07/21/2020

The Best Wi-Fi Range Extender for Almost Everybody

Range extenders help you eliminate pesky dead zones

Even as lockdown restrictions are lifting, many of us are still sheltering in place and working from home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) -- and that means that steady, reliable Wi-Fi is more important than ever. And if you've tried to set up a home office that's a little too far from your router, then you've learned the hard way -- dead zones are a major pain.

Enter the Wi-Fi range extender. Like the name suggests, it can help give your network a boost by receiving the wireless signal from your router and re-amplifying it further out into your home. Most are a cinch to use, too -- just pick a good spot, plug it in and press the WPS button to sync it up with your router. In most cases, you can even use a wireless range extender from a different manufacturer than your router. Best of all, you've got plenty of options that won't cost you very much.

But don't start thinking these things are interchangeable. I picked out some of the major manufacturers' most popular, budget-friendly options and spent a few days testing out their wireless coverage. Most were underwhelming, which isn't too surprising when you're talking about a hunk of plastic that costs $30 or $40. One was an absolute standout, however, and strong enough for me to say that it's the best pick for just about everybody.

Please select this link to read the complete article from CNET.