Best Wifi Signal for 8000 Sq Ft House

No matter how fast your broadband connection, if your Wi-Fi isn't upward to scratch then yous'll be missing out. But you lot don't need to buy a new router to give your wireless performance a boost. Choose from our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders below and you'll be able to strengthen the signal to all areas of your habitation, also as potentially benefiting from a much faster connection.

Here's everything you need to know nigh these handy devices, along with our selection of the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market.

READ NEXT: Test your Wi-Fi with our broadband speed checker

Best Wi-Fi extender: At a glance

The all-time upkeep extender: TP-Link RE300
The best powerline extender kit: Devolo Magic one WiFi
Faster speeds for multiple devices: TP-Link RE-650
A corking all-rounder at a very affordable price: TP-Link RE-450
The fastest, smartest Wi-Fi extender: Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000
The best meaty tri-band extender: Netgear Nighthawk X4S
The most reliable extender money can buy: Devolo Magic 2 WiFi Next

How to choose the best Wi-Fi extender for you

Is a Wi-Fi extender definitely the respond?

Before you buy an extender, bank check that it actually is the performance of your wireless network that'southward slowing you down and not merely a slow internet connection. Y'all can use a broadband speed checker to measure out download speeds at different distances from your router, and come across how the speed drops off equally y'all movement effectually your home.

It's also worth trying out a few unlike wireless settings, such as switching radio bands, before you splash out on a new bit of kit. You lot might discover that this gets you lot a better bespeak from your existing equipment and that in that location'due south no need to buy an extender at all.

What speeds can I wait?

Some extenders promise data rates as high as 1,733Mbits/sec, which is equivalent to around 216MB/sec and far faster than most broadband connections. In reality, for all sorts of technical and practical reasons, the speeds you run across in your own habitation volition be far, far lower.

As a rule, we're happy with annihilation over 120Mbits/sec (15MB/sec). To put that into context, Netflix recommends a connection speed of at least 5Mbits/sec for Hd streaming and 25Mbits/sec for 4K video. Then a good, solid Wi-Fi network should easily be fast enough to cope with multiple simultaneous loftier-resolution video streams.

What'southward the difference between a repeater and a powerline extender?

These are the two main types of extender and they do the aforementioned basic job. However, they work in different ways. A Wi-Fi repeater is a unmarried box that relays information back and forth between your router and your wireless devices using Wi-Fi signals alone. If – for example – your router is located at the front of the business firm, and your dwelling function is at the rear, you can install a repeater at the midway betoken to heave the signal in the office.

A powerline networking kit consists of two picayune boxes (sometimes more) that plug into mains sockets around your home. Box number one connects to your router via an Ethernet cablevision, while box number two broadcasts a wireless bespeak from wherever it happens to exist situated and relays the data back to the first box over your mains electrical wiring.

Powerline systems are often more than expensive than repeaters just they're a fuss-free way to extend a network connexion into places that are otherwise hard to accomplish and tin can exist simpler to gear up.

Might I be ameliorate off with a mesh Wi-Fi system?

Mesh networking systems piece of work in a similar way to Wi-Fi repeaters only they give you the option of placing multiple nodes all over your domicile to cover a larger area than a single extender could manage. You tin learn more, and explore our recommended models, in our guide to the best mesh Wi-Fi routers.

If you don't have a huge house, however, a mesh organisation may be overkill. A regular extender is a lot cheaper and a lot easier to install. Configuring a mesh organisation normally involves setting up a whole new router, whereas with near repeaters you tin can simply plug it in, press a button and that's it.

Does my extender need Ethernet sockets?

In this wireless age, Ethernet sockets might seem a bit outdated. But some devices, such every bit printers and set-acme TV boxes, only support wired connections, and connecting these or a PC to your extender via Ethernet volition give you lot a more than reliable and oft faster connection than wireless.

Naturally, however, connecting devices to an extender via Ethernet won't exist as fast as a directly wired connection to the router because the indicate all the same needs to travel from your router to the extender over the airwaves first.

What other features should I await for?

Virtually Wi-Fi extenders have what'southward called a "web portal", which offers a selection of advanced features (some offer a mobile app likewise). This is accessed via a web browser, either on your phone or your laptop. Simply type in the address provided past the manufacturer – which is oft printed on the extender itself or, failing that, it'll exist in the manual somewhere.

Some of these web portals will let you operate a guest network, with its own name and security settings, so visitors tin can connect to the net without having access to your local devices. You lot might besides become admission controls, which let y'all decide exactly who can connect, while scheduling lets yous shut off the connection at sure times – useful, peradventure, if you don't desire kids going online in the middle of the night.

Recall virtually physical features when choosing your extender. Most units plug directly into a mains socket, and some models are so big that they block neighbouring outlets from use. A mains passthrough socket on the forepart can also be very useful if you're running low on mains sockets and this certainly isn't something you tin can take for granted.

READ NEXT: Our selection of the best broadband providers this year

The all-time Wi-Fi extenders to buy

ane. TP-Link RE300: The best budget extender

Price: £35 | Buy at present from Amazon

TP-Link's RE300 is basic, but it's incredibly easy to set upwards via the TP-Link Tether app and information technology comes with a couple of extra modes to help you make the near of your current wireless network. We plant it worked best in default manner, where speeds averaged 11.3MB/sec in testing. If yous're a tinkerer, however, you can also set information technology up so it uses the faster 5GHz ring as a defended link to your existing network and the 2.4GHz band for your devices.

Either style, the RE300 works really well. Speeds were quick and connectivity reliable, plus it doesn't take upwardly as well much space in your plug sockets, leaving plenty of room for other devices to use the sockets next to it. The just matter it lacks is an Ethernet port, but this compact unit offers solid performance for not a lot of money.

Key specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): 2.4GHz (300Mbits/sec), 2 x 5GHz (866Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: None; WPS button: Yes

ii. Devolo Magic i WiFi: The best value powerline extender kit

Toll: £118 | Buy at present from Amazon

Devolo's Magic WiFi kit uses powerline networking, and so it'southward ideal for extending your wireless network into places where your existing router can't penetrate.

Information technology's also incredibly easy to gear up up: connect the base station to your router using the supplied Ethernet cable, plug the wireless admission betoken into a socket somewhere else in your abode and it'll start dissemination a Wi-Fi signal. At that place's a handy pair of Gigabit Ethernet ports at the bottom of the access betoken, and both units besides have convenient mains passthrough sockets on the front. Just note that their chunky blueprint means you might have difficulty situating them alongside annihilation larger than a regular plug.

The Magic kit gave us strong download rates all effectually the house, equivalent to around 100Mbits/sec – and advanced users will appreciate the companion app that shows connection diagnostics, and then you can work out where to locate the plugs for the all-time functioning. The web portal, meanwhile, lets yous manage your wireless configuration, fix a guest network and use an operating schedule so that (for example) the extended network is only bachelor during role hours.

If your dwelling isn't Wi-Fi-friendly, this speedy powerline extender is the perfect solution.

Cardinal specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): two.4GHz (300Mbits/sec), 5GHz (867Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: 2 x Gigabit; WPS push: Yes

three. TP-Link RE-650: Faster speeds for multiple devices

Toll: £seventy | Buy now from Amazon

TP-Link's extenders are a doddle to ready and install in your home network and do a solid job of extending Wi-Fi connectivity into parts that previously might have been missing out. The RE-650 is the near powerful of the extenders TP-Link offers, and comes with dual-band wireless and a connexion speed rated at ii,600Mbits/sec – that'southward 800Mbits/sec over ii.4GHz and 1,733Mbits/sec over 5GHz.

Equally a result, transfer rates are first-class. Nosotros saw 16.8MB/sec download speeds in the same room, which fell to 9.7MB/sec in a room one wall and ane floor away. And with 4x4 MU-MIMO technology onboard, it's amend able to serve up that bandwidth to multiple devices than well-nigh in this list, so if yours is a busy household information technology's worth stumping up the extra for.

It'south very easy to utilise every bit well, with gear up managed by the superb TP-Link Tether mobile app, which provides access to all the settings you might need.

Our only gripe is that it'southward pretty bulky and, in a typical British double-wall socket with primal switches, information technology gets in the manner of accessing the socket's on/off switch. Notwithstanding that'south a pocket-size complaint when information technology provides such solid performance.

Key specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): 2.4GHz (800Mbits/sec), 5GHz (1,733Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: ane x Gigabit; WPS button: Yes

4. Devolo Mesh WiFi 2: The virtually reliable powerline and Wi-Fi extender coin tin can buy

Toll:£199 (2 pack), £270 (3 pack) |Buy now from Amazon

Devolo's Mesh WiFi 2 straddles the earth of wireless extenders, powerline and mesh Wi-Fi and offers a remarkably effective alternative to traditional wireless network hardware. By combining fast 2,400Mbits/sec G.Hn powerline with dual-band 802.1ac Wi-Fi, it delivers the all-time of all worlds: solid connectivity, even to quite remote locations, and very impressive top speeds as well.

It'south the fastest powerline organization nosotros've tested and among the best wireless extenders as well. Nosotros were staggered to find download speeds in our garden office test location were nearly as fast as in the firm. Plus, improvements to Wi-Fi – including admission betoken steering and 2x2 MU-MIMO – mean it's capable of beating many mesh Wi-Fi systems too.

For homes with out-of-attain places, aught beats the Devolo Mesh WiFi 2 at eliminating Wi-Fi notspots. The cost is on the high side but, trust united states of america, cipher beats information technology for long-range speed and reliability.

Key specs - Radio bands (maximum speeds):ii.4GHz (300Mbits/sec), 5GHz (866Mbits/sec);Powerline speed:2,400Mbits/sec;Ethernet ports: 2 x Gigabit per unit;WPS push: Yes;Other features: Mains passthrough

5. TP-Link RE-450: A nifty all-rounder at a very affordable price

Price: £51 | Buy at present from Amazon

TP-Link'south mesomorphic RE450 extender has been on our recommended list for several years because it does everything you could ask of a Wi-Fi extender at a very fair price.

Its iii viscid-out aerials did a solid job of relaying the wireless indicate around our home – nosotros measured download speeds of 16MB/sec at close range, and even at the far finish of the firm the RE450 kept up a very satisfactory 9MB/sec.

While the design looks rather plasticky, it's pleasingly slim, sticking out just 37mm from the wall, so you shouldn't trip over it equally y'all walk past. The broad casing means you probably won't exist able to plug anything into the adjacent power socket, just the softly glowing blueish ring that encircles the WPS button is quite bonny, and it helpfully turns red to let you know if there'southward a trouble with the connection. There'south a Gigabit Ethernet socket tucked away at the left-mitt side too.

The RE450 isn't the cheapest Wi-Fi five extender, but it'south faster and more stylish than the budget contest. Don't be put off by it's age: it nevertheless deserves a identify on anyone's shortlist.

Fundamental specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): 2.4GHz (450Mbits/sec), 5GHz (1,300Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: 1 ten Gigabit; WPS push: Yep

6. Devolo WiFi ac Repeater+: All-time Wi-Fi extender for convenience

Price: £57 |Buy now from Amazon

Devolo'southward latest Wi-Fi-only extender offers solid rather than spectacular wireless specifications with support for dual-band 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and a rated speed of 867Mbits/sec over 5GHz networks and 300Mbits over 2.4GHz. That falls well short of the mighty TP-Link RE-650's elevation speed of i,733Mbits/sec. Its results in our operation tests reverberate that middling spec with file transfers that are more in-line with the budget TP-Link RE-300, peaking at 9.6MB/sec in our close-range tests.

Still, information technology makes the listing of our favourites because it's super-easy to set up via the Devolo Home Network app, offers plenty of control over settings and because it comes with both a mains passthrough and dual Ethernet ports. That means it'south perfect for apply in the living room where mains sockets are at a premium and you need the most reliable connectedness possible for devices like TVs and games consoles. The toll isn't bad at all, either.

Central specs - Radio bands (maximum speeds): 2.4GHz (300Mbits/sec), 5GHz (867Mbits/sec);Ethernet ports: two x Gigabit;WPS push: Yep;Other features: Mains passthrough

7. Netgear Nighthawk X6S EX8000: The fastest, smartest Wi-Fi extender money can buy

Price: £125 | Buy at present from Amazon

Standing nearly 23cm tall, the Nighthawk X6S is the size of a full-blown router – but that'southward justified by what's inside. While most Wi-Fi extenders utilise a single 5GHz radio to talk to both your router and connected devices, the X6S boasts a tri-ring design, which means backhaul communications don't accept to share bandwidth with client traffic.

This has a huge impact on speed. The X6S is easily the fastest extender we've ever tested, managing to projection the full bandwidth of a 100Mbits/sec fibre broadband connectedness to the furthest outposts of our home. That'southward the sort of performance we've previously but seen from loftier-end mesh Wi-Fi setups.

The X6S scores highly for features, too. At the rear, there are 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, plus a USB port, which y'all tin utilize to share files and folders over your abode network. From the slick web interface you tin can also inspect and cake connected clients, set up an admission schedule, customise IP address settings and more.

The only catch is the cost: the Nighthawk X6S isn't only the fastest extender we've seen – it's besides i of the near expensive that doesn't employ Powerline. Merely if you're looking for fast transfers and a lot of features, it's a no-brainer.

Key specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): 2.4GHz (400Mbits/sec), two 10 5GHz (1,733Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: 4 ten Gigabit; WPS button: Yes

eight. TP-Link RE505x: Wi-Fi 6 at a budget price

Cost: £60 | Buy at present from Amazon

If you lot've invested in a Wi-Fi 6 router then you may detect you've already got great speeds and a rock-solid connection all around your house. But if you demand to stretch it a little farther, you won't practice much meliorate than the TP-Link RE505x. On paper information technology's speeds aren't astonishing; with 1200MBits/sec on the 5GHz band and 300Mbits/sec over ii.4GHz there are faster Wi-Fi 5 extenders out there. In exercise, nevertheless, the RE505x delivers a fast, stable connection in places where older extenders and mesh systems struggle, delivering downstream speeds of over 50MB/sec and even supporting demanding applications like Steam Link game streaming from a desktop PC.

Every bit a bonus, if you accept a TP-Link router that supports its OneMesh technology, you lot get hassle-gratis, seamless connectivity wherever you are in your abode. Needless to say, you need a Wi-Fi 6 router and uniform devices to make the well-nigh of it, merely this extender gives you lot the latest wireless tech at a bargain cost.

Key specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): two.4GHz (300Mbits/sec), 5GHz (one,200Mbits/sec); Ethernet ports: ane x Gigabit; WPS push button: Yeah

8. Netgear Nighthawk X4S: The best compact tri-band extender

Price: £110 |Buy now from Amazon

The Netgear Nighthawk X4S uses the same tri-band system as the barnstorming X6S, just it comes in a more compact, wall-mounted course. Information technology's not quite as powerful – on average we found it delivered around 2 thirds of the bandwidth of its bigger brother – but information technology's still fast plenty for more or less annihilation you might want to do. Even out on the rear terrace behind our domicile, information technology kept up a download speed of five.6MB/sec, which is fast enough to smoothly stream 4K video

You also get that rich direction interface, from which you can fix your Wi-Fi just how y'all like it, configure an admission schedule and block individual clients. All the same, the X4S doesn't accept a USB port, and so there are no sharing and streaming options – and there are no Ethernet ports, which is a fleck of a shame.

Still, the Netgear Nighthawk X4S is one of the fastest extenders out at that place, and it'due south cheaper and less intrusive than the X6S. Just exist warned that, fifty-fifty though the all-in-one design is handy, it's even so big plenty to crusade potential issues with neighbouring plugs – and in that location's no passthrough mains socket.

Key specs – Radio bands (maximum speed): 2.4GHz (400Mbits/sec), two x 5GHz (867Mbits/sec);Ethernet ports: None;WPS button: Yes

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Source: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/networks/1405473/best-wi-fi-extenders