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You’ll be hard-pressed to find a North American home that isn’t outfitted with a modem and router for internet access. While this setup is normally enough, there comes a time when these two pieces of equipment won’t get the job done. You may have an extra large home or just need a stronger signal in certain areas.
This is where Wi-Fi extenders enter the scene. These products allow you to create a stronger Wi-Fi signal in various parts of your home in a minimalist and inexpensive way. Wi-Fi extenders are unobtrusive, very easy to set up, and highly affordable.
If a Wi-Fi extender sounds like something you need in your home, there are some things to consider before diving into a purchase. They vary in price, coverage range, app connectivity, band compatibility, router compatibility, data transfer rate, number of devices that can connect, ethernet access, and more. In order to choose the best product for your needs, none of these things should be overlooked.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best Wi-Fi extenders in Canada right now and outline everything you should consider while making your decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
This Wi-Fi extender is a well-rounded product that offers high-quality and reliable internet coverage for dead zones in your home. With three movable external antennas, you will be able to direct the Wi-Fi signal to the rooms where it is most needed. This dual-band unit offers speeds up to 1750 Mbps, so it will be effective for every type of device connection.
An ethernet port is built into this Wi-Fi extender to enable wired connections as well. This is incredibly useful for static devices such as smart televisions or gaming consoles. If you’re concerned about finding the best spot for this machine, you don’t need to be. An intelligent signal indicator will help you locate the best place in your home to extend your wireless coverage.
The only thing that doesn’t quite meet our standards is the fact that it can only connect to six devices at a time. While this will be just fine for a single person or a couple, it won’t serve the needs of a larger family unit. The two-year warranty gives us a lot of confidence in the long-term reliability of this product, and it should do the same for you.
This model has close to 30,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.1. Reviewers appreciate its easy setup and the significant improvement in Wi-Fi range and strength. They also commend the product's compatibility with various routers and its ability to handle multiple devices without any lag.
Dimensions: 6.4” x 1.1” x 3.4”
Weight: 0.75 lbs
Colour: White
Frequency Band Class: Dual
Simultaneous Device Connections: 6
Data Transfer Rate: 1750 Mbps
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Three adjustable antennas provide excellent coverage throughout the home
Has an intelligent signal indicator to find the best location for the product
Has an ethernet port for wired connections
Works with all device types and routers
Cons:
Only six devices can connect at a time
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, this TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Extender is the best overall pick in today’s market. It works with all types of routers, can connect to any device, and produces a very strong signal with fast data transfers. It won’t be ideal for families with a high device load, but it is great for smaller setups.
This TP-Link Range Extender comes to you with a long, long list of features to ensure you’ll never suffer from poor internet connectivity again. Beamforming technology directs the Wi-Fi signal directly to the connected devices, ensuring it isn’t wasting any power on empty space. Four external antennas will help you direct the signal to areas of the home that need it most.
MU-MIMO technology ensures that this extender can send information to multiple devices at the same time, rather than adding data requests to a queue like other systems. This will enhance speeds for all users and create a more streamlined internet experience. The advanced tech in this model ensures you won’t lose your Wi-Fi signal as you walk from room to room, either.
In all honesty, the only negative thing we have to say about this TP-Link model is that its price tag is higher than the average Wi-Fi extender. However, its sophisticated technology and unparalleled performance (not to mention the two-year warranty coverage) ensure you’ll get all of the value you need out of this unit.
This model has almost 10,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.3. Reviewers appreciate its easy setup process, emphasizing that even those not tech-savvy can get it up and running without hassle. Many users have highlighted its impressive range and signal strength, noting that it effectively covers large homes and eliminates dead zones. The speed and performance of the product have also been commended, with users experiencing faster internet connections in areas where they previously had weak signals.
TP-Link AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E Range Extender Specifications
Dimensions: 6.4” x 2.6” x 3”
Weight: 1 lb
Colour: White
Range: 300 ft
Frequency Band Class: Tri-band
Simultaneous Device Connections: 96
Data Transfer Rate: 5400 Mbps
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
MU-MIMO capability ensures extender can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously for faster speeds
Four antennas help distribute Wi-Fi signals to needed areas
Excellent signal even when moving from room to room
Beamforming technology concentrates Wi-Fi signal towards connected devices
Cons:
More expensive than most Wi-Fi extenders
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, this TP-Link Wi-Fi Range Extender is a high-quality machine that boasts exceptional performance outputs. Its unique tri-band functionality enables the fastest data transfer rates and the highest number of simultaneous device connections you can find.
This TP-LINK N300 Extender is capable of connecting to the TP-Link app, ensuring the user experience will be as seamless and hassle-free as possible. An ethernet port is available for wired connections if wireless access isn’t the most ideal fit for your devices. With universal compatibility, this unit can connect to any router and any wireless (or wired) device with ease.
One of the best things about this product is its ease of use. It takes only minutes to set up, and the provided instructions are clear enough for non-techies to understand right away. A two-year warranty package ensures you won’t be responsible for replacing the unit if it runs into technical difficulties early on. Furthermore, the 800 square foot range is great for such an affordable product.
As one of the most budget-friendly Wi-Fi extenders out there, users will understandably need to make some concessions when it comes to performance. As a single-band unit, it only operates on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and for many internet users, the data transfer speed just won’t cut it. This unit is best used with the ethernet port for less demanding internet activities.
This model has over 70,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 3.9. Reviewers appreciate its ease of setup, noting that the instructions are clear and the process is straightforward. Many users have found that the device effectively extends their WiFi range, allowing them to get a stronger signal in areas of their home where it was previously weak. The compact design is also a plus, as it doesn't take up much space and blends seamlessly with most decors.
Dimensions: 2.6” x 1.5” x 4.3”
Weight: 0.22 lbs
Colour: White
Range: 800 sq. ft
Frequency Band Class: Single-band
Data Transfer Rate: 300 Mbps
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Very easy to set up
Connects to the TP-LINK app
Has an ethernet port for wired connections
Universal compatibility with devices and router types
Cons:
Performance is subpar for many uses
Only works on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Performance: 3.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the TP-Link N300 is the best choice for money-conscious shoppers who have lower expectations for Wi-Fi-extending performance. This unit is fairly basic in its functionality, but it is incredibly user-friendly and has a decent coverage area for its budget-friendly price.
The TP-Link AC750 is a dual-band unit with an excellent data transfer rate of 750 Mbps. While this should be great for most users, there is also an ethernet port to enable wired connection if you prioritize signal reliability over anything else. The speed and signal quality ensures that you can play online games, stream videos, and browse the web without any interruptions.
This Wi-Fi extender can connect to as many as 32 devices at a time, so it is useful for the entire family’s devices no matter where they are in the home. A higher number of devices may lower the speed a bit since there is no MU-MIMO capability, but it isn’t a huge problem for average internet users. This unit can be set up by anyone no matter their skill level or knowledge base, which is always a good thing.
When it comes to this TP-Link model, there really isn’t much to complain about. The lack of external antennas and beamforming technology does limit the amount of adjustability this unit has in directing a Wi-Fi signal to much-needed areas, but its coverage range and excellent speed ensure that most households won’t be missing these features too much.
This model has over 120,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.1. Reviewers appreciate its easy setup process, noting that it's user-friendly even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Many users have experienced improved WiFi coverage in areas of their homes where the signal was previously weak or non-existent. The compact design is also a plus, as it doesn't take up much space and blends seamlessly with home decor.
Dimensions: 2.6” x 4.3” x 3”
Weight: 0.2 lbs
Colour: White
Range: 1200 sq. ft
Frequency Band Class: Dual-band
Simultaneous Device Connections: 32
Data Transfer Rate: 750 Mbps
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Has an ethernet port for wired connections
Intuitive setup
Data transfer is ideal for streaming, gaming, and browsing the web
Device connectivity is great for families
Cons:
No external antennas or beamforming technology
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the TP-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Extender is incredibly useful for larger families and multi-level homes. The easy setup, high level of device connectivity, and overall quality ensure that you will get all the longevity and functionality you need out of this Wi-Fi extender.
It won’t take much inspection of its specs to realize why this LINKSYS AC1900 Extender is our best pick for range. With a 10,000 ft range, this unit can provide effective Wi-Fi coverage in any size of home or office space. Its data transfer rate is quite high at 1900 Mbps, and with its beamforming technology, the Wi-Fi signal is directed to each connected device.
Since it is also compatible with MU-MIMO routers, every device will be able to communicate with the extender at the same time, further improving the connection speed. The spot finder technology will assist you in choosing the perfect place in your home for the unit, and the ethernet port ensures you will be able to boost wired connections as well.
No product is ever perfect, but there sure aren’t many problems with this model. The most common issue that comes up is users having trouble getting the unit to connect to both their 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and the 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Once you push through this difficulty, it will be smooth sailing with this extender.
This model has over 190 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.0. Reviewers appreciate the product's ability to significantly boost Wi-Fi signals in areas of their homes where the connection was previously weak or non-existent. Many users found the setup process to be straightforward and were pleased with the seamless integration into their existing networks. The extender's compact design was also a highlight, as it doesn't take up much space and can be discreetly placed in any room.
Dimensions: 5” x 3.2” x 1.8”
Weight: 1 lb
Colour: White
Range: 10,000 ft
Frequency Band Class: Dual-band
Data Transfer Rate: 1900 Mbps
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Beamforming technology directs Wi-Fi signals to connected devices
Compatible with standard Wi-Fi routers and MU-MIMO routers
Has an ethernet port for wired connections
Spot finder technology for ideal placement in the home
Cons:
Can be tricky to get connected to both 2.4 Hz and 5 GHz bands
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Linksys AC1900 Wi-Fi Extender is a unit that is well-suited to just about anybody. It is affordable, offers excellent performance, and has the best range you can find. If they can overlook a more complicated setup, this is the perfect product for every individual.
Wi-Fi extenders are fairly affordable, but their price will increase with special features such as beamforming technology or MU-MIMO compatibility. Shoppers should be able to find an extender that works for them for less than $100.
The range of a Wi-Fi extender will have a significant impact on its suitability for different environments and house sizes, so you should be aware of the size of the target space before you begin shopping for a Wi-Fi extender. The range can be anywhere from 300 feet to 10,000 feet, so every user will be able to find the ideal balance between affordability and range requirements.
The frequency band class of a Wi-Fi extender will affect its ability to connect to different Wi-Fi bands. For example, a single-band unit will connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, whereas a tri-band will connect to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. The most common frequency band class is dual-band, and you can find them at every price point.
The maximum number of device connections a Wi-Fi extender can manage will affect its suitability for different family sizes. For example, a single person won’t have to worry about this at all, but a large family may need to prioritize this feature to ensure every device in the household will be covered.
The data transfer rate is the feature that affects the speed of your Wi-Fi connections. Higher transfer rates will be better for every type of internet use, but your specific demands will affect exactly how much you need to focus on this feature. With a range of 300 Mbps to over 5000 Mbps, there is a Wi-Fi extender for everyone.
Antenna adjustability is a final thing to consider before purchasing a Wi-Fi extender. Not all units will have adjustable external antennas, but they allow you to focus the signal in specific directions to strengthen areas of the home with weaker Wi-Fi signals. This isn’t a super necessary feature, but it can be helpful in larger homes or for devices that have a smaller range.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.