The Best Wi-Fi Booster

Editor's Choice

NETGEAR N300 Wall Plug Wi-Fi Range Extender

Improved Wi-Fi Connection In Seconds

NETGEAR's N3000 does exactly what it's advertised to do. We were impressed with this booster's ability to bump up signal and speeds. Plus, it provides an extended range seconds after set up.

If weak Wi-Fi is your issue, then the NETGEAR N3000 is an easy solution. We found this booster to be perfect for regular electronics like smartphones, laptops, and game consoles.

Even though set up can take a bit of troubleshooting, we recommend that you make sure your router is on the correct band first so that it can find the network. The N3000 may also not be compatible with your router if its firmware has been altered, is nonstandard, or outdated. For more info on firmware check out our Buying Guide at the bottom of the page.

Though the N3000 only has two prong antennas, it put out a reliable signal. We would best recommend it for use in dorms and apartments.

Despite those caveats, we liked the N3000's simple plugin design and easy setup. An especially handy feature was the NETGEAR's smart LED indicators which light up accordingly to help find the best location to place the booster for optimum signal. Plus, if you're ever curious about your Wi-Fi or having issues with connectivity you can download NETGEAR's Wi-Fi Analytics app to gauge performance and find solutions.

For the value, the N3000 does its job but given this is only a Wi-Fi booster, we wouldn't recommend overbearing it with connections that you know your router couldn't handle itself. A Wi-Fi booster is only as good as the router it's boosting. If you need a simple, no nonsense Wi-Fi booster for your streaming and casual entertainment needs then NETGEAR's N3000 certainly fits the bill.

Key Features

  • Compatible with NETGEAR's Wi-Fi Analytics App to test performance
  • Easy plugin setup with WPS
  • Neutral white color
360 Degree Coverage

Rock Space Wi-Fi Range Extender

The Booster That Does It All

We like the Rock Space Wi-Fi Extender for its 1,292 feet of signal coverage and solid 433 Mbps speed on 5 GHz bands. Overall, this Rock Space booster is a good balance of speed and range.

What gave Rock Space's Wi-Fi Range Extender a spot on our list was not only its dual band technology, but just its sheer performance. And by sheer performance, we mean speeds of up to 300 Mbps on 2.4GHz networks and 433 Mbps on 5GHz networks.

Sensibly designed, this extender from Rock Space has dual antennas which give the unit 360 degree coverage and 1,292 square feet of signal spread. We found that set up is as easy as plugging it in and pressing the button on the booster. If you have a nonstandard router and you're worried about it not pairing with the NETGEAR N3000, the Rock Space Wi-Fi Extender might be your best bet thanks to its compatibility with 99% of routers. Like the N3000, we like that this booster also has a smart Signal Indicator which helps locate the best area for optimum Wi-Fi signal.

We found it was best to place the Extender between the Wi-Fi router and the dead zone that you wish to extend signal to. Overall, the Rock Space provided a decent signal over a sizable area.

Key Features

  • Compatible with 99% of wifi routers
  • 360 degree coverage and 1,292 square feet of coverage
  • Compact dual antenna design
Most High Speed

UTOPB WiFi Range Extender Repeater

Faster 5GHz Speeds Than The Rest

This Wi-Fi Extender from UTOPB is the fastest on our list with speeds up to 900 Mbps on 5GHz. This unit is a good choice for those with high-speed internet needs.

UTOPB's Wi-Fi Range Extender takes the title of having the highest speed signal on our list. With up 300 Mbps performance on 2.4GHz bands and a blistering 900 Mbps on 5GHz, this booster earns the title of having the highest speed performance on our list. If you need a heavy-duty unit to extend high-speed performance to your high frame-rate gaming rig across your house, then UTOPB's Extender is a good choice.

As with most high-end Wi-Fi extenders, this unit has a 360 degree signal thanks to its quad antennas which give it a reach of about 100 square feet indoors and 300 square feet outdoors. Depending on how close you are to the booster, we recommend this unit for apartment or dorm dwellers, unless you have a specific space in the house you plan on using your Internet.

Another cool feature is the LED lights on this extender that indicates the most optimum spot for signal reach. We're impressed how easy it is to use this feature; simply watch the LED change color in accordance to finding the right spot.

All in all, set up is pretty simple–– just plug the system in and leave it at that. You can also set it up through your phone or computer browser, which takes about three minutes to do.

You don't have to be tech-savvy to have wide-ranging and fast Internet: the UTOPB Wi-Fi Extender will do that for you.

Key Features

  • 900 Mbps speeds on 5 GHz bands
  • Quad antennas for added range
  • WPS and ethernet cord enabled
Most Compact

GAOAG WiFi Range Extender

Balance Between Performance And Value

If you're on a budget and need a reliable Wi-Fi booster with good range and speed stats, you cannot go wrong with the GAOAG Wi-Fi extender. This solid performer is simple, practical, and easy to use.

When it comes to features, the GAOAG Wi-Fi Range Extender checks off all the boxes on the list. Decent speed, compact design, quad antennas, and LED Smart Signal Indicator make this booster just a contender as any of the others. With speeds up to 867 Mbps on 5.8 GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, this extender has more than enough connectivity for Netflix streaming and surfing the web without a hitch. One thing we like about the GAOAG Wi-Fi Range Extender was its adjustable antennas, which helps cut down its bulk if you have crowded electrical outlets. The GAOAG also has ethernet ports and WPS compatibility for quick setup.

Overall, if you're in need of a decent extender while on a budget, this booster from GAOAG is a decent pick for good performance and design. Simple, practical, and to the point. The GAOAG Wi-Fi Range Extender gets the job done.

Key Features

  • Dual 2.4 and 5 GHZ bands to avoid interference
  • Compact design even with quad antennas
  • Ethernet ports, WPS one button setup, and LAN connections

We at CinemaBlend know how important having a strong Wi-Fi connection is when it comes to streaming your favorite content from all over the web––and a quality Wi-Fi booster can help take your internet connection to the next level. Still, choosing the right Wi-Fi booster can seem daunting because there's so many to choose from and so much technical jargon involved. That's why we put together this handy buying guide of all the technical terms you may come across while shopping for a Wi-Fi booster. Now, you can spend less time figuring out what "Mbps" stands for and more time planning for your next movie night.

Mbps

Stands for Megabit Per Second. For those who aren't too familiar with these units here is some context. In the US, 100 Mbps is considered high speed but 25 Mbps will suffice to handle 4K definition and streaming content on Netflix and Hulu. For most people however, 100 Mbps will be plenty to do things like check social media, stream videos, and online gaming.

GHz

Stands for GigaHertz which refers to the bandwidth of the Wi-Fi signal. Depending on your modem or router you probably have 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz signal. 2.4 GHz is going to be more reliable but has a slower signal, while 5 GHz is the inverse with higher speed but less reliability.

Ethernet Cable

Most common kind of network cable used to connect wired devices together for Internet access.

Firmware

Firmware is the preinstalled standard software in devices. In routers, firmware refers to the embedded software that manages routing protocols, channels, and security. If your router firmware is incompatible with a certain Wi-Fi extender than its either time to upgrade to a more modern router, or find an extender with greater compatibility.

FCC Consent

Many people may not know this, but per the FCC, consumers must register their Wi-Fi booster and have their provider's consent before use. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and 90 additional carriers have already given consent for all consumers to use such devices, but if you are unsure please contact your provider for confirmation.

WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup. This is a wireless network standard made to make connections between routers and wireless devices faster and easier. Modern routers will have a WPS button. When pressed, the router will start connecting with your Wi-Fi booster.