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The Best Wifi Extender And Wifi Mesh Systems In Australia

The Best Wifi Extender And Wifi Mesh Systems In Australia

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Having a wifi signal that drops or becomes very weak at certain points of a home or office is incredibly frustrating. These problems do not mean you need a whole new router though as an extender or mesh system can instantly get rid of wifi dead zones and give you an enhanced online experience. Find a simple solution to your connectivity issues using our reviews and buying guide below.


Best WIFI Extender: WAVLINK WiFi Range Extender (Top Pick)


WAVLINK WiFi Range Extender-AC1200 High Power Gigabit Repeater/Router/AP Access Point/with Dual Band 2.4GHz+ 5GHz(300Mbps+867Mbps), Works Any Router

The WAVLINK uses high-performance antennas to extend your Wi-Fi signal, providing better coverage and eliminating dead zones. This is a great solution for large homes and homes with lots of individual devices and online usage.

The compact extender gives wireless security connections at the push of a button and supports 2.4G and 5G connections. The 4 adjustable antennas allow you to fine-tune the signal to suit the positioning of the router. This unit combines three modes; a repeater mode that repeats your Wi-Fi for stronger signal, an AP mode that gives an access point to turn a wired network into wireless and a router mode that creates a secure, wireless internet network.

While all of these features might sound like a lot, set up is easy with simple configuration and a smart signal indicator that helps find the best location for optimal coverage. There are also 8 LEDs on the front of the extender to show you the status of your wireless connection.


What We Like:

  • Adjustable antennas
  • Eliminates wi-fi dead zones
  • Simple set up

What We Don’t Like:

  • Not very sleek in appearance due to antennas

Runner Up: D-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender


The D-Link N300 is a compact, portable home wi-fi extender that is universal so can be used with all brands.

The device plugs straight into the power outlet so there’s no power cords or wires to worry about. The adjustable antennas and smart signal indicator help you to find the best placement and there’s an ethernet port for the added option of wired connections.

The set up is easy, you don’t need a computer and there is a built-in setup wizard. There is also a one-touch set up option using the WPS button that will instantly extend your wi-fi networks reach.


What We Like:

  • Compact
  • One-touch set up
  • Works with wired and wireless connections 

What We Don’t Like:

  • Requires separate login information to your main router

Also Great: Netgear EX3110 AC750 WiFi Range Extender


This ranger extender from Netgear boosts your wireless signal while also reducing interference to give you a better, smoother connection. It works with any standard wireless router and can be plugged into any outlet.

The LED indicators help you to find the best signal to create stronger wifi access within your home. The extender uses both wifi bands together to establish one high speed connection.

This is a great option for HD video streaming, gaming and using multiple devices.


What We Like:

  • Quick set up
  • Extends range and reduces interference
  • Uses both wifi bands to produce one connection

What We Don’t Like:

  • Does not offer wired connection option

Best WIFI Mesh System: TP-Link Deco M5 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi Router System

TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh WiFi System (3-Pack) - Works with Amazon Alexa, Up to 420 sq.m. Coverage (Deco M5 3-Pack)

The TP-Link Deco M5 mesh router is small, smart and minimalist with a simple interface. The set comes with three units that can be positioned throughout the house as needed. The mesh system will take flaky internet coverage and uses the units to boost and improve it so you experience better connection throughout your home.

This wi-fi mesh network offers great value for money and is easy to set up. There’s a single LED that indicates the current status by colour and there’s an app for smartphones that can give you more information and makes monitoring easier. The system also includes security software which is very important.

This mesh network focuses on providing better coverage, connected devices will jump between the Deco units as needed to always have the best connection. There are also 2 ethernet ports for additional connection possibilities.


What We Like:

  • Great price
  • Easy to use
  • Includes security software

What We Don’t Like:

  • Limited network information displayed on the app

Runner Up: Google WiFi System 3-Pack




This easy, convenient and simple wireless mesh system is ideal for larger or unusual shaped homes as the 3 pods can be placed anywhere in your house to improve the signal coverage. The google nest wifi pod design is minimal yet appealing so they won’t draw attention or be an eye-sore when dotted around your home.

There’s a selection of great features on the Google Wifi System including traffic prioritisation that makes sure there is no lag or connection drops, the cloud based security that automatically updates itself, and the network repair that happens automatically if any of the pods lose power.

This wireless mesh system requires minimal effort or input from you. There is a mobile app that connects to the system and you can also add parental controls that allows you to pause the wi-fi on kids devices.


What We Like:

  • Minimal design
  • Great value for money
  • Simple set up

What We Don’t Like:

  • Limited control options

Also Great: D-Link AC2200 Seamless Mesh Wi-Fi System


This wi-fi mesh system is this tri-band router two pack, which offers a great solution for people wanting to upgrade their online experience and get rid of dead zones. The modern, sleek design blends into your home and this system has a dedicated backhaul for communication between the Covr points to always give you the best wi-fi connection.

Simple set up, the two router devices are already paired and set up can be carried out using an app. The smart steering directs your devices to the best connection and MU-MIMO technology handles traffic so multiple devices can use the mesh wi-fi without experiencing crowding or signal drops.

There are parental controls that allow you to create schedules, see who is on the network and block devices. There are also 2 ethernet ports for wired connections. This smart home wi-fi system works with Alexa and Google Assistant and is a great option for video calls, gaming, streaming movies and for keeping families connected.


What We Like:

  • Easy installation
  • Dedicated backhaul
  • Integration with Alexa as well as Google Assistant

What We Don’t Like:

  • One of the pair needs to be physically plugged into the router

WIFI Extender and Mesh Buyer’s Guide


As wi-fi extenders and mesh networks achieve the same goal in different ways they are both better suited to certain situations. Below we compare the two so you can decide which is a more suitable solution for your wireless needs:

WiFi extenders

Also known as boosters or repeaters, wifi extenders repeat the signal in order to broadcast your wireless range further into your home.

You connect the extender to your router via ethernet or wi-fi so it can then create a stronger signal and eliminate wireless dead zones in your home.

Pros:

  • Offers fast internet speeds throughout your home
  • Affordable
  • Eliminated dead zones
  • Gives two separate networks (one for the router, one for the extender)

Cons:

  • Not ideal for larger homes
  • Requires you manually switch between networks
  • Can be difficult to configure

Mesh Networks

A mesh network consists of multiple devices placed throughout your home to create one network. The devices (called nodes) work together to create a wi-fi signal across your home.

Setting up a mesh network is straightforward, you usually connect one node to your router and place the others where you need signal. A mesh network can put wifi into the areas of your home you need it and you will always be automatically connected to the strongest signal available.

Pros:

  • Allows you to stay connected even as you move around your home
  • Great for large homes
  • Easy to set up

Cons:

  • More expensive
  • Requires the use of multiple devices
  • Can be excessive for a smaller home

Choosing Between the Two

The goal of both products is to improve your wi-fi and remove dead zones within your home so which option is better for your situation?

  • Consider the size of your home and where the wireless connection isn’t working. If you have a smaller home where the wifi sometimes drops in certain rooms you can probably fix the issue by using an extender. If you are finding the wifi is not reaching certain areas of your home because your house is larger in size then a mesh network would likely be the best wi-fi solution.
  • Think about budget too, an extender is inexpensive compared to a mesh network. This is because an extender simply extends the existing network while a mesh create a new wi-fi network with multiple devices.
  • If your wireless signal is weak even close to the router it is unlikely an extender will have the desired result, in this case a mesh network would be more effective. However, before buying an extender or mesh system, try moving your router around as the signal may be being blocked by a piece of furniture or a certain wall. If you move your router you may find the signal improves without the need for an extender.

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Set Up and Management

  • Extenders are more difficult to set up and configure because it needs to be done manually. Many times the extender is from a different manufacturer to the router so the process of configuring and connecting the two can be time consuming.
  • One of the best mesh features is how quick and easy they are to set up. Most come with a mobile app and the nodes are already programmed to work with each other. The mesh network works with a centralised management so it is easy to run speed tests, block devices, create guest networks etc.


WIFI Extender and Mesh FAQs


How well do WiFi extenders work?

Extenders work very well in homes and offices where weak signal or occasional signal drops have been noticed. The extender will boost the signal and provide wi-fi in those hard to reach areas so you’ll always be connected.

What is the difference between WiFi booster, WiFi extender, and WiFi Mesh?

Wi-fi boosters and extenders do pretty much the same thing, they amplify and transmit a boosted signal. A mesh network uses multiple devices to create a seamless single network across a large area.

What’s the difference between 802.11ac and 802.11n?

The 802.11 set of wireless networking protocols (since renamed Wi-Fi 5 by Wi-Fi Alliance) provides high-throughput wireless. 802.11ac was brought into force in 2013 and boasts some significant speed advantages over its predecessor 802.11n. These include channels up to 80MHz and the ability to use eight spatial streams. In short, if you want the fastest WIFI, you’ll want 802.11ac.




This article was written by Cara Holmes

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