Wi-Fi range extenders for homes and small offices where the signal fades in distant rooms, on upper floors or in outbuildings. The range covers over 70 models, mostly network repeaters, from TP-Link, FRITZ!, Mercusys and ASUS, plus a few units listed as network transmitters or transmitter and receiver devices.
How to choose a Wi-Fi range extender
Wireless speed. Rated data transfer rates in our range include 300 Mbit/s, 867 Mbit/s and 1200 to 1300 Mbit/s. A 300 Mbit/s model copes with browsing and standard-definition video, while 867 Mbit/s and above is better for HD streaming and video calls. Real speeds are always lower than the rated figure, because a repeater has to receive and resend the signal.
Compatibility with your router. Check that the extender supports the same Wi-Fi standard and bands as your router, otherwise it will hold the connection back. Some brands offer mesh features that work best with their own routers, for example FRITZ! with a FRITZ!Box or ASUS with AiMesh, so it helps to stay with one brand where you can.
Ethernet port speed. Many extenders have a LAN port for a smart TV, games console or desktop PC. In our range the ports are either 10/100 Mbit/s or Gigabit. A 10/100 port limits a wired device to 100 Mbit/s, so choose Gigabit if you have a fast broadband line.
Antennas and design. Some models have external antennas that you can angle, while others have internal ones and sit neatly in a wall socket. Most of the models with antenna details have two antennas, and a few have three or four. More antennas can help with stability, but placement matters more than antenna count.
Device type. A repeater picks up your existing Wi-Fi and rebroadcasts it. A transmitter and receiver pair sends the connection through another route and creates a new access point at the far end. Read the product description to see which one you are buying.
Wi-Fi range extender brands we carry
- TP-Link: the largest group in our range, known for its RE series of plug-in repeaters and for OneMesh support with compatible TP-Link routers.
- FRITZ!: the repeater line from the German maker AVM, designed to join a mesh network with a FRITZ!Box router.
- Mercusys: a sister brand of TP-Link that focuses on simple, entry-level home networking.
- ASUS: known for AiMesh, which lets compatible ASUS routers and extenders form one network with a single name.
- devolo: a German specialist in sending network signals through household electrical wiring as well as Wi-Fi.
- NETGEAR: widely known for its Nighthawk and Orbi home networking products.
Also in our range: Strong, Cudy, Telekom, Snom, D-Link and Yealink.
Wi-Fi range extender FAQ
Where should I place a Wi-Fi range extender?
Place it about halfway between the router and the area with weak signal, where the router signal is still reasonably strong. An extender can only repeat what it receives, so putting it in the dead spot itself gives a poor connection. Many models have signal LEDs that show whether the position is good.
Does a range extender reduce internet speed?
It can. A single-radio repeater uses the same channel to talk to the router and to your devices, so throughput on the extended connection is often noticeably lower than next to the router. Dual-band models and wired connections reduce this effect.
Do I need the same brand as my router?
No, most extenders work with any standard Wi-Fi router, usually after a WPS button press or a short app setup. Using the same brand can give extra features such as mesh roaming and a single network name, which makes moving around the house smoother.
What is the difference between a range extender and a mesh system?
A range extender is a single add-on unit that repeats an existing network, while a mesh system is a set of units designed to work together as one network. Extenders cost less and suit a single weak spot. Larger homes with several weak areas usually get better results from mesh.
