Image: TP-Link
TP-Link’s AX3000 Wi-Fi Range Extender is now $79.99 at Amazon, the second time it’s fallen to this all-time low price (and the first time it’s done so this year). It’s listed with an “original price” of $119.99, but it typically goes for $99.99—so this deal is still legitimate against street price.
The important thing to understand when buying a Wi-Fi extender is what it does and doesn’t do. It doesn’t make your internet faster. It does extend the range of your Wi-Fi network. By rebroadcasting your router’s Wi-Fi signal, it helps you establish stronger connections in areas with weak reception, whether that’s a far bedroom, the garage, or the basement. If you’re losing signal entirely or dropping to one bar in certain rooms, this TP-Link AX3000 can help solve the problem.
Wi-Fi 6 support means it works well with newer phones, laptops, and smart home devices, and properly handles households with a lot of devices connected at once. EasyMesh compatibility is useful if you have a compatible TP-Link router, as it lets the extender behave like a mesh node, not just an extender. The gigabit Ethernet port is also genuinely useful, making it easy to plug in a TV, gaming console, or desktop in a weak-signal area, sidestepping the wireless connection entirely.
One thing to keep in mind with Wi-Fi extenders: you won’t see the same speed as you get from your router. If your router puts out 300Mbps, expect 150Mbps out of the extender. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than no wireless internet in those rooms at all. If you need full speed throughout your entire home, you should look into a mesh network—instead of rebroadcasting signals like an extender, a mesh network provides full speed at every node. The downside is, an entry-level home mesh network with two or three nodes can cost $200 to $350.
If you’re on a budget, if you just want a quick fix, and if you only need to fix a dead spot in one room, a Wi-Fi extender is the right call. And at $79.99, this TP-Link model is a strong pick.
Author: Gabriela Vatu, Deals Editor, PCWorld
Gabriela has focused on tech writing for 12 years, covering news, reviews, buying guides, deals, and more. She has bylines in numerous consumer tech publications, including PCWorld, Macworld, PCMag, IGN, MakeUseOf, XDA, Android Police, and Pocket-lint.
