Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.
Fix those dead zones and get better coverage throughout your home.
Add Engadget on GoogleUpdatedFri, February 27, 2026 at 10:01 AM UTCBest Wi-Fi extenders (Engadget)Now reading:IntroductionBest Wi-Fi extender for 2026How do Wi-Fi extenders work?What to look for in a Wi-Fi extenderWi-Fi extender FAQsIn this storyBest Wi-Fi extender for 2026How do Wi-Fi extenders work?What to look for in a Wi-Fi extenderWi-Fi extender FAQsIn this storyBest Wi-Fi extender for 2026How do Wi-Fi extenders work?What to look for in a Wi-Fi extenderWi-Fi extender FAQsWeak Wi-Fi can turn everyday tasks into small frustrations, whether it’s a video call that drops mid-sentence or a stream that refuses to load in certain rooms. If upgrading your router isn’t an option, a Wi-Fi extender can be a practical way to stretch your existing network farther and smooth out coverage gaps — without rewiring your home or rearranging furniture.Today’s Wi-Fi extenders range from simple plug-in repeaters to more advanced models that behave like miniature access points or mesh nodes. Some are best suited for extending coverage to a single room, while others are designed to preserve faster speeds across larger spaces. Choosing the right one depends on your home’s layout, your internet plan and how much performance you’re willing to trade for convenience.We’ve tested a variety of Wi-Fi extenders to find the best options for different budgets and setups, from affordable fixes for small dead zones to higher-end models built to handle heavier traffic and faster connections.
TP-Link AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender (RE705X)
$130 at Best BuyBest budget Wi-Fi extenderTP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315)$20 at AmazonBest premium Wi-Fi extenderNetgear Nighthawk Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Range Extender (EAX80)$219 at AmazonBest Wi-Fi extender for 2026TP-Link
TP-Link AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender (RE705X)
Maximum transfer rate: 2402 Mbps | Range: 110 feet | Number of antennas: 2 | Number of USB ports: 0 | Wi-Fi 6: Yes | Number of bands: 2 | Wi-Fi speed: 5GHz (2402 Mbps), 2.4GHz (574 Mbps)
TP-Link has a bunch of Wi-Fi extenders under its umbrella, but the one that will likely serve most people the best is this AX3000 model, which comes in two variations: the RE700X and the RE705X. Both extenders have the same specs, including Wi-Fi 6 support, but the 705X has a slightly different design with pull-out antennas on either side. I tested the 705X, so I’m basing my recommendation off of my experience with that model, specifically.
Setting up this extender was as easy as plugging it in and following instructions in TP-Link’s Tether mobile app. All of the devices I tried followed the same basic setup process: first, plug in the extender close to your wireless router, follow instructions in a mobile app or on a setup webpage, and once the connection is established, move the extender to your desired location.
It took all of five minutes to pair the 705X with my Verizon FiOS router – probably the most time-consuming bit was deciding what I wanted to name the new 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz networks. I went with the same name for both because I didn’t want to manually choose from two different bands when connecting things like my phone or laptop. The device will automatically pair your device with the appropriate band — for example, connecting most smart home gadgets to the 2.4Ghz network, which often helps reduce latency.
The permanent location where I moved all of the extenders I tested was in my basement, since that’s where we can get the spottiest Wi-Fi signal. I first ran speed tests on my iPhone and MacBook using Speedtest.net and Speedcheck.org so I could compare them with the standard speeds I got when connected to my router’s main network. Unsurprisingly, the speeds generated by TP-Link’s extender were much slower than those from my router’s network, but that was the case with all of the devices I tested. Only our top pick (see below) got close to my router’s standard speeds, but I expected this. Wi-Fi extenders aren’t going to make your connection better – they’re just going to give you a wider area of coverage. From a spec perspective, both the 705X and the 700X are rated for speeds up to 2402 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz band.
Despite the results of my tests, I was happy to discover that I wasn’t held back by the 705X’s seemingly slower speeds. I worked as normal for hours with my phone and laptop connected to the extenders wireless network, answering emails, messaging in Slack, streaming YouTube videos and otherwise maintaining a few dozen tabs in Chrome, without any hiccups or noticeable slow-downs.
I was not surprised to find TP-Link’s Tether companion app to be easy to use, if a little simple, because that was my experience with TP-Link’s smart home app. Tether is specifically used with the company’s networking devices, and you probably won’t spend a ton of time in it after initial setup. I especially like that you can name wireless devices that are connected to your extenders network like your phone and smart TV. That makes it much easier to know which things in your home are constantly paired with the extender rather than your router’s default network.
One important thing to note with these TP-Link extenders is that they both support OneMesh, which is the company’s feature that allows you to create one seamless network if you have a compatible mesh router. Since I’m still using the router provided to me by my ISP, I wasn’t able to test out this feature, but it works like this: if you have a OneMesh router and OneMesh-compatible extenders, you can link them all together under the same network name. So rather than having a router network and an extender network under the same roof, everything would be linked and filed under your main network’s name.
It’s a small perk that becomes not so small if you have a spotty extender, or even just an awkwardly laid-out home. In my testing, I found my phone disconnecting from some extenders’ networks when I went upstairs to the main floor of the house from my basement. It would then attempt to reconnect to the extender network, when really I would have preferred it to default back to my router’s network. That thankfully didn’t happen with TP-Link’s RE705X, but it’s something to keep in mind when considering buying a Wi-Fi extender at all. If you can get one that has a feature like OneMesh, it’ll make your life much easier.
Coming in at $130 and $120, respectively, the RE705X and RE700X may not be the cheapest Wi-Fi extenders out there, but their coverage range, latest Wi-Fi support and max speeds make either of them a good pick. If you know exactly where you want to put an extender and it’s not in an awkward or hard-to-reach location, the slightly cheaper, antenna-free RE700X may work just fine for you. But if you want that extra ability to tweak antennas to suit your needs, the RE705X is the way to go.
ProsEasy setup processGood performanceEasy to use companion appIntegrates with TP-Link OneMeshConsOn the expensive side$130 at Best BuyExplore More Buying Options$115 at Amazon (RE700X)TP-Link
TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315)
Maximum transfer rate: 867 Mbps | Range: 1500 sq.ft | Number of antennas: 2 | Number of USB ports: 0 | Wi-Fi 6: Not specified | Number of bands: 2 | Wi-Fi speed: 5GHz (867 Mbps), 2.4GHz (300 Mbps)
TP-Link’s RE315 Wi-Fi extender is physically very similar to the RE705X, but with lower specs and that’s what makes it a $50 device. You’ll get up to 867 Mbps speeds on the 5GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and it only provides coverage for up to 1,500 square feet. That won’t be as much of an issue for most people as max speeds will, but if you have a particularly large property, you’re better off going with a more expensive extender that can cover more space.
There’s also no Wi-Fi 6e support on the RE315, which may be a dealbreaker for those who recently invested in a Wi-Fi 6 router. This model does support OneMesh, though, which is nice if you already have a OneMesh system in your home.
I’m focusing on specification differences because my experience with the RE315 wasn’t that far off from the RE705X. Setup was just as plain and simple since the RE315 also uses the Tether mobile app, and while speeds were slightly lower in my testing, I didn’t notice too much of a difference in real world use. For $50 normally, and often closer to $30 when on sale, the RE315 is an easy pick for anyone who wants a budget-friendly way to fill Wi-Fi dead zones in their home.
ProsAffordableEasy setup processGood performance for the priceEasy to use companion appConsOnly provides 1,500 square feet of coverageDoes not support Wi-Fi 6$20 at AmazonNETGEAR
Netgear Nighthawk Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Range Extender (EAX80)
Maximum transfer rate: 4800 Mbps | Range: 2500 sq.ft | Number of antennas: 2 | Number of USB ports: 1 x USB 3.0 | Wi-Fi 6: Yes | Number of bands: 2 | Wi-Fi speed: 5GHz (4.8 Gbps), 2.4GHz (1.2 Gbps)
