Is your Spectrum internet connection dropping like a rock in the farthest corners of your home? Are you tired of buffering videos, laggy online gaming sessions, and dead zones that turn your smart home devices into useless bricks? Y
Countless Spectrum users grapple with these frustrating issues daily. The culprit? Often, it’s weak WiFi signal strength. If you’re frustrated with these issues and are on the lookout for a solution, then a WiFi extender, designed for Spectrum is all you would need. In this guide, we’ll cut through the clutter, and help you pick the best WiFi extender for your Spectrum.
Here are a few key considerations you should make before you head to buy one:
- Coverage Range: Since the primary use of a WiFi extender is to increase the overall range and coverage of your WiFi, checking the coverage range rating is highly important. While budget WiFi extenders may only offer up to 1500 square feet of coverage range, high-performance ones can offer up to 3000 square feet or even up to 10000 square feet coverage range for excellent WiFi connectivity at all times.
- Network Speeds: If you are using a WiFi extender at your home or office, you would want it to offer the same performance as your WiFi router. To ensure the same, you can consider checking its network speed. Even though entry-level models may only offer up to 750 Mbps or up to 1200 Mbps speeds, WiFi extenders can even offer up to 3000 Mbps speeds.
- Maximum Devices: Similar to your WiFi router, you would also want to connect a large number of devices to your WiFi network even if you are using a WiFi extender. While entry-level models may only support up to 20 devices or up to 25 devices at a time, higher-end models can connect to up to 35 devices at the same time.
While these points are certainly quite important, there is still a lot to keep in mind while going with the best WiFi extender for Spectrum. Therefore, all the best WiFi extenders for Spectrum stated down below have all their important factors and specifications well explained accompanied by a detailed “Buying Guide” to help you easily choose the best WiFi extender for Spectrum.
Outline
Toggle- Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum: Table
- Top 10 Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum| Reviews
- 1. TP-Link AC750 RE220 WiFi Extender
- 2. TP-Link AX3000 RE700X WiFi Extender
- 3. NETGEAR EX5000 WiFi Extender
- 4. Macard N300 WiFi Extender
- 5. ROCKSPACE AC1200 WiFi Extender
- 6. NETGEAR EX6400 WiFi Extender
- 7. BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi Extender
- 8. ASUS RP-AX58 WiFi Extender
- 9. NETGEAR EX8000 WiFi Extender
- 10. Linksys RE7000 WiFi Extender
- Buying Guide For The Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum
- FAQs:
- Conclusion
Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum: Table
Product Name | Wi-Fi Standard | Speed | Range | Buy Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
TP-Link AC750 RE220 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 733 Mbps | Up To 3200 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
TP-Link AX3000 RE700X WiFi Extender | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Up To 3000 Mbps | - | Check On Amazon |
NETGEAR EX5000 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1200 Mbps | Up To 1500 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
Macard N300 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 450 Mbps | Up To 8470 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
ROCKSPACE AC1200 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1200 Mbps | Up To 1292 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
NETGEAR EX6400 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1900 Mbps | Up To 2100 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1200 Mbps | Up To 1600 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
ASUS RP-AX58 WiFi Extender | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Up To 3000 Mbps | Up To 2,200 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
NETGEAR EX8000 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1733 Mbps | Up To 2500 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
Linksys RE7000 WiFi Extender | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up To 1900 Mbps | Up To 2500 Sq Ft | Check On Amazon |
Top 10 Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum| Reviews
1. TP-Link AC750 RE220 WiFi Extender
Being an entry-level WiFi extender, the TP-Link AC750 RE220 for Spectrum is the cheapest option present here making it the perfect option for those who are on a tight budget so its given coverage range of up to 1200 square feet is to be expected. Similarly, you only get a maximum network speed of up to 750 Mbps with this WiFi extender for Spectrum.
Thankfully, you do get the support for a total of 20 devices to be connected at once while using this WiFi extender and because of its internal antenna design, it can be used in any home without any issues. Unlike most other budget WiFi extenders for Spectrum, this one comes with a 2-year warranty making it much more reliable than even high-end options in the market.
Best Features:
- The rated coverage range of up to 1200 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 750 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 20 devices at once
- Offers an internal antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
- Highly affordable WiFi extender for Spectrum for budget buyers
- Quite a long warranty for your peace of mind
- Works with a decent number of devices at a time
Cons:
- Not a high-performance WiFi extender for Spectrum
2. TP-Link AX3000 RE700X WiFi Extender
Your Wi-Fi coverage can be significantly boosted with the TP-Link AX3000 RE700X as the dual-band extender can push speeds up to 3 Gbps, making streaming and gaming much smoother. The RE700X comes with four high-performance amplifiers that help extend WiFi to areas that are hard to reach. Setting it up was straightforward using the TP-Link Tether app, which is available for both Android and iOS.
The RE700X has WiFi 6 capabilities. This means you can connect more devices without the network slowing down. We noticed it particularly shines in homes with multiple devices, providing a stable connection even when many gadgets are online simultaneously. The inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port is a nice touch, giving you the option for a wired connection, which is great for gaming or streaming.
Best Features:
- Four high-performance amplifiers
- Easy setup with the TP-Link Tether app
- Access Point mode for flexible use
- OneMesh compatibility for seamless networking
- Gigabit Ethernet port for wired connections
Pros:
- Reduces dead zones effectively
- Is compatible with WiFi 6 devices
- Suitable for both home and small office use
Cons:
- Can get warm during heavy use
- Firmware updates occasionally cause connectivity issues
3. NETGEAR EX5000 WiFi Extender
Having a compact design and minimal options the EX5000 WiFi extender for Spectrum from Netgear is great for home use. And even with its small form factor, you get decent performance from it as the given coverage range is up to 1500 square feet. Its network speed rating is quite decent which is rated at up to 1200 Mbps.
Even though this is a compact WiFi extender for Spectrum made to be used at your home, it can still connect to up to 25 devices at once. As you would expect from such a small form factor WiFi extender, it uses an internal antenna design. Although, its given form factor also means that you do not get any external ports with it. Because Netgear is a reputable brand of networking devices, you get a 1-year warranty with its WiFi extender for Spectrum.
Best Features:
- The rated coverage range of up to 1500 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 1200 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 25 devices at once
- Offers an internal antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
- One of the smallest and highly compact WiFi extenders
- Decent performance numbers for given price and form factor
- Connects with a good number of devices at once
Cons:
- Misses out on any external ports due to given form factor
4. Macard N300 WiFi Extender
With a data transfer rate of 450 Mbps and quad-band frequency, the Macard N300 WiFi Extender is perfect for online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming 4K HD videos. When compared to other WiFi extenders, the N300 promises faster speeds and broader coverage, tackling thick walls, appliances, and cement floors to eliminate dead zones. Setting it up is straightforward too with a single tap WPS, so no fussing with complicated instructions.
We found the 5 different modes quite handy, allowing it to function as a router, repeater, access point, client, or WISP. This flexibility means it can adapt to various needs, whether you’re running a business or just streaming shows at home. This extender supports up to 45 devices without any slowdown, which is great for homes with multiple gadgets like tablets, smart speakers, and IP cameras. The inclusion of an Ethernet port adds to its versatility, allowing for a wired connection if needed. In summary, if you’re looking for a WiFi extender that offers speed, coverage, and versatility, the Macard N300 is worth considering.
Best Features:
- Has range up to 8K+Square Feet
- An overvoltage Protection Controller has been pre-installed
- Interference-free data transmission
- Has a data transfer rate of 450 Mbps
- Supports over 45 devices with ease
- The Quad-band frequency further enhances the network speed
Pros:
- Is compatible with Alexa
- Best for large homes
- Has a Stable connection
Cons:
- May need to reset it occasionally
5. ROCKSPACE AC1200 WiFi Extender
Even at its given price tag, the AC1200 WiFi extender for Spectrum from Rockspace gives you a fairly high coverage range of up to 2640 square feet. Although, its network speeds are a bit limited at just up to 867 Mbps which is a bit lower when compared to others.
While its networking speeds might not be the highest, you still get support for a total of 25 devices at once which is always great to have. As mentioned earlier, you get a great coverage range with this WiFi extender for Spectrum which is made possible thanks to its 2 antenna design. And even though Rockspace is a fairly small brand of networking devices, its WiFi extenders still come backed by a 1-year warranty.
Best Features:
- Rated coverage range of up to 2640 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 867 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 25 devices at once
- Offers a 2 external antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
- High value for money WiFi extender for Spectrum
- Quite a high WiFi coverage range for decent performance
- Uses a dual antenna design for great WiFi reception
Cons:
- Networking speeds could have been higher
6. NETGEAR EX6400 WiFi Extender
If you have a lot of devices at your home and want a high-performance WiFi extender for all of them then the Netgear EX6400 WiFi extender for Spectrum is a good choice as it supports over 35 devices at once and other than supporting a large number of devices, you also get a coverage range of up to 2100 square feet with this WiFi extender for Spectrum. You also get pretty high network speeds of up to 1900 Mbps with this WiFi extender which is important for using multiple devices at once.
One of the best things about this WiFi extender is that it can offer all of this while having an internal antenna design which results in great aesthetics for use at your home. Similar to the previous Netgear WiFi extender given above, this one also comes with a 1-year warranty.
Best Features:
- Rated coverage range of up to 2100 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 1900 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 35 devices at once
- Offers an internal antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Pros:
- Perfect for use with a large number of devices
- Great for use at your home with a minimal design and form factor
- Quite high network speeds for optimum WiFi performance
Cons:
- Not a budget-friendly WiFi extender for Spectrum
7. BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi Extender
While the performance of the AC1200 WiFi extender from BrosTrend is quite good, its coverage area is a bit limited to up to 1200 square feet which is to be expected at its given price tag. But don’t worry, you do get a decent network speed rating of up to 1200 Mbps which ensures good performance at all times.
Moving over to the maximum device support of this WiFi extender, it can be used along with up to 20 devices at once. And while its given coverage range might not be the highest, you still get a 2 external antenna design with it which ensures good performance within its given coverage area. And despite being a small brand of networking devices, it still comes with a 2-year warranty which is even higher than more expensive options out there.
Best Features:
- The rated coverage range of up to 1200 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 1200 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 20 devices at once
- Offers a 2 external antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
- Great entry-level and affordable WiFi extender for Spectrum
- Comes with 2 external antennas for optimum performance
- Long warranty and a great build quality for longevity
Cons:
- Coverage area rating could have been higher
8. ASUS RP-AX58 WiFi Extender
The AiMesh support in the ASUS AX58 is a big plus, letting you create a seamless mesh network with other ASUS routers and eliminate dead zones. This extender supports WiFi 6, offering speeds up to 3000 Mbps, which is great if you need fast internet for gaming or streaming. With its dual-band feature, you can connect multiple devices without experiencing lag. Additionally, the commercial-grade network security powered by Trend Micro ensures your online activities are well-protected.
The Instant Guard feature is a unique touch, allowing you to access a secure internet connection from anywhere. The setup is straightforward because of the WPS button, and the QoS feature helps prioritize bandwidth for your important tasks. It also has an access point mode, which is handy if you want to turn a wired connection into a wireless one. This product is ideal for families with multiple devices and those needing strong internet coverage across a large home. If you prioritize security and parental controls, this extender will be a good fit.
Best Features:
- Has WPA3 security protocol
- QoS for bandwidth prioritization
- MU-MIMO technology for multiple device connections
- LED indicators for signal strength
- Lifetime free AiProtection Pro
Pros:
- Offers speeds up to 3000 Mbps
- Is compatible with various devices
- Compatible with various devices.
Cons:
- Occasionally buggy app
- Best performance requires WiFi 6 devices
- Some features only work with ASUS routers
9. NETGEAR EX8000 WiFi Extender
The WiFi extender EX8000 for Spectrum from Netgear is the best-performing option listed here which is excellent for high-speed internet connections. Starting with its coverage area, this WiFi extender can work at up to 2500 square feet which is quite high for most users. And while there are WiFi extenders with even higher coverage ranges, they do not offer network speeds of up to 3000 Mbps like this one.
Thanks to its superb networking speeds, this WiFi extender can even be used with up to 50 devices at once which is way higher than what you will need. And the best part is that this WiFi extender can offer such performance numbers while having an internal design. Since this is a highly premium WiFi extender from Netgear, you get a 1-year long warranty with it for your peace of mind.
Best Features:
- The rated coverage range of up to 2500 square feet
- Offers maximum network speeds of up to 3000 Mbps
- Connects to a maximum of 50 devices at once
- Offers an internal antenna design
- Uses the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Pros:
- Excellent performance numbers for superb network performance
- Quite a high range for given network speeds
- Relies on triband technology for optimum range and speeds
Cons:
- Quite an expensive WiFi extender for Spectrum
10. Linksys RE7000 WiFi Extender
Supporting various devices, including Smart TVs, tablets, laptops, and smartphones the RE7000 WiFi extender from Linksys is slim with a compact design and unlike a few other WiFi extenders, this device plugs into a lower outlet without blocking the one above it. With speeds up to 1.9Gbps and compatibility with multiple wireless standards, it promises a solid performance for streaming 4K/HD movies and online gaming.
We noticed that the RE7000’s Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) technology allows multiple users to enjoy fast internet without lag. This is great for households with many devices connected simultaneously. Additionally, the seamless roaming feature is a highlight, as it automatically switches your device to the strongest WiFi signal as you move around your home. This means no more manually reconnecting to the router or extender, which is a big plus for those who like to move around while staying connected.
Best Features:
- Supports multiple wireless standards
- Automatic signal switching
- Speeds up to 1.9Gbps
- No need to adjust router settings
Pros:
- Easy setup with “Push Button Connect”
- Worth the investment for consistent connectivity
- Stable signal throughout the home
Cons:
- No USB ports
- May not improve older devices’ speeds significantly
Buying Guide For The Best WiFi Extenders For Spectrum
One of the most common issues with older and entry-level WiFi routers is that they have a very poor WiFi range. Some places in your home or office may even have zero reception requiring you to use a WiFi extender for the same.
But if you are using a specific internet provider like Spectrum, then using compatible WiFi extenders is highly important. Because of this, the best WiFi extenders for Spectrum have been listed above. While we have already discussed their major specifications and features, you can also check out this detailed buying guide for the best WiFi extenders for Spectrum to learn more:
1. Coverage Range
If you are getting a WiFi extender to use along with your WiFi router, then the chances are that you are not happy with the coverage range of your WiFi router. And since you are getting a WiFi extender to increase this coverage range, checking the coverage range offered by it is highly important.
Usually, this is given in square feet where a higher square feet rating results in a better coverage range. Coming to the options that you can find out there, while entry-level models may only have a coverage range of up to 1500 square feet or similar, high-performance WiFi extenders can offer up to 3000 square feet or even up to 10000 square feet of coverage range which is superb for proper WiFi connectivity all-around your home or office.
2. Network Speeds
Apart from offering a high coverage range, you would also want your WiFi extender to offer high network speeds. This is to ensure that you can get similar network performance to your WiFi router despite having a larger coverage range.
To ensure that you are going with a high-performance WiFi extender, you can consider checking its network speed rating. You can find network speed options like up to 750 Mbps or up to 1200 Mbps in entry-level models which can be as high as up to 2000 Mbps or even up to 3000 Mbps while going with high-end and high-performance entry-level WiFi extenders for Spectrum.
3. Maximum Devices
Just like any other WiFi device like a WiFi router, your WiFi extender will also have a limit to the number of devices that can be connected to it. And if you have a lot of smart devices in your home that require WiFi connectivity, then you would want to be able to connect a lot of devices at once. Taking a look at the number of maximum devices supported at once by WiFi extenders, budget models can work with up to 20 devices or up to 25 devices at once. But if you are going with something premium, then they can also work with up to 35 devices at once.
4. Antennas
Even though you can directly check the coverage range rating of your WiFi extender to get an idea of its performance in terms of its range, you can also consider checking its antenna setup. This is due to the reason that having a larger number of antennas generally offers a higher range and better WiFi performance over a long distance. While many WiFi extenders for Spectrum come with internal antennas for aesthetics at the cost of performance, some WiFi extenders may offer 2 or even 4 external antennas. Such WiFi extenders generally have much better range and WiFi performance.
5. WiFi Standard
The WiFi standard determines the speed, range, and compatibility of your extender with your existing network. Here are the common WiFi standards:
- 11ac (WiFi 5): Offering faster speeds and better range than 802.11n, WiFi 5 is ideal for streaming, gaming, and handling multiple devices. It’s a great choice for modern homes and offices with high bandwidth needs.
- 11ax (WiFi 6): The latest standard, WiFi 6, provides the highest speeds, improved range, and better performance in dense environments. It supports more devices simultaneously, making it perfect for smart homes and offices with numerous connected gadgets.
When choosing a WiFi extender, opt for at least 802.11ac to ensure good performance. If you have a lot of devices or need the best speeds, consider a WiFi 6 extender.
6. Frequency Band
Another way to get an idea of the performance offered by your WiFi extender is to check the frequency band used by it. This is due to the reason that all WiFi devices including both WiFi routers and WiFi extenders have multiple frequency bands which primarily include 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
When compared with each other, the 2.4 GHz frequency band offers a higher range and the 5 GHz frequency band offers higher network speeds. Because both of these frequency bands are great for their reasons, almost all WiFi extenders for Spectrum given above support both 2.4 GHz as well as 5 GHz frequency bands for versatile performance.
7. Security
Security is crucial when expanding your WiFi network to prevent unauthorized access and protect your data. Look for these security features in a WiFi extender:
- WPA3 Encryption: The latest WiFi security protocol, WPA3, offers enhanced protection against brute-force attacks and provides stronger encryption. If your devices support WPA3, choose an extender that offers this level of security.
- WPA2 Encryption: While not as advanced as WPA3, WPA2 is still widely used and provides robust security for most networks. Ensure your extender supports WPA2 at a minimum.
- Guest Network: Some extenders allow you to create a separate guest network. This is useful for keeping your main network secure while allowing guests to connect to the internet.
- Firmware Updates: Regular firmware updates from the manufacturer are essential for security. Check if the extender receives regular updates to patch any vulnerabilities.
8. Warranty
Once you have been through the different factors given above, you must be able to easily choose the right one for your needs and requirements. But other than being powerful, you would also want your WiFi extender to be highly reliable to ensure that it can be used for as long as possible.
One easy way to ensure this is to check the included warranty of your WiFi extender for Spectrum. Thankfully, almost all of them come with a 1 year long or a 2 year long warranty which is quite good when you are talking about networking devices like WiFi extenders for Spectrum.
FAQs:
A WiFi extender boosts your existing WiFi signal, extending its reach to cover areas with weak or no signal.
Some extenders might slightly reduce speed due to signal retransmission, but high-quality extenders minimize this issue.
Setup usually involves plugging in the extender, connecting to your Spectrum network, and following the manufacturer’s setup instructions.
Place it halfway between your router and the area with poor signal. Avoid obstructions like walls and metal objects.
Yes, but ensure they don’t interfere with each other. Using mesh systems might be more efficient for larger areas.
Many modern extenders support dual-band functionality, enhancing performance and flexibility.
They are often used interchangeably. Both extend coverage, but boosters might have more features like enhanced speed.
Prices vary, but good quality extenders typically range from $50 to $150, depending on features and performance.
Yes, by providing a stronger, more stable signal in previously weak areas, extenders can enhance gaming and streaming experiences.
Conclusion
In wrapping up our guide to the best WiFi extenders for Spectrum, it’s clear that finding the right extender can significantly enhance your internet experience. We’ve explored a variety of options, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Whether you need extensive coverage for a large home, a budget-friendly option, or a device packed with the latest features, there’s an extender out there for you. Remember to consider factors like range, speed, compatibility, and price to find the perfect fit for your needs. With the right extender, you’ll be enjoying seamless internet connectivity in no time.
One Response
This was helpful. Thank you. I have the TPLink RE 220. It works fine and quite easy to setup, I was happy when it appeared on top of the list. Problem is that it sometimes drops the connection for no reason whatsoever and I have to unplug and plug back again. I am looking to upgrade.