NETGEAR AC750 -802.11AC Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Range Extender (EX6100) by NetGear

      Easy to Install


So, a WiFi extender is a simple enough concept - pick up the wifi signals and repeat them. In my case, the WiFi is in one corner of the house and does a so-so job of reaching all of the house. I put this extender about 2/3 of the way across the house so that now the signal reaches everywhere in full strength, even several feet out into the back yard and out to the street in the front of my house.

This WiFi extender has two ways to set it up. The easy way is to use a button on your router called a WPS. My NetGear router does not have a WPS button. I have no idea what a WPS button is but if you have one, this looks like the easiest way to go. It just causes the router and the extender to sync up.

The extender plugs into the wall but does not have to take up the entire wall outlet. It has two external antennae that are kind of ugly. The manufacturer claims that the device works better because they are external antennae and not built into the unit. 

I had to use the "smart setup" plan. It looks like a total pain on paper but it was very easy once I figured out how to get into the network manager on my Chromebook. After that, it was a simple three steps and then I was extending WiFi all over the place.

The extender creates two new WiFi sources to log into. You can name them whatever you want but the default is a variation of your WiFi's name. After testing them, the two new channels seem to work just as well as the original WiFi signal. 

It may seem obvious to some, but after having a discussion with my high school-aged child, let me point out that the extender does not create more WiFi, it just makes it easier to access your existing bandwidth.

NetGear has an app for a smartphone that measures your WiFi strength. This is meant to give you a better idea where to place your extender. If you place your extender where the signal is weak, you'll just be extending a weak signal. I did not use the app. I just walked around with my phone and my Kindle and watched the signal strength indicators on them both and put the extender in a location that both showed had strong signal strength.

I do suggest that you put the instructions away in a very safe place.

Also, I must commend the manufacturer for its packaging. It is all recyclable. All of it.

Note: I received this WiFi extender for free from manufacturer in exchange for a fair and honest review.