If your Wi-Fi speeds can’t keep up with your demanding video chat needs, an expensive new Wi-Fi mesh system or an internet service upgrade may help. If you’re not interested in spending that much, chances are an under-$100 range extender could also solve this problem, especially if you only have connection issues in one spot in your home. Aptly named, range extenders pick up your router’s Wi-Fi signal, amplify it, and rebroadcast the boosted signal. At PCMag, we test range-extender throughput on all bands and visually map the signal using specialized equipment. We’ve tested nearly 40 of them over the years, so you can trust our expert reviews. Our current top-rated extender is the TP-Link RE715X. (See the editors’ note below regarding the status of networking-hardware maker TP-Link.) Browse all of our top recommendations below, followed by our detailed guide on selecting the right range extender for your home’s needs.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 11, 2025: With this update, our list of recommended range extenders remains unchanged, and all of our existing picks have been vetted for availability and currency. Note: The US Commerce, Defense, and Justice Departments are investigating routers from TP-Link with an eye to a possible ban on sales in the US, according to a report. For now, we retain our recommendations for the TP-Link products listed here, but we will reassess their status pending further developments.
(Credit: TP-Link)
(Credit: TP-Link)
Pros & Cons
Easy to install and manage
Fast throughput performance
OneMesh ready
Supports 160MHz channels
Bulky
No pass-though outlet
Why We Picked It
The RE715X is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 range extender that is easy to install, works with any Wi-Fi 6 router, and installs in minutes. It can even be used to create a mesh network in tandem with a compatible TP-Link router, which makes it a logical alternative for people whose existing routers work fine and who therefore don’t need to spend $200 or up on a new mesh system with multiple nodes. The RE715X turned in solid scores in our throughput performance tests and did particularly well on the 5GHz tests, where it garnered 410Mbps on the close proximity (same room) test.
Who It’s For
People whose existing routers work fine: The RE715X is an ideal candidate for someone with a relatively recent Wi-Fi 6 router who just needs a bit of extra range to carry their Wi-Fi signals to a distant spare bedroom or the back deck.
People who have a mesh-compatible TP-Link router: This Wi-Fi extender serves as a mesh alternative when coupled with a TP-Link router, letting you create seamless whole-home coverage without a significant investment in a mesh system.
Specs & Configurations
Wireless Specification
802.11ax
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput)
AX3000
Number of Bands
2
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
1
Number of Antennas
2
Learn More
TP-Link AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Extender (RE715X) Review
(Credit: TP-Link)
(Credit: TP-Link)
Pros & Cons
Good throughput performance
Fast, easy setup
Works with compatible routers to create a mesh network
Does not support 160MHz channels
No passthrough outlet
Bulky
Why We Picked It
At $99.99, this TP-Link range extender offers a fairly inexpensive way to boost Wi-Fi coverage without having to invest in a new router or mesh system. It’s smaller and less expensive than our top pick, the RE715X. In return for the space and money saved, you give up some performance as well as support for 160MHz channel width. Still, it’s easy to install and manage, and a solid performer overall.
Who It’s For
Budget buyers: If you need to boost the signal of your Wi-Fi 6 router, the RE600X is a great option that won’t break the bank.
People who have a mesh-compatible TP-Link router: This TP-Link range extender is an especially good choice if you have a TP-Link router, since they can be combined to create a mesh network instead of a separate extended one.
Specs & Configurations
Wireless Specification
802.11ax
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput)
AX1800
Number of Bands
2
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
1
Number of Antennas
2
Learn More
TP-Link RE600X AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender Review
Pros & Cons
Strong 5GHz throughput performance
Good signal range
Shares host router SSID
Easy to install
Why We Picked It
If your router is having trouble delivering a strong Wi-Fi signal to certain areas of your home but you loathe the thought of switching between differently named networks for different parts of your house, the Netgear EAX15 can help. It’s easy to install, and you can use it to create a mesh-like network without buying a whole new mesh system, since it supports single-SSID naming for seamless roaming if you have a compatible Netgear router. It also supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, and it delivered solid performance on the 5GHz band in our testing.
Who It’s For
People who want simplicity: If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi range extender that’s easy to install, this Netgear option is a top choice. All you have to do is plug it into a wall outlet and configure it with a mobile app to get wall-to-wall Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
People who have a mesh-ready Netgear router: This Netgear range extender is ideal for anyone who already has a Netgear router that’s mesh-ready. The EAX15 lets you extend your Wi-Fi signal to previously underserved rooms in your house without worrying about the name of the network you’re on.
Specs & Configurations
Wireless Specification
802.11ax
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput)
AX1800
Number of Bands
2
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
1
Number of Antennas
2
Learn More
Netgear AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX15) Review
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Pros & Cons
Easy to install
Mesh-ready
Good performance
Supports 160MHz channels
Bulky
No pass-through outlet
Only middling signal strength
Why We Picked It
The E30 is a dual-band extender that can be used with any Wi-Fi 6 router and will operate as a node in a mesh network when paired with a compatible D-Link Aquila Pro router, such as the Aquila Pro M60. Installation is easy, and the E30 posted competitive scores in our throughput performance tests. At $99.99, it’s more cost-effective than buying a new router, and it uses Wi-Fi 6 technology, including 160MHz channel transmissions.
Who It’s For
People who have a mesh-ready D-Link router: If you need to extend the range of your existing D-Link router, the E30 is a good choice because it will create a mesh network at a significantly lower cost than buying a whole new mesh system.
People who want a simple setup: The E30 is easy to install using its mobile app, making it a top choice for anyone looking for a strong range extender with a quick setup.
Specs & Configurations
Wireless Specification
802.11ax
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput)
AX3000
Number of Bands
2
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
1
Number of Antennas
2
Learn More
D-Link Aquila Pro AI AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Smart Mesh Extender (E30) Review
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Pros & Cons
Solid performance
160MHz channel bandwidth
Easy to install
Works as a mesh node with compatible routers
No pass-through AC outlet
Middling signal strength
Why We Picked It
The Asus RP-AX58 is a Wi-Fi 6 range extender that plugs into an AC outlet to bring wireless connectivity to areas that your router can’t reach. It’s simple to install, and it can be paired with an Asus AiMesh router to form a mesh network. At $99.99, it’s right in line with the cost of other range extenders, and its throughput performance is very good based on our testing.
Who It’s For
People who have a mesh-compatible Asus router: If you need to extend the range of your existing Asus router, the RP-AX58 is a good choice because it will create a mesh network at a significantly lower cost than buying a whole new mesh system.
Newbies: Simply plug it in and use the Asus Extender mobile app to link it to your router, and you’re ready to go.
Specs & Configurations
Wireless Specification
802.11ax
Wi-Fi Speed (Total Rated Throughput)
AX3000
Number of Bands
2
Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)
Number of Antennas
2
Learn More
Asus RP-AX58 AX3000 Dual Band Range Extender Review
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The Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders for 2025
What makes range extenders so attractive compared with a more elaborate mesh system is that they are easy to install and inexpensive. Pair one with a budget-priced router, and you can build a tandem system with coverage that rivals what you’d get from a single high-priced router or mesh network. Range extenders come in various shapes, sizes, and speeds, but they have limitations: They are typically half as fast as your primary router, and they create a separate extended network that makes seamless roaming difficult.
Depending on the size and layout of your home, a mid-to-high-end router may provide all the Wi-Fi coverage you’ll need. But some level of signal degradation is almost a certainty for homes built with dense materials like brick, concrete, plaster, and metal. Likewise, homes with multiple floors and many walls are more susceptible to signal loss than a one-story home with an open floor plan. In some cases, you can relocate your router to a central location to deliver a stronger signal to those dead zones that were previously out of reach.
In most homes, however, the router’s location is tied to the room where the internet enters the house, which means relocating the router will likely require running an Ethernet cable to the desired area. Range extenders provide a relatively easy way to deliver Wi-Fi without running cables.
(Credit: TP-Link)
When shopping for a range extender, finding one that matches your router’s specs is essential. For example, if you have a dual-band AC1900 router, get a dual-band AC1900 extender (or better). If your router supports Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) data streaming, which provides enhanced performance by sending data to compatible clients simultaneously rather than sequentially, look for an extender that supports this technology if you want to extend your MU-MIMO network.
The same goes for the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 technologies, the current fastest flavors of Wi-Fi. If you recently bought a new router that supports these standards, you’ll undoubtedly want to ensure any range extenders also support them.
How Does a Wi-Fi Range Extender Work?
A Wi-Fi range extender boosts the Wi-Fi signal from your existing router for greater coverage throughout your home. To do this, it picks up the signals from a specific Wi-Fi access point (your router). Depending on the brand and model of the device, it then either boosts the signals under the same network name (SSID) or under a new SSID that must be created and configured. You’ve probably seen this before, where a home’s network has a “SmithHouse” for upstairs and “SmithHouse_EXT” for downstairs. Your devices will often stay on one until it’s entirely out of range; then, you can switch over to the closer range extender to get a better connection.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Some range extenders do more than just boost your Wi-Fi signal, however. Many models are equipped with Ethernet ports so that they can moonlight as wireless access points, with an Ethernet connection to your router instead of a wireless one. In this scenario, rather than the access point boosting your router’s Wi-Fi signal, your traffic flows wirelessly from your device to the access point, and then from the access point to your router via the Ethernet cable. This mode of operation is often preferred since it reduces the possibility of interference, but it requires running a cable between the router and the area of your house experiencing spotty Wi-Fi coverage.
What’s the Difference Between a Wi-Fi Booster and Extender?
Some manufacturers call their products Wi-Fi boosters or Wi-Fi range boosters, while others call them Wi-Fi extenders or Wi-Fi range extenders. For most consumer purposes, all of these terms are synonymous.
However, before you buy a range extender, you should investigate other ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal without one. Many are easy and free. You could reposition your router, update its firmware, and change its broadcasting signal. These straightforward tweaks and many more like them could solve your connectivity issues without additional equipment. For more ideas, see our guide to boosting your Wi-Fi signal.
Do You Need a Desktop or Plug-In Extender?
There are two types of Wi-Fi range extenders: desktop and plug-in. Most desktop extenders look just like a wireless router and are typically equipped with external adjustable antennas, multiple LAN ports for connecting to devices like TVs and gaming consoles, and USB ports for attaching to peripherals such as storage drives and printers.
Plug-in extenders are much smaller than their desktop counterparts and are inserted right into a wall outlet. Some models have external antennas, while others use internal antennas to present a discreet profile. Due to their size, plug-in extenders usually have only a single LAN port and lack USB connectivity, making them less versatile but more affordable than desktop extenders. If you can’t spare a wall outlet, look for a plug-in model with a pass-through outlet.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re having trouble connecting a computer to Wi-Fi in a particular part of your home, you might be better served by a USB Wi-Fi adapter. For as little as $15, these adapters are essentially antennas that plug directly into your computer to help it pull in a better Wi-Fi signal.
How to Set Up a Wi-Fi Range Extender
Not very long ago, setting up a range extender required some technical expertise and patience to find the best location (ideally halfway between the router and the dead zone). But most of today’s routers and range extenders support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), which makes pairing the two as simple as pressing a couple of buttons, naming your new extended network, and creating a network password.
(Credit: D-Link)
Moreover, nearly all manufacturers offer web-based setup wizards and illustrated instructions that will help you configure basic wireless settings. Some (but not all) extenders are equipped with LED status indicators that tell you if the extender is too far from the router. Extenders can also offer advanced router-like features such as guest networking, access scheduling, and media server capabilities.
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Really Work?
While relatively easy to configure, range extenders have their limitations. In addition to the fact that they often use a separate network SSID that you have to log into as you move through the house, Wi-Fi speeds are typically half what you get from your main router. Most dual-band extenders use both radio bands to transmit data to and from the router, which means devices connecting to the extender are competing for bandwidth with the router. (Some manufacturers let you dedicate a band for router-to-extender communications to help alleviate network congestion.)
Recommended by Our Editors
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Still, maybe the fastest possible throughput is what you’re after. That could be because you’re running business applications across your network, or because you’re in the market for a gaming router or especially a Wi-Fi 6 router. If so, test the connection between your endpoints to ensure you’re getting the maximum traffic speeds you can. PCMag thoroughly tests all routers and range extenders that come through its doors, so you’ll know what to expect before you buy.
Wireless Extenders vs. Wi-Fi Mesh Systems
If you’re considering upgrading your network with all-new hardware, it’s worth looking into a mesh-based Wi-Fi system before you spend money on a traditional router. Wi-Fi mesh systems are designed to blanket your home with wireless coverage. They comprise several networking components, including a main router and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, that you place throughout your home. They are all part of a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password, meaning you can roam throughout your house without logging into an extended network.
Whereas range extenders communicate with the router via the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio bands, most Wi-Fi system satellites use mesh technology to talk to the router and each other. Each node serves as a hop point for other nodes in the system, which helps the nodes farthest from the router to deliver a strong Wi-Fi signal as they talk to other nodes and don’t rely on one-to-one communications with the router.
Wi-Fi mesh systems are ideal for users with little or no technical knowledge. They can be installed in minutes and typically come with a user-friendly mobile app that walks you through the installation process with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions.
Many range extenders offer a hybrid approach for people who want to test out the benefits of a mesh system without replacing their existing router. These models replicate some (but not all) of the advantages of a mesh system, including the ability to switch seamlessly between the extender and the main router without changing to an “_EXT” SSID. Look for a “mesh-ready” range extender that’s compatible with your existing router and made by the same company. Our top picks include mesh-ready extenders from Asus, Netgear, and TP-Link.
Ready to Buy the Best Range Extender for You?
Check out our picks for the top extenders we have tested in our wireless-extender review summaries above and in our spec comparison chart. To get even more from your home Wi-Fi network, check out our guides to setting up your router and protecting your Wi-Fi network.
