Choosing our Range Extenders

Nowadays we are more connected than ever: at work, outdoors, on the road, at home...it is above all here within the home walls that we make full use of the spaces - perhaps by creating a workplace or study.

Let's consider the case of a house in which the Wi-Fi signal of the router or modem router cannot reach a well-defined area of the house. A quick solution to strengthen the signal emitted by the source device is the Wi-Fi Range Extender.

What is a Wi-Fi Range Extender and how does it work?

A Wi-Fi Range Extender is a common network device that is placed halfway between a host or source network device and the area where additional coverage is needed. It can be plugged into any power outlet, but for the extender to provide a quality signal, you need to place it where the signal of the source device is of good quality as well. If we position the extender where the source device’s signal is weak and unstable, we will have the result of extender also producing a weak and unstable signal.  Also keep in mind a range extenders purpose is to extend the range of a wireless signal.  It is not designed to improve network or internet speeds.

 

How to install a Wi-Fi Range Extender?

Installing a Wi-Fi Range Extender is very simple:

1. Plug your Range Extender into an outlet near the router.

2. If the router is equipped with a WPS button, you can replicate the network encryption settings on the Range Extender by simply pressing the router's WPS button and the extender's WPS / RE button in succession. If the router does not have a WPS button, you can synchronize the two devices via the web interface or the TP-Link Tether app for Android and iOS.

3. Once the two devices are synchronized, you can move the Range Extender where you need it, checking that the signal from the router is of good quality. All Range Extender models are equipped with a bright LED that detects the signal strength to help you find the point where you can get the best results (Blue - Good signal / Red - Weak signal).

4. Alternatively, you can use our Tether app that can be downloaded from your mobile device’s app store. The app will guide you through installing your range extender. You can see our walkthrough here.

 

What devices can I connect to a Wi-Fi Range Extender?

Any type of wireless device can be connected, and extenders with a LAN port also allow the connection of wired devices such as smart TVs and desktop PCs. It is also possible to expand the available LAN ports by connecting a 5-port Ethernet Switch.

 

Choosing a TP-Link Range Extender

So what range extender is right for you?  This question can typically be answered by first asking, what do I need in a range extender?  Each extender is designed for a specific purpose and TP-Link’s best in class products are leading the way in product design, feature and value for consumers to choose from.

 

Model	RE605X	RE505X	RE300	RE220
Version	1	1	1	2
Speed Class	AX1800	AX1500	AC1200	AC750
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)	574 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	300 Mbps
Wi-Fi (5GHz)	1201 Mbps	1201 Mbps	867 Mbps	433 Mbps
Ethernet Port	1× 10/100/1000M Port	1× 10/100/1000M Port	-	1× 10/100M Port
Antennas	2 External	2 External	2 Internal	3 Internal
OneMesh	●	●	●	●
Wi-Fi 6	●	●	-	-
MU-MIMO	●	●	-	-
Beamforming	●	●	-	-
AP Mode	●	●	-	●
Tether App	●	●	●	●

                                               

OneMesh – With an existing OneMesh router, turn your network into a mesh network where the router and extender act as one network so you can move around and know you will be connected to the strongest signal.

Wi-Fi 6 – Enjoy AX speeds and features such as faster speeds compared to AC and other benefits such as higher device capacity, and lower latency.

MU-MIMO – Range extenders without MU-MIMO communicate with devices one at a time. However, with MU-MIMO the device is able to communicate simultaneously with multiple devices (amount depends on hardware capability).

Beamforming – This feature allows the range extender to provide a concentrated signal to the client device allowing better signal strength.

Access Point Mode – If you set up your extender, but want faster speed, switch to access point mode. Once configured you would connect an Ethernet cable from the router to the extender.

Tether App – Quickly manage one or more extenders on your network with a smartphone. With the app you can make various changes to the network, and also see connected devices.

 

RE605X – AX1800 Wi-Fi Range Extender

The RE605X is a next-gen Wi-Fi 6 Range Extender - not only can it extend the existing Wi-Fi to dead zones as traditional Wi-Fi repeater, but it can also create a mesh network when used with a OneMesh compatible TP-Link router. Taking advantage of OneMesh will introduce features such as adaptive path selection, which will ensure devices connected to your Wi-Fi have the best possible connection. The RE605X is rated up to 2.4G @ 574 Mbps and 5G @ 1201 Mbps. This extender is also equipped with a gigabit LAN port to provide additional wired connectivity while also operating as a range extender or part of a OneMesh network. The same Ethernet port can also be used to configure the device as an access point via the Access Point Mode setup option. 

RE505X - AX1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender

The RE505X, much like the RE603X, is also a Wi-Fi 6 capable device that supports TP-Link OneMesh networking technology. The RE505X is rated for up to 1500 Mbps (2.4G @ 300 Mbps + 5G @1201 Mbps) and is equipped with two external antennas. Having a gigabit Ethernet port will provide an additional wired connection for your network or can be used when configuring the RE505X in Access Point Mode. Our free Tether app makes managing your extender easier than ever, providing quick and intuitive access to your device via your smartphone, for convenient configuration changes on the fly. If you currently have an Archer AX6000 or Archer AX21 and want to have a mesh network without buying completely new devices or ecosystems like our Deco Mesh Wi-Fi solutions, you can simply install the RE505X and utilize the OneMesh feature for seamless roaming connectivity within your home. If you require additional coverage, another OneMesh compatible Wi-Fi extender can always be added and easily managed through the Tether app.

RE300 - AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi Range Extender

The first of our extenders to offer our OneMesh technology is the RE300. This device is rated up to 1200 Mbps (2.4G @ 300 Mbps + 5G @867 Mbps). High speed mode allows the extender to dedicate one wireless band to the router and another to your wireless devices. This establishes a super high-speed connection that can help bandwidth intensive activities such as gaming or streaming video. Setting up the device can be as easy as utilizing the WPS button or by downloading our Tether app.

RE220 - AC750 Wi-Fi Range Extender

The RE220 offers features along with value for users who want to extend their dual band AC Wi-Fi 5 network without needing to spend more for Wi-Fi 6 AX extenders. The three internal antennas provide up to 300 Mbps for the 2.4G Wi-Fi band and 433 Mbps for the 5G band. The RE220 also offers the ability to set up the device in Access Point Mode, providing flexibility for your network needs. Additionally, the RE220 offers OneMesh features such as adaptive path selection when used with a OneMesh compatible TP-Link Wi-Fi router. Much like the other Wi-Fi extenders listed here, the RE220 supports convenient and intuitive management via the TP-Link Tether app. In comparison to other manufacturers these features make this extender a solid, economical choice.