There are currently 13 WiFi extenders in our ratings, all of which you simply plug into an outlet and set up using either a mobile app or a web-based wizard.
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We use a professional wireless performance software suite to test each model’s capabilities. This software measures the throughput of the extender directly from a nearby computer. That gives us more precise data than if we were to rely on a web-based service such as Speedtest.net or Fast.com. That’s because data is transmitted directly between the extender and a computer and not over the internet, which can introduce latency. We do three “runs” and then average the measurements to come up with our final throughput score.
In our labs, we place the extender being tested inside a room down the hall and around the corner from the laptop used in the test. This is done to simulate a typical home environment, where you might have your router in one room and the extender in another. We then vary the distance between the laptop and the extender (from 8 to 20 to 35 to 55 feet) to measure the extender’s effectiveness at various distances.
In practice, there’s a balance you want to strike when setting up an extender. The farther you place it from the router, the more you risk losing signal speed. But place it too close to the router and you may not be able to push the signal to the desired location. In the instructions included with the extenders, manufacturers recommend placing the unit about halfway between the router and the area you hope to reach.
So to answer the question of whether or not you should get a WiFi extender, here’s how to think about it.
If your goal is simply to get WiFi in that one dead zone in your home, a spot where you like to browse the web and check email, our testing shows that you should be prepared to spend around $50 for an extender. You can pay more for bells and whistles like built-in Ethernet and USB ports, but the performance is roughly the same.
At the moment, extenders that cost less than $30 fare less well in our tests.
For example, the TP-Link RE220, which retails for about $20 (and which we’ve seen on sale for as low as $17 on Amazon), and the Netgear EX6120, $36, sure do seem appealing. But our tests show their performance to be quite poor, earning low marks in terms of speed (even at short distances) and versatility. So you have to either limit your expectations or shop at a retailer with a generous return policy.
If you’re hoping to do more demanding tasks, like stream 4K video or play online games that require low latency, you ought to consider a mesh network. Those range in price from $100 to $1,000 but offer a more robust solution, using two or three units that work together to deliver fast WiFi throughout your whole home—not just to one room. And, really, given that prices for mesh routers have fallen quite a bit since the technology was first introduced, you can now find capable models for well under $150 from well-known brands like Google and TP-Link.
For more guidance, Consumer Reports members can check our full ratings of WiFi extenders and routers and consult our article on the best low-cost mesh routers.
Since they first hit the scene a few years back, mesh Wi-Fi systems have changed the look and feel of home networking. In place of an unsightly router that you would normally tuck away in a closet or somewhere else out of sight, mesh systems typically use smaller components called nodes, which are designed to be more attractive and blend in better with your home decor. But the real attraction of mesh systems for most home users is that they usually come with free mobile apps that make it easy to install and manage the network using a phone or tablet. And since all of the nodes use a single SSID and password, you can roam from room to room without having to log in to a secondary extended network, like "MyWifi_EXT," as you move into the range of an extender rather than the main router.
Mesh systems are popular because they're all about ease of use, with their chief selling points being quick and simple installation as well as that seamless home Wi-Fi coverage. But even with their added simplicity, you need to keep a few things in mind when selecting and installing your mesh network. Read on to find out how to set up your new mesh system to blanket your home with glorious, strong Wi-Fi.
Typically purchased in packs of two or three components, Wi-Fi mesh systems usually consist of one device designated as the main router that connects directly to your modem. Usually, it will be accompanied by one or two satellite modules, or nodes, that you place throughout your house, each generally requiring only an electrical hook-up. If this initial set of two or three mesh devices isn't enough to blanket your home with a strong Wi-Fi signal, you can purchase more nodes, and they'll simply integrate seamlessly into the mesh.
The "mesh" refers to the wireless network these nodes create among themselves, not only passing wireless traffic among them but also keeping signal strength smooth and strong throughout the network. When configured, all these devices will be part of a single wireless network sharing the same SSID and password. This means you won't have to switch networks and passwords as you move from room to room like you do with an older (though admittedly usually cheaper) wireless range extender.
Most Wi-Fi system satellites use mesh technology to talk to the router and to each other. Each node serves as a hop point for other nodes in the system. This helps the nodes farthest from the router to deliver a strong Wi-Fi signal as they are talking to other nodes and not relying on one-to-one communications with the router. Not all Wi-Fi systems use mesh networking, however; some use a dedicated radio band to communicate with the router and with each other. As with mesh, the dedicated band frees up the standard-use 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for your connected devices to use.
Since more coverage usually means more nodes, before you go out and buy a mesh Wi-Fi system, you'll need to calculate how much wireless coverage you'll require. To start, figure out the square footage of your home and any outdoor areas that you want to cover, and don't forget to factor in the distance between floors for multilevel homes.
Coverage varies from system to system, so make sure you check the specs before plunking down your hard-earned cash, and keep in mind that all homes are different. Structures such as walls, doorways, and flooring will affect wireless signal transmissions, as will interference from other wireless devices such as microwave ovens and portable phone systems. As mentioned, almost all mesh systems are expandable, so if you find that your system doesn't quite reach certain areas in your home, don't worry: You can easily add another node after the initial installation.
Most Wi-Fi mesh systems will require you to download a mobile app and have a working internet connection for setup. That sounds like an oxymoron, since you're usually configuring the Wi-Fi network in order to get an internet connection, but remember that your cable modem will have already been set up by your internet service provider (ISP). Your mobile device's cellular network also counts as a source of internet access available during the setup process.
Once you've downloaded the app, you'll have to create an account and an administrator password. Be sure to remember the password to avoid having to reset your system later on. It's also a good idea (and recommended by most companies) to unplug the modem or router that you'll be connecting your mesh system to so that it can reset itself and assign a valid IP address to the mesh router node. To begin setup, open the app and follow the instructions for connecting the mesh router to your modem and adding satellite nodes.
One of the most important things to consider when setting up your mesh network is where to position each node for optimal Wi-Fi coverage so you no longer have any dead zones in your home. The main router node, which provides internet connectivity to all of the other satellite nodes, should be installed in close proximity to your cable modem or existing router, as it will be connected to it using a LAN cable. The router node should also be placed out in the open (not in a closet or cabinet) and within reach of an AC wall outlet.
The app will search for the node and let you know when it's discovered, at which point the node will acquire an IP address. Before moving on to the satellite node placement, you'll have to give your new network a name and password that will be used by all connecting clients. It's worth noting that most Wi-Fi mesh systems use automatic band-steering and will create a single SSID for both radio bands, but some will let you split the bands, in which case you'll have to create separate names for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
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