We Spent the Last 3 Weeks Testing 24 Wifi Extenders to Find The One That Improves Speed & Coverage In 2025
Dead zones, buffering, and weak signals can turn your internet experience into a constant frustration—especially in larger homes or buildings with thick walls. A good WiFi extender should boost your existing network, providing stronger, more stable coverage across every room. But many models fail to deliver, with issues like slow speeds, connection drops, or tricky setup processes.
That’s why we decided to personally test the most popular WiFi extenders on the market to find out which ones truly enhance coverage, speed, and reliability.
We tested 24 WiFi extenders, including models from UltraXtend, TP-Link, Netgear, Linksys, and ASUS. The top five were rated based on the following criteria:
Signal Strength
We tested each extender’s ability to eliminate dead zones and maintain a strong signal in different environments, from multi-story homes to concrete-heavy buildings.
Speed
Boosting your WiFi should never slow it down. We measured download and upload performance, latency, and consistency during streaming, gaming, and video calls. The best ones reached up to 500Mbps increase in speed.
Plug-n-Play Instalation
No one wants to spend hours reading manuals. We evaluated how quickly and easily each extender can be installed and connected to your existing network.
Compatibility
We made sure each extender works with all major routers and WiFi standards, including WiFi 5 and WiFi 6, ensuring maximum flexibility.
Outdoor & Indoor Use
Some wifi extenders are designed to be only used indoors, while some of them can be used in your backyard to extend wifi's coverage. We tested them all to see how they perform both indoor and outdoor.
After three weeks of testing and analysis, here are the top five WiFi extenders that actually deliver on their promises:
George Synott - Technician Specialist
George has been working as technician for more than 20 years and he knows everything there is about a good working tech gadget. In this review, George helped us analyze and test various different wifi extenders to see which one is actually the best.
from UltraXT
Overall Grade
A+
Rating
9.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
UltraXtend is the best WiFi extender in 2025 without any doubt.
What makes UltraXtend stand out compared to other models is its powerful dual-band signal amplification, which immediately eliminates dead zones and improves your wifi's speed and coverage. It doesn’t just boost signal like rest of these extenders —it creates a stable, secure network throughout your entire home, making it perfect for streaming, gaming, and working without interruptions.
UltraXtend is ideal if you have multiple users in the house because with its advanced beamforming technology and smart bandwidth management, every device gets optimal speed—so no more arguing over slow connections or dropped Zoom calls during important calls.
Unlike other brands that promise only up to 50Mbps, UltraXtend improves speed by up to 450Mbps making it the fastest extender on the market.
What we love about UltraXtend is its simple plug-and-play setup. There’s no need for complicated installations or tech support—you can set it up yourself in under 2 minutes using just a smartphone.
You can connect any smart device to it, from your phone and laptop, to TV, laptop, and other smart home gadgets you have.
The device also includes built-in network security, so if anyone tries to access your WiFi without permission, you’ll be alerted instantly—keeping your family and data safe.
UltraXtend also has the best coverage, so you can use it both indoors and outdoors to increase your signal and forget about lost connection.
UltraXtend has over 34,000+ happy customers, making it the most trusted and best-rated WiFi extender on the market today.
They offer a 100% money-back guarantee for all customers in Australia. You can test UltraXtend for 30 days, and if you're not satisfied, they’ll refund your money—no questions asked.
Pros
Up to 450Mbps speed
4x better coverage than other devices
Can connect up to 50+ devices at once
Advanced security features to prevent data theft
Plug-and-play installation
Over 34,000 happy customers.
No monthly subscription.
Cheaper than high-end extenders.
Perfect for streaming, gaming, and watching TV shows.
100% money-back guarantee.
Eliminates dead zones completely
24/7 customer support
Cons
Often runs out of stock due to high demand
WRAP-UP
from Devolo
Overall Grade
B+
Rating
8.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400 is also very fast. I measured download speeds as high as 228Mbits/sec when working in the same room as the extender. This was a bit slower than UltraXtend which measured 447Mbits/secs on the same coverage.
Even at long range the Devolo excels, serving up a strong 185Mbits/sec to the dining room at the far end of my home. The Devolo WiFi 6 Repeater 5400 has a free-standing design. I was also a fan of the Repeater 5400’s free-standing design. Although this extender isn’t as compact as its plug-in rivals, the supplied power cable gives you the freedom to locate it somewhere neat and convenient – and a pair of Ethernet ports lets you connect multiple wired devices.
The only aspect of the Devolo I wasn’t so fond of is the user interface. Getting set up and managing your network settings isn’t as quick and clear as it is with other extenders, although Devolo’s Home Network smartphone app provides easy access to common settings.
Although Devolo is an amazing wifi extender, it's 2x more expensive than our first choice who also has better speed and coverage.
Pros
Great speed up to 250Mbps
Sleek and modern design
Great reviews
Good for gaming and streaming
Large coverage area
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Safety protocol
Cons
It's very expensive
Installation can be a bit tricky
from Mercusys
Overall Grade
B
Rating
8.3/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Mercusys ME60X stands out as one of the most budget-friendly Wi-Fi extenders available—and admittedly, its appearance reflects that. With a basic white plastic casing, short antennas, and a single LED indicator, it’s more functional than stylish.
However, the setup experience is where the ME60X shines. Whether you use the Mercusys app or the browser-based setup tool, getting it up and running takes just a few clicks. A particularly handy feature is the signal strength indicator, which helps you find the optimal placement for boosting your network. You also get access control features that let you restrict usage to specific devices or time windows.
As for performance, the ME60X punches above its weight. In testing, it delivered solid short-range download speeds around 140Mbps, and even as we moved through the house, speeds stayed consistently above 120Mbps. It’s not the absolute fastest extender out there, but it’s good for people that are okay with slight delays and dead zones. At this price, it offers fantastic performance for the cost.
Pros
Great brand
Solid speed
Very cheap
Easy installation
Made in UK
24/7 customer support
Great for casual browsing
Cons
Not so great coverage area
You can connect only 2 devices
Often dead zones and lagging
from Netgear
Overall Grade
B
Rating
7.8/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
If you're after something with a bit more flexibility than a standard extender, the Netgear EAX12 is a solid choice. Its Wi-Fi performance is more than adequate for everyday home use, although it doesn’t drastically outpace lower-cost models like the Mercusys ME60X. In our testing, speeds hit around 205Mbps in the same room and dropped to roughly 144Mbps in nearby spaces.
Where the EAX12 justifies its higher price is in its versatility. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for extended coverage and allows you to create multiple guest networks—each with customizable security settings and optional isolation from your main network. That’s especially useful for public-facing areas or separating smart home devices from your personal network.
You also get more control under the hood. For example, you can configure the Ethernet port to connect via a specific wireless band, helping to minimize interference and keep your speeds more stable. For those who want greater control over their extended network’s security and access settings, the Netgear EAX12 delivers where many basic extenders fall short.
Pros
Very good speed
Great coverage
Easy installation
Perfect for gaming
Can handle multiple users
Free shipping
Cons
No network security (data can be stolen easily)
Breaks every 30 minutes or so
They don't offer money-back guarantee
from TP-link
Overall Grade
C+
Rating
7.5/10
OVERALL ANALYSIS
With its four prominent antennae jutting out from both the top and bottom, the TP-Link RE815XE is one of the largest and most conspicuous Wi-Fi extenders I’ve come across. The size might not be subtle, but the performance certainly makes up for it. In close-range Wi-Fi 6 testing, I recorded impressive download speeds reaching 335Mbps, and even while roaming throughout the home, speeds consistently stayed above 277Mbps. Only the Devolo Repeater 5400 edged it out.
What sets the RE815XE apart further is its support for the 6GHz band—a feature missing from many other extenders. This gives it the potential for even faster speeds, provided your router and devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. While these newer standards aren’t yet widely adopted, it’s reassuring to know this model is ready for the future.
Pros
Great speed up to 350Mbps
4-antennas
Improved model compared to their last one
Installation is easy
Can handle multiple devices
Cons
Most expensive on the market
Poor coverage area
No money-back guarantee
They charge subscription
WHAT IS A WI-FI EXTENDER?
Benefits of WiFi Extenders
- Eliminates dead zones in your home.
- Boosts Wi-Fi signal to hard-to-reach areas.
- Improves streaming and gaming performance.
- Connects multiple devices without lag.
- Easy to install.
- Enhances signal across multiple floors.
- Works with any standard router.
- Great for smart home device connectivity.
Things To Consider WHEN CHOOSING THE WIFI EXTENDER
Compatibility with your current router
Make sure it supports the same Wi-Fi standards (e.g. Wi-Fi 5, 6, or 6E).
Coverage area
Choose an extender that matches the size of your space or if you need an outdoor or indoor extender.
Speed
Speed is the most important thing in wifi extender, so choose the one that can at least get up to 350Mbps for optimal performance.
Easy installation
The last thing you want is to have to hire electrician to set it up for you or to spend hours on watching boring tutorials - ideal wifi extender should have a plug-n-play installation.
Protection against hackers
Premium models have enhanced network security that prevents any kind of data theft, making you and your family safe.
What To Avoid When Choosing WiFi Extender
Single-band models only
They often cause signal congestion and slower speeds, and you won't see any huge difference as their technology is outdated.
No Ethernet port
If the model doesn't have ethernet port, it will be slow and lagging. Most of the models from China don't have it, so look for models that have ethernet port.
No money-back guarantee
A lot of models don't have money-back guarantee nowadays because of their poor quality device. A good brand will always have a warranty and money-back guarantee that keeps your purchase risk-free.
George Synott - Technician Specialist
George has been working as technician for more than 20 years and he knows everything there is about a good working tech gadget. In this review, George helped us analyze and test various different models to see which one is actually the best one.
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