If you want to buy a Wi-Fi extender then you must understand what Wi-Fi Extenders are and what they are used for. Wi-Fi extenders rebroadcast Wi-Fi signals and help you get strong signals wherever the signal reception is poor. It expands your coverage area and makes sure that you get adequate internet service wherever you want.
Wi-Fi extenders, wireless repeaters, range extenders are the same. You have to set up your Wi-Fi signal booster properly. Before moving on and looking at some of the most amazing Wi-Fi extenders on the market, let’s look at a few things that can influence your buying decision.
The Location Where Your Router Is Placed
This is one of the foremost things that you should consider when you are buying a new router. The placement of your router affects the signal reception and the quality of your signals. So if you have a Wi-Fi Extender, then make sure that you are ready to move your device and get a better signal reception.
You can start analyzing the floor plan or by creating a raw sketch of your room. You can mark the location where you have placed the router. Also, it is a good idea that you label dead zones in your home and AC outlets that are present in your home.
Based on your findings, look for a power outlet that is somewhere between the router and the location where you want your Wi-Fi signal to go.
Pay Attention to the Wi-Fi Standards
If you do not pay attention to the wireless standard your home router is using, it will effect a lot of things. If the wireless router you use, meets the 802.11ac standard, you have to make sure that your extender uses the same standards as well.
And If you are using or looking for the 802.11n standard you have to keep in mind that it is slower and it often stays limited to one band only. This becomes a hurdle when it comes to Wi-Fi coverage and slows down when you are browsing or streaming movies or music or any other audio/visual content on the internet.
The Cost of the Wi-Fi Extender
You can find many low-cost Wi-Fi extenders on the market but the good ones are available if you are willing to pay a few extra dollars. The price of such devices varies. These can range from around $50 to $100 and in some cases it can go below that as well.
If you are looking for some new and advanced signal-boosting devices, you can consider the ones that support the latest wireless standards and offer additional qualities including beam-forming and Mu-MMO as well.
This not only provides users with enhanced performance but also gets them a more organized method to manage traffic and more as well. This might cost users a little extra money.
Apart from the above-mentioned variables, it matters which internet service provider you are working with. The ISP quality must be superior to make the most of your Wi-Fi extender device.
For instance, imagine you have an outstanding router and internet service from Charter Spectrum that gets you the best service and a Spectrum support number that always responds to you in case you are facing a problem while using their service.
There are many other things that you can consider when you decide on buying your Wi-Fi Extenders in the year 2020. So without further delay let’s have a look at our pick from the different Wi-Fi extenders that you can look at in 2020.
1] TP-Link RE650 AC2600
The TP-Link RE650 AC2600 is one of the best routers that are ideal for use in large homes. It is one of the best Wi-Fi extenders if you are looking for one of the best plug-in range extenders. The Wifi-extender packs a lot of power and is capable of delivering great speeds that range to around 75 feet.
This is one of the options that you can consider buying as it delivers both speeds and a handy design. With the four external antennas and dual-band wireless-AC support this becomes a great choice if you want internet coverage for a larger premise.
Specs:
- Antennas/Removable: 4 external/No.
- Ports: 1 Gigabit Ethernet.
- Wi-Fi Spec: AC2600 802.11ac dual-band.
- Size: 6.3 x 3.0 x 1.8 inches.
2] NETGEAR EX6200 Dual-Band AC1200
The NETGEAR EX6200 is an ideal Wi-Fi extender for people who are looking for a budget-friendly option for internet coverage in larger homes. The device has a few shortcomings though. For instance, there is no dedicated backhaul channel for data. But the low price it comes for makes up for it.
Apart from that, users also experience great performance, an amazing range and flexible setup that can help you position the extender in a horizontal or a vertical position.
Specs:
- Antennas/Removable: 2 external/Yes.
- Ports: 5 Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0.
- Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac dual band.
- Size: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches.
3] Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream AC1900+
The Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream AC1900+ is a compact and low-profile Wi-Fi Extender with a design that doesn’t block other outlets. Apart from the design, it offers outstanding performance and set-up assistance that becomes the right choice and optimal performance.
Specs:
- Antennas/Removable: 4 external/No.
- Ports: 1 Gigabit Ethernet.
- Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac dual band.
- Size: 4.9 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches.
Spoiled for Choice
You can select from the different Wi-Fi extenders mentioned above. But make sure that you know that the Wi-Fi extender you are buying fulfills your needs. This means that you should have a look at your budget, the area you want to cover and the location where you will place the router.
If you know what you need before making a purchase, then you will not only save a lot of money but also a lot of time and effort as well.
