The best WiFi extenders: top 8 devices for extending your Wi-Fi

The best Wi-Fi extenders will make your days a whole lot easier if you have a lot of computers, smartphones and tablets that need simultaneous wireless connections no matter where you are in your home or office. Even if you only have one device but have a large area to cover, the best Wi-Fi extenders can help make sure you’re connected to the internet wherever you may go in your home or office.

There’s only one caveat: with a lot of Wi-Fi networks, you’ll have a modem and a single Wi-Fi router located close to it or built directly into it. Now, this does work for very small apartments or flats well enough. But, if that router isn’t set up in a central location, or if you have walls and floors between your device and the router, you may not get the most stable Wi-Fi experience.

That’s where Wi-Fi extenders are useful, as they connect to the original Wi-Fi network and then amplify the signal, so you can read TechRadar in the upstairs bedroom even if your router is down in the cellar.

There's a huge market for great Wi-Fi extenders out there, so to help you find the perfect solution for your needs, we've compiled this list of the best Wi-Fi extenders for 2017.

Netgear is a giant name in home and office networking, and they’ve put their considerable knowledge to great use here with the AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150. The EX6150 model is a simple device that you can plug right into an electrical socket.

This Wi-Fi extender has a fast and painless setup, with no need to use any installation software. Just follow the simple instructions and, in the blink of an eye, you'll have fast and stable Wi-Fi all around your entire home or office.

D-Link's stealthy Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender (DAP-1520) is modest and unimposing, meaning that basically nobody will even detect that it's there – meanwhile it’s faithfully sending Wi-Fi throughout your home or office.

The small and simple design does come with an inherent issue, however: it doesn’t offer an Ethernet port for extending a wired connection. Also, contrary to some Wi-Fi extenders, the antennae are internal, which makes for a more aesthetically pleasing device, but it does mean range is somewhat reduced.

TP-Link is a name in networking that is gradually growing more and more recognizable in the West and, with products like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender, it’s hard not to see why: it does the job well, it's inexpensive and the design is reasonably appealing, too.

It might not be the fastest Wi-Fi extender on the block, but it boasts a great range, resulting from two external high-gain antennae and an LED on the front displaying how strong the signal quality is, giving you a simple guide to placing this device in the best area for the best results.

If you're seriously considering expanding your Wi-Fi network, then the Netgear AC1200 Desktop WiFi Range Extender (EX6200) is definitely worth some thought. Many other Wi-Fi extenders are inconspicuous devices that sit in an outlet, the EX6200 appears more like a router or modem though.

While the size may rub some people the wrong way, it does allow it to offer a range of options – including five Ethernet ports for wired devices, which other Wi-Fi extenders are unable to include. High-powered amplifiers ensure your Wi-Fi can reach all parts of the building, and a quad-core CPU helps make the network faster and more reliable.

The Linksys RE6500 AC1200 is an yet another Wi-Fi extender that looks more like a router. The more sturdy design allows Linksys to include four gigabit Ethernet ports, which means that you are empowered to expand your network to internet-connected devices that need an ethernet connection.

It also has an audio output jack which allows you to connect it to speakers or an audio system, allowing you to stream digital music from your PC to your audio receiver.

If you’re searching for an affordable option to expand your Wi-Fi network, and you don't mind making a few compromises, then the D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender may be what you’re looking for. This small device doesn't come with any Ethernet ports, and it doesn't offer dual bands or 802.11ac, presently the fastest form of Wi-Fi.

Still, it is well-built and designed, and it's a quick, simple and affordable way of expanding your Wi-Fi network if you’re not anticipating too much network traffic.

Yep, another D-Link device. The D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender DAP-1650 is a great mid-range Wi-Fi extender that brings some of the features of more expensive extenders, such as multiple Ethernet ports and USB, while also featuring a small and unobtrusive design.

Not only does it look good, but it's priced well. The only issue is that due to its compact size and internal antennae, its range isn't as large as it could be.

The Linksys Velop makes a sound argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. With the aim of replacing both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop arrives at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are doing the same thing. The main way Linksys hopes to differentiate its contender in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can understand. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have the Linksys Velop running in a matter of minutes.

Read the full review: Linksys Velop

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