Best WiFi Extender for Gaming

Even if you aren’t playing at the highest levels, internet speeds can make or break the sort of split second decision making required for competitive first person shooters and fighting games. And gaming with a spotty Wi-Fi connection becomes even worse when you’re trying to take advantage of streaming services like Playstation Now or Xbox Game Pass.

But you shouldn’t have to rearrange everything just to make sure that your console is close enough to your router to provide you with competitive play. There are a number of different WiFi extenders on the market today, and we’re here to feature a collection of the best. We’ll also provide you with all the information you need to know when shopping for the best WiFi extender for gaming.

TL;DR - Best WIFI Extenders for Gaming:

• NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX8000 
• TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Extender
• WAVLINK AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Range Extenders
• Asus (RP-AC1900) Wireless 802.11AC Dual Band WiFi Extender
• Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender 
• D-Link AC1750 WiFi Range Extender
• Mediabridge Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router 
• ROCK SPACE 2.4 & 5GHz Dual Band WiFi Extender
• TRENDnet Powerline 500 AV Kit with Wi-Fi Extender
• Securifi Almond Touchscreen WiFi Range Extender 

1. NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Range Extender EX8000 

All in One Mesh Range Extender

This WiFi extender from Netgear offers top performance, support for mesh networks, and a whole host of features for a price that's a little above average but ultimately not that bad. It's adaptable to your needs too. It allows you to use the same password and user name as you would with your router, so you can more seamlessly move between your home network and your extended network, and there's a generous four Gigabit ethernet ports, making it one of the best WiFi extenders around for hooking up a long distance game room with a range of internet connected consoles.

2. TP-Link AC2600 WiFi Extender

Enough Range to Reach Just About Anywhere

With its four external antennas that look like wings, the TP-Link looks like alien technology. But it's a surprisingly effective extender that comes in at a price fair for gaming. MU-MIMO technology is built in, so you can count on it to work seamlessly with multiple devices. There's also beamforming technology for extended range in larger homes Despite that, this extender is easy to set up and seamlessly to operate through the compatible app. It may not come with features specific to gaming, but the interface sports a clear and clean with a deceptively expansive range of choices for optimization.

3. WAVLINK AC1200 Gigabit WiFi Range Extenders

Arguably the Best WiFi Extender on a Budget

Some of the WiFi range extenders on our list offer exceedingly long working ranges and hyper fast download times. But Wavlink's WiFi extender is more than suited for the needs of most gaming experiences, and it's a fraction of the price of many of the competitors. In addition to the standard repeater mode, this WiFi extender can also serve as a router for a separate sub-network - perfect if you're looking to optimize the traffic flowing to your gaming consoles and PC. And since it's fully covered in holes, you don't need to worry about the Gigabit ethernet connection on this WiFi extender burning out on you.

4. Asus (RP-AC1900) Wireless 802.11AC Dual Band WiFi Extender

Best Wireless Extension for Features

ASUS has built one of the sleekest looking WiFi boosters available today, but its performance is equally as sleek. The smartly designed app makes setting up this 802.11ac WiFi booster a breeze, but its intuitive interface will continue to be of value thanks to a multitude of features. AiMesh ensures reliable performance even through larger homes, while Quality of Service controls mean that you can prioritize gaming content when necessary. There are even parental controls to make sure that your kids are sticking with designated gaming times and not accessing content that they aren't yet ready for.

5. Linksys AC1900 Gigabit Range Extender 

A Cheap and Easy Wireless Solution

With its compact form factor and understated design, Linksys' AC1900 wireless extender is designed to stay out of the way and easy to use without getting in the way. It can plug directly into your wall outlet or existing power strip, and getting it up and running is as simple as clicking the button on the side to tether it to your devices. And once everything's up and running, you can count on dependable performance. This 802.11ac WiFi extender for gaming makes use of beamforming technology for extended coverage and cross band tech for increased overall WiFi coverage in the home.

6. D-Link AC1750 WiFi Range Extender

A Small and Unobtrusive Access Point

There's a lot to like about the DPA-1720 from D-Link, but there are also a few weaknesses that make it impossible to rank as the definitive best Wi-Fi extender for gaming. It's compact in size and designed to plug right into the wall, backed by strong performance in multi-story properties, and supported by a very well developed app that give you control over practically all the tools you'd need for gaming. And when it comes time to set it up, you can do so with a single button press. This WiFi extender would be just about perfect if the performance wasn't a little inconsistent.

7. Mediabridge Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router 

The MediaLink offers an incredibly efficient approach to improving your Wi-Fi speeds for gaming. The Gigabit ethernet ports here can support speeds of roughly a gigabyte a second, and the inclusion of both beamforming and two extended antennas means that it's easy to get the best Wi-Fi coverage regardless of where your gaming devices are located in the house. And it's plenty safe too. In addition to full encryption, this WiFi extender also comes with a dedicated firewall. That means it can double as a home office wireless extender instead of just being a wireless extender for gaming exclusively.

8. ROCK SPACE 2.4 & 5GHz Dual Band WiFi Extender

Gaming in the age of the internet can be a frustrating and costly affair, but extending your Wi-Fi network doesn't have to be. It might not come with the best and most advanced features, but this Rock Space 2.4Ghz extender includes most of the basics you'd want for gaming and generally sold performance, all wrapped around one of the best deals available today. Getting this WiFi extender connected is as easy as tapping the button on the side, and it even includes a convenient light that helps you know when your Wi-Fi range extender is venturing beyond the viable broadcast range for your router.

9. TRENDnet Powerline 500 AV Kit with Wi-Fi Extender

TRENDNet is doing something a little different with their gaming WiFi extender. As a powerline adapter, it draws on the electrical wiring already in your home to transmit a signal - creating a level of stability and consistency you just can't get with a wired connection. That stability is a necessity when streaming games or when gaming competitively online, but the cool part is that you can also use it as a Wi-Fi extender. That level of versatility is quite possibly the best on our list, and it's definitely worth your attention even if it's a bit more unconventional.

10. Securifi Almond Touchscreen WiFi Range Extender 

We can say with confidence that the Securifi Almond is one of the coolest looking WiFi range extenders on the market - but what makes it one of the best options isn't just its good looks. A clean and expressive touch screen interface allows you to navigate this WiFi range extender without having to rely on an app or web client interface. In addition to working as an extender, this device can also be used as a bridge, router, or Wi-Fi hot spot. If you've been dreaming of setting up a separate device for gaming, this is one of your best choices.

WIFI Extenders for Gaming Buyer’s Guide

Wrapping Up

So what should you look for when you need WiFi extension for your wireless router? If you’re a gamer, your biggest concerns will be speed and reliability, but the amount of ports available can be a huge consideration if you want a wired connection. Otherwise, you can likely get by with a WiFi range extender and just connecting it to a router so that you can create essentially two wireless networks.

The number of devices supported will only be of use to businesses looking to set up more complex and sophisticated network configurations to get the best Wi-Fi coverage, and that really leaves things down to the features. When looking for extended WiFi devices, we think the best choice is to consider what you want to do with your wireless network, and how you want to expand it. Once you understand that, you can find a range extender that meets the standards of your internet plan and offers quality features for a smooth game experience.