BT Broadband Extender Powerline Adapter 600 Kit, wired AV600

Product Information

If the extender has advanced features, we’ll also factor these into our review; we’ll thoroughly explore the configuration portal to see how responsive and user-friendly it is, and, if the unit has an Ethernet port, we may test network performance over a wired connection. Step 3 # Locate the reset hole or button your wifi extender. The reset button or hole would be either at the bottom or on the top of BT wifi extender. It would depend on wifi extender models. To test network performance, we use a laptop equipped with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 network card supporting 2×2 MIMO. We connect this laptop to the extended network, then take it to various areas of the home and copy a standard set of files to and from a NAS appliance, connected by Ethernet to the main router. By measuring the average read and write speeds, and comparing them to those achieved when connecting directly to the router, we can measure how each extender helps Wi-Fi range and performance. Well, people normally get confused between these technical jargon’s. However, all three terms (i.e. Wifi Booster, Wifi Repeater and Wifi Extender) are used interchangeably, these devices are ultimately used to strengthen the range of wifi signals in your home or office dead zones.

It’s also worth trying out a few different wireless settings, such as switching radio bands, before you splash out on a new bit of kit. You might find that this gets you a better signal from your existing equipment and that there’s no need to buy an extender at all. What speeds can I expect? TP-Link’s RE300 is basic, but it’s incredibly easy to set up via the TP-Link Tether app and it comes with a couple of extra modes to help you make the most of your current wireless network. We found it worked best in default mode, where speeds averaged 11.3MB/sec in testing. If you’re a tinkerer, however, you can also set it up so it uses the faster 5GHz band as a dedicated link to your existing network and the 2.4GHz band for your devices. The Magic 2 kit beats the old Magic 1 kit we had in this slot by giving you two high-speed 867Mbits/sec Wi-Fi streams for little more than the price of one, which comes in handy if you’re trying to network two or more devices. Advanced users will appreciate the companion app that shows connection diagnostics, so you can work out where to locate the plugs for the best performance. The web portal, meanwhile, lets you manage your wireless configuration, set up a guest network and apply an operating schedule so that (for example) the extended network is only available during office hours. The newer Wi-Fi 6 kits will give you even more performance if you have Wi-Fi 6 devices, but if not this is a great solution. Every Wi-Fi extender we review goes through extensive hands-on testing. Each unit is installed in a real home, at an appropriate distance from the main Wi-Fi router according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If it’s a powerline system, we connect the base unit to the main router via gigabit Ethernet and, again, situate the remote unit according to the instructions.

Scenario 1 # You want to reconfigure your wifi extender because you have changed your service provider. WIFI Booster / WIFI Repeater are normally use to extend the range of wi-fi signals in office, shops or home. In-fact you can use wi-fi repeater to connect various device such as computer, laptop, mobile, IOT devices etc. even if they are not in range of actual wi-fi network. Wi-fi repeater are universal compatible devices that work with any service provider router. Also, they are secure, reliable and easy to set-up. WI-fi repeaters are excellet choice for home usage i.e. watching HD movies, playing online games etc. Up until recently, most extenders and Powerline kits only went as far as the Wi-Fi 5 standard, but we’re seeing a growing number that go faster with Wi-Fi 6 support. If you only have a Wi-Fi 5 router, you can save some cash by partnering it with a Wi-Fi 5 extender, but the newer models may give you a faster connection between the extender and devices that support Wi-Fi 6. What’s more, there’s an argument that buying one of these makes more sense if you plan to upgrade your network in the future. What’s the difference between a repeater and a powerline extender? Naturally, however, connecting devices to an extender via Ethernet won’t be as fast as a direct wired connection to the router because the signal still needs to travel from your router to the extender over the airwaves first. What other features should I look for?

Step 5 # You will notice that when you continue to press the button for 10 seconds, the wifi extender light start flashing. Technically speaking there is a difference between wifi booster/wifi repeater and wifi extender in terms of their operations and usage. It’s very easy to use as well, with setup managed by the superb TP-Link Tether mobile app, which provides access to all the settings you might need.

How close to your router is the device you need to connect?

Powerline systems are often more expensive than repeaters but they’re a fuss-free way to extend a network connection into places that are otherwise hard to reach and can be simpler to set up. Might I be better off with a mesh Wi-Fi system? Step 4 # Insert the pin or pencil in the reset hole and press the button i.e. press button for 10 seconds continuously. In both situations, you simply have to follow two steps to get your wifi extender to default factory setting: