What is a WiFi Extender?

If your WiFi network has issues being transmitted to different areas of a place, such as other floors of a house or workplace, a WiFi Extender is the device you need. A WiFi extender is a device that can be both wireless or wired. It amplifies and transmits WiFi signals to an extended range. It operates by catching signals with one antenna amplifying it and then sends the WiFi signal through another antenna.

A WiFi extender can quickly boost the WiFi signal providing the internet with excellent quality and high speed. Users can place it anywhere in homes and other spots, but for the best experience, they should put the WiFi extender near the router to easily catch out the signals. After it is connected to the router, it will transmit its WiFi signals allowing devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, and TVs to connect.

Do WiFi Extenders Work Through Walls?

WiFi extenders use signals to connect to devices. The extender itself, too, does not need to be connected to the router by cables. Most WiFi extenders are entirely wireless and work by catching signals from the router and amplifying them to cover more area. Since they don’t need to be connected to any device by cables, they work perfectly well through walls, providing strong connections throughout the house.

Here are the strongest contenders in our list of the best wifi extenders for large homes:

1.TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System (Deco S4) – Up to 5,500 Sq.ft (B084GTH5LL)

TP-Link Deco Mesh has been leading the industry with this device for two years, providing 24-hour technical support. Deco Mesh WIFI System lets the users experience good quality internet with strong WIFI signals and great speed. Users can use the internet in any part of their homes without having any trouble with the WiFi signals. It has better internet coverage than any other router. Unlike other WiFi extenders, which need to have multiple names and passwords, the Deco mesh WiFi system benefits its buyers with only one network name and password making it easier for them to connect to the device.

Deco S4 can cover 5,500 square feet eliminating all the dead zones. As the units are capable of operating with a single network name, the devices switch through the extender automatically as the person moves from one spot to another in the house, giving access to uninterrupted, fast internet. The AC1200 provides exceedingly fast speed that can easily download a movie in 30 seconds and also enables up to 100 devices to connect. Deco S4 can be an excellent option for parents as it has strong parental controls whereby parents can block inappropriate websites and limit online time. Parents can get these advantages by setting up profiles for their children’s devices, enabling them to browse safely while they are online. The customers can also control the extender by Alexa voice commands.

Features:
⦁ Frequency bands: Dual-band
⦁ Number of Ports: 6
⦁ Control method: voice commands, app
⦁ Voltage: 12 Volts (DC)
⦁ Rate of data transfer: 1200 megabytes per second
⦁ LAN port bandwidth: 1000 Megabytes per second
⦁ Connectivity technology: Ethernet, wifi-built in, WiFi ready
⦁ Wireless communication standard: 802.11 ac
⦁ 4.6 out of 5 stars

Pros:
⦁ Better coverage
⦁ Fast and stable WiFi signals
⦁ It needs a single network name and password
⦁ Secure parental control
⦁ Voice commands

2. NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) – Router & Extender (B01K4CZOBS)

The second on our list is the NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band whole-home Mesh WiFi System. With the coverage of 5000 square feet, the NETGEAR Orbi allows more than 25 devices to connect to it. Users can have extended internet coverage to 2500 square feet with additional satellites that buyers can purchase separately. The Orbi WiFi system can function with any internet provider eliminating the need to change all devices, but the users have to buy a modem for it. NETGEAR Orbi can work with any network provider, including satellites, cables, fiber, etc.

The WiFi system comes with AC3000 speed and 3 Gbps of streaming HD videos, a stable net for video games, downloading, and internet surfing. It has a tri-band frequency in which one band is devoted to the routers and satellites, allowing the other two bands to provide top-speed WiFi signals to the devices. The Orbi NETGEAR has strong parental controls, making it easier for parents to keep a check with search history access. It is also capable of pausing the internet access to the devices and limiting online time.

The NETGEAR orbi also provides protection of the devices from viruses, data theft, and cyberattacks with a 30-day free trial of the world’s leading cybersecurity Bitdefender. The extenders and routers are designed with advanced technology, including VPN, firewall, guest WiFi access, and many more. The NETGEAR WiFi system supports WPA2 wireless security. It has a simple and easy setup. Moreover, with the orbi app, the customers can also manage WiFi settings and speed monitoring.

Features:
⦁ Frequency Bands: Tri-band
⦁ Number of ports: 7
⦁ Control method: App
⦁ Data transfer rate: 3000 MEGAbytes per second
⦁ LAN port bandwidth:
⦁ Connectivity technology: Tri-Band WiFi
⦁ Wireless communication standard: 802.11bgn, 802.11a/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency
⦁ RAM memory size: 0.5 GB
⦁ Security protocol: WPA2-PSK
⦁ 4.4 out of 5 stars

Pros:
⦁ Extended WiFi coverage up to 2500 square feet
⦁ Safe and advanced technology
⦁ Easy and simple setup with the app
⦁ Protected by cybersecurity
⦁ Robust parental control
⦁ Tri-Band backhaul

Cons:
⦁ Less area coverage compared to others

3. NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System (MK62) (B0823JXXX4)

NETGEAR Nighthawk Whole Home Mesh WiFi 6 System gives WiFi coverage of 3000 square feet. The Nighthawk WiFi system comes with a router and a high-powered satellite to provide strong WiFi removing all the dead zones. The NETGEAR Nighthawk lets the users experience advanced whole-home WiFi.

It is combined with WiFi speeds up to 1.8 Gigabytes per second and enables 25 plus devices to connect at a time. The 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports can be connected to the wired devices such as smart TVs and gaming consoles. A single network name provides uninterrupted internet without stopping your browsing and restarting. Cybersecurity protects all the data and devices from viruses and hacking with a 30-day free trial. Ideal for devices Samsung S10 & S20, Ultra Notebooks, Playstation 5, iPhone 11 & 12, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13 & Mac Mini. This WiFi system is easy to set up with the app.

Features:
⦁ Voltage: 100240 volts
⦁ Connectivity Technology: WLAN, LAN
⦁ Two, 2Gigabit Ethernet ports
⦁ Up to 1.8 Gbps of speed

Pros:
⦁ Has Single network name
⦁ Easy setup with the app
⦁ Provides extended coverage of 1,500 square feet
⦁ 1.5x faster speed
Cons:
⦁ Has less area of coverage as compared to other extenders
⦁ Can only work with WiFi System MK62, MK63

4. Meshforce Mesh WiFi System M3s Suite (Set of 3) – Up to 6,000 sq. ft (B07YXYV9MQ)

The Meshforce Mesh WiFi System M3s Suite is an upgrade from the M1ad M3, sporting all gigabit ethernet and more extensive coverage. The dual-band WiFi provides strong connections throughout the home and allows up to 60 devices to be connected to the internet—ideal for houses with six or more bedrooms. With the new mesh WiFi technology, users can enjoy single-SSID, secure, and smooth WiFi reception. The My Mesh mobile app allows users to set up their WiFi extender and router in just 10 minutes. Moreover, with the mobile app, users can control their WiFi remotely.

The router also allows parental control, with access to history, time limit, and limit to the number of devices connected to the router. The M3s router also supports MeshForce M1 point and M3 dot. With WPA2-PSK, you can also set up a WiFi password to secure your internet and avoid uninvited connections. It supports both IOS and Android devices and up to 6 mesh points. The WiFi systems come with one ethernet cable, one quick start guide, and three power adapters. With this WiFi system, you can roam your entire house without losing the connection even once.

Features:
⦁ Product dimensions: 14.84 x 5.55 x 5.55 inches
⦁ LAN and WLAN connectivity technologies
⦁ Data transfer rate of 1200 Megabytes per second
⦁ LAN port bandwidth of 1000 Mbps
⦁ WPA2-PSK Security protocol
⦁ Dual-Band frequency
⦁ Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Pros:
⦁ Supports internet speeds up to 1000 Mbps
⦁ Provides parental control
⦁ Users can control it through the app
⦁ Allows users to set up isolated guest WiFi
⦁ Secure

Cons:
⦁ Allows only 60 devices

5. Linksys AX5300 Smart Mesh WiFi 6 Router Whole Home WiFi System, Tri-Band AX Wireless Gigabit (B07YT5G7M7)

This router provides whole-home coverage, compatible with WiFi speeds up to 5.3 Gbps. It can give a uniformly strong internet connection for 4K streaming and heavy internet-consuming games. Users can connect more than 50 wireless devices to this router. This router is ideal for homes up to 6000 sq. ft. It can be connected to any modem, and the setup is extremely easy, made simpler through the Linksys app. The Linksys router provides constant connection throughout.

Features:
⦁ 4.45 x 4.45 x 9.57 inches
⦁ WPA2-PSK security protocol
⦁ 10 LAN ports
⦁ 2 USB ports
⦁ Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Pros:
⦁ Three-year warranty
⦁ It covers up to 6000 sq. ft
⦁ Allows up to 50+ devices
⦁ Compatible with IOS and Android devices

Cons:
⦁ Not compatible with Apple Homekit

6. Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi system – 3-Pack

The Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi system consists of three eero pros and is an improved version of the traditional internet boosters, WiFi extenders, and routers. It can provide coverage to a five or more bedroom home, which is quite a perk for homeowners. Its powerful mesh network provides strong and uniform internet throughout the house. Users can have internet access in every nook and cranny of the house. The eero Pro mesh WiFi system updates itself autonomously once a month, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself. This 2nd generation WiFi system is twice as fast as the first one and is compatible with all first-generation products.

The device uses proprietary TrueMesh technology, allowing multiple wireless access points on a single mesh network. Furthermore, setting up the device is effortless and takes only a few minutes. The companion mobile app further simplifies things, making sure your home internet experience is smooth.

Features:
⦁ Ideal for homes up to 6000 sq. feet
⦁ Tri-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 5.8Ghz) WiFi connectivity
⦁ A total of 6 ethernet ports (2 for one device)
⦁ Easy countertop placement
⦁ Works best for internet speeds up to 550 Mbps
⦁ It comes with a 700 MHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB flash storage.
⦁ Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Pros:
⦁ Supports IOS and Android products
⦁ One year warranty and service included
⦁ Allows users to set up profiles and set up internet access time
⦁ It can be controlled by voice by combining it with an Alexa device
⦁ Compatible with Apple Homekit

Before buying an extender, it is imperative that you know your needs, the area you need to cover, and your internet speed. You should also choose a good, reliable company to make the purchase from. Reading customer reviews also helps shortlist companies.If you want to improve the internet reception in your home, office, or any other place, the list above should help you choose the best WiFi extender to help resolve the issue.