The best WiFi extenders, boosters and alternatives

There are so many factors that can impact the WiFi signal in your home. Larger homes can suffer from a distance issue, struggling to get signal when the modem lives at the other end of the house. But even smaller apartments can suffer slow speeds depending on the type of building (brick vs. fibro etc.) and the amount of interfering devices crammed in such a small space.

Whatever your layout, there's no need to put up with a weak WiFi signal. In fact, there are two options for strengthening your connection. For a quick fix, WiFi boosters and extenders are perfect for patching up black spots in your home, whereas mesh WiFi systems are ideal for those looking for a more future-focused fix.

Here are some of your best options for WiFi extenders and boosters based on market research, customer-written WiFi extender reviews and our own hands-on experience.

Choosing a WiFi extender can be almost as complicated as selecting an NBN router. But just like an NBN router, most people will be more than satisfied with something middle range.

TP-Link has a wide range of wallet-friendly WiFi extenders, but its AC750 model hits the sweet spot for speed and performance. The AC750 comes at well under the $100 mark; offering dual-band speeds up to 750Mbps on the most modern WiFi technologies (802.11ac, aka WiFi 5 and below).

Most importantly, setup is a breeze. This is a plug-and-play device that allows you to connect with the press of a button. All you need to do is press the WPS button found on most modern routers, then RE repeater button on the TP-Link extender and bish bash bosh, you've sorted out your signal issue.

Workhorse WiFi boosters either take up space on your desk or hog the powerboard entirely, but the TP-Link RE205 is a gracious roommate.

Mesh network systems work on the same principle as a WiFi extender, except that your modem comes packaged with two to three WiFi "points" for you to place around your rooms with a weaker signal.

Google's Nest WiFi system is probably the most user-friendly example of this. You plug in your base station, connect with the Google Home app then choose where you'd like to place the additional WiFi points in your home. Once your devices connect to the Google Nest WiFi network, you will be free to roam the house without any dropouts or interference between base stations.

It's not cheap, but it's also not as expensive as you would imagine. You can buy Google Nest WiFi in several configurations (depending on the size of your house). A single base unit will cost you around $269, a two-pack around $399, and a triple-pack will set you back $549.

That seems a bit expensive at the top-end, but it will save you forking out for an extender in the future.

TP-Link's tiny WiFi booster might not have all the fancy bits on bobs offered by the extenders above, but by golly does it make do with what it's got. If you prefer a hard-wired connection, the TP-LINK TL-WA850RE also has an ethernet port (and an ethernet cable packed in).

Lastly, and most importantly, there's the price. At most, you'll pay just below $60, but on a good day, there are regular deals under $40. Can't argue with that.

If your internet usage is… unconventional, you may be looking for a WiFi range extender with a little more oomph. That's where Netgear's old faithful Nighthawk range swoops in. It comes at a decent price hike, but that's understandable considering the technology packed in.

Netgear's Nighthawk extender also features "Smart Roaming" that automatically connects you to the least cluttered band, MU-MIMO (for streaming on multiple devices), and a WiFi analytics app that lets you check the status of your network, measure interference and more.

If your bandwidth needs are next to non-existent and you only need something to get you out of a spot of bother, you can get some cheap-and-nasty WiFi signal boosters on Amazon and Kogan under $30. We don't recommend them, but if you're desperate for a deal, they might offer a temporary solution to your WiFi woes.

Our recommendations above are made based on a number of factors. These include both our own research into the market and what options are available to Australian consumers, as well as a combination of hands-on testing and additional consumer reviews.