your newly extended wireless network. This range extender is a go-to choice for moderate internet users, wanting to settle with spending lesser bucks. If you are working on a tight budget, this is the device you should upskill your connection with.
Summing Up
The signal extenders discussed in this article are the top-of-the-class boosters and can help you achieve the connectivity that you deserve. Before starting your quest to get the best wi-Fi extender for yourself, decide on a budget so that you can fish around the options that you can actually afford. Once the price is decided, evaluate the options depending upon their signal strength, Wi-Fi standards, number of ports, and coverage range.
