Best Wi-Fi extender: 5 top buys for a better connected home

Need the best Wi-Fi extender? Whether working from home has your Wi-Fi struggling to cope or you've always had a weak spot somewhere and are hoping to fix it fast (kids off school, screaming for connection?!), these are the best buys for a strong broadband connection throughout your entire home. 

Install one yourself and you can crack on with work in your home office, one of the kids can scroll through social media from their bedroom, the other can stream Netflix in the living room and you'll all live a happily ever after. That's the theory, anyway.

We're here to cut through the noise and give you an easy to digest guide to the best products to purchase. Whether 300Mbps or 750Mbps, these Wi-Fi extenders – also known as Wi-Fi boosters – can tackle any task you throw at them. All you'll need is a weak connection and a spare plug socket and you're sorted. 

So, keep scrolling for our top five Wi-Fi extender recommendations from Netgear to TP-Link, BT and more. 

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What is the best Wi-Fi extender?

Without a doubt, the best Wi-Fi extender you can buy is the TP-Link AC1750 Universal Dual Band Range Extender. Why? It's easy to use, has a large coverage of 10,000 square feet, it offers speeds up to 1,750 Mbps and it's compact so won't stick out like a sore thumb.

The TP-Link AC1750 Universal Dual Band Range Extender is our best buy for three reasons: it's easy to use, has high performance levels and it can cover up to 10,000 square feet. It ticks all our boxes.

Devices, coverage and speed
You can use this Wi-Fi extender for better speeds on a console, laptop, 4K TV, printer and more. We're talking 1,300 Mbps for fast content streaming and 450 Mbps for stable internet browsing. Trying to get a connection in several dead spots in your home? This device can extend Wi-Fi up to 10,000 square feet for a strong signal in every corner of your home.

App
Yes, this Wi-Fi extender has its own app. You can use it the Tether TP-Link app to setup your device and control your network from your smartphone or tablet. I

How to use?
Plug this Wi-Fi extender into the wall and follow the instructions to link it to your existing Wi-Fi connection. The light at the front of the device will be blue if there's a strong signal and red if it's weak – you can use this to determine where the device lives in your home.

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This Wi-Fi extender is great for two reasons: it gives a great performance for an incredibly cheap price. Because no one wants to spend hundreds of pounds on an extender just to cover a few small dead zones in their home, right? The NETGEAR Wi-Fi Booster Range Extender EX3700 is our best option if you're hoping to improve connectivity and help eliminate Wi-Fi black spots in the home.

Devices, coverage and speed
You can connect up to 15 devices to this extender no problem, including laptops, speakers, IP cameras, tablets and more. And it can cover up to 1000 square foot. It also works with any Wi-Fi Router and speed-wise it offers up to 750 megabits per second with help from dual-band and patented FastLane(TM) technology.

How to use?
Featuring a one touch setup button, this Wi-Fi extender takes just five minutes to set up. Simply press the WPS button to connect it to your router, then use the Netgear Wi-Fi Analyzer App to find an optimal location to plug the device in. There's also one Ethernet cable if you want to plug in game consoles or streaming players.

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The Netgear Nighthawk X6 is our pick of the best Wi-Fi Extender for game consoles, this is thanks to its FastLane3 technology built inside which is ideal for heavy-duty 4K HD streaming and multi-player gaming. It's also one of the most advanced tri-band WiFi mesh extenders around and it works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem (with Wi-Fi).

Devices, coverage and speed
This Wi-Fi extender can connect up to 40 devices from laptops to speakers, smartphones, cameras, tablets and more. It can also add coverage up to 2,000 square feet. Plenty. When using this device, it can provide up to 2,200 megabits per second performance, if needed.

How to use?
With a five minute setup time, you'll be gaming lag-free in a flash. Simply plug into the wall, touch the setup button on the back of the device and it'll begin doing its thing. You'll use your original Wi-Fi name and password, too, for added security. If you prefer to use a wired Ethernet port, there are two gigabit ports at the back of the device for faster speeds.

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Looking to expand your Wi-Fi connection outside? This TP-Link N300 Wireless Outdoor Access Point is the best option for you: it can be placed outside permanently, it works with any Wi-Fi router and it's very easy to use. Not only is this extender ideal for gardens but outbuildings and garages, too.

Devices, coverage and speed
This Wi-Fi extender can offer speeds of up to 300 megabits per second outside so that you can enjoy your morning coffee lag-free and a chill on your lawn with a reliable connection. Since it can cover 200m squared, there's no need to worry about it covering your entire garden. You can connect laptops, tablets and smartphones to it but we would avoid connecting game consoles. Oh, and there's one ethernet port for wired devices.

How to use?
This device, unlike other Wi-Fi extenders, works great when placed outside. So, you'll need to wall mount it or secure it to a pole using the kit provided. After that it's easy to setup (if you follow the instructions of course). Then you're set to go! Parties, gatherings, family dinners, hot tub nights – you'll have a strong signal whatever you're up to.

If it's a budget-friendly device you're after, the TP-Link TL-WA850RE N300 Universal Range Extender is it. Unsurprisingly, it can't offer the coverage and speeds others on our list can, but it's a great option for small homes with several annoying dead zones.

Devices, coverage and speed
You can use this Wi-Fi extender for up to 300 megabits per seconds speeds, and it works with any Wi-Fi router. You can use the device to improve signal on smartphones, laptops, tablets and more. And there's an ethernet port for wired devices.

App
You can use the compatible app to easily access and manage your Wi-Fi extender. This includes turning the lights off to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep if the device is plugged in inside your bedroom.

How to use?
Simply push the WPS button on your router and the Range Extender button on your Wi-Fi extender and the two will connect. The device feautres five lights on the front to show the signal strength to help determine the perfect location to place it. For a strong signal, you should opt for a place where at least three signal lights are blue.

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