Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors
If you and your quarantine crew have to huddle around your router just to catch a wisp of Wi-Fi, then you probably need an extender. According to tech-support blog HelloTech, the most common culprit for a shoddy signal is actually the walls inside your living space — which can weaken or block connectivity depending on where your router is placed (and how far away from it you’re setting up WFH-shop). Extenders don’t create a new connection but instead are built to give your existing signal the extra boost it usually needs to spread the Wi-Fi love throughout your house.
But, which one should you buy? The perfect match mostly depends on the size of your space, the type of router you own, and how much money you’re willing to shell out. It also depends on what issue you’re looking to solve: people who are fed up fighting over “router rights” with their entire family don’t necessarily need the same extender as someone who just wants to work outside in their backyard. Since there are many factors at play here (and I am by no means a certified-internet expert), I went straight to the most reputable sources: reviewers who have tested the non-buffering signal benefits IRL.
Don’t waste time waiting on hold with your internet provider — instead, scroll into the ten top-rated extenders ahead that will make your weak Wi-Fi strong again.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Amazon Superboost Wi-Fi Extender
Perks: Price & Range
This is the most reviewed and highest rated extender I could find — it covers up to 2,500 square feet of space and can handle up to 15 devices (all for a budget-friendly price, to boot!).
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 16,970 reviews
Strong Signalers Say: “Absolutely fantastic device. Very easy to use. I required no technical support in order to operate it. I merely hit the WPS button on my router then touched the small button on the bottom of my repeater and they paired in less than 30 seconds. I relocated the device to a low coverage area of my home and things are moving much more quickly now. I no longer yell through the house for people to disconnect devices so I can watch TV.”
Shop SETEK
SETEK Superboost WiFi Extender, $, available at Amazon
Target AC1200 WiFi Range Extender (EX6110-100NAS)
Perks: Sleek Design & Zoom Calls
Wi-Fi extenders can often be bulky eyesores — but, this style isn’t. For weak signalers who want a wider connectivity range without disrupting their perfectly designed living room, NETGEAR’s sleek white square has you and your Zoom meetings covered.
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 133 reviews
Strong Signalers: “I was getting kicked out of my Zoom meetings multiple times per meeting. So I bought this extender and it has worked perfectly! It was very easy to set up and was up and running in a few minutes.”
Shop NETGEAR
NETGEAR Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender – White (EX6110-100NAS), $, available at Target
Staples RE6700 Wireless Range Extender
Perks: Design & Range
A pricier option but this extender reaches 10,000 square feet AND won’t block your plug.
The Hype: 4.23 out of 5 stars and 361 reviews
Strong Signalers: “Had weak wireless signal in our upstairs bedroom and deck. Installed this and fixed the problem. Works well getting much faster download and video streaming now. Great product.”
Shop Linksys
Linksys Wireless Range Extender, $, available at Staples
Amazon AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender
Perks: Range, Multi-Devices, & Streaming
This gadget can handle a whopping 32 devices and reaches a range of up to 2000 square feet — and comes reviewer-approved for video chats and streaming, too.
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 12,825 reviews
Strong Signalers Say: “After a failed experience with on wifi extender I got this one after it was recommended to me by a friend. It works 1000 times better! I can video chat and stream with perfect clarity in my formerly dead zone. If you’re reading this: it’s worth spending the extra money to get this one.”
Shop TP-Link
TP-Link AC1750 Wifi Extender, $, available at Amazon
Target AC1900 WiFi Range Extender Essential Edition
Perks: Gaming & Streaming
An extender for gamers! According to NETGEAR, this device is your ticket to uninterrupted gaming and HD streaming inside your shared WFH space.
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 855 reviews
Strong Signalers: “I highly recommend this product! My daughter couldn’t get a Wi-Fi signal in her room to play her online games, so we bought the extender and she has a great signal now with no problems! Easy to set up with great instructions.”
Shop NETGEAR
NETGEAR Netgear AC1900 WiFi Range Extender, $, available at Target
Staples TL-WA850RE Universal Wireless Range Extender
Perks: Price & Easy Set-Up
The cheapest and top-reviewed extender, found! For those who are desperate for better Wi-Fi but might not be the most tech-savvy of shoppers, this gem of a gadget is for you.
The Hype: 4.08 out of 5 stars and 146 reviews
Strong Signalers: “Bought this for a basement suite I rent with landlord’s router on the third floor. Before I purchased this my Wi-Fi download speed was .6 to 1.2Mbps.
Now get a download speed of 35-40 Mbps. Couldn’t be happier and will probably buy a second unit for another part of my suite.
Great product for a very reasonable price.”
Shop Linksys
TP-Link TP-LINK® TL-WA850RE Universal Wireless Range Extender, $, available at Staples
Amazon Wi-Fi Range Extender 1200Mbps Wi-Fi Booster AC1200
Perks: Strength
According to Amazon rave reviewers (who now have apparently herculean-strong Wi-Fi), this extender can help boost your signal so that it is able to penetrate through two walls and cover up to 2,500 square feet of space.
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 973 reviews
Strong Signalers: “I have a complete signal in my garage, and I had no signal before. Value for money!”
Shop NETGEAR
Comfast WiFi Range Extender 1200Mbps WiFi Booster AC1200, $, available at Amazon
Walmart High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Range Extender
Perks: Sturdy & Reliable
This extender may be bigger than your router, but for good reason — it comes with powerful 5-gigabit ports for more network devices.
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 129 reviews
Strong Signalers: “Got this one and it totally rocks! Definitely worth the price! No buffering issues whatsoever. Did I mention that we love it? Lol.”
Shop Amped Wireless
Amped Wireless High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Range Extender, $, available at Walmart
Target 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender
Perks: Price & User-Friendliness
One of the most economic extenders on the list — although $26 may sound suspicious for a tech-buy, the 800 reviews and 4-star rating keep this device looking more like an affordable score rather than a throwaway dud.
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 807 reviews
Strong Signalers: “This is really nice — it’s a lot smaller than I expected because it gets plugged into the wall. It really does what it says it would do to help extend the Wi-Fi throughout my whole house — and, I really love the features on the button where it tells you which part of your house would have better wi-fi extended so that you know where to plug it in.”
Shop TP-Link
TP-Link 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender, $, available at Walmart
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