5 Best Wi-Fi Extenders for AT&T Fiber in 2024

This is our review of the best Wi-Fi extender/repeater for AT&T internet in 2022. 

Best router for att u-verse

We purchase around a dozen Wi-Fi extenders to determine which one is the best. 

After hours of benchmark testing, we discovered that the TP-Link RE650 is the best Wi-Fi extender for AT&T. Because it’s fast, simple to use, and affordable.

TP-Link RE650 AC2600
Source: TP-Link.com

Editor’s Choice – TP-Link RE650

Best Overall

  • Coverage: ~70 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 332.58 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  Internet 1000 or below
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5 AC2600 
  • Warranty: 3 years

However, the best extender or repeater for your home depends on various factors. Because all homes don’t have the same internet plans, residences, and routers.

Therefore, we have reviewed the five best repeaters for AT&T internet, so you can pick the best one for YOUR circumstances and what works best for your home. 

Keep reading to learn more. 

At A Glance
Our Top 5 Picks For Wi-Fi Extenders For AT&T Fiber

Top 5 Wi-Fi Extenders For AT&T Fiber

IMAGE PRODUCT
TP Link RE650 AC2600
TP-Link RE650 AC2600
  • Fantastic range
  • 3-year warranty
  • Great speed
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TP Link RE605X AX1800
TP-Link RE605X AX1800
  • Fast speed
  • 3-year warranty
  • Simple setup
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Netgear EAX80 AX6000
Netgear EAX80 AX6000
  • Amazing speed
  • Single network
  • Great range
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Lynksys RE7000 AC1900
Linksys RE7000 AC1900
  • Great value
  • Good range
  • Good speeds
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TP Link RE450 AC1750
TP-Link RE450 AC1750
  • Fast & easy setup
  • Great range
  • Fast enough for multiple users to enjoy 4k video streaming
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

5 Best Wi-Fi Extenders For AT&T Fiber

Here are our short reviews of the best Wi-Fi boosters for AT&T. 

#1 TP-Link RE650 AC2600 – Best Overall

TP-Link RE650 AC2600
  • Coverage: ~70 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 332.58 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  Internet 1000 or below
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5 AC2600 
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Fantastic range
  • 3-year warranty
  • Great speed

Cons

  • Creates a second network

Out of all the extenders we tested, the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 has the best range of all extenders we have tested and is fast enough for any but the multi-gig AT&T plans.

If you have a TP-Link router, things are about to get better. You may use OneMesh to create a single network. But if you have a different router brand, you will need to use an Ethernet connection to have a single network. 

Otherwise, you will have two networks. This means you have to change networks as you move around the house.

The setup procedure was quick and straightforward, taking us only a few minutes. After plugging in, we just had to install the Tether app and follow its instructions to expand our Wi-Fi.

As already said, it has the widest coverage area of all the extenders we tested. It achieved 70 feet on Wi-Fi and 80 feet on Ethernet (using the 2.4 GHz band).

Which is enough range to get Wi-Fi to your detached garage or even your shed outback.  And more than enough to cover every room in huge homes.

Besides its fantastic coverage, the RE650 is fast too. 

At five feet, it had outstanding speeds of:

  • 657.23 Mbps on Ethernet
  • 332.58 Mbps on Wi-Fi 

Both on the 5 GHz band. 

This is so fast that you can download large video files of 100 Gbs or more in a matter of hours. All while someone else streams a few 4k movies. 

The TP-Link RE605 AC2600 is an excellent extender for AT&T’s Fiber, INTERNET 1000, and lower plans. It has a fantastic range, fast speeds, and an easy setup.

It has a single minor inconvenience in that it generates a second network (unless you use OneMesh or use Ethernet).




#2 TP-Link RE605X AX1800 – Runner Up

TP-Link RE605X AX1800
  • Coverage: ≈ 60 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 346.35 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  AT&T Fiber internet 1000 or below
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX1800
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Fast speed
  • 3-year warranty
  • Simple setup

Cons

  • Creates a second network

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 Wi-Fi booster is our runner-up pick because it is fast, has great range, easy to set up, and is reasonably priced. 

It works best with the “INTERNET 1000” or “INTERNET 500” AT&T fiber plans. But will also work great for the slower plans.

The TP-Link booster’s setup was a breeze. Simply connect to the Wi-Fi network and follow the Tether app’s step-by-step directions. It was so quick to set up that downloading the app onto our phone almost took longer. 

This wasn’t our first rodeo with Wi-Fi extenders (we’ve tested way too many of them). It is, however, relatively simple, and anyone can do it.

The TP-Link RE650 increased our Wi-Fi signal by 70 feet, which is one of the better results we have gotten.

It also expanded our reach on Ethernet by an additional 10 feet, bringing it to 80 feet.

This is fantastic coverage, and it’ll cover an entire floor.

The TP-Link AC1750 has a maximum speed of 674.53 Mbps on Ethernet (5 GHz). It also achieved a Wi-Fi download speed of:

  • 346.35 Mbps at 5 feet
  • 268.04 Mbps at 15 feet
  • 257.04 Mbps from 25 feet 

All using the 5 GHz band.

Is this download speed good? —350 Mbps is enough to stream up to ten 4k films at the same time. Pretty remarkable in our book.

I’d add that we tested this extender with the ASUS RT-AX88U, which is a great router. If you’re using an outdated or sluggish router, it will negatively impact your extender’s speed too.

The RE605X AX1800’s main disadvantage is that it creates a second network if you don’t have a TP-Link router with OneMesh. As a result, while using your smartphone or laptop and moving throughout the house, you’ll need to switch networks to get the best connection.

If you connect to the router using Ethernet, however, your home will have a single network.

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is a great way to expand your home network. It has an excellent range and fast speeds, making it a great deal at a fair price.

The RE605X’s single drawback is that it makes a second network with routers that don’t have OneMesh (unless you connect it to Ethernet).




#3 Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Performer

Netgear EAX80 AX6000
  • Coverage: ≈ 65 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 437.34 Mbps
  • Separate networks: No
  • Recommended for: AT&T Fiber (5 Gbps)or less
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX6000
  • Warranty: 1-year

Pros

  • Amazing speed
  • Single network
  • Great range

Cons

  • Some issues setting up
  • Costs more than other options

For AT&T Internet, our top-performing Wi-Fi extender is the Netgear EAX80 since it increased our Wi-Fi signal by 65 feet on Wi-Fi and 75 feet on Ethernet.

That is enough range to cover the entire floor of a large home

The EAX80 extender’s built-in 4×4 MU-MIMO antenna can provide speeds up to 436.34 Mbps on Wi-Fi and 811.59 Mbps on Ethernet at five feet on the 5 GHz band.

You can download a 100 GB video game in less than forty minutes with this extender. So fast that it almost sounds made up. 

The Netgear EAX80 also supports the new 802.11ax wireless networking technology (Wi-Fi 6). This makes it better at handling many smart devices and makes it faster.

The EAX80 has a distinct advantage over other extenders: it is one of the few that we tested that works on a single network, no matter what router you have. So you may explore your home without worrying about which network you’re using if you utilize a mobile device.

The EAX80 has excellent speed and range, but our testing wasn’t entirely positive.

It took us much longer to set up than other models we tested. It took around 10 minutes, which was 5 to 10 times longer than other extenders. And when we switched from Wi-Fi to Ethernet, we had to totally reset the EAX80

However, it ran smoothly after these difficulties.

Another downside is that it is more expensive than the other four extenders we recommend in this guide.

Despite its flaws and bloated price, the Netgear EAX80 AX6000 is an excellent choice for a Wi-Fi repeater with a wide coverage radius and good performance.




#4 Linksys RE7000 AC1900 – Best Value

Lynksys RE7000 AC1900
  • Coverage: 60 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 320.83 Mbps 
  • Separate networks: Yes
  • Recommended for:  INTERNET 500 or lower
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5
  • Warranty: 3-years

Pros

  • Great value
  • Good range
  • Good speeds

Cons

  • Creates a secondary network

Our top pick for the best value is the Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Wi-Fi extender.

The RE7000 increased our Wi-Fi signal by 60 feet. It also extended our Wi-Fi signal up to 70 feet on Ethernet. And, on Wi-Fi, it delivered speeds of up to 320.83 Mbps at 5 feet on the 5 GHz band.

That’s quite a difference in terms of signal range. For example, an extra 60 to 70 feet of Wi-Fi range can provide internet access throughout the entire floor plan and even a detached garage.

The speed increased to 519.73 Mbps when linked via Ethernet at a distance of 5 feet. That’s quite fantastic, to say the least.

Although this speed is not as quick as other extenders on our list, they are plenty quick for the majority of homes.

You’ll be able to watch many 4K movies, hold a video conference, and download huge files all at once without issues.

The Linksys RE7000 comes with an ethernet port, too, so you can connect it directly to your modem, router, or laptop. You’ll get the fastest speeds possible connecting to Ethernet.

The initial setup of the RE7000 was easy. You can complete it using the Linksys app (or use the web interface). But with the mobile app’s assistance, installation is less complicated.

But, the setup time was around 10 minutes because of lengthy load times. Which was quite a bit longer than the few minutes it took us with most of the other extenders we tested. That said, it was still pretty easy.

The Linksys RE7000 also establishes a new network, even if you have a Linksys router. This means you have to switch between networks when you move around the house with wireless devices. 

Overall, the Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Wi-Fi extender is a fantastic value option because it’s one of the less expensive Wi-Fi extenders yet offers good performance.




#5 TP-Link RE450 AC1750 – Budget-Friendly

TP Link RE450 AC1750
  • Coverage: 60 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 291.56 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes
  • Recommended for: INTERNET 300 or lower
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Fast & easy setup
  • Great range

Cons

  • Slower speeds
  • Secondary network

The TP-Link RE450 AC1750 is the most budget-friendly Wi-Fi repeater on our list and perfect for AT&T’s slower internet plans. 

The maximum speed of this router is 125.44 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 291.56 Mbps on the 5 GHz band at a distance of five feet.

It’s the slowest of our recommendations. But, if you have AT&T’s basic Internet plans (with speeds of 25, 50, and 100 Mbps), it is more than enough to take full advantage of your plan’s speed.

The RE450 extender is also helpful with the INTERNET 300 (300 Mbps) AT&T plan. Especially if you hook it up to Ethernet, which got speeds of 458.02 Mbps at a distance of 5 feet.

Again, these aren’t the quickest speeds we saw while testing, but they’re still fast enough for multiple users to enjoy 4k video streaming

The TP-Link RE450 AC1750 is another of the easier repeaters to get up and running. It only took us a minute or two to complete without any difficulties.

It has a range of up to 70 feet on Ethernet and 60 feet on Wi-Fi. It creates a spacious Wi-Fi zone that fully covers most houses.

The RE450 makes a second network that can be inconvenient if you move your wireless devices around frequently. Even if you have a TP-Link router with OneMesh.

But, we look past its slower speed (which again is perfect for AT&T’s slower plans) because of its affordable price, fantastic range, and easy setup. 




Do you need a Wi-Fi Extender?

If your Wi-Fi router is suited to your home and you just want to expand the signal to a specific room or section of your property, a Wi-Fi extender could be the ideal answer.

But, you should try a few things before ordering a Wi-Fi extender to increase your coverage first. 

If you have the option, consider relocating your router to a central location in your house.

Lastly, if your router is older than 5-years, a newer router may fix your Wi-Fi dead spot issue. For our top AT&T routers, click here

AT&T Wi-Fi Extender Buying Guide

This is what everyone should consider before buying a Wi-Fi extender/repeater for AT&T Internet. For info, check out our extender buying guide.

Match the Brand

If you’re not using the AT&T router that came with your internet service, we recommend getting a Wi-Fi extender from the same manufacturer

That’s because many routers and extenders of the same brand can be paired together to form a single network (for example, TP-Link with OneMesh). Doing so will make the installation process much simpler.

However, if you have AT&T’s standard router from Arris, you won’t be able to match since Arris doesn’t make Wi-Fi extenders. 

Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6

There are two main Wi-Fi standards- Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6. 

Wi-Fi 6 is faster, can handle more devices, and is more secure. On the other hand, Wi-Fi 5 is cheaper and often fast enough. 

If you want the latest and greatest, go with a Wi-Fi 6 extender like the Netgear EAX80. But, it will only work to its full capacity if your router is also Wi-Fi 6.  

But even if your router is Wi-Fi 5, we still recommend a Wi-Fi 6 extender since you’ll likely need to upgrade your router soon anyway. 

However, a Wi-Fi 5 repeater will suffice for most people since they’re cheaper and more widespread. 

Check out our guide on Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 for more details. 

What if my Router is Wi-Fi 4?

Rather than purchasing an extender, get a new router if you have a Wi-Fi 4 router.

In many cases, if you upgrade from a Wi-Fi 4 router, your Wi-Fi dead spots will most likely go away.

For some excellent options, read our recommendations on AT&T routers.

Dual-band vs. Tri-band

A dual-band extender has two wireless networks- a 2.4 GHz network and a 5 GHz network. A tri-band extender also has a second 5 GHz network in addition to the other two.

A tri-band extender doesn’t make your internet speed faster, but it does provide more bandwidth.

This extra bandwidth is great for homes with many smart devices doing data-intensive online activities, like streaming or gaming.

If you have AT&T Fiber internet (1000 Mbps or higher) and many smart home devices, we recommend getting a tri-band repeater to take full advantage of their top-tier plan.

If you have a dual-band router, you can use a tri-band extender and vice-versa. Learn more about dual-band and tri-band routers and extenders here.

Coverage

The extender/repeater will generally display its coverage on the product page.

That being said, most we’ve tested are inaccurate. Some are a little overzealous, while others underestimate.

On average, the extenders we tested achieved between 70 and 120 percent of their stated range. To ensure your AT&T Internet covers your dead spots, we recommend buying a Wi-Fi extender with a 30 percent longer range than the distance you’ll need.

The quality of your router will strongly influence the coverage of your extender. This is because a better router can provide a stronger signal to the extender and a more powerful signal from the extender.

You should also be cautious about how close or far apart the extender is from the router. Both of these factors result in reduced speed and coverage.

Connected to the Router Using Ethernet or Wi-Fi

You can connect your extender to the router using either an Ethernet cable or wirelessly.

We recommend using an Ethernet connection because it provides a stronger and more stable link between the two devices. 

If you do connect wirelessly, make sure that the connection between the router and extender is good. A weak connection will result in reduced speeds and coverage for your devices.

To check the strength of the connection, log into the app for your extender and look at the “Signal Strength” indicator. If it’s anything below excellent, try moving the extender closer to the router. 

So, what mode is best?

In our testing, Ethernet gave us about twice the speed and 20% more range than wireless.  Plus, Ethernet makes the extender an “access point” and keeps a single network. 

Ethernet also provides a more stable connection, which is important when streaming 4k video or gaming online. 

So, we recommend using Ethernet whenever possible. 

The only downside to using Ethernet is that it’s not as convenient as Wi-Fi since you need to run an Ethernet cable between the router and extender. 

Mesh Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi Extender/Repeater 

The two main ways to increase your Wi-Fi range are Wi-Fi extenders and mesh networks. While they both expand the coverage and performance of networks, they do so differently. 

The primary distinction is that a Wi-Fi Repeater simply repeats an existing signal. In contrast, Mesh networks use many nodes to create a large Wi-Fi bubble with no single router.

If you have an AT&T INTERNET 500 plan or below (500 Mbps) and want to extend your coverage less than 60 feet, a WiFi repeater/extender is preferable.

If you have an AT&T INTERNET 1000 plan or better (1000 Mbps) and want to extend your Wi-Fi more than 60 feet, a Mesh System is the best choice.

Of course, this is just our educated opinion and isn’t set in stone. 

To learn more, read our article on Mesh Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi Repeaters.

How to Set Up an Extender With AT&T

To pair a Wi-Fi extender to your router, download the extender’s mobile app.

Then plug the extender in, connect to its Wi-Fi using your smartphone, and open its app. Then follow the onscreen instructions.

Typically, the whole process takes less than two minutes.

You may also use the WPS button on the extender. Connect both your router and the extender to each other by pressing the WPS button on both of them.

(The WPS button on most AT&T gateways is just above the Ethernet ports or on the front)

If you want to use an Ethernet connection between the devices, you’ll have to set up the extender on a computer.

On computers, when you launch any browser, you will be brought to the setup page.

For more info, check out our article on how to set up a Wi-Fi extender.

AT&T Internet Plans

Here are some of AT&T’s internet plans and the Wi-Fi Booster we recommend for that plan. [1]

Internet PlanWi-Fi Booster
INTERNET 25 (25 Mbps)TP-Link RE450 AC1750
INTERNET 50 (50 Mbps)TP-Link RE450 AC1750
INTERNET 100 (100 Mbps)TP-Link RE450 AC1750
INTERNET 300 (300 Mbps)Linksys RE7000 AC1900
INTERNET 500 (500 Mbps)TP-Link RE605X AX1800
INTERNET 1000 (1,000 Mbps)Netgear EAX80 AX6000
AT&T Fiber (5 Gbps)Netgear EAX80 AX6000

FAQs

Here are the most frequent questions we get concerning AT&T Internet with Wi-Fi extenders. 

Which is the best Wi-Fi Extender for AT&T?

The best Wi-Fi extender for AT&T is the one that gives you the best combination of speed, range, and features for your internet plan and your home. 

For example, if you have AT&T’s INTERNET 300 plan, the TP-Link RE450 AC1750 might be best for you since you wouldn’t need an ultra-fast unit. 

But, our top recommendation is the TP-Link RE650.

It’s not prohibitively expensive, and it has excellent speed and coverage. Plus, it makes a single network.

Does A Wi-Fi Extender Slow Down Internet Speed?

No, a Wi-Fi extender does not slow down your internet connection. However, your internet speed will be affected by the quality of your router and the strength of the signal between the router and extender. 

Do I Need a Wi-Fi Extender if I Have AT&T Fiber?

You might not need an extender if you have AT&T Fiber because it’s one of the fastest internet plans and typically would come with a newer router with great range. 

However, if you have trouble getting a strong signal in some areas of your home, an extender can help. 

Can I Use a Wi-Fi Range Extender With Any Router?

Yes, you can use a range extender with any router. However, you will get the best results if you use it with a router that supports the same wireless standard (802.11ac or 802.11n).

And use an extender that is the same brand as your router if you can. Usually, they pair easier and create a single network.  

How Do I Know If My Router Is Wi-Fi 4?

The best way to find out is to check the documentation that came with your router or on the router’s label, usually on the back or bottom, look for 802.11n. Alternatively, you can check online for information about your specific model. 

The Final Verdict

If you have AT&T Internet and want to extend your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, a good Wi-Fi extender is required.

The TP-Link RE650 is a great option for anyone seeking to save money and get high-end features at a lower price. However, it may not be the best choice for everyone.

Here are some things to consider while choosing the best one for you:

  • The extender’s range
  • How it connects to the router (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
  • Your home’s size
  • The speed of your AT&T plan
  • Your budget

After you’ve considered all of these variables, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the best Wi-Fi extender for your needs.

Which Wi-Fi extender is at the top of your list and why? Let us know in the comments below. 

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