Best WiFi Extender

(Image credit: Future)

published 8 January 2021

WiFi extenders can mean the difference between having a strong signal in your bedroom or garage and having nothing at all. WiFi is notoriously fickle when it comes to walls and floors so having an extender upstairs, or in your sleeping areas is a really great idea. We've come up with some of our best WiFi extending solutions for you here.

Best overall

NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender EX3700

Easy and affordable extension

Netgear has long been an industry leader in the WiFI game, and its range of extenders are as good as you expect. The EX3700 is the perfect balance between price and usability and is our favourite right now. With a max download speed of 700Mb/s, its good enough for just about any broadband in the UK and it will allow you to connect up to 15 devices to the network. The EX3700 adds around 1000 square feet of range to your Wi-Fi, making it perfect for covering a large upstairs area.

Best value

TP-link-wifi-extender — (Image credit: Amazon)

TP-Link Universal Range Extender

Range doesn't have to cost

The Tp-Link range extender is going to be winning any awards for advanced technology. What it is really great at is being a cheap and cheerful extender that will help you when you need it. The budget price includes 300Mb/s transfer speeds and an ethernet port if you need one.

Best for powerlines

TP-link-powerline adapter — (Image credit: Amazon)

TP-Link 2-Port Powerline Adapter

Use your electrical system to help

Powerline adapters use your existing power cables to transfer data at high speeds. This gives them an excellent high-speed connection through the dual ethernet ports, as well as a 300Mb/s WiFi system. I like the powerline system for connecting my gaming consoles directly to the ethernet without needing huge runs of cable.

Our favorite mesh

Google Mesh WiFi Router Whole Home System

Works well with your smartphone

Mesh systems work a little differently than normal WiFi extenders but produce a more comprehensive coverage area. Google Mesh WiFi also has an excellent app that allows you to control who is on your network, and even lets you create a guest WiFi for your visitors, making it extra secure. If you use a lot of connected devices, a Mesh system is likely best for you.

Best with alexa

Amazon eero mesh WiFi system

Smart mesh system

Eero is the mesh system owned by Amazon and works extremely well. Like the Google WiFi, the eero covers a massive area and can be increased in size the more "pucks" you use. This three-pack is enough to cover a whopping 4,800 square feet so it should be plenty for most homes. Of course, because it is owned by Amazon, it also adds Alexa controls to make connecting that much easier.

Extend your choices

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While there are many different choices of WiFi extenders it really all depends on your needs. WiFi extenders normally work by creating a new system for you to connect to, separate from the original WiFi ID. For a traditional WiFi extender, our top pick is the NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender EX3700. It is affordable and offers a great range along with excellent transfer speeds.

A mesh system completely replaces your current WiFi network but works all across your house under a single WiFi name. This eliminates some of the complexity and makes everything much easier. The Google WiFi Mesh is even simpler still due to the excellent app.

Ever since James bought his first home, he has been obsessed with making it the perfect space. From curtains, paint, and pictures to grills, mixing bowls, and pots and pans, nothing is too small an item for James to adore!