How to Extend WiFi Range and Get Rid of Dead Zones + The Top Reviewed Extenders

These days, almost every person I know complains about poor WiFi connection. Whether it’s your own apartment, your hotel room, or a public space such as an office or a mall, there are blind spots and dead zones almost everywhere. 

Often, it’s the technical incompetence on the part of your service provider that causes this problem. In other cases, there may be some issues in your device that you need to address. 

Here, we’ll walk you through the possible reasons you may want to extend WiFi range. You’ll learn about the different types of WiFi range extenders, and discover the best WiFi range extender you can get to cover those dead zones. 

From some common, no-fail fixes to a range of WiFi boosters, here’s everything to teach you how to extend WiFi range at home!

How Do WiFi Range Extenders Work?

Simply put, a WiFi range extender catches signals from your WiFi router and amplifies, multiplies, and extends those signals further ahead of the existing coverage area. 

However, the exact manner in which your WiFi extender works depends on the type of booster, repeater, or extender you use. 

So, to figure out how to extend the range of your home WiFi network, you first have to pick the type of WiFi signal booster that’s appropriate for your router.

For Dead Zones With Ethernet: Wireless Access Point

You may install a wireless access point when you have an Ethernet cable connection at your house. This type of wireless connection repeater is integrated as a hardwired system and works only in connection with Ethernet access.

For Dead Zones in a WiFi Router: Powerline Adapter or Wireless Repeater

If you do not use Ethernet for Internet connection, you need to understand how to extend WiFi range using a powerline adapter. A powerline adapter is attached to the main electrical supply wires of your house. This adapter fills the role of an Ethernet cable and allows you to use a WiFi access point. 

However, if you want to figure out how to extend WiFi router range, it’s pretty simple. You can get a wireless repeater, and integrate it into your existing router arrangement. This will act as a second or third router, depending on the number of repeaters you use for a certain area.

For Poor or Large Infrastructure: WiFi Mesh Network

Sometimes, the way your house is built also has a role in degrading the WiFi quality in your house. So while you’re trying to figure out how to extend Verizon FiOS WiFi range, you should also figure out if your infrastructure is problematic. 

With tough building material and large spaces, you may find that a WiFi mesh network is an ideal solution for extending and improving WiFi service in your house.

Best WiFi Range Extenders at a Glance

1. Best Universal Compatibility – TP-Link RE505X
2. Best Buy on a Budget – TP-Link RE220
3. Highest Speed and Bandwidth Options – D-Link DAP-X1870
4. Best for Verizon FiOS WiFi – NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX7300 
5. Favorite for Multiple Working Modes – BrosTrend WiFi Range Extender
6. Top-Speed Specs – NETGEAR Orbi Ultra-Performance Whole Home Mesh WiFi System
7. Easiest to Use – Google Nest WiFi
8. Best Multipurpose Extender – TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Range Extender
9. Most Effective Beamforming Technology – Nova AC1200 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System
10. Highest Coverage Without Speed Loss – Amped Wireless AC1750 WiFi Range Extender (RE1750A)

Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best WiFi Range Extender Full Reviews

WiFi range extension plays an important role in your experience with online interaction. From playing games to helping you set your dentist appointments, your WiFi system brings a lot to the table. Naturally, a spotty signal pattern can slow things down terribly. 

Therefore, you have to keep your eyes wide open when checking out the specs of any extender device you come across. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the best of extenders right here. 

From their coverage area to pricing ranges, here’s everything you need to know to find the best WiFi range extender for your house:

1. TP-Link RE505X – Best Universal Compatibility

The TP-Link RE505X extender comes with two powerful antennas to further the coverage area of your WiFi. While this blankets all those dead zones in your house, the RE505X extender also covers those parts where your router’s coverage doesn’t reach. 

The RE505X comes as a dual-band device, with a speed of 300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and a speed of 1200 Mbps at 5 GHz. The extender is also fairly easy to use. It requires you to install the TP-Link application on your iOS or Android device. 

The TP-Link R505X can also be turned into a OneMesh router system for larger infrastructures. You can get a standard TP-Link router for this purpose and get even stronger connections at even the farthest and trickiest corners of your house.

2. TP-Link RE220 – Best Buy on a Budget

This TP-Link RE220 WiFi range extender delivers some of the most powerful results with its low-end price tag. Unlike many other options, you can get a decent boosted coverage at a space of 1200 sq. ft., which may be ideal for those who live in smaller homes that have structural anomalies. 

The AC750 WiFi extender runs on two frequencies: a 2.4 GHz at 300 Mbps and a 5 GHz at 433 Mbps. The RE220 Extender can also be connected with Ethernet cables. This way, this compatibility with routers and Ethernet services makes this product even more economically viable. 

You can use the TP-Link RE220 using Web UI controls as well as the Tether app. This way, the extender allows you to manage operational settings from any device, anywhere, and at any time. 

All things considered, this RE220 Extender from TP-Link is a pretty stellar investment for those who suffer from poor Internet services but can’t spare much for a full-fledged service upgrade!

3. D-Link DAP-X1870 – Highest Speed and Bandwidth Options

While getting access and eliminating dead zones in your WiFi coverage is a big achievement, replacing them with high-speed coverage sounds even more exciting. Luckily, the D-Link DAP-X1870 makes that possible and easily doable for you. 

With its WiFi 6 range extension technology, the D-Link extender can offer up to 38% faster speeds at 5G Hz and up to 90% faster at 2.4 GHz. This means exceptionally fast streaming from multiple devices at multiple places – with minimal buffering!

The D-Link DAP-X1870 has a pretty easy setup and usage, too. You can control the settings and observe performance with a single tap using the D-Link mobile app for Android and iOS. 

Not only this, but the extender also incorporates a variety of cutting-edge technologies to improve your router experience, such as OFDMA, BSS coloring, as well as battery-saving options for your devices. 

4. NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX7300 – Best for Verizon FiOS WiFi

As far as I’ve observed, NETGEAR services can also be pretty promising when it comes to extending your WiFi range or improving router signals. If you’re a Verizon FiOS user and want your WiFi signals to expand over a larger territory, the NETGEAR EX7300 Extender can be a pretty wholesome investment. 

Another impressive point which many of you would love is that this mesh extender can connect with as many as forty devices! Pair up this feature with NETGEAR’s smart roaming technology, and you get a handful of amazing access points all over the house. 

However, you can experience some speed loss if there’s too many devices connected. In that case, you may want to consider learning how to extend WiFi range with another router.

So, the next time it’s the holiday season and your house is swarming with guests, you won’t have to keep struggling for WiFi access!

5. BrosTrend WiFi Range Extender – Favorite for Multiple Working Modes

Suppose you’re looking for a simple, no-nonsense extender. In that case, this BrosTrend WiFi range extender is surely one of the most promising and trustworthy options. Starting with its functional compatibility, the BrosTrend WiFi extender can work with routers, Ethernet cables, and powerline adapters. 

So, whether you have a router-assisted Internet connection or whether your Internet service is a blend of multiple hardware, this extender can work in literally any setting. 

Moreover, it’s also easy to set up, use, and switch between modes, which is ideal for those who aren’t exactly tech-savvy. The 867 Mbps speed operates at 5 GHz, while the 400 Mbps speed works at 2.4 GHz, which gives you a decent and seamless connectivity all over the house. 

6. NETGEAR Orbi Ultra-Performance Whole Home Mesh WiFi System – Top Speed Specs

Another NETGEAR extender that caught my eye is the Orbi Ultra-Performance Whole Home WiFi system. It’s the complete kit for those who have a constant need for extreme WiFi speeds over large areas, both indoors and outdoors and even up in the attic and down in the basement! 

It’s compatible with ISP gateways, access points, Ethernet cords, and satellite cable lines. The tri-band system allows easy streaming and eliminates all buffering backlog without you even noticing.

7. Google Nest WiFi – Easiest to Use

This Google Nest WiFi system has made it as my top pick on this list for quite a few reasons. First, just like all other Google technology, the Nest is also designed to make life easier and smoother for its users. It has a sleek, compact, and sustainable design which can easily be placed anywhere in your home. 

A single Google Nest covers up to 2,200 sq. ft. You can simply add more Nest to the junction if you want to multiply the coverage area. 

Second, the device has Bluetooth connectivity and gets in sync with other Google devices to minimize connection hassles on your part, making it easier to stream all the data you want within seconds!

8. TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Range Extender – Best Multipurpose Extender

If you’re looking for an extender that can easily handle multiple devices and connectivity modes, this AC2600 Extender from TP-Link is one of the best models to look into.

The AC2600 has a RE650 dual-band connection setting and a quad antenna design which gives ultimate and superior data coverage and access all over the house. 

It’s also compatible with all sorts of access points, routers, and gateways, so you won’t have to invest separately for different types of extensions. Its beamforming technology connects with nearby devices and sends directed signal beams to ensure maximum data transfer speed.

9. Nova AC1200 Whole Home Mesh WiFi System – Most Effective Beamforming Technology

This Nova AC1200 Home WiFi system is your complete package for revamping your home’s WiFi service. The pack contains three mesh nodes, power line adapters, a user’s manual, and an Ethernet cable. The Tenda Nova AC1200 is ideal for large homes and those that incorporate an array of different building materials. 

With the complete set, you can get seamless, undisturbed coverage in your porch, your washroom, as well as the top floor in multistory houses. Not only this, but the beamforming technology of this mesh system is also pretty impressive and sends strong, focused signals exactly where you need them.

Although this isn’t likely to happen, sometimes data transfer speeds can be low. You can fix this by learning how to set up a second router to extend WiFi range. 

10. Amped Wireless AC1750 WiFi Range Extender (RE1750A) – Highest Coverage Without Speed Loss

The Amped Wireless AC1750 WiFi extender is another one of my favorites from this list. It comes with three external antennas and has five gigabit ports, an excellent feature for large, crowded homes with numerous Internet-hungry devices. 

With its large coverage capacity and the ability to assist multiple devices at the same time, you can always browse videos, play games, and stream Smart TV from any point, indoors as well as outdoors. 

The AC1750 speed technology ensures that both the 5 GHz and the 2.4 GHz frequencies run smoothly at any access point, router, or ISP gateway.

FAQ Section

If you’re still a bit confused on how to extend WiFi range, here are some commonly asked questions about the devices.

What’s the Difference Between a WiFi Booster/Extender/Repeater?

The tech world comes up with new and creative terminology every day. This is why many people feel baffled about the exact difference between a WiFi booster, extender, and repeater. 

Since the technical lines of difference among these are blurred, it’s better to understand these differences from a literal, logical perspective. 

• A booster is a device that works to speed up the signals it receives from the router.
• An extender is a device that extends the coverage area or the spread of the router’s original signals.
• A repeater is a device that absorbs the signals, then replicates them to reinforce signal strength.

Do WiFi Extenders Really Work?

WiFi extenders do work when there’s a genuine need for extension in coverage capacity or speed limit. However, you have to properly understand the function of a standard extender to figure out whether you need one or whether there’s something wrong with your current extender. 

A WiFi extender is supposed to lend a helping hand to your actual Internet router or cable line, for example, when you want to see how to extend WiFi range outdoors. That means that your Internet service is functioning well, but you still need a stronger performance, and this is where an extender comes in. 

However, if your device itself has issues with connection, speed, etc., even the best extenders won’t be of much use. In other words, extenders simply enhance what’s already there, but they cannot create faster Internet access on their own.

Do WiFi Extenders Slow Down My Internet Speed?

The primary function of WiFi extenders is to increase the speed and strength of your router, not to slow them down. 

When figuring out how to extend WiFi range without losing speed, this misconception demands proper clarification. Basically, the job of an extender is to make enhancements to the speed that’s already there. 

However, fluctuations in the router’s own performance put more burden on the extender since it has to make up for the lack of strong signals and proper speed. This is why the extender may deliver a subpar performance in some cases, giving the impression that it’s actually slowing down your WiFi.

What Are Some Common WiFi Signal Issues?

There’s a list of instances where my WiFi signals are so weak it almost drives me mad. However, these are actually pretty common, so here’s a brief breakdown of the causes and solutions for WiFi signal issues.

Low Speed 

• Cause: Overcrowding, service outage, and voltage fluctuation
• Solution: Restarting the WiFi system, professional tech support, and electrical checkups

Bandwidth Problems

• Cause: Increased number of connected devices and peak hour data consumption
• Solution: Disconnects devices that aren’t using the WiFi service

Hardware Problems

• Cause: Poor hardware placement, outdated parts, and old software versions.
• Solution: Try relocating your router and extender elsewhere, and ask your ISP for a hardware and software upgrade.

How to Fix WiFi Dead Zones?

Although WiFi extenders are known to erase dead zones quite swiftly, there are some other measures that you can adopt to reinforce WiFi in weaker coverage spots, such as the following:

• Shift your router to an open space where it can direct beams efficiently.
• Place boosters near areas that have a tricky architecture or tough-grade building material.
• Use Ethernet or hardwired cables to get access points in places where wireless performance isn’t up to the mark.

Will a WiFi Booster Work with an Xbox, PS4, or Other Gaming Systems?

Yes, WiFi boosters can work with an Xbox, PlayStation 4, and similar gaming consoles. However, you may need a pretty powerful booster to make sure that your gaming doesn’t take up much of the data transfer, leaving other devices in those dreadful dead zones. In this case, you’d have to look for a PS4 booster that ensures powerful coverage to such high-demand systems. In other cases, you can also get a separate booster to work for only your gaming system.

Best Selling Top Range WiFi Extenders

Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API