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Want to get rid of the ‘not-spots’ in your home or office network and fully enjoy the freedom of your Wi-Fi network?
We’ve reviewed some of the best Wi-Fi extenders currently on the market and have some great tips for boosting your FiOS signal.
We also have the answers to some of the most common questions about extenders.
Comparison of the Best WiFi Extenders for FiOS
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How We Picked These Wi-Fi Extenders for FiOS
Here’s an outline of the key criteria we used when selecting our preferred extenders. You should consider these points to help ensure that you buy the extender that’s right for you.
Wi-Fi Standards Compatibility
802.11ac is the current standard and is backward-compatible with previous standards, so even if you have an older router with no ac support, an extender with that standard should still work with it and give you an element of future proofing if you decide to upgrade your router.
Conversely, if the extender doesn’t match the highest standard on your router, then you won’t be making the most of your internet connection.
Frequency
Most routers these days are dual bandwidth: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. However, check that the extender you’re buying supports the same bandwidths as your router. Otherwise, you could spend more than you need to.
There would be no point in buying a dual-band extender if your router is only a single band (i.e., 2.5GHz) unless you were planning for a router upgrade.
Security
The current standard for network security is WPA2-PSK, so always check that the extender you’re buying supports that protocol. Most do, but it’s not always the case, especially on lower-priced devices.
Ethernet Ports
If you have devices that don’t have Wi-Fi, to have more flexibility in their location, you’ll need an extender with ethernet ports to connect them to your network.
Most mid-range extenders have at least one Ethernet port, while higher-priced models can have several of them.
Rock Space Wifi Extender
Form Factor and Size
Desktop or Plug-In
The simplest and most economical extenders are usually plug-in models. All they need is a power outlet within range of the router, so they’re very versatile for placement. They’re usually quite compact and come with or without aerials.
Some larger, more advanced extenders on the market connect to your router, so they take up more space. Like the plug-ins, they may come with or without antennas.
Antennas
Some extenders have external antennas, while others have built-in ones. You’ll get a better performance from an extender with at least one external antenna. They’re usually more effective but may not be quite to your taste aesthetically.
Size
Extender sizes can differ, so before buying, consider where you’re likely to be placing them and how obvious you’re comfortable with them being. Usually, the most powerful extenders will be larger because of the hardware inside.
Review of the Best Wi-Fi Extenders for FiOS
We’ve checked out various extenders at a range of price points to see how they perform on some of the most important points. Here are our picks.
Best Overall:
Rock Space Wi-Fi Extender
PROS
CONS
Specs
- Wi-Fi Standard: a, b, g, n, ac
- Frequency: Dual
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Dimensions (inches): 3 x 2.5 x 2.5
Review
For home or office, the Rock Space is an excellent device that covers all the bases concerning compatibility, performance, and value for money. For these reasons, it has an extremely broad appeal.
You almost don’t even notice that it’s there, apart from the fact that it creates what is essentially a second network, so you may notice the switch-over when you move from your main network to the extended one.
That said, the extended signal itself is very stable, and at speeds of up to 1, 200Mbps, it’s more than good enough for most usage cases.
Bottom Line
With backward compatibility to 802.11a, you probably won’t need to upgrade your router, even if it’s a slightly older one. When you do, the Rock Space will still be there for you.
The minor criticism regarding the movement between main and extended networks is a minor issue considering the actual performance that you’re getting.
Runner-up:
TP-Link N300 TL-WA855RE
PROS
CONS
Specs
- Wi-Fi Standard: b, g, n
- Frequency: Single (2.4GHz)
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Dimensions (inches): 1.3 x 2 x 2.6
Review
This TP-Link extender is tiny, so it can be placed discreetly in the home or small office and won’t draw attention.
Its maximum speed is only 300 Mbps, so it’s best suited across a limited area and for relatively light usage such as browsing. This isn’t the extender you need if you’re intending to stream HD movies or play high-speed online games far away from your router.
Also remember it only supports 802.11 b, g, and n, so if you have an older router, it’s important to check if it’s 802.11a Wi-Fi — if it is, this extender won’t work with it.
Bottom Line
This may be the smallest and least expensive extender that we’ve reviewed here, but if your key concern is increasing the wireless range in your home without expecting it to do any heavy lifting such as gaming, then the N300 should be more than adequate.
Best for the Money:
Linksys RE7000 Gigabit Range Extender
PROS
CONS
Specs
- Wi-Fi Standard: a, b, g, n, ac
- Frequency: Single
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Dimensions (inches): 1.81 x 3.18 x 4.96
Review
The Linksys RE700 is great for anyone who is not experienced with networking, because it’s so easy and quick to set up.
It is 802.11ac certified, so it should work with older routers as far back as with 802.11a. The maximum speed it offers is good (1900Gbps), but for gaming or video streaming, it’s advisable to connect the relevant device to the built-in Ethernet port.
The compact design with internal antenna enabled makes it quite discreet, but as normal, they’re not usually as effective as external ones.
If the Wi-Fi signal extension isn’t enough for you, you do have the option of using the RE7000 as an access point instead of simply as an extender.
Bottom Line
This device offers a powerful combination of versatility and performance, which makes a good mid-range option for general home or office use.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to be a little more careful where you plug it in because of only having internal antennas.
Editor's Pick:
TP-Link AC1750 RE450
PROS
CONS
Specs
- Wi-Fi Standard: b, g, n, ac
- Frequency: Dual
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Dimensions (inches): 6.4 x 3 x 2.6
Review
The TP-Link RE450 is a dream to install and quietly goes about its business of extending your Wi-Fi without sacrificing much in the way of speed.
It also allows for a seamless experience when moving from your primary network to the extension because it doesn’t create a second network.
This is another extender that is only backward compatible as far as 802.11b, so check your router’s specifications to avoid potential communication issues.
It has the standard WPA2-PSK security, but it’s not made clear in the instructions that you need to change the password to protect your network from prying eyes.
Bottom Line
This isn’t the smallest extender around, but performance-wise it’s extremely efficient, with little reduction in your overall network speed.
You’ll need a bit more space for it, but it’s by no means giant.
Honorable Mention:
NETGEAR EX8000
PROS
CONS
Specs
- Wi-Fi Standard: a, b, g, n, ac
- Frequency: Triband
- Security: WPA2-PSK
- Ethernet Ports: 4
- Dimensions (inches): 8.08 x 10.01 x 5.2
Review
This Netgear extender is a veritable powerhouse of speed, range, connectivity, and simplicity.
Its tri-band technology can double your network speed, and you can take even more advantage by connecting up to 4 of your devices with ethernet cables.
Setting up is an easy, walk-through experience, and you can even maintain your existing SSID for the entire network.
It has a large footprint which may not be ideal for everyone’s home or office, but if you have the space and the budget, then this is another great choice for a superior performance.
Bottom Line
The EX8000 gives you excellent speeds and a simple user experience, so if you can allocate it a bit more space, it’s worth paying for this premium equipment.
Part of what you’re paying for is the 4 ethernet ports, which could be ideal for connecting a games console, or smart TV to ensure smooth performance.
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Really Work?
They certainly can be an effective solution for extending the range of your Wi-Fi signal, but just like any other technology, your expectations need to be realistic.
If your aim is simply to extend your wireless connection, then a Wi-Fi extender is usually the best option. You can pick up an extender cheap, and then it’s easy to set up.
However, if you want an extended connection, that’s strong enough for online gaming or streaming HD video, then the more expensive mesh option may be for you.
If you’re buying an extender for the right reasons, then it can be a great option.
Price Points of FiOS Wi-Fi Extenders
As we’ve seen, there’s a great deal of variety in specifications between extenders, so let’s see how they sit within price ranges.
$20 - $50
At this price level, you should expect to get either low-specification equipment from recognized manufacturers or higher-specs from an unfamiliar brand. Even within this price band, you see a big difference between the lower and upper prices.
You’ll notice that you don’t always get an extensive choice of Wi-Fi compatibility and bandwidth- often, the extender will only be single band. However, if your priority is extending your Wi-Fi connection for lighter use, you could still find what you need.
$50 - $100
Move up to this middle price band, and you start seeing a better balance of performance and facility vs price. You can get an extender that supports all current Wi-Fi standards and usually a far higher maximum speed.
You may still come across some single-bandwidth extenders, but that’s likely to be offset by greater Wi-Fi standard compatibility.
$100+
If you really want to go premium, you’ll be paying well over $100. However, for that, you’re raising your Wi-Fi network to a whole new level.
With equipment such as the Netgear EX8000 creating a third bandwidth exclusively for communicating with the router, the 2.4GHZ and 5GHz bands are free to supply faster internet to your devices.
You’ll also start seeing more ports for directly connecting devices to the extender, such as games consoles and smart TVs. If you’re serious about wireless gaming or HD video streaming, this is the direction you should go.
Other Tips to Boost Your FiOS Signal
Still looking to increase your internet on FiOS? Here are some other helpful suggestions.
Check That Your Internet Connection Is Working Properly
The simple way to check this is to connect your PC directly to your router and run a speed test. If the reported speed is significantly less than you’ve contracted, then you should speak with your ISP.
Move Your Router
It may not be the prettiest piece of equipment, but if you’ve got your router tucked away in a corner, or surrounded by books or ornaments on a shelf, then the Wi-Fi signal could be getting blocked. Try putting your router somewhere that it’s free from obstructions and see if that improves your wireless connections.
Add an Antenna to Your Router
If your router only has an internal antenna, then replacing it with a router that has an external one may improve the transmission of the Wi-Fi signal.
Check That Your Router is Up to Current Wi-Fi Standard
It’s easy to forget that although you may have new devices capable of working on the latest Wi-Fi standards if you have an older router, it may not be putting out the best quality wireless signals to begin with. Check which Wi-Fi protocols your router is equipped for and replace it if necessary.
Conclusion
Whether it’s making some simple adjustments or buying an extender to maximize the signal that your router is emitting, it should now be clear that you don’t need a lot of technical knowledge to improve your network, and you don’t always need to spend much money to do it.
People Also Ask
Like most technology these days, Wi-Fi is usually taken for granted, until it stops working how we expect it to, or our needs change and it’s not keeping up.
That’s when questions arise, so let’s look at some of the most frequently asked ones now.
Can I Use Any Wi-Fi Extender With FiOS?
Yes, you can. However, because FiOS is such a fast service, not all extenders will be capable of extending at those speeds.
An alternative may be to connect a second Verizon router to your main router and use it as an access point. You also have the bonus of 4 extra Ethernet ports on the second router.
Does Verizon Offer a Free Signal Booster?
Verizon has certain locations flagged as problem areas for connection, so if you live in one of those places and are having problems, then they may give you a booster.
Normally, you’ll need to go through troubleshooting with their support team, and maybe wait for a visit from an engineer who will test your connection and ensure that there isn’t something else causing the problem.
How Do I Know If My Wi-Fi Extender is Working?
Wi-Fi extenders normally have an array of LEDs that indicate the status of the device.
For a practical test, just stand next to an extender and see what signal your cell phone is getting. Every 30 seconds, step about 5 feet away and look at your cell phone signal indicator again.
What is the Average Boost With a FiOS Wi-Fi Extender?
Because there are so many variables that affect Wi-Fi signals, and average speeds are notoriously difficult to indicate an average boost. However, Verizon claims that their network extenders add 802.11ac to your network, making it up to 2.8 times faster than your n standard connection.
How Fast is FiOS?
Verizon advertises that the gigabyte FiOS service offers speeds of up to 880Mbps. As always, though, there are numerous factors that can affect your internet speed.
There can be external (environmental) factors in your neighborhood, or there could be issues relating to your home such as furniture layout, location of the router, and structure of the house are all common aspects that can affect internet speed.
More WiFi Extender Guides
Below are some more reviews related to WiFi extenders:
