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These Wi-Fi Extenders Are The Key To Fast Internet *Everywhere* You Need It

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by Tiana Crump
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Amazon/Bustle

When your Wi-Fi network isn't covering your entire home as well as you'd like — and you don't want to pay for a brand new router or Wi-Fi kit then only the best Wi-Fi extender for home use will do. These must-have gadgets instantly extend the coverage area of your existing home network so you can stay connected.

There are several things you should always consider when shopping around for a Wi-Fi extender. The first is your current home setup. To make sure you choose one that's compatible, don't forget to check your router type and its frequency. Your new device should have the same capacity.

Speed and ease of use are also important factors. The best Wi-Fi extender for your home should feature dual 2.4-gigahertz and 5-gigahertz bands. Since 2.4 gigahertz is the standard for Wi-Fi, having both options will ensure you get the most out of your extender. Plus, the 5-gigahertz band is ideal for video streaming and gaming. Translation: The ability to switch back and forth depending on your activity will provide a better wireless experience.

To help you on your quest for better connectivity, check out my list of the best Wi-Fi extenders for home use!

1

Best Wi-Fi Extender For Home Use, All Things Considered

Why it's great: The NETGEAR AC1200 is a great all-around Wi-Fi range extender. Compatible with any router, its dual bands have advanced features that are capable of boosting your Wi-Fi up to 1,200 megabits per second (Mbps). Plus, there's a multi-user MIMO (multiple input and multiple output) that enables multiple users to stream video, and even game, without slowing down the connection. And if you want to create a new Wi-Fi access point? You can do that, too.

What fans say: "This gizmo has made such a huge difference, in WiFi strength, in my home! I can watch movies anywhere in my house without losing strength, refreshing or freezing. I can even use my tablet on my screened in patio, which is located in the polar opposite location as my router."

2

A Budget-Friendly Wi-Fi Extender That's Easy To Use

Why it's great: This Nextbox model is one of the most user-friendly and inexpensive Wi-Fi extenders on the market. For a fraction of what most devices cost, you get a lot of features. It's portable and power cable free, so setup is super easy. Like others on this list, it has a dual-band feature to extend your network coverage 2.4 gigahertz all the way up to 300 Mbps (meaning it's also great for 4K TV streaming), and it's compatible with virtually any type of wireless router, boasting a secure connection with both WPA and WPA2 wireless encryption.

What fans say: "Although we have Wi-Fi at our house and it is high speed, because of the structure in the walls of the house, Wi-Fi signal tends to fade in the left wing of the house away from where the main box is. The cable company suggested that we get a signal extender. I didn’t want to get anything big and decided to purchase this one because it blends with the color of the wall, it is very compact in size and I liked the features it was described to have. It took my husband about 10 minutes to set it all up without any difficulties. We were both on a whim whether this will work, but once I started browsing Internet on my laptop, I was very surprised to see that the Internet connection was 80% better than it used to be, which makes a tremendous difference."

3

A Splurge-Worthy Wi-Fi Extender For Smart Homes

Why it's great: If you have a smart home, then the TP-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi range extender, which is also compatible with any router, is worth the splurge. Using the brand's "smart technology," it provides the best possible signal strength. It's ideal for larger homes, as it uses four external antennas for 14,000 square feet of additional, high-speed coverage. Even better? This one works with Amazon's Alexa-enabled devices as well as other smart devices.

What fans say: "The speed is great, we've had a desktop and my iPad streaming HD Netflix with no lag. Setup is easy if your router is a TP-Link, simply press the WPS button and the main round button on the front of the extender, wait a minute and you're done. Automatic connection after that point as it basically mimics your existing router so no new passwords or logging in is required."

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