Best Wi-Fi Extenders for Gaming in 2024
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When you’re into online gaming, your internet speed is key to having a seamless gaming experience. Even if you have the best internet plan your provider offers, sometimes a Wi-Fi extender makes a noticeable difference as a signal booster.
Depending on where your gaming room is, you may experience hiccups with your Wi-Fi signal. This is because the best Wi-Fi speeds rely on your proximity to your existing router. The farther you are from your wireless router, the weaker your Wi-Fi signal can be.
A Wi-Fi extender alleviates latency issues by enhancing the signal strength of all your connected devices. Even if your wireless coverage is strong, a Wi-Fi extender can take your Wi-Fi strength to another level.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to find the best Wi-Fi extender for gaming.
Wi-Fi Extender Basics: What Is It?
The main purpose of a Wi-Fi extender is to lengthen the Wi-Fi range to areas of your home that are too far away from your wireless router. Weak or patchy Wi-Fi signals make your gaming experience slow and frustrating.
When it comes to gaming, Wi-Fi extenders are the one piece of equipment that will save you from having to install an ethernet cable from your router to your gaming rig.
While ethernet connectivity is reliable, it’s not very practical. If you’re gaming through a wireless network, you’ll have a better chance of a seamless gaming session with a wireless range extender.
Benefits of Wi-Fi Extenders for Gaming
- The easiest solution to fix spotty Wi-Fi during gaming, especially if you’re playing with multiple users.
- A plug-in extender connects directly to a power outlet and can support multiple smart devices.
- It’s an affordable option that easily enhances your signal strength.
Disadvantages of a Wi-Fi Extender for Gaming
- Wi-Fi extenders require that you manually switch over to the new extender’s Wi-Fi network.
- You need an already stable Wi-Fi connection to maximize the benefits of a Wi-Fi extender. If your Wi-Fi is weak from the beginning, then all you’re doing is extending the range of that same weak Wi-Fi.
- A Wi-Fi extender is not a permanent solution. They’re there to temporarily improve your wireless network and enhance your gaming. However, if you’re dealing with too many dead zones around your home, it may be time to consider a router upgrade or other more permanent solutions.
What’s the difference between a Wi-Fi Extender and a Mesh Range Extender?
Although both help your signal strength gain several bars, a Wi-Fi extender and a Wi-Fi mesh range extender are not quite the same thing.
Wi-Fi Mesh Range Extender
A Wi-Fi mesh range helps Wi-Fi group multiple devices around your home into one Wi-Fi mesh network. Each of the network groups is called a “node." Each node works as a range extender to broaden your Wi-Fi signals throughout the entire home — even in the most remote corners.
You connect a mesh range extender through an ethernet port by using an ethernet cable. The best part about a Wi-Fi mesh range extender is that, unlike a regular wi-fi range extender, with a mesh extender you don’t have to switch to another network. Instead, the nodes will keep your Wi-Fi connection to whichever node has the strongest Wi-Fi signal.
What Settings Are Mesh Range Extenders Good For?
Mesh extenders excel when:
- You’re trying to extend Wi-Fi range to your entire home or throughout a big office.
- You want to get rid of all dead zones.
- You move around a lot and want to make sure all your multiple devices stay connected to the Wi-Fi without interruption or delays.
Best Wi-Fi Extender for Gaming in 2022
If you’re ready to add an extender for gaming, you should consider the top options out in the market for the best Wi-Fi extenders. And there are plenty. Here are our top picks for the best Wi-Fi range extenders in 2022.
TP-Link AC600 Wi-Fi Range Extender
- Brand: TP-Link
- Ports:1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
- Frequency Band: Dual-band
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas:4
The TP-Link AC600 is one of the most popular Wi-Fi extenders in the market for gaming. Its compact design and overall performance provide you with a signal booster that has a bandwidth of up to 2600 Mbps.
The TP-Link doesn’t take up too much space, which makes it practical if you want to maximize the space in your gaming room. It also comes with the option of adding a dual-band extender that will make your gaming experience that much smoother.
In addition, TP-Link provides you with the option of adjusting settings through the TP-Link tether app and an ethernet port to enhance Internet speed should you want to connect with an ethernet cable.
TP-Link AC600 Wi-Fi Extender Pros
- Four external antennas
- Universal compatibility (works well with all Wi-Fi routers)
- Mu-Mimo Technology — the ability to transfer data to multiple devices simultaneously
- Gigabit Ethernet port to guarantee faster connections to smart devices
- Helpful LED status indicators
TP-Link AC600 Wi-Fi Extender Cons
- The TP-Link AC600 doesn’t come with smart roaming.
- In terms of price, the TP-Link AC600 is a little more expensive than other Wi-Fi range extenders on this list
NETGEAR WI-FI Range Extender EX7300
- Brand: Netgear
- Ports:1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
- Frequency Band:4GHz, 5GHz
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas:4 Internal
Commonly referred to as “The Nighthawk," the Netgear Wi-Fi range extender EX7300 is one of the most advanced available in the market. With this Wi-Fi extender, you can boost your range to cover up to 2,300 square feet.
Makers of the Wi-Fi extender EX7300 designed the device with its longevity in mind by installing tiny air vents that prevent it from ever overheating when there are multiple wired devices connected to it. And speaking of devices, the EX7300 supports up to 40 connected devices at a time.
What makes the Netgear EX7300 one of the best Wi-Fi extenders for gamers is its ability to reach up to 2200 Mbps which can easily support multiplayer games and sustain a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your gaming session.
NETGEAR WIFI RANGE EXTENDER EX7300 PROS
- Ability to help you reach excellent transmission Wi-Fi speeds
- Facilitates fast Wi-Fi speeds with Netgear’s patented FastLane technology
- Keeps you connected with your network by sharing SSID
NETGEAR WIFI RANGE EXTENDER EX7300 CONS
- Its design is not as sleek and compact. In fact, the Netgear EX7300 is on the bulky side.
- No Wi-Fi 6
- Limited bandwidth
ASUS RP-AC51 Dual-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender
- Brand: Asus
- Ports: Built-in ethernet ports
- Frequency Band: 4GHz, 5GHz
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas: Dual external antennas
Although the ASUS RP-AC51 dual-band extender is not able to get you Wi-Fi 6, its powerful external antennas help you get rid of any dead zones around your home and enhance your existing Wi-Fi coverage.
The main feature of the ASUS RP-AC51 Wi-Fi range extender is its ability to easily merge into your existing network, making it one of the best Wi-Fi extenders in the market.
Outside of the technicalities that make the ASUS RP-AC51 worth buying, this is one of the Wi-Fi extenders that’s easy to set up, is reasonably priced, and comes with a WPS button that’ll make it easy to pair with your router.
It also comes with an ethernet port so that you can reach a maximum speed of up to 750 Mbps,
ASUS RP-AC51 DUAL-BAND WIFI EXTENDER PROS
- Easy setup and settings adjustment through the ASUS extender app
- Uncomplicated mode switch so that you can configure the best mode for your wi-fi coverage needs
- Ability to provide combined dual-band speeds reaching up to 750 Mbps
ASUS RP-AC51 DUAL-BAND WIFI EXTENDER CONS
- Wired devices are limited to 100 Mbps
- 5GHz performance is not as good as it should be
TP-LINK AC1750 WI-FI Extender
- Brand: TP-Link
- Ports: 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
- Frequency Band: 4GHz, 5GHz
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas: Three external adjustable antennas
As one of the best Wi-Fi extenders in the market, the TP-Link AC1750 aims to provide suitable speeds for gaming so that you never have to experience lagging or delays. Although the TP-Link AC1750 is not one of the popular plug-in extenders, it doesn’t take away from how much this extender can benefit your wi-fi coverage throughout your home.
The TP-Link AC1750 covers areas of up to 2000 square feet and features a red/blue signal on the front of the device to let you know if the area where you placed the extender will maximize a strong connection to your router.
Even though this extender lacks the coveted Wi-Fi 6, its larger size delivers better performance than some of the other diminutive extenders on this list.
Overall, the TP-Link AC1750 is the best Wi-Fi extender if you’re on a budget. It doesn’t come with a ton of gigabit ethernet ports, but the one that it has can connect your router to the 5GHz network when you use the Full Speed Mode feature.
Keep in mind that this extender does not come with universal compatibility. Make sure you check whether it’s compatible with your router prior to purchase.
TP-LINK AC1750 PROS
- Bigger in size than other Wi-Fi range extenders, but not so big as to need a server room to store it.
- 2000 square foot coverage
- Speeds of up to 1.75 Gbps
TP-LINK AC1750 CONS
- No Wi-Fi 6
- On the heavier side for a plug-in device
Linksys AC3000 Max Stream Tri-Band Wi-Fi Extender
- Brand: Linksys
- Ports: Four-gigabit ethernet ports
- Frequency Band:4GHz, 5GHz
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas: Four internal antennas
As a direct competitor to the Netgear EX8000 extender, what makes the Linksys AC3000 so popular is not just its efficiency, but its affordable price. Because of its tri-band Wi-Fi, the Links AC3000 easily supports a network that can sustain hours of you playing games with multiple players.
The coverage range for the Linksys AC3000 is 10,000 square feet and it comes with four internal antennas that will make setup placement easier. Moreover, the Linksys AC3000 uses Spot Finder so that you can determine the best area for installation and optimize all it can do for your Wi-Fi coverage.
Although this extender comes with four gigabit Ethernet ports, it lacks a USB port for adding something like a printer or hard drive to the network. Don’t let its lack of USB ports discourage you though. There are more pros than cons to the Linksys AC3000 when it comes to making your gaming experience a seamless one.
Linksys AC3000 MAX-STREAM TRI-BAND PROS
- Auto Firmware upgrade
- Universal compatibility with all Wi-Fi routers
- Ability to pair with max stream router
- Tri-band Wi-Fi with a single 2.4GHz and two 5GHz bands
LINKSYS AC3000 MAX-STREAM TRI-BAND CONS
- No pass-through outlet
- No 2.4GHz band
- Bulkier than other extenders on this list
NETGEAR AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Extender
- Brand: Netgear
- Ports: Five-gigabit ethernet ports
- Frequency Band:4GHz, 5GHz
- Signal Indicator: Yes
- Antennas: External antennas
The NETGEAR AC1200 is a great middle-of-the-road extender. It’s just right for anyone that’s looking to boost their Wi-Fi coverage without breaking the bank.
The main feature of this extender is the five-gigabit ethernet ports that it comes with so that you can plug in other smart devices, like a smart TV, console, or PC.
The NETGEAR AC1200 promises speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps, which will make multiplayer gaming a breeze. Moreover, Beamforming+ helps extend wi-fi range coverage far beyond its limits so that you can have speedy Internet even in the most remote corners of your home.
Installation is easy and the extender has a stylish design that can either sit horizontally or in a space-saving vertical mode thanks to the included stand. This extender also provides seamless roaming by boosting signals from your Wi-Fi router and a digital media server that helps cover dead zones.
NETGEAR AC1200 WIRELESS EXTENDER PROS
- 700mW amplifiers and 5dBi antennas
- Five Gigabit Ethernet ports to hook up wired devices
- Beats dead zones with the Digital Media Server
NETGEAR AC1200 WIRELESS EXTENDER CONS
- Sometimes present problems once the device is reset
- No Wi-Fi 6
- On the larger side compared to other extenders on this list
Where Should I Place my Wi-Fi Extender?
Even the best Wi-Fi extender will not work at its best if it’s not in the right location. The ideal location for an extender is halfway between your router and your computer. More specifically, the extender should be within range of your router.
Remember, even the best Wi-Fi extender relies on a router or access point. Some common reasons why your extender might lose Internet access, even when it’s placed in an ideal location are:
- The access point loses Internet connection
- The Wi-Fi signal fails to reach the extender
- The extender is out of range of the router or access point
- Your extender doesn’t have universal compatibility and isn’t compatible with your router
Best Wi-Fi Extender FAQs
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Help with Gaming?
The short answer is, yes. However, keep in mind that an extender is there to extend the range of your Wi-Fi so that it’s closer to the computer where you normally play online games. But if your connection is spotty, to begin with, then adding an extender to your setup won’t be of much help.
In general, playing games through a wireless connection is much less reliable than plugging your game console directly into your router. Try to find extenders that support USB connectivity as they will positively impact your online gaming experience.
What Is a Good Wi-Fi Signal for Gaming?
Online gaming typically requires you to be able to connect through higher bands, like 5GHz. Therefore, having an extender that features Smart Connect technology is helpful because it helps you pair the device with the fastest Wi-Fi band.
To put this in perspective, other smart devices or smart home gear, like printers or smart fridges, function fine on a 2.4GHz band. Whereas online gaming requires more out of your connection and excels on higher bands like 5GHz.
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Stop Lag?
If your gaming experience is being affected by lag because your Wi-Fi range is not reaching your gaming room or rig, then an extender can help alleviate this problem. Always make sure that your Internet connection is strong enough so that the extender can widen the range to problem areas around your home. If your connection is not strong, to begin with, then the extender won’t do much for stopping lag issues.
Does a Wi-Fi Booster Lower Ping?
Yes. Remember, a Wi-Fi booster’s job is to amplify the signal to remote corners or other problem areas around your home. Because online games require upload and download speeds that can support multiple players and multiple wired devices when you amplify the signal it can significantly reduce your ping during a gaming session.
What Is the Difference Between a Wi-Fi Booster and a Wi-Fi Extender?
Although they’re similar, there is one slight difference between a booster and an extender. A Wi-Fi booster bridges the gap between one or two hosts that are trying to connect to one another but are unable to establish a connection. On the other hand, a Wi-Fi extender is used to expand or extend the coverage area to remote corners of your home where the Internet connection cannot reach.
Does AT&T offer solutions for extending Wi-Fi signals?
Yes. Utilizing state-of-the-art mesh technology, AT&T’s Smart Wi-Fi Extender expands your home Wi-Fi coverage and reduces signal weak spots. It is easy to set up and allows you to stream music and videos on more devices at more locations. Check out AT&T’s complete lineup of equipment here.