Top Choices for Boosting Home Wi-Fi Speed with Wi-Fi Extenders

In today's digital age, a stable and reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential for smooth online experiences. However, for homes with larger square footage or hard-to-reach areas, maintaining a strong signal can be challenging. That's where Wi-Fi extenders and mesh systems come into play.

Wi-Fi Extenders: Bridging the Gap

A Wi-Fi extender is a device that repeats a router's signals, helping to eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones. One such extender is the D-Link DAP-X1870, which can be easily set up by plugging it into an electrical outlet in range of the Wi-Fi network, hitting a single WPS button, and using the existing Wi-Fi network's name. The DAP-X1870 connects to your network with a click, boosting your coverage under the same network name, priced at $109 on Amazon.

Another noteworthy extender is the Netgear Nighthawk, which, in tests, made its way through walls and up a staircase to deliver 190 Mbps of download speed from 175 feet away, nearly the other side of an apartment building. The Netgear EX6200 extender is ideal for video streaming or gaming, with speeds up to 1,200 Mbps and five ethernet ports for wired connections, while the Netgear EAX20 is a fast mesh extender with plenty of ports, priced at $140 on Amazon.

Mesh Wi-Fi Systems: Seamless Coverage

For those seeking a more comprehensive solution, mesh Wi-Fi systems might be the answer. These systems replace your router and any extenders by placing compact nodes around your home to create more seamless coverage without any separate networks. An example of a mesh Wi-Fi system is the Eero Pro + 2 Beacons, offering expansive coverage and a user-friendly app, priced at $449 on Amazon.

Comparing Wi-Fi Extenders and Mesh Systems

While both Wi-Fi extenders and mesh systems aim to improve Wi-Fi coverage, they operate differently. Wi-Fi extenders simply extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi network, while mesh systems create a new network that covers a larger area. Mesh systems can be more expensive but offer a more seamless and consistent connection.

In conclusion, whether you opt for a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh system depends on your specific needs and budget. If your connection works fine while close to the router but drops off in certain areas like the basement, upstairs, or patio, a cheap Wi-Fi extender like the TP-Link RE315, priced at $30 on Amazon, is likely all you need to resolve this. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more comprehensive solution, a mesh Wi-Fi system like the Eero Pro + 2 Beacons might be the better choice.