Best WiFi Extender: 5 Picks To Boost Your Internet Connection
On average, Australians live in the second largest homes in the world with America taking the top spot. The average Australian home is over 200 square metres and with homes that big, Wi-Fi coverage can be a challenge.
RELATED: How to get 72% off a 3-year VPN plan
RELATED: Smart tablet that doubles as home hub for $399
The standard modem router will generally cover 60 - 70 per cent of the home, leaving blackspots or areas where coverage is regularly suffering drop outs. Wi-Fi extenders are the simplest way to add some extra bars to your wireless network in places you need it most.
BEST WI-FI EXTENDERS
Whether you have a multistorey home you need to cover effectively, or have extensive gaming and streaming needs, we’ve got you covered.
BEST OVERALL WI-FI EXTENDERS FOR TV, GAMING AND STREAMING ENTHUSIASTS
Tenda AC750 Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender, Amazon Australia, $39
If your bedroom or home office is in need of stronger connectivity, then you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars extending your network. The Tenda AC750 will carry the internet into your space with speeds up to 433 Mbps. This means you could be streaming high definition video or joining Zoom video calls without drop outs. You won’t need to set up a second Wi-Fi network either - Wi-Fi extenders simply carry the existing network name and password to make the transition as smooth as possible.
TP-LINK AC1750 WiFi Range Extender, The Good Guys, $129
If you have a television, gaming consoles, streaming devices and computers all relying on the network in a part of the home with poor Wi-Fi, you need a range extender which will handle the throughput, but also be able to juggle the demand from so many devices. The TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi range extender carries three antennas with dual-band connectivity. Dual band (and tri band) represent lanes on a road. The more lanes, the easier the cars can travel without being bumper to bumper. For multiple devices on the network, this is a huge advantage where devices otherwise compete for a “lane”.
BEST WI-FI EXTENDER FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH MULTIPLE WI-FI USERS
Netgear - EX3110 - AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender, Bing Lee, $79
When you’re considering an area of your home that needs great performance - such as you teenager’s bedroom - the Netgear EX3100 is a small unit which will not only add greater coverage, but add greater capacity to handle more users. With up to 750 Mbps throughput, the EX3110 is perfect for a couple of extra computers and smartphones on the network that need that added reach to an area of the house. Netgear also added Parental Controls to this model, which means you can add black or white lists and even control internet access times should it become a distraction.
BEST WI-FI EXTENDER FOR MULTI-STOREY HOMES
D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender, The Good Guys, $94
Multi-storey homes are perfect locations for Wi-Fi problems. Whether your modem router is upstairs or downstairs, one level will suffer and potentially still needing help to reach all sides of the home. The D-Link AC1200 will help take that Wi-Fi signal up a level with two powerful antennas capable of 1200 Mbps throughput. What we also loved about this model is the signal strength indicators on the unit to ensure it is broadcasting a good Wi-Fi connection. This is ideal for the upstairs landing area or in the stairwell, if a powerpoint is available.
BEST PREMIUM, DOES-IT-ALL WI-FI EXTENDER
Netgear AC2200 Nighthawk X4S Tri-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender, Amazon Australia, $257.30
When only the best will do, the Netgear AC2200 Nighthawk X4S Tri-Band Wi-Fi range extender is going to eliminate blackspots and make those areas of the home feel as though you are plugged directly into the internet. While this is the most expensive in the list, it is ideal for the highest demands in your home network. Installation is carried out with the touch of a button, enabling your extender to carry your existing network forward without needing a technician to assist. Given it’s prowess, it is sadly the largest of the group, which may not be ideal for the aesthetics of the home. Finding a good place to hide this one is key.
WHERE DO I PLACE A WI-FI EXTENDER?
One common mistake when installing a Wi-Fi extender is placing it where you need better coverage. A Wi-Fi extender can only broadcast a signal as strong as it is receiving it. So ensure you install the Wi-Fi extender where coverage is still available so it can then extend that connection. Use a smartphone or laptop to find those locations, and experiment with different locations until it covers the space you need it to.
WHERE DO I PLACE A MESH NETWORK?
If your home is swarming with internet connected devices or you’re considering a second or third Wi-Fi extender, then it is time for a mesh network. These networks come in packs of three and can be expanded upon. They form a webbing of Wi-Fi coverage over your home ensuring that the speed you receive in every room is exactly the same. Each beacon in the mesh network can communicate with each other at lightning speeds and you’ll struggle to find a black spot. The Netgear Nighthawk Mesh MK63 is one example, you can buy it from Bing Lee for $448.
IS POWERLINE AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION?
For homes with thick concrete or sandstone walls where Wi-Fi struggles to penetrate, you may need to consider the traditional cabled connection. Powerline, however, uses existing cabling in your home, the powerpoints. With an adaptor at each end you can carry your home network into another room at 1000 Mbps. It is a very simple installation and could be perfect for the home office or smart TV. Try the Netgear PL1000 Powerline Adapter from Bing Lee, for $109.
Want to upgrade your home entertainment set up further? Discover the nine gaming monitors to boost your experience and get 72 per cent off a three-year VPN plan here.
Then discover discounts across all categories at news.com.au Coupons. There we’ve gathered all the best discount codes from major brands, including Harvey Norman, THE ICONIC and AliExpress.
Geoff Quattromani is a tech journalist and commentator across print, online, TV and radio. You can hear more from him here.
Originally published as Best WiFi extended: 5 picks to boost your internet connection
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7wqGcnKOfqsFwwMScn2ifkZm0psDSaKqmmaKpeqWx1aKanqtfl7K0wIywoJ%2BhXZrFtbHNnZyrZ56axLR50q2mq7FfZrJ0fMObb5qblGyAc4GRa25vbmdrsKd%2Bj5pvm5qWZ30%3D