10 Best WiFi Extenders UK 2024
Your WiFi network is the heartbeat of your home internet experience. If it’s not working smoothly, then you won't even be able to stream Netflix to keep yourself entertained! So, if you’re having trouble with some "dead spots" in your connection, then a WiFi extender, also known as a WiFi booster or repeater, will be just the solution. But which wifi extender is best?
We'll cover the basics in our buying guide, such as the two main types of extenders - mesh or range extender, whether you need a single, dual-band or tri-band, as well as what transmissions such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz mean. Then, we'll share our reviews of the best wifi extenders to buy in the UK at Amazon, John Lewis and Argos from brands like Netgear, TP-Link, and Google. Let's get connected!
Quick List - Top WiFi Extenders
A WiFi System With an Impressive Speed, In-Built Microphone and a Google Assistant
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose a WiFi Extender in the UK
- Choose Between a Mesh or Range Extender Depending on Whether You Want Full or Dead Spot Coverage1
- Consider Whether You Need a Single, Dual or Tri-Band Based on How Fast and Reliable of a Connection You Need2
- Check the Internet Speed: WiFi 5 or 6 Is Great for Streaming and Gaming, but WiFi 4 Is Fine for General Browsing3
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Does a Wifi Extender Work?
- Will WiFi Extenders Work With Any Router?
How to Choose a WiFi Extender in the UK
- Decide if You Need Dead Spot or Full Coverage
- Consider Whether You Need a Single, Dual or Tri-Band
- Choose an Internet Speed That Suits Your Purpose
Choose Between a Mesh or Range Extender Depending on Whether You Want Full or Dead Spot Coverage
Go For a Mesh Extender That Includes a New Router Plus 1-3 Units to Cover the Whole Home
If you’re looking to boost the signal across most of your house, then a mesh extender network will be the way to go. This consists of a new router plus between 1 and 3 additional units that can be placed in different rooms.
It works by blanketing the whole house, and each component is connected to one central wireless network system, allowing you to freely roam around your home without having to reconnect. However, this type of extender is generally more expensive and probably isn't worth the price if you’re only looking to fix one spot in your house.
Pick a Range Extender if You’re Just Looking to Increase Your Coverage in a Single Dead Spot
If you just have one dead spot somewhere in your house, then picking up a desktop or plug-in extender should solve that problem easily. There is a slight difference between these two options though, even though they work in the same way. Plug-ins are usually smaller and tend not to have USB ports or ethernet connections.
An extender will connect to your original router via WiFi and then send it to the dead spot. Unfortunately, this type of device will already be using some WiFi to work, and therefore, the loading speed won't be as fast as it could be. It also might require you to reconnect upon entering this new hotspot.
Learn about other ways to improve connectivity around your home with powerline adapters.
Consider Whether You Need a Single, Dual or Tri-Band Based on How Fast and Reliable of a Connection You Need
The next thing to consider is whether your new extender is going to be single, dual, or tri-band, which means whether it offers transmissions of 2.4 GHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or 2.4 GHz and two different 5 GHz frequency bands.
An extender that provides the newer 5 GHz band might give a faster connection, but if you’re looking to just browse the news or social media, you should be fine with a single-band 2.4 GHz. However, if you'd like to stream videos or play games, a dual or tri-band is undoubtedly worth the investment.
Check the Internet Speed: WiFi 5 or 6 Is Great for Streaming and Gaming, but WiFi 4 Is Fine for General Browsing
Lastly, you’re going to want to consider internet speed. There are generally three options that extenders can support: the latest 802.11ax (also called WiFi 6) and 802.11ac (WiFi 5) are the faster, more modern options, and 802.11n (WiFi 4) is the older, slower version.
Again, it all depends on what you plan on doing whilst connected to the net - gaming and media streaming will always require something faster, so it's better to opt for an 802.11ax or 802.11ac extender if you use the internet for those activities.
If you want something a little more portable and connected to a small number of devices in a specific area, take a look at USB WiFi adapters.
10 Best WiFi Extenders in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Amazon XRM570 Nighthawk Pro | | An Impressive and Stylish Design That Supports Over 75 Devices | |
2 | Nest WiFi Router and WiFi Extender | | A WiFi System With an Impressive Speed, In-Built Microphone and a Google Assistant | |
3 | TP-Link COVR-C1203/B | | A Budget-Friendly Mesh System That Extends Coverage up to 4000 Sq Ft | |
4 | ASUS ZenWiFi AX | | A Customisable Setup With Unrivalled Range and an Easy-To-Use App | |
5 | TP-Link DECO M9 | | An Excellent Tri-Band Router Perfect for Those Who Need Whole-House Coverage |
An Impressive and Stylish Design That Supports Over 75 Devices
Kicking us off is the Eero 6 from the ever-reliable Amazon. We're pretty sure this is the booster they would have used on the Death Star - it's incredibly chic and packs a major power punch.
It supports over 75 devices, and the connection isn't interrupted when you add more devices to it. Furthermore, it allows you to add voice control by connecting it with an Alexa device. This model truly stands out in every respect!
A WiFi System With an Impressive Speed, In-Built Microphone and a Google Assistant
As well as being a WiFi system, this product comes with an in-built microphone and has Google Assistant ready to go. Want to put the radio on or control your other smart devices? Just talk to your extender, and it'll do all the work for you!
A Budget-Friendly Mesh System That Extends Coverage up to 4000 Sq Ft
On the hunt for a reasonably priced mesh system? You can thank TP-Link for this inexpensive and interesting looking product. It extends coverage to around 4000 sq ft, runs on 802.11ac, and has dual-band allocation.
Unfortunately, the set-up process for this product is a bit complicated, but if you're tech-savvy, then you shouldn't have too many issues. And for that price, we can't really complain about putting some extra effort in!
A Customisable Setup With Unrivalled Range and an Easy-To-Use App
If you're after a product that has a huge amount of range, then this ASUS device will be right up your street! It comes with an easy-to-use app that allows for complete customisation of your network - this even includes determining which device is the router and which is the extender!
Furthermore, this extender runs on the latest standard speed of 802.11ax. So, if you do decide to pay the admittedly eye-watering price tag, it'll be with you for the long haul, at least!
An Excellent Tri-Band Router Perfect for Those Who Need Whole-House Coverage
This Deco M9 device is a tri-band router that utilises a 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz frequency bands - which should be enough to sort out most of your devices. If your dedicated 5 GHz channel does become congested, though, then this little guy will pinch up to 50% from one of the other channels!
The downside to this product is the very high price - although this is justified because of its ability to cover 6500 square feet, it's probably more than most people will need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Wifi Extender Work?
In a nutshell, WiFI extenders essentially work by re-broadcasting your existing WiFi signal. This extends the range of your wireless network so that it can cover a larger area.
Will WiFi Extenders Work With Any Router?
Yes. A WiFi extender should work with any router. One of the main benefits of installing a WiFi extender is so that you can increase your coverage without having to replace your existing router.
Can WiFi Extenders Be Hacked?
Technically, yes, as they are essentially little computers. However, it shouldn't be something that you need to worry about, as the range of an extender is pretty limited to its surrounding area.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
Top 5 WiFi Extenders
No. 1: Amazon｜XRM570 Nighthawk Pro
No. 2: Google｜Nest WiFi Router and WiFi Extender
No. 3: TP-Link｜COVR-C1203/B
No. 4: ASUS｜ZenWiFi AX
No. 5: TP-Link｜DECO M9
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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