Best Wifi Extenders - The Definitive Guide to Buying a WiFi Extender

Our guide explains the difference between WiFi boosters, repeaters and extenders, and showcases the best 10 available right now

Updated 8 January 2021

In this guide we explain WiFi extender options, the best WiFi extenders and must-know tips. We cover:

• ​Types of WiFi Extender
• Key Factors to Consider When Buying a WiFi Extender
• Five of the Best WiFi Extenders Available in New Zealand Right Now

Types of WiFi Extender

Most manufacturers use the terms WiFi repeater, WiFi booster, Mesh Range Extender, and WiFi extender (aka Range Extender) interchangeably to refer to devices that improve WiFi coverage. That might lead to confusion, so let's take a closer look at the meaning of these terms: 

1. WiFi Booster. Formally speaking any device that extends your wireless coverage may be called WiFi booster, so you can think of “WiFi boosters” as the parent category for this kind of devices.
2. WiFi Repeater. This type of WiFi booster usually pick up the signal of your WiFi router and then retransmit it hence its name.
3. WiFi Extender. In the case of WiFi extenders, they connect to your router through a wired connection and then retransmit the WiFi signal wirelessly.
4. Mesh Range Extender. This is a relatively new technology that extends the wireless signal through the use of “nodes”

For the purposes of this guide, we will use these conventions to refer to WiFi boosters, even if this contradicts the way the manufacturer has decided to call their devices. Please keep this in mind to avoid confusion.

WiFi Repeater

WiFi repeaters are the most basic WiFi signal booster currently available.

How do they work?
WiFi repeaters connect to your WiFi network wirelessly, similarly to any other device, and then rebroadcast your router signal. In theory, this simple solution is all you need to extend your signal and eliminate annoying dead spots.

However, there are some issues associated with this technology. Since most WiFi repeaters use the same band to receive and transmit the WiFi signal, in practice they reduce the available bandwidth by half for all the devices connected to them. Moreover, since they connect to your router wirelessly, they must have a strong signal, otherwise, they would not be able to transmit.

WiFi Repeater Highlights:

• They connect to your router wirelessly
• They also connect to your devices wirelessly
• Since they do not use complex technology, WiFi repeaters are usually cheap

WiFi Repeater - What We Like:

• Easy to set up. Usually, all you have to do is touching the WPS button on your router and then pressing the WPS button on the repeater.
• Inexpensive. Most WiFi repeaters cost less than $100
• Universal. Since they use widespread wireless standards they work with most WiFi routers.

WiFi Repeater - What We Dislike:

• Bandwidth loss. Although most current iterations of WiFi repeaters use dual-band technology to minimize transmission losses, they still reduce the max speed of devices connected to them
• Broadcasting issues. When using a WiFi repeater it is recommended to configure it with a different network name. This prevents smartphones and tablets to loop between your router and your repeater when they are in the midpoint of your area of coverage. However, it also introduces the annoyance of having to switch between networks manually to get the most out of the WiFi signal
• Limited locations. Since WiFi repeaters need a strong router signal to function properly, you may be limited in the number of location that you can actually place it.
• No daisy-chaining. You might use more than one WiFi repeater in your home, however, all of them have to connect directly to your router. In other words, you can not connect a WiFi repeater to another WiFi repeater.

WiFi Extender

Contrary to WiFi repeaters, WiFi extenders do not connect to your router wirelessly.

How do they work?
WiFi extenders connect to your router through a wired connection, usually by means of ethernet or power line cables. This approach brings some benefits. First of all, since wired connections are far more reliable than their wireless counterpart, WiFi extenders can rebroadcast a strong and stable signal.

The hybrid wired/wireless nature of WiFi extenders allows them to provide full bandwidth to the devices connected to them since they use their wireless radio exclusively to transmit. Furthermore, WiFi extenders are not affected by walls or obstacles like WiFi repeaters, meaning you have more flexibility to locate them around your home or office. In the case of Powerline extenders, all you have to do is to plug an adapter into your modem or router and then plug the extender to an electrical outlet of your choice.

WiFi Extender Highlights:

• They connect to your router or modem using a wired connection
• They connect to your devices wirelessly
• Their hybrid nature makes WiFi extenders more complex than WiFi repeaters

WiFi Extender - What We Like: 

• Easy to set up. In the case of powerline extenders, all you have to do is touching the pair button on your router adapter and then press the clone/pair button on the extender.
• Full bandwidth. Since WiFi extenders use a wired connection for receiving the signal from the modem or router, they can provide full bandwidth to the devices connected to them.
• Easier to locate. In the case of Powerline WiFi extenders, all you need is a power plug and be within 300 meters from your router to provide a reliable WiFi signal
• Not limited by obstacles. Their working principle makes WiFi extenders ideal for places with brick walls and other obstacles that usually block the WiFi signal.
• Universal. Same as with repeaters, since they use widespread wireless standards they work with most WiFi routers.

WiFi Extender - What We Dislike: 

• More expensive than repeaters. The added complexity of a wired connection comes at a price. WiFi extenders usually cost over $100.
• Broadcasting issues. While it is true that most current WiFi extenders employ cutting-edge technologies to minimize broadcasting issues, they still suffer from the same limitations of WiFi repeaters. You will have a separate WiFi network and your devices will need to switch between them.
• No daisy-chaining. Similar to repeaters, you can not “daisy-chain” WiFi extenders. However, since they are not limited by your router signal strength, you can place two or more WiFi extenders in a straight line far from your router and hence extend the WiFi signal at greater distances than repeaters

Mesh Range Extender

Mesh networks are without a doubt the future. They combine so many benefits that it is only a matter of time before they become the new standard. However, like all new technology, they are very expensive and therefore not as common as conventional WiFi networks.

How do they work?
This special type of network is based on the concept of nodes that "talk" to each other wirelessly. In mesh systems, one of the nodes connects to the internet and passes the signal to the other nodes, which in turn distribute it to others, and so on. Therein lies the main difference of mesh networks with conventional systems.

In traditional systems, range extenders must always be connected directly to the router to obtain the internet signal. Not in mesh systems. Each node works as a receiver and transmitter at the same time. This allows multiple nodes to communicate in a chain, allowing the signal to be extended almost infinitely by adding more nodes.

WiFi Mesh Range Extender Highlights:

• They connect to your router and other nodes wirelessly
• They connect to your devices wirelessly
• Their cutting-edge technology makes mesh range extenders extremely more complex than WiFi extenders

WiFi Mesh Range Extender - What We Like:

• Flexible. Once the mesh network is properly configured, you can add as many nodes as you want and they will start working automatically.
• Full bandwidth. Mesh range extenders have a band exclusively dedicated to receiving data. This allows the internet signal to be retransmitted without experiencing any loss since the same band is not used to receive and transmit information at the same time.
• Easier to locate. Mesh range extenders are prone to interference from thick walls and obstacles. However, due to their nature, the only limitation to locate them is to be within the range of a nearby node
• They allow daisy-chaining. As explained earlier, nodes communicate with each other meaning you can extend the range as much as needed by adding more nodes.
• No broadcasting issues. One of the many benefits from mesh systems is that they use the same network name across the entire area. The system automatically manages nodes so they provide internet only to nearby devices thus eliminating unwanted interferences.

WiFi Mesh Range Extender - What We Dislike:

• Very expensive. The exclusive technology used in mesh range extenders makes them quite expensive. Mesh extenders usually cost over $200.
• Require a mesh router. This is arguably the main drawback of mesh networks. You can not use a conventional router, every component in the mesh have to be part of the same ecosystem and share the same technology. So to enjoy the benefits of these systems you will have to upgrade your entire network.
• Might be challenging to set it up. Depending on the brand, configuring the mesh might be challenging. Fortunately, once you set up the network, it is easy to add nodes to the system.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying a WiFi Extender

Below is a curated list of the key factors you should keep in mind when buying a WiFi extender. While some aspects might seem subjective (as ease of use) others like the type of extender are so crucial that we suggest to do not overlook any of them. 

• Type of WiFi booster. For the purpose of this guide, we will classify WiFi booster into repeaters, extenders, or mesh range extenders.
• Recommended usage. Depending on its speed and type, some WiFi booster might not be ideal for gaming or streaming services like Netflix
• Wireless speed. This is one of the key aspects to consider (along with the type of booster). The faster the better.
• Ports. The number of ports may or may not be a deal-breaker for you. For instance, if you plan to use the WiFi extender to connect your SmartTV then it could be a good idea to do it through an ethernet cable. The same goes true for gaming consoles and other peripherals that benefit from stable wired connections.
• Ease of use. Some WiFi boosters require you to log in into their web interface to configure them, some only require using WPS buttons. We suggest choosing units that provide both methods.
• Bands. You should pay special attention to this factor. We strongly suggest choosing WiFi repeaters/extenders using the same bands as your router. For example, if your router uses a dual-band design, then pick a dual-band booster. If your router uses a tri-band design choose a tri-band booster. This ensures you will make the most out of your connection speed.
• Number of antennas. The more the merrier. Usually, more antennas indicate a greater range and/or number of bands
• Wireless security. Always pick WiFi boosters with the most current wireless security standards.
• Dimensions. While this aspect is many times overlooked, it is always a good idea to check the available space in your bedroom or living room, especially close to the power outlet
• Power consumption. Prefer devices with eco modes that control power when not in use.

Five of the Best WiFi Extenders Available in New Zealand Right Now

​Choosing the best WiFi extender currently available in New Zealand is not an easy task. We have compiled our list (in no particular order) based on average consumer reviews collected from consumer.org.nz as well as other sources both in New Zealand and overseas.

1. Best Budget WiFi Repeater - TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE205)

More details: TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE205)
​Pricing: From $98.99

​What We Like	​What We Dislike
Affordable  Fast, 750Mbps theoric transfer speeds Universal, works with any WiFi router or wireless access point Compatible with TP-Link’s OneMesh technology	​Only one Ethernet port No gigabit connection

If all you need is to increase the range of your WiFi network in specific areas of your home or office without spending a fortune, then the TP-Link RE205 is an excellent option. Its compatibility with the 802.11ac standard and its dual-band design allows it to reach theoretical speeds up to 750Mbs which makes it suitable for activities such as web browsing, watching YouTube videos, and more. One aspect that made us select this particular model, is its compatibility with TP-Link's OneMesh technology. When used in combination with a companion OneMesh router, this technology allows the repeater to share a single WiFi network name (similarly to mesh network) eliminating the broadcasting issues of having two separate  WiFi names.
​
Type of WiFi booster. WiFi Repeater
Recommended usage. Light video streaming, web browsing, music streaming
Wireless speed. Up to 750 Mbps
Ports. 1 x 10/100M Ethernet Port (RJ45)
Ease of use. Very easy. Can be set up using WPS buttons
Bands. Dual-band, 2.4GHz band (300Mbps) and 5GHz band (433Mbps)
Number of antennas. 2 x external
Wireless security. 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
Dimensions. 80 x 78 x 77mm
Power consumption. 7.3W（max power consumption）

Runner-up: TP-Link RE200 Dual-Band AC750 - From $89.00

​If you are not interested in TP-Link’s OneMesh feature, you can purchase the RE200 which shares the same specifications of the RE205 at a lower price

• More details: ​TP-Link RE200 Dual-Band AC750

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2. Best Budget WiFi Extender: TP-Link WiFi N300 Powerline Extender Kit (TL-WPA4220KIT)

More details: TP-Link WiFi N300 Powerline Extender Kit (TL-WPA4220KIT)​
​Pricing: From $148.99 

​What We Like	​What We Dislike
Affordable for a WiFi Extender Universal, works with any WiFi router or wireless access point Clone button for easy setup	Slow/outdated WiFi connectivity 300Mbps Consumes two power outlets Consumes one Ethernet port in the router

The Tp-Link WPA4220 is a true WiFi extender that thanks to the HomePlug AV2 standard can be used anywhere, as long as it has an available power plug. This means that it can be used to easily expand both the wireless and wired networks. However, this particular model sacrifices a lot to achieve its affordable price. On the one hand, it uses a single 2.4GHz wireless band, which limits its speed to 300Mbps. On the other hand, since it is not a pass-through model, it consumes two power outlets and an Ethernet port. Even with these notable disadvantages, its PowerLine technology and easy set up make this model ideal for locations that are too far away to use a conventional WiFi repeater, or have a weak router signal.

• Type of WiFi booster. WiFi Extender
• Recommended usage. Light music streaming, web browsing
• Wireless speed. Up to 300 Mbps
• Ports. 2 x 10/100M Ethernet Port (RJ45)
• Ease of use. Very easy. Can be set up using pair buttons
• Bands. Single-band, 2.4GHz band (300Mbps)
• Number of antennas. 1 x internal
• Wireless security. 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
• Dimensions. TL-WPA4220: 54 × 40 × 94 mm, TL-PA411: 52 × 28.5 × 65 mm
• Power consumption. 7.6W（max power consumption）

Runner-up: TP-Link WiFi Powerline AC750 (TL-WPA7510KIT) - From $199.00

If you are willing to pay its price, the WPA7510KIT offers you AC750 dual-band WiFi connectivity along with Gigabit wired speeds and Passthrough power outlet design

• More details: ​TP-Link WiFi Powerline AC750 (TL-WPA7510KIT)

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3. Best Overall WiFi Repeater: TP-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE650)

More details: TP-Link AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE650)​
​Pricing: From $249.00​

​What We Like	​What We Dislike
VERY fast, up to 2600 Mbps Universal, works with any WiFi router or wireless access point Four antennas with support to MU-MIMO for unsurpassed streaming	Expensive for a WiFi repeater Only one Gigabit port Not compatible with TP-Link OneMesh

You can think of the TP-Link RE650 as the king of WiFi repeaters. It supports wireless speeds up to 800Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band and up to 1733Mpbs on the 5Ghz band plus Gigabit speed on wired connections. Also, the RE650 can extend WiFi coverage by up to 1,300 m2 thanks to its advanced microprocessor and its ultra-powerful signal strength. Moreover, this incredible device has the ability to transfer data simultaneously to multiple devices thanks to its four antennas and its MIMO capacity. These features added to its Beamforming Technology allows it to minimize most of the problems associated with WiFi repeaters, making it the ideal choice for anyone requiring a repeater capable of handling bandwidth-intensive applications such as 4K video streaming.

• Type of WiFi booster. WiFi Repeater
• Recommended usage. 4K streaming, gaming, and other demanding online applications
• Wireless speed. Up to 800Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band and up to 1733Mpbs on the 5Ghz band
• Ports. 1 x 10/100/1000M Gigabit Port (RJ45)
• Ease of use. Very easy. Can be set up using WPS buttons
• Bands. Dual-band, 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band
• Number of antennas. 4 x external
• Wireless security. 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
• Dimensions. 163 x 86 x 40mm
• Power consumption. 12W（max power consumption）

Runner-up: TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE450) - From $168.00

Another great choice for anyone needing a high-speed WiFi repeater is the RE450. It only has 3 antennas, but still provides great coverage (up to 929 m2) and amazing speeds, up to 450Mbps on 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps on 5GHz band

• More details: ​TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE450)

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4. Best Overall WiFi Extender: TP-Link AC1350 WiFi Powerline Extender Kit (TL-WPA8630PKIT)

More details: TP-Link AC1350 WiFi Powerline Extender Kit (TL-WPA8630PKIT)​
​Pricing: From $278.99 

​What We Like	​What We Dislike
Fast, up to 1350Mbps Universal, works with any WiFi router or wireless access point Passthrough design does not consume power outlets Auto-Sync button to add as many Powerline extenders as needed	Expensive for a WiFi extender Not compatible with TP-Link OneMesh

Do not let the speed of the WPA8630 WiFi Extender fool you. Remember that its 1350Mbps are entirely used for wireless transmission since it receives the signal from the router through its Powerline technology. This added to its dual-band 2X2 MIMO and Beamforming technology makes it an excellent choice for anyone who needs lag-free gaming and 4K streaming. Moreover, the Auto-Sync feature of the WPA8630 let you "clone" WiFi settings meaning that you can add more Powerline WiFi extenders and synchronize network settings across them with a touch of a button. Last but not least, its clever design with three Gigabit Ethernet ports and Passthrough Power Socket makes this unit perfect for connecting gaming consoles, SmartTVs, and other devices that require reliable, hi-speed connections.

• Type of WiFi booster. WiFi Extender
• Recommended usage. 4K streaming, gaming, and other demanding online applications
• Wireless speed. Up to 300Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band and up to 867Mpbs on the 5Ghz band
• Ports. 3 x 10/100/1000M Gigabit Port (RJ45)
• Ease of use. Very easy. Can be set up using pair buttons
• Bands. Dual-band, 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band
• Number of antennas. 2 x internal
• Wireless security. 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
• Dimensions. TL-WPA8630P: 152 x 75 x 42mm, TL-PA8010P: 131×72×42 mm
• Power consumption. 10.8W（max power consumption）

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5. Best Overall Mesh Range Extender: NETGEAR AX6000 Nighthawk AX8 WiFi 6 Mesh Extender

More details: NETGEAR AX6000 Nighthawk AX8 WiFi 6 Mesh Extender​
​Pricing: From $538.99

​What We Like	​What We Dislike
Unsurpassed speeds, up to 6Gbps WiFi 6 compatible 8-Stream technology Four Gigabit ports	EXTREMELY expensive Only compatible with WiFi 6 Mesh routers Its desktop design uses more space

If what you want is the best mesh range extender currently available in New Zealand then the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 is for you. It is certainly expensive, however, is loaded with all the bells and whistles that recent wireless technology can offer. In addition to being compatible with mesh networks, this incredible range extender is also WiFi 6 compliant, the latest and most advanced WiFi standard. That alone would make up for its cost, but there is more. The AX8 combines the exhilarating speeds of WiFi 6 with the MIMO technology meaning you can comfortably seat in your living room and watch ultra-HD 4K movies while your kids play games online and browse content from their smartphones or tablets. All at the same time with no lags. Furthermore, as part of a mesh network, the AX8 uses the same WiFi name, adding the convenience of using a single network name for your entire home or office.

• Type of WiFi booster. Mesh Range Extender
• Recommended usage. ultra-HD 4K/8K streaming, gaming, and other demanding online applications
• Wireless speed. Up to 1.2Gbps on the 2.4GHz and up to 4.8Gbps on the 5Ghz band
• Ports. 4 x 10/100/1000M Gigabit Port (RJ45)
• Ease of use. Very easy. Can be set up using WPS buttons, Netgear web interface, or free Nighthawk App
• Bands. Dual-band, 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band
• Number of antennas. 4 x internal
• Wireless security. 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
• Dimensions. 279 x 197 x 106mm
• Power consumption. 10.8W（max power consumption）

Runner-up: NETGEAR NightHawk X6 EX7700 - From $328.99

​While it is true that the NightHawk X6 does not provide the jaw-dropping speeds of WiFi6, at least it offers an affordable alternative to the AX8 mesh range extender

• ​More details: ​NETGEAR NightHawk X6 EX7700

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