![]() If your problem is bigger than a single room where you can't connect - say, an entire floor where your speeds are spotty - then your best move is almost certainly to upgrade to a mesh router. Chris Monroe/CNET Mesh routers: Best for whole-home coverage You've got lots of good mesh router options right now, though. We like Google's Nest Wifi the best for its fast, steady connection, impressive range, and sophisticated software. That's terrific performance for the price, especially if it means the difference between a steady connection and no connection at all. That might not sound like much, but it's fast and steady enough to support video chats, HD video streams, and even basic online gaming if you need it to. ![]() When I tested a few of the top value picks out in my home, the RE220's 5GHz band was able to sustain speeds of about 75Mbps throughout my entire test area, with a radius of about two rooms (or roughly forty feet). In fact, most of the cheap, plug-in models that cost $50 or less won't connect much faster than 50Mbps, and they'll only offer enough range to cover a couple of rooms at best. Just double-check that your router has a WPS button (almost all do) and you'll be fine.Įxtenders like these are unlikely to hit your network's max speeds, mind you. Range extenders like these are typically designed to work no matter what kind of router you're using. Ry Crist/CNETĪnd don't worry too much about the brand. In my tests, the RE220 was able to boost the speeds in this back bathroom from single digits up to about 80Mbps. In most cases, you'll see it listed as the existing network name with "_EXT" tacked onto the end. It won't boost your existing home network per se - instead, it'll use that connection with your router to broadcast its own network. You'll plug it in, press the WPS button to put it into Wi-Fi Protected Setup mode, and then press the WPS button on your router to pair the two together. Range extenders like these are a cinch to use. If you're willing to spend a little more, go with the TP-Link RE505X, which adds in faster, more robust speeds and support for Wi-Fi 6. You've got a lot of options, but the best value that I've tested is the TP-Link RE220, a plug-in extender that you can find online at various retail outlets for about $35, if not less. If you've just got one or two rooms where the connection isn't usable, then a simple Wi-Fi range extender might be all you need. Ry Crist/CNET Wi-Fi range extenders: A good fix for small dead zones It's easy to use, it provides a steady, workable connection with surprisingly good range, and you can get it for less than $30. If you can find it in stock, the TP-Link RE220 is a great range extender value pick.
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