Installation is as simple as plugging the extender into an electrical outlet and connecting it to your Wi-Fi router. If that sounds too good to be true, it kind of is. CNET’s testing has found that Wi-Fi extenders can be a great solution if you’re looking to improve the connection...
All five models I tested were able to deliver noticeable improvements to the connection, but some did a better job than others. Ry Crist/CNETOn the left, this first set of graphs shows you the average download speeds by room for each extender I tested. On the right, you're looking at ...
Get faster internet speed—even in the far reaches of your home—with the help of one of these range extenders.
When determining what WiFi extender to use, it’s a good idea to make a map of the location. As mentioned earlier, a tool like NetSpot can show a “heat map” of what networks can be detected, and how strong they are. NetSpot can detect all of the signals from different WiFi networ...
Because ofhow WiFi extenders work, there’s one major downside that you should know about: WiFi range extenders create an additional WiFi network. Let’s say you have a WiFi network called “Home.” A WiFi extender would connect to this network, amplify its signal, and transmit it as, for...
A WiFi extender is often referred to as“booster”, “repeater”, or “WiFi extender”, but all these names mean the same thing: a device that captures a WiFi signal, amplifies it, and transmits it. Mostwireless range extendersplug into the standard electrical outlet. They can be then set...
What's the difference between a mesh Wi-Fi system and a Wi-Fi extender? How long do mesh routers last? A good router, mesh or otherwise, should last at least five years, if not longer. The key thing is to watch for regular firmware updates from the manufacturer to keep your network ...
The best way to put speed tests to use is to run them on your phone or laptop in various rooms throughout your house. If you find a dead zone where speeds come crashing down, you might want to consider putting arange extenderin the closest room to that dead zone where speeds are stron...
there was Nest Wifi, a second-gen follow-up that adds in faster internet speeds and a better-looking design, plus Google Assistant smart speakers built into each satellite extender. It was an immediate standout in our tests and our top-recommended mesh router prior to the arrival of Wi-Fi...
If you're looking for the best smart home hub and assistant, CNET has recognized Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as two of the leading options. Both support thousands of devices, so you're bound to find an option to fit your needs. ...