AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender Round-Up
Today we take four prominent 802.11ac-based range extenders for a test drive to determine the best option for expanding your wireless network.
Wireless networking reaches new levels of performance with 802.11ac — both in range and bandwidth. But what options are available to extend the network even farther, and what sort of throughput can you expect when using a wireless range extender?
Wireless range extenders represent a simple and cheap way to stretch your home network out even farther without needing to penetrate walls and run cable to the far reaches of your home. In our Range Extender 101 story, we covered some of the basics of what to expect in terms of hardware and configuration, so give that a look if you're not familiar with range extenders.
The devices we look at in this round-up are in the home or small office category, and rated for AC1200 performance. Each range extender offers essentially the same core functionality, but also includes something unique. Let's take a look at some of the contenders and dig into their configurations, features and performance.
Specifications
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Amped Wireless REA20
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- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4 GHz - 802.11 b/g/n; 5 GHz - 802.11 a/n/ac
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- Processor
- Realtek 8197d (660MHz)
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- Wireless Chipset(s)
- Realtek RTL8192CE (2.4 GHz); Realtek RTL8812AR (5 GHz)
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- WPS Setup
- Yes
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- Ethernet Ports
- 5 x 10/100/1000
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- USB Ports
- 1 x USB 2.0 (File sharing)
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- Other Ports
- N/A
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- Antenna Type
- 3 x External
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- LEDs
- Power, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, Ethernet (x5), USB
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- Other Key Features
- BOOSTBand to manage use of each wireless band for connectivity to router or clients. Up to eight guest networks. Scheduled Wi-Fi availability. Client access control using MAC or IP address.
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D-Link DAP-1650
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- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4 GHz - 802.11 b/g/n; 5 GHz - 802.11 a/n/ac
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- Processor
- Realtek 8197d (660MHz)
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- Wireless Chipset(s)
- Realtek RTL8192CE (2.4 GHz); Realtek RTL8812AR (5 GHz)
-
- WPS Setup
- Yes
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- Ethernet Ports
- 4 x 10/100/1000
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- USB Ports
- 1 x USB 2.0 (DLNA or iTunes Media Server)
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- Other Ports
- N/A
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- Antenna Type
- Internal
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- LEDs
- Power, Connectivity
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- Other Key Features
- Supports use as a media bridge or a wireless access point.
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Linksys RE6500
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- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4 GHz - 802.11 b/g/n; 5 GHz - 802.11 a/n/ac
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- Processor
- MediaTek MT7621A (800MHz)
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- Wireless Chipset(s)
- MediaTek MT7602E (2.4 GHz); MT7612E (5 GHz)
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- WPS Setup
- Yes
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- Ethernet Ports
- 4 x 10/100/1000
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- USB Ports
- N/A
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- Other Ports
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
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- Antenna Type
- 2 x External
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- LEDs
- Multifunction (Power, Connectivity), Wired Connectivity (x4)
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- Other Key Features
- Audio port can play music using DLNA or AirPlay standards. Supports re-utilizing existing SSIDs.
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Netgear EX6200
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- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4 GHz - 802.11 b/g/n; 5 GHz - 802.11 a/n/ac
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- Processor
- Broadcom BCM4708 (1GHz)
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- Wireless Chipset(s)
- Broadcom BCM43217 (2.4 GHz); Broadcom BCM4352 (5 GHz)
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- WPS Setup
- Yes
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- Ethernet Ports
- 5 x 10/100/1000
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- USB Ports
- 1 x USB 3.0 (File Share, Media Server, USB Printer)
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- Other Ports
- N/A
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- Antenna Type
- 2 x External
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- LEDs
- 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, Connectivity, Ethernet (x5), USB
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- Other Key Features
- FastLane to wireless bands to use for connection to router or clients. Comprehensive feature set for USB port.
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* Nearest other WiFi unit. Interferance from nearby networks can hurt the signal-to-noise ratio.
* Proximity to walls and ground, as reflected signals may affect signal strength up or down.
* Polarization and coverage pattern, as lobes and nulls are inevitable.
The quantities I am really looking for are:
* Maximum usable range in free air and best conditions.
* Data rate in those conditions.
* Attinuation due to each intervening wall or ceiling on both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.
With this information I might better evaluate which solution is best for a particular situation.
1. From a distance of n feet means that the distance from the router and device is only n feet? Why put an extender 5 feet from the router?
2. I don't know if the link to how you tested is meaningful. How far away from the extender were your wireless devices? If your extender is only 5 feet away from your router who is to say that the PC 's wireless device won't differ and add a variable to the equation that is not accounted for?
3. Line of site, walls? If y your office is 50 feet as you described how did you test 75 feet?