can anyone recommend a good WiFi extender?

pglbook
pglbook Posts: 2,226
in Electronics
Can anyone recommend a good WiFi extender? My wife and I recently moved into a 2-floor townhouse a few months ago from a one floor apartment. We now have the WiFi router in an office on the second floor and our Panasonic plasma smart TV on the first floor. Since we moved, we have had a problem every time we stream a movie on Amazon ...the movie crashes a few times due to a poor WiFi internet connection. I have spoken with Amazon and also with my cable company and they told me that I should get a WiFi extender. Are they all the same? What is a good one? I am looking for something that is easy to install, works well, and costs under $70. Thanks
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,652
    First question being, what brand and model is your router?
    I ask because a lot of companies are going the Mesh wifi route and it simplifies the router/access point configuration and relationship greatly.

    If you have one of the brands and models capable of such, I could recommend an add on to your existing hardware. Otherwise, there are a lot of wifi routers out there that can be configured to act as access points for your existing wifi network.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    I love my google mesh system, but it takes the place of your router as well.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • French_guy
    French_guy Posts: 338
    Mesh is the way to go......Costco sells the Orbi RBK22 (2 small units) for $180 and it works VERY well............and fast !
    RTiA5 + CSiA4 + Jamo SW410E
    Yamaha TSR-700 (equivalent to RX V6A)
    No surround...yet
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    I am meshed with Velop by Linksys. Extenders are a PITA
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,226
    ZLTFUL wrote: »
    First question being, what brand and model is your router?
    I ask because a lot of companies are going the Mesh wifi route and it simplifies the router/access point configuration and relationship greatly.

    If you have one of the brands and models capable of such, I could recommend an add on to your existing hardware. Otherwise, there are a lot of wifi routers out there that can be configured to act as access points for your existing wifi network.


    Thanks. My router is a Linksys E1200.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,226
    French_guy wrote: »
    Mesh is the way to go......Costco sells the Orbi RBK22 (2 small units) for $180 and it works VERY well............and fast !

    Thanks but, per my op, I was looking to spend under $70. My internet connection and everything else works fine throughout the whole house. It is only a 1450 sq. ft. 2-floor townhouse, The only issue we ever have is when we stream a movie on Amazon. I thnk I'd only need an inexpensive WiFi extender and put it on the first floor to solve that problem; rather than go to the expense of a buying a Mesh system that, although they may be great, would be probably be more than I'd need.

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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,981
    Man, I read that too fast. Thought he was asking about a WIFE extender. :)
    HT SYSTEM-
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    Kitchen

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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,226
    I have been reading up on Mesh systems and, although a lot of them are out of my budget at present, I found this one at Amazon. It gets great reviews and, after a $15 online coupon, it would only cost $125. This one ia a 2-pack. There is also a 3-pack for $60 more but it looks like the 2 pack would work for my townhouse.

    Does anyone know anything about this system?

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M7T2N33/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2WEPOBUJW11OM&psc=1
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    edited March 2019
    Interesting thread. Have not even heard of mesh systems. Makes sense, now that I know what they are, we have em all over my workplace.

    Now you guys got me spending more cash on computer stuff! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • French_guy
    French_guy Posts: 338
    you probably have AP (Access Points) in your workplace, not mesh system....!
    RTiA5 + CSiA4 + Jamo SW410E
    Yamaha TSR-700 (equivalent to RX V6A)
    No surround...yet
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    French_guy wrote: »
    you probably have AP (Access Points) in your workplace, not mesh system....!

    Ah! Thanks french guy! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    My experience with extenders is negative. If you cannot get a mesh system, get something like this:

    https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Powerline-ethernet-Adapter-TL-PA4010KIT/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=ac+line+ethernet&qid=1553045288&s=gateway&sr=8-2

    I bought my bro in law one and he said it worked well to get coverage to their master bedroom for doing just what u say..
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • French_guy
    French_guy Posts: 338
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    My experience with extenders is negative. If you cannot get a mesh system, get something like this:

    https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Powerline-ethernet-Adapter-TL-PA4010KIT/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=ac+line+ethernet&qid=1553045288&s=gateway&sr=8-2

    I bought my bro in law one and he said it worked well to get coverage to their master bedroom for doing just what u say..

    It's an option, but really a hit or miss depending on your electrical cabling. If you have a Micro center near you, you can try many options and return what doesn't satisfy your needs
    By the way, I was thinking I have a Dlink DAP1522 (access point/bridge) that I'm trying to sell....PM me if interested
    RTiA5 + CSiA4 + Jamo SW410E
    Yamaha TSR-700 (equivalent to RX V6A)
    No surround...yet
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