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

 The best Wi-Fi extenders can make your life a whole lot easier if you have a lot of smartphones, computers and tablets that need concurrent wireless connections no matter where you are in your office or home. 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.

With a lot of Wi-Fi networks, you’ll usually have a modem and a single Wi-Fi router located close to or built directly into it. Now, this can be sufficient for very small apartments or flats. However, if that router or modem isn’t located in a central area, or if you have floors or walls between your device and the router, it can prevent your Wi-Fi network from performing at an acceptable level.

That’s where Wi-Fi extenders come in, as they connect to the original Wi-Fi network and then boost the signal, so you can browse Facebook or Twitter in the upstairs bathroom even if your router is in the basement.

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.

Anybody with even marginal knowledge about networking knows Netgear’s name, and they’ve put their considerable expertise to phenomenal use here with the AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150. The EX6150 model is a straightforward device that you can plug directly into a wall outlet.

This Wi-Fi extender features quick and hassle free setup, with no need to use any installation disc. Just follow the simple instructions and, before you know it, you'll have fast and reliable Wi-Fi throughout your entire home or office.

D-Link's tiny Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender (DAP-1520) is small and unassuming, meaning that even while it bolsters your Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office – no one will notice that it’s even there.

The modest and simple design does come with an inevitable problem, though: it doesn’t offer an Ethernet port for extending a wired connection. Also, opposed to some Wi-Fi extenders, the antennae are internal, and while that does allow it to blend into the background, it does mean range is somewhat diminished.

You may not recognize their name, but TP-Link has been slowly building up their name in the West. And, with products like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender, it’s easy to see why: it does the job well, it's affordable and the design is reasonably appealing, too.

It may not be the fastest Wi-Fi extender in the world, but it features a great range, resulting from two external high-gain antennae and an LED on the front displaying how strong the signal quality is, making installing it in the right location a breeze.

If you're seriously thinking about expanding your Wi-Fi network, then the Netgear AC1200 Desktop WiFi Range Extender (EX6200) is certainly worth consideration. Many other Wi-Fi extenders are small devices that sit in an outlet, the EX6200 looks 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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