What is the point of having Internet at home if the connection is limited to one room? In order for everyone to access the network, the use of a Wifi amplifier is essential. However, choosing the right device is difficult when you don't know much about it. In order to save time, discover below our buying guide dedicated to the best Wifi amplifiers for home use.
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Our selection
"You may think that the Tenda Nova MW6 2PK is a Wifi Mesh router as it already exists on the market, but you should know…"
"This Wifi amplifier is designed to extend the coverage of your wireless network with efficiency and maintain the quality of the connection obtained. If you're…"
"A pure concentrate of technologies, this Wifi amplifier is equipped with a Wifi Mesh tri-band AC 3000 with Wifi 5 technology. Very powerful, the Netgear…"
"Equipped with 4 antennas and a Gigabit Ethernet port, this TP-Link Wifi amplifier will amplify the Internet connection in a house with a maximum surface…"
You may think that the Tenda Nova MW6 2PK is a Wifi Mesh router as it already exists on the market, but you should know that this device is able to optimally extend the wireless signal over an area of 500 m².
71,99 £ on Amazon
This Wifi amplifier is designed to extend the coverage of your wireless network with efficiency and maintain the quality of the connection obtained. If you're a video-on-demand and online gaming consumer, the Rock Space AC 1200 is for you.
39,99 £ on AmazonWith its excellent build quality, this dual-band Wifi amplifier will extend your network coverage so that all members of your family can have access to it. Note that this device uses both the 2.4 GHz (up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 867 Mbps) frequency bands for a coverage that can reach 200 m². Theoretically, this amplifier requires no configuration.
It has a WPS button, an access point mode and is compatible with the WPAS2/AES security standard. It also has a detection system with a light indicator that will help you determine exactly where to install it. While users praise the coverage performance of this amplifier, they lament the throughput, which is lower than advertised.
A pure concentrate of technologies, this Wifi amplifier is equipped with a Wifi Mesh tri-band AC 3000 with Wifi 5 technology. Very powerful, the Netgear EX8000 is able to extend a wireless signal on a surface of 220 m².
71,99 £ on AmazonThis Wifi amplifier embodies pure power. Patented Fastlane 3 technology, the Netgear EX800 extends the wireless signal to 220 square meters. On top of that, it allows up to 50 people to connect at the same time via Wifi without it weakening. This Wifi signal booster uses Wifi 5 AC technology with three separate frequency bands.
You can therefore create an access point on the 2.4 GHz band for a speed of 400 Mbps and on the 5 GHz band which is split into two. If the first gives access to a speed of 866 Mbps, the second provides up to 1733 Mbps. The maximum speed granted by this device is therefore close to 3000 Mbps or 3 Gb/s.
Equipped with 4 antennas and a Gigabit Ethernet port, this TP-Link Wifi amplifier will amplify the Internet connection in a house with a maximum surface of 200 m².
62,39 £ on AmazonThis TP-Link RE650 Wifi amplifier is easily recognized by its special design and in particular by its 4 retractable external antennas. To achieve optimal performance, this device is equipped with a dual-core processor of 880 Hz supported by a technology called Beamforming. It is compatible with all internet boxes and routers offered by internet service providers.
Its Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet port will allow you to use it in parallel with a computer, a console or a television. A true model of performance, this Wifi amplifier offers a maximum speed of 2600 Mbps, including 1733 Mbps in 5 GHz and 800 Mbps in 2.4 GHz. It supports up to 25 wireless users over 200 m².
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Tenda Nova MW6 2PK
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Rock Space AC 1200
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Netgear EX8000
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TP-Link RE650
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You may think that the Tenda Nova MW6 2PK is a Wifi Mesh router as it already exists on the market, but you should know that this device is able to optimally extend the wireless signal over an area of 500 m².
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This Wifi amplifier is designed to extend the coverage of your wireless network with efficiency and maintain the quality of the connection obtained. If you're a video-on-demand and online gaming consumer, the Rock Space AC 1200 is for you.
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A pure concentrate of technologies, this Wifi amplifier is equipped with a Wifi Mesh tri-band AC 3000 with Wifi 5 technology. Very powerful, the Netgear EX8000 is able to extend a wireless signal on a surface of 220 m².
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Equipped with 4 antennas and a Gigabit Ethernet port, this TP-Link Wifi amplifier will amplify the Internet connection in a house with a maximum surface of 200 m².
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Wifi standard
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Wifi A/ IEEE 802.11 ac
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IEEE 802.11 ac/n/g/b
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Wifi 5 AC
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Wifi 5 AC
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Number of Ethernet ports
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4 (2 for each node)
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1
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4
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1
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Maximum speed
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1000 Mbps
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1200 Mbps
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3000 Mbps
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2600 Mbps
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Area covered
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500 m²
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200 m²
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220 m²
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200 m²
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Number of users supported
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About 50
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20
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50
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25
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The Wifi standard is a criterion not to be neglected. If you plan to use a home network, the appropriate Wifi standard is 802.1 n. Generally speaking, all WiFi amplifiers on the market are compatible with this standard, but you may still come across a product that is not suitable. However, for a Wifi amplifier for professional use, we recommend the 802.11 ac standard, whose performance is higher. This repeater extends the transmission area by several extra meters, without lowering the throughput.
A Wifi amplifier cannot work together with a router or an Internet box if they do not use the same frequency bands. Many Internet boxes on the market only support the 2.4 GHz frequency band. However, some amplifiers offer another band at 5 GHz which is ideal to avoid saturation. Sure, the throughput offered by the 5 GHz frequency band is faster, but its coverage area is limited, which is the exact opposite of the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
The Ethernet ports of a Wifi amplifier allow devices without wireless connection to access the network. Among others, these include TV screens, printers and new generations of game consoles. It should not be forgotten that the presence of Ethernet ports also provides a stable and optimal connection when you want to enjoy 4K video on demand, online games or for work purposes.
The Wifi amplifier must be adapted to the starting Wifi connection. To have a good quality connection, it is not useful to buy an amplifier that can go up to 2 Gbps when your router only offers 300 Mbps. This would be a bad use of the device. Remember that the speed announced on the data sheet is only theoretical. The real speed is always lower especially since the device depends on the environment in which it is installed.
The WPS or Wifi Protected Standard system is a quick and simplified configuration system that avoids the user to install software on his computer. In other words, this WPS feature exempts him from manual configuration which is slow and tedious to perform. Just press the WPS button and the Wifi amplifier will auto-configure itself, it's that simple.
The Wifi amplifier is a very simple device to use. To optimize its efficiency, it is essential to position it in the right place and to configure it well.
The first thing to do is to find the ideal location for the Wifi amplifier. This device should be placed in a place in the house where the outgoing signal is of excellent quality. If it's positioned in the wrong place, the device will go out of its way to repeat a weak signal and the result will be worse than poor throughput.
You should also not install the Wifi amplifier too close to the router, as it will not be able to effectively extend the signal. So try to position it at the right distance. In principle, Wifi amplifiers are equipped with an intelligent tracking system with a light to find the best location in a house.
If possible, avoid placing your Wifi amplifier near large appliances such as a refrigerator or microwave oven. Put it at a good height so that it can better communicate with the main router and multiple digital media.
This is the most common model on the market. This Wifi amplifier should not be confused with a router or an ISP gateway because of the similarity of their shapes. The advantage with this standardized product is that it can be installed anywhere andcan easily communicate with the router and the Internet box. It is a plug & use product that requires no configuration.
This Wifi amplifier benefits from a more compact design and minimalism that further optimizes its use. Unlike the standard model, this device plugs into an electrical outlet. On the other hand, this Wifi amplifier will need a little configuration. The only concern with the plug-in repeater is that it can occupy any outlet. This could prevent you from plugging in other devices.
Like the plug-in Wifi amplifier, the Pass Through AC Wifi amplifier simply plugs into an AC outlet. The only difference between the two devices is the presence of a power outlet on its front interface, which allows users to plug in other devices.
The Wifi amplifier's mission is to capture the signal, amplify it and retransmit it so that all occupants of a house can have access to it. Note that this device does not only amplify the received signal. It is also capable of improving the connection speed. And this is what makes it so popular among users, both individuals and professionals.
Unlike a Wifi amplifier, the Wifi repeater, which comes in the form of a box to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, connects to an existing access point before redistributing the signal. The repeater acts as a bridge between the user and his box for an exclusive Wifi communication.
If you think about it, the Wifi repeater and the Wifi amplifier work in much the same way, with one difference, the first device is used as a regenerator of the same signal as the source. As for the second device, it amplifies the signal and makes it even more powerful. For entertainment, a Wifi amplifier is more suitable.
By using such a device, you will boost the quality of your Internet connection. All family members will access the network without moving from their rooms. The Wifi amplifier also helps to reduce or even eliminate white areas of the signal in a house.
Like the router and the Internet box, the Wifi amplifier remains an entry point to your network. But rest assured, the level of security offered by the device is optimal. If you're a wired user, you should know that some Wifi amplifiers are equipped with Ethernet ports that allow you to benefit from a more stable, smoother connection, which is less annoying especially when playing online.
The Wifi amplifier has a WPS configuration system that saves you from installing software on your computer. So, you just have to turn on the device and press the WPS button on the amplifier or router for the pairing to be done naturally. And if by chance the box was not compatible with the Wifi amplifier, the pairing is still possible, but using a third party application.
The Wifi amplifier is the perfect alternative to the wired network. Indeed, by amplifying the signal strength, users no longer need to move closer to the box to enjoy the Internet or use the Ethernet port.
No matter which ISP you have signed up with, the device is always compatible. Wifi amplifiers are affordable, even though they're high-tech. The best devices are offered at the best price to allow everyone to use them.
In our opinion, the best brands of Wifi amplifiers in 2022 are :
This brand has been dedicated to manufacturing networking devices and systems since its inception. Its range of Wifi amplifiers is known for being easy to use, powerful and design.
Founded in 1996, this brand focused on the manufacturing of print servers before moving into routers, switches and network cards. Today, the Wifi amplifier is one of its flagship products.
TP Link is known for being the inventor of the very first Ethernet switch. Of course, this manufacturer offers a wide range of Wifi amplifiers that have the particularity of having an Ethernet port for networking with wired devices.
Belkin is a heavyweight in computer equipment whose origins date back to 1983. This manufacturer is best known for its Wifi amplifier capable of covering an area of 400 square meters.
D-Link has been offering IT and Internet solutions for over thirty years. This brand is rather famous for its range of powerline outlets and Wifi repeaters, but it also has high-quality Wifi amplifiers in its arsenal.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Place your Wifi amplifier in the right place
Certainly, Wifi is an immaterial element that is able to pass through walls, but its signal weakens when it is facing a reinforced concrete wall or steel plates. To enjoy a good connection, it is necessary to place the Wifi amplifier in a well-cleared place, away from large household equipment that may further reduce the signal.
Protect your network
Your Wifi signal is visible to all users within a 1 km radius. To prevent these people from hogging your network, you should secure it with a password that only you know. If necessary, add extra security, such as a program that alerts you when someone tries to crack your code.
Reduce interference
If everyone in your neighborhood is using Wi-Fi, interference can be created, which can weaken the signal. To find out which channel is used the most, make use of a third-party Wifi scanner and create an access point to the least congested channel. This will boost your network's performance.
Make good use of bandwidth
Programs are very bandwidth hungry. In order not to suffer a slowdown, the ideal would be to use software that automatically puts applications that consume a lot of bandwidth to sleep. In principle, it is possible to set the bandwidth allocation from the configuration interface of the router or the Internet box.
Control the number of connected devices
The quality of Wifi depends on the number of connected devices. Even though the amplifier's job is to increase the signal, it doesn't mean you have to connect all your devices at the same time. One holder per person, regardless of the number of occupants in the home, is the maximum allowed.
This device, whatever its form, captures the signal of the Wifi network of an internet router or an internet box before amplifying it. So to speak, it acts as a second Wifi box. It is very effective in reducing white areas in a home. This accessory allows everyone to enjoy the network.
A Wifi repeater is part of the family of amplifiers, but strictly speaking, the repeater can not really amplify the Wifi signal of an Internet box. On the other hand, the repeater reproduces the emitted signal to allow everyone to receive it. The differences between the two are purely technical.
The perfect place to plug theWifi amplifier is halfway between the router and the media you use (computer, smartphone ...). For it to do its job well, make sure that the place where it is placed is well cleared. If necessary, place the Wifi amplifier high up and away from any household equipment.
The majority of Wifi amplifiers are plug & use devices. In other words, you just need to plug them in to enjoy their multiple benefits. Configuration is made easier if the device is equipped with the WPS system that establishes a quick and immediate connection between the two devices. More information is provided in the purchase manual.
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