Top 3 Wi-Fi Range Extenders in The UK in 2021
The best Wi-Fi Range extender for you may vary from others based on your individual needs. Despite the various individual needs, your overall top four picks should be Netgear Nighthawk EX8000, Linksys RE9000, TP-Link RE220, and Netgear Orbi. Given their different features, they offer you a stable and faster signal over a wider range.
Are dead zones and poor signal strength and range a problem for you? The solution is simple. While wireless networks are prone to many interferences. These interferences could be for various reasons. Architectural reasons like having a large house or thick concrete walls. External devices like microwaves operating on the same frequency as your network; or maybe metallic appliances that could disrupt your signal. Any one of these reasons could prevent Wi-Fi signals from reaching certain areas in your home. Wi-Fi range extenders come in handy in such cases.
The beauty of wireless connection is you can maximize your connection without having to pay extra for your data plan. Wi-Fi range extenders help you achieve this by increasing the range of your signal. It does this by enhancing and re-broadcasting your Wi-Fi signal to areas with poor signals or dead zones, using a different channel from your router’s. The result is having reliable fast internet all through your home.
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Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders in The UK.
Today, there are very many options to pick from when it comes to Wi-Fi range extenders. Your choice largely depends on your individual needs, which may differ from others. However, there are important features to consider when picking the best extender, which is compatibility, security, performance, and frequency. Based on these features, we picked the following top three Wi-Fi range extenders:
1. Netgear Nighthawk EX8000 X6S Tri-Band Wi-Fi Mesh Extender (Top Pick)
- Extended wireless coverage: Adds Wi-Fi range coverage up to 2500 square feet, and connects up to 50...
- Seamless smart roaming: Uses your existing network SSID name so you never get disconnected as you move...
The Netgear Nighthawk EX8000 is a perfect choice for a router extender if size and money are no obstacle. This cutting edge quality product, the fastest and smartest extender, worth every cent it costs. It works seamlessly to provide you with reliable Wi-Fi coverage all-around your home.
It features Triband and FastLane3 technology that ensures your bandwidth is fast, not cut in half, and can be set up in a mesh system so there is no need to connect and reconnect. Working at a possible speed of 3000Mbps, this extender is secure (supports WEP and WAP/WAP2 protocols), covering a range of 2500sq Feet.
The Nighthawk EX8000 is a sleek built plugin extender, with 4gigabit Ethernet ports that allow up to 50 devices to be connected, but is considerably larger than other extenders. Because it looks like a router, however, it won’t look too out of place.
Pros
- It’s a universal extender that can be used with any router or gateway
- Has Ethernet ports that allow wired connection
- Can work both as a router and extender
- Easy to install
Cons
- Costly
- Large in size, therefore, takes up space
2. Linksys RE9000 MU-MIMO Range Extender (Gamer’s Choice)
- Auto Firmware Upgrade always keeps your system and security up-to-date
- Tri-Band speeds up to AC3000. A second 5GHz W-Fi band delivers 3X faster speeds than Dual-Band Range...
Another top choice performer regardless of size and price is Linksys RE9000 Extender. This powerful device is especially powerful for gamers. With in-built MU-MIMO and 4gigabit Ethernet ports, Linksys RE9000 allows multiple connections. Through the tri-band feature and four antennas, it uses beam form and band steering technology, to provide you with a tight and reliable connection that cuts through the congestion for each connected device.
Like Netgear EX8000, Linksys RE9000 offers a speed of up to 3000Mbps, however, it can cover a range of up to 10,000 square feet when placed correctly. This is easy because the extender comes with Spot Finder technology. This extender is universal, so can work with any router or gateway, and comes with an automatic firmware upgrade that keeps your system and security up to date.
Pros
- Automatic firmware updates
- Spot Finder technology for the proper placing of the extender
- Can be used as a router as well
Cons
- Expensive
- Takes up a lot of space
- Not the most elegant design
3.TP-Link RE300 Range Extender (Pocket-Friendly)
- Extend Wi-Fi Coverage - Boosts Internet Wi-Fi Coverage up to 1500 Square feet and connects up to 25...
- Eliminate Wi-Fi Dead Zones - Enjoy Lag-Free connection to any type of devices. Does not support Ethernet...
If you are on a budget but not looking to compromise on quality, then TP-Link RE300 Range Extender is your best choice. Being universally compatible, this device offers most of the best features including a mesh system at an affordable price.
While it works on a dual-band technology, it offers you a speed of up to 1200Mbps and covers a range of up to 1500 square feet. The extender is also very secure, supporting the WEP and WAP/WAP2 security protocols, and although it lacks Ethernet ports, it allows the connection of up to 25 wireless devices.
The TP-Link RE300 is a sleek and simple design, easy to set up with an intelligent signal indicator that guides you on how to best place it. It also comes with WPS that allows you to set up a one mesh system with the press of a button and can manage the system easily through the TP-Link tether app.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Small footprint
Cons
- Doesn’t offer the fastest speed
- Signal strength could be better
- No Ethernet ports for wired devices
| Wi-Fi Extender | Specifications | ||||
| Compatibility | Security | Frequency | Speed | Range | |
| Netgear Nighthawk EX8000 | Universal | WEP and WAP/WAP2 | Tri-band
(2 5GHz & 1 2.4GHz( |
AC3000Mbps | 2500 sq ft. |
| Linksys RE9000 | Universal | WEP and WAP/WAP2 | Tri-band
(2 5GHz & 1 2.4GHz( |
AC3000Mbps | 10,000 sq ft. |
| TP-Link RE300 | Universal | WEP and WAP/WAP2 | Dual-band
(2.4GHz &5GHz) |
AC1200Mbps | 1500 sq ft. |
Final Verdict
Although Linksys RE9000 may have a better range than the Netgear EX8000, Netgear EX8000, allows the use of the same SSID as the main router making it more flexible in terms of connecting to wireless routers.While these three picks are the best, they are not the only options available. Remember to consider your router’s specs when purchasing an extender. You want to be sure you buy one that will integrate well with your router and offer you the maximum strength and range. Lastly, when installing, remember placement is key. Find a position for the extender that is not too far from the router nor too far from the area you would like the Wi-Fi signal to reach.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
What is the difference between a Wi-Fi range extender and a Wi-Fi network extender?
Unlike range extender that rebroadcast existing Wi-Fi signals from the router, network extenders communicate directly with the router by being wired to them.
Will my Extender Slow down my Wi-Fi?
The extender does not slow down or speed up your internet per se. It simply boosts the range of the same strength and speed of your Wi-Fi signal, to areas where the router can’t reach.
