The Best Wi-Fi Extenders to Rid Your Space of Internet Dead Zones in 2025

Wi-Fi dead zones suck, so get rid of them with one of these Wi-Fi extenders.

Feb 18, 2025 - 20:00
The Best Wi-Fi Extenders to Rid Your Space of Internet Dead Zones in 2025

No matter what you’re doing online, a strong, reliable Wi-Fi signal is nice to have, but when you're gaming, it's imperative. Not only does a solid internet connection bring faster download speeds, but it also leads to low latency and lag for smoother action and faster reactions, giving you a leg up on opponents. It’s equally important for streaming, delivering fewer buffering interruptions or drops in image quality.

Even the best wireless routers sometimes struggle to send a strong signal to certain areas of your home, whether you’ve got a gaming setup in the basement or just some ridiculously thick walls. Rather than investing in a whole new Wi-Fi system, a great range extender could be a quick and easy fix, eliminating those annoying Wi-Fi dead zones by rebroadcasting the signal for further reach around every corner of your space.

Wi-Fi extenders aren’t exclusively for wireless devices, either. Many have an Ethernet port for a wired connection to certain devices. Gaming systems, PCs, and TVs could benefit from reduced lag and less signal interference from wiring up to a range extender. Many also work seamlessly with mesh routers as an alternative to their traditional nodes. From a Wi-Fi 7 range extender for a future-proof setup to a simpler, inexpensive alternative, we’ve found something sure to increase the Wi-Fi coverage in your space.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Wi-Fi Extenders:

1. Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80)

Best Wi-Fi Extender

If you live in a large home, or have multiple people connecting to your router, you’ll want the Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80). It extends your Wi-Fi up to 2,500 square feet and up to 30+ devices, so you can connect your smart TV, smartphone, smart home devices, consoles, gaming PC, and everything else you can think of without suffering slow speeds.

The Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh Extender (EAX80) is quite a bulky piece of equipment, but if you have room for it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its excellent performance. It features WEP, WPA/WPA2 protocols, is incredibly easy to set up, and works with any wireless router or cable modem. You can even use the Nighthawk app to customize your wireless network and get an overview of which devices are connected to it.

2. TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315)

Best Budget Wi-Fi Extender

At under $30, the TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315) is one of the cheapest Wi-Fi extenders around. It comes with one Ethernet port, can cover up to 2,500 square feet, and supports up to 30 devices. While you’re not going to get super-fast speeds with this Wi-Fi extender, it is great for those who have slower internet speeds that need to simply extend the range of their wireless connection.

Smaller homes, or even home offices would benefit from the TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315). And if you have additional devices like smartphones, security cameras, or smart home devices that need a little bit more wireless reach, you won’t be throwing away lots of money thanks to how affordable this extender is.

3. TP-Link AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E Extender (RE815XE)

Best Wi-Fi 6E Extender

With four external antennas, the TP-Link AXE5400 can reach hard-to-cover areas, like basements and back corner rooms, ensuring your wireless network reaches every inch of your home. To make your life easier, it comes with a signal indicator, giving you insight into the optimal placement of the device in your home. The TP-Link Tether app walks you through the entire installation process and lets you easily manage the network afterward.

Given TP-Link AXE5400 is a Wi-Fi 6E extender, it’s full of features designed to enhance your Wi-Fi experience. Its tri-band support includes a 6GHz band that can be used with the latest devices or for backhaul, thanks to OneMesh support. That helps eliminate congestion and interference problems from legacy gadgets connected to the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. MU-MIMO and Access Point are also on this extender, allowing for better extended network performance.

4. TP-Link BE11000 Wi-Fi 7 Extender (RE655BE)

Best Wi-Fi 7 Extender

Wi-Fi 7 is here. Sure, the selection of Wi-Fi extenders offering the latest standard is limited and so are the devices that support it, but the TP-Link BE11000 Wi-Fi 7 Range Extender is excellent. Plus, it’s backward compatible, allowing you to use this extender with Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E routers for a future-proof setup if you haven’t upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 just yet.

Wi-Fi 7 delivers fast speeds, low latency, and better handling of congestion – all of which can be extremely beneficial to gamers or households with tons of connected devices. The TP-Link BE11000 is ready to take advantage of it all with tri-band frequency offering a wild 10.8Gbps of speed, including a 6GHz band for less congestion that can hit 5764 Mbps. There’s even a 2.5G Ethernet port for more reliable handling of bandwidth demands. Of course, it also comes with all the latest Wi-Fi 7 features, like 4K-QAM, MLO, and Multi-RU, for optimal signals and distribution throughout your home.

Setting up the TP-Link BE11000 is fairly straightforward, as it plugs right into a wall outlet and the TP-Links’ Tether app assists in the initial install. The unit is a bit bulky, and its two-prong design makes it more susceptible to falling out of the wall. At least the larger build allows room for four exposed high-gain directional antennas with Beamforming technology to deliver a stronger signal, reaching more nooks and crannies in your home. Turning this extender essentially into a node for your mesh network is also simple thanks to EasyMesh certification.

5. TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter

Best Wi-Fi Extender Powerline Adapter

If you’re considering a more wired alternative, there’s always a powerline adapter range extender. Such a range extender piggybacks on your space’s electrical current, allowing it to theoretically move data anywhere where there’s an AC outlet. For that, the TP-Link TL-PA9020P is a terrific option, boasting a range that’s longer than most powerline extenders out there (up to 1,000 feet over existing electrical wiring), as well as extras like AC passthrough so you don’t lose an outlet. It also features a pair of Ethernet ports so you can hard-wire up to two devices.

Don’t let the term “powerline adapter” intimidate you. This feature-rich powerline extender is so easy to set up, even the least tech-savvy folks can do it. In fact, it’s really just mostly plug and play, with virtually no configuration or special surge protector required.

6. Asus ROG Rapture GT6

Best Mesh System

If you need more than a Wi-Fi extender, it might be time to invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system like the Asus ROG Rapture GT6. Using tri-band technology, the GT6 offers insanely fast speeds, strong signal, and an array of ports you can use. It’s a beast, there’s no denying that, and it’s expensive, but you might save in the long-run instead of purchasing Wi-Fi extenders or powerline adapters that just aren’t going to do the trick.

Dedicated gaming routers are of course designed for online gaming, but this whole-home mesh system ticks that box and more. If you’re looking for strong throughput, a wealth of features, and want to enhance your online gaming experience, the investment is totally worth it.

How to Pick the Best Wi-Fi Extender

Picking the best Wi-Fi extender can make a significant difference in improving your home network's coverage and performance. But, before making any final decisions, you’ll first need to assess your current Wi-Fi situation. Take note of the areas in your home where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or non-existent. Understanding these dead zones will help you determine the type and range of extender you need.

If you’re going to invest in a Wi-Fi extender, you might as well get one that supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6E or even Wi-Fi 7, for faster speeds and better connectivity. Pay attention to the extender's frequency bands; dual-band or tri-band extenders can offer more flexibility by operating on multiple frequencies simultaneously, reducing interference and congestion.

The clue is in the name, but if you’re in the market of buying a Wi-Fi extender, then range is important. You’ll need to pick a device that can cover the areas where you need improved Wi-Fi coverage.

Depending on your technical knowhow, you might want to look for a Wi-Fi extender that’s easy to set up and manage. Look for models that offer simple, user-friendly setup processes and intuitive management interfaces. Some extenders come with mobile apps that allow you to easily monitor and control your network settings from your smartphone or tablet.

By considering these factors and doing some research on available options, you'll be able to pick the best Wi-Fi extender that suits your needs and helps you enjoy seamless, reliable connectivity throughout your home.

Wi-Fi Extender FAQs

Do Wi-Fi extenders really work?

Yes, Wi-Fi extenders can increase the range of your wireless network. Their speeds and effectiveness, however, can be impacted by a variety of factors, like the distance from your router, how many people are connected to your network, and so on.

Where is the best place to put a Wi-Fi extender?

You should put your Wi-Fi extender in a place that receives a strong network signal from your router.

How fast should my Wi-Fi be for gaming and streaming?

For gaming and streaming, a bandwidth between 25–100Mbps should suffice for most users. Faster speeds make for quicker content downloads and updates. The only time you may want to seek out more bandwidth is if you have a bunch of devices using Wi-Fi at the same time, or you’re looking to do tons of 4K streaming. What really matters, especially for gaming, is consistent low latency (or ping).

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow