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 RE7310. 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.
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.
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Best Wi-Fi extenders
Chris Monroe/CNET Linksys RE7310 Best overall Wi-Fi extender In the CNET Smart Home, where we have a fiber internet plan with uploads and downloads of up to 150Mbps, the RE7310 returned average Wi-Fi 6 downloads throughout the entire multistory house of 132Mbps. As for the uploads, Linksys finished with an average whole-home speed to my Wi-Fi 6 test device of 124Mbps. The RE7310 finished in a virtual tie with the TP-Link RE605X on Wi-Fi 6 devices, but was slightly less impressive with earlier-gen Wi-Fi 5 devices, particularly with respect to upload speeds. Still, the performance was solid across the board, and strong enough for me to take video calls in the Smart Home's basement dead zones, something I would have struggled with using just the single router I ran my tests on. It's a bit bulky-looking, but the RE7310 is the best Linksys range extender I've tested yet, and it's an especially great pick if you can catch it on sale. ...Read more $155 at Amazon
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