Buying the best Wi-Fi extender in 2025 can be tricky - and at TechRadar we're here to help.
The reason it's particularly difficult these days is that thanks to modern Wi-Fi technology (including the relatively new Wi-Fi 7 standard), our wireless networks are covering more of our properties than ever. Meanwhile, the best mesh Wi-Fi routers, which typically comprise of a router and additional satellite units that extend the wireless network, are growing in popularity - and they have become arguably the best way to eliminate network dead zones, a task that Wi-Fi extenders were created for.
This means that many companies no longer make Wi-Fi extenders, focusing instead on releasing new wireless routers or mesh Wi-Fi systems, and that in turn makes trying to find the best Wi-Fi extender for your needs more difficult.
There are still plenty of reasons why you'd need a Wi-Fi extender to help your wireless network reach all corners of your home, however. The best Wi-Fi extenders (also sometimes known as Wi-Fi repeaters) should be easy to add to your existing network - in some cases, you just need to plug in, change a few settings, and you're good to go.
It's certainly a lot less work than replacing your router and setting up a wireless network from scratch. Wi-Fi extenders should also work with your existing network, even if your router is from a different brand.
Wi-Fi extenders are often quite a bit less expensive than buying a new router (and certainly a lot less expensive than mesh Wi-Fi systems), which means they remain a quick and affordable way to make sure every device in your home can connect to the internet, no matter where its placed.
Still, with fewer new models released these days, which Wi-Fi extender should you buy? Our current picks below were all released a few years ago, but they all remain excellent choices, and they are all still on sale. We've also called in more modern Wi-Fi extenders to thoroughly test, and if they prove to be worthwhile, we'll be adding them to this guide in a major update soon.
To help you make the right choice, we've answered the most common questions about Wi-Fi extenders, and our in-depth comparison between Wi-Fi extenders and mesh routers can guide you on which solution suits your needs.
This buying guide was reviewed and updated on 08/18/2025 with new information, as well as checking that our recommendations for the best Wi-Fi extenders remain correct. We stand by our choices, but we've also called in several new models that we hope to test and possibly add to this guide (depending on how they fare in our in depth reviews) soon.
The quick list
There are still several Wi-Fi extenders on the market in 2025, though many are several years old now, and they all ultimately do the same thing. With that in mind, we've whittled our list down to only the very best options, so you can be assured that you're getting your money's worth. Remember to click "Read more below" to find out more before you hit buy.
Best Wi-Fi extender overall
A fast, affordable 'dead zone killer' that's easy to set up and use straight out of the box, the TP-Link RE700X is basically the best Wi-Fi range extender out there right now.
Best budget Wi-Fi extender
If you want to set up your home with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities but don't want to spend a fortune, the RE605X from TP-Link is a solid choice.
Best for gamers
A sleek and powerful Wi-Fi 6 range extender, this model is a bit on the pricey side, but Netgear's Nighthawk range is aimed at gamers for a reason - this extender offers high speeds and excellent coverage.
The best Wi-Fi extenders in 2025
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The best Wi-Fi extender overall
The TP-Link RE700X is proof that you do not need to spend a lot of money to get great Wi-Fi coverage in every corner of your home. While many Wi-Fi extenders are trying to charge consumers enough money you might as well get a mesh system, this one keeps its price inexpensive by keeping things simple and offering Wi-Fi 6 connectivity on top of it.
Though not loaded up on features, this Wi-Fi 6 support is certainly more than enough when combined with just how effective it is at covering dead spots. Nicknamed the “dead-zone killer," it certainly delivered during testing, covering an area in our space where the weak Wi-Fi signal normally forces us to rely on PowerLine adaptors.
It's also easy and simple to set up, making it a great option for most people, including those who have never even seen a range extender before. You can spend a lot of money on an intimidating range extender, or you can make things easy for yourself and your wallet with the TP-Link RE700X.
Read our full TP-Link RE700X review
The best budget Wi-Fi extender
If you’re looking to extend your Wi-Fi 6 network to all four corners of your home, TP-Link’s RE605X WiFi 6 Range Extender is worth taking a look. It’s as affordable and as easy to set up as the RE650 extender while being backwards compatible with older Wi-Fi 5 routers. If you've got a new Wi-Fi 7 router, then the RE605X will still work, though will only offer Wi-Fi 6 speeds.
We found during testing that TP-Link’s Tether app does a good job of keeping setting up simple, making this a great option for Wi-Fi extender newbies. It isn’t just for the less savvy users, however. The RE605X also provides a web browser interface for more experienced users who want more control over their network settings.
It’s also proven to deliver noticeable improvement in Wi-Fi performance. On test, it boosted our router’s speed to 100Mbps from 34Mbps on the 2.4GHz and from 85Mbps on the 5.0GHz bands in the poorly connected part of our space. Our stream downloads saw a marked improvement as well.
Read the full TP-Link RE605X WiFi 6 Range Extender review
The best Wi-Fi extender for gamers
The Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) may be a little older, but with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and an impressive range, it certainly deserves a spot in this best Wi-Fi extenders list. It's a little on the pricey end, but it's not really for people who are on the budget anyway, as it's more of an investment for those who require top-notch performance and massive coverage.
It boasts some features you typically see in actual routers such as four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting a games console and a USB 3.0 port for connecting a hard drive to provide network storage. It also has mesh extender capabilities, which means you can buy additional EAX80 extenders and link them together to create an enormous mesh network.
On test, its performance will blow you away. Performance on the slower 2.4GHz band jumped from our usual 18Mbps to 21Mbps. Meanwhile, the faster 5.0GHz band really got a shake-up, leaping from just 60Mbps to 342Mbps. This isn't going to be the best Wi-Fi extender for most people, but it's amazing for those with massive homes and offices to cover.
Read our full Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (EAX80) review
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Frequently asked questions
How to choose the best WiFi extender for you
You want to make sure that your Wi-Fi extender is speedy enough to give you the kind of solid connection you need. That means at least a wireless standard of 802.11ac, the default on most current routers. And, if you want to future-proof, consider one with Wi-Fi 6, the successor to 802.11ac.
There are also some Wi-Fi extenders which support the newer Wi-Fi 6E protocol, and we'll be adding some of those to this guide soon. There's also Wi-Fi 7, which is slowly becoming more popular, and there are some models, such as the Asus RP-BE58, which offer Wi-Fi 7 support, so if you really want to future-proof your wireless network, then check them out - though you'll be paying a lot more for this technology.
Installation and setup is always a concern, so look for one that’s easy to connect to your existing network. And, make sure that it has the ports you need if you’re hoping to connect something that needs a physical connection like an older computer.
If you plan on expanding beyond one extender – maybe you need it for a large business – then consider a mesh extender as you can add additional units that will automatically find the best signal route for you. On that note, consider your budget. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are expensive. But, if you need more than one extender or need to replace the router as well, getting a Mesh Wi-Fi router will be more cost effective in the long run.
What's the difference between a Wi-Fi booster and a Wi-Fi extender?
Wi-Fi extenders, also known as Wi-Fi boosters or repeaters, are largely the same thing under a different name. If you have areas of your home where your current wireless internet cannot reach, they're the perfect piece of kit to boost your existing signal.
They're typically easy to use and set up, with most simply plugging into an available AC outlet in your wall, though some can resemble a stand-alone router.
Naming conventions appear to be a branding decision, but there are a few different ways that Wi-Fi extenders work. The most common is that your booster or extender houses two wireless routers, much like the wireless router you already have at home, or in your place of work. One of these wireless routers picks up the existing Wi-Fi network and then passes that to the secondary router which transmits the boosted signal.
It's worth noting that many Wi-Fi extenders broadcast on a new Wi-Fi network with its own name, so you'll need to connect to a different Wi-Fi signal depending on where you are in your home. As most devices will automatically connect to a trusted signal, this isn't likely to cause too much of an issue.
How do I know if I need a range extender or a router?
There are a few things to consider when trying to diagnose your internet woes and deciding between replacing your router or simply adding an extender. If you’re having trouble with getting a solid connection regardless of how close you are to the router or how many devices are connected to it, chances are adding an extender won’t help. That poor quality connection won’t get any better; it just will have a larger range.
Getting a newer wireless router is a must in that case since the connection itself will only improve with a better device at the heart of your network. Upgrading the router to a newer one that can handle more devices or has Wi-Fi 6 support will also be the better way to go if you have a slow connection.
So, when should you buy a Wi-Fi extender? If your router is capable enough and is just not reaching where you want it to, a Wi-Fi extender is a great solution. A connectivity issue within your home or office that's related to the router's actual reach might be better resolved with one of the best Wi-Fi extenders because it’s more cost-effective than replacing your whole router.
In other words, if some of your devices are getting a good connection or the internet gets better the closer you are to the router, save some money and add an extender. Maybe you want your network to cover a couple of floors of a house or building, but some rooms are just not getting a signal. An extender is the perfect solution as it will take the existing signal, strengthen it and extend its reach so that you can access it or get a better connection where you couldn’t before.
It’s also important to consider the price. Wi-Fi extenders can get pricey if you want some of the newest models, especially those that offer Wi-Fi 6 technology. However, companies like Netgear and TP-Link offer very affordable Wi-Fi extenders to help increase coverage across whatever area you need a boost in. The cheaper options obviously won’t have as many bells and whistles but will work great for streaming content or loading webpages.
How we test
TechRadar tests Wi-Fi extenders in a variety of ways, from how easy they are to connect and setup, what apps or software they might come with, and of course, how much increase you get to the range of your wireless internet.
Features will be noted, we check to see if Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 are supported, as well as if they're able to connect to any existing router and if the products are Dual-band or Tri-band compatible. As a Wi-Fi extender is designed to support an existing router, and not act as a dedicated router in itself, you'll likely want to check if your wireless router isn't up to scratch before you spend serious money on an extender.
A series of benchmarks are used to determine how effective a Wi-Fi extender is, using applications like the Ookla Speed test and the Steam game download client to test how many megabytes per second of data is achievable in different locations of a home, such as right beside the extender itself and behind partition walls that could block a signal.
