6 Best Wi-Fi Extenders for CenturyLink Fiber

This is our review of the best Wi-Fi extenders and repeaters for CenturyLink Internet plans in 2022. 

We bought a handful of Wi-Fi extenders and set up and tested them the same way to find the greatest performers.

After our testing, we can confidently say the TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is our top Wi-Fi extender pick for CenturyLink. It’s lightning-fast, affordable, and simple to set up.

Still, a different extender might be a better fit for your requirements and home. After all, each person has different Internet plans, routers, budgets, and homes that influence which Wi-Fi booster performs best.

So, we’ve compiled a list of the top six Wi-Fi extenders for CenturyLink to help you figure out which one is ideal for you.

To learn which is best for you, keep reading. 

Top 6 Wi-Fi Extenders For CenturyLink Fiber

1. TP-Link RE605X AX1800 – Editor’s Choice
2. TP-Link RE650 AC2600 – Best Range
3. Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Performer
4. Netgear EAX20 AX1800 – Runner Up
5. Netgear EX7300 AC2200 – Best Value
6. TP-Link RE450 AC1750 – Budget Friendly

6 Best Wi-Fi Extenders For CenturyLink Fiber

Here are our brief reviews of the top Wi-Fi boosters for CenturyLink internet. 

#1 TP-Link RE605X AX1800 – Editor’s Choice

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is our top choice Wi-Fi extender for CenturyLink.

It can extend your Wi-Fi signal up to 60 feet, enough to fully cover big homes. It also has speeds of up to 346.35 Mbps on the 5 GHz band at five feet and 674.53 Mbps on Ethernet at the same distance.

A Wi-Fi speed of 346.35 Mbps is more than enough to stream over ten 4k videos simultaneously!

Since it has such quick speeds, you can use it with all CenturyLink Internet plan levels, including their Fiber plan.

This Wi-Fi extender works with all major Wi-Fi routers and has a gigabit Ethernet port for hardwiring devices.

The RE605X was incredibly simple to set up. All we had to do was join the Wi-Fi network and follow the Tether app’s on-screen instructions. The installation took less than a minute.

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is a fantastic Wi-Fi extender for CenturyLink users seeking top speeds with a good range at an affordable price.

The RE605X has a disadvantage– if you don’t have a TP-Link router with OneMesh, it creates a second network.

This means that your router’s network and the extender’s network will be separate. As a result, you’ll need to change the network on your wireless devices as you travel throughout your house.

But, if you connect the TE605X to your router with an Ethernet connection, it will act as a single network.

Overall, the TP-Link TE605X is a top-performing Wi-Fi extender for your home network. It’s quick to set up and doesn’t cost a fortune.

The only disadvantage we discovered is that it creates a second network unless you have OneMesh or connect it via Ethernet.

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#2 TP-Link RE650 AC2600 – Best Range

The TP-Link RE650 AC2600 is our top choice for the best Wi-Fi extender for CenturyLink, with an excellent range.

The TP-Link RE650 Wi-Fi extender provides more range than any other device we tried. It can extend your Wi-Fi signal up to 70 feet.

Connecting to the router with Ethernet increase the range an extra 10 feet– bumping it up to 80 feet total.

This is just enough coverage to reach every corner of your home, even in some mansions. In some cases, you might even extend Wi-Fi access to your detached garage.

Regarding speed, this Wi-Fi extender offers impressive download rates on the 5 GHz band. It reached 332.58 Mbps on Wi-Fi and 657.23 Mbps on Ethernet at five feet.

The TP-Link RE650 also has a Gigabit Ethernet port, should you wish to hardwire devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs. And it works with all major routers.

With its lightning-quick performance, you can download your next video game and stream several 4k videos simultaneously without any issues.

We had no trouble setting up the RE650 with TP-Link’s Tether app. It only took a few minutes.

A disadvantage of the RE650 is that it uses a second network, which might be problematic with wireless devices as you move around your home. However, if you have a TP-Link router and use OneMesh, you’ll only have one network.

The TP-Link RE650 AC2600 is a fantastic Wi-Fi extender for CenturyLink customers seeking the greatest possible range. However, it has one disadvantage: it creates a secondary network if you don’t have a TP-Link router with OneMesh.

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#3 Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Performer

The Netgear EAX80 AX6000 is our best performer pick for CenturyLink because it’s an extremely powerful Wi-Fi booster that can increase your Wi-Fi signal up to 65 feet.

That’s enough coverage to eliminate Wi-Fi dead-spots in homes of almost every size.

The Netgear EAX80 has an integrated 4×4 MU-MIMO antenna that provides blazing fast speeds of up to 437.34 Mbps on Wi-Fi and 811.59 Mbps on Ethernet at five feet with the 5 GHz.

This is quick enough to download a 20 GB file in under eight minutes!

The Netgear EAX80 also supports the newest 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6) and is compatible with all major Wi-Fi routers, including those from CenturyLink.

The EAX80 creates no secondary network, which is a significant advantage. You can freely move about your home with mobile devices without worrying about the network you’re connected to.

The setup of the EAX80 was a bit more complicated than the other models we tested. Also, to switch from Wi-Fi mode to Ethernet, you must completely reset the EAX80.

It also costs more than the other five Wi-Fi boosters we recommend in this guide.

Even though there are a few drawbacks to consider, the Netgear EAX80 AX6000 is an excellent choice if you’re searching for a Wi-Fi extender with the greatest possible performance.

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#4 Netgear EAX20 AX1800 – Runner Up

The Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is our runner-up pick for the best Wi-Fi extender for CenturyLink.

The Netgear EAX20 had a Wi-Fi range of 50 feet and an Ethernet range of 60 feet during our assessment. This is about average compared with the other extenders we tested. Still, it provides enough coverage for the entire living area of large houses.

Plus, it can provide download speeds on Wi-Fi on the 5 GHz band of: 

• 398.67 Mbps at 5 feet
• 276.69 Mbps at 15 feet
• 236.70 Mbps at 25 feet

Connecting it to the router with Ethernet increased the speed by nearly 75%:

• 609.81 Mbps at 5 feet
• 344.84 Mbps at 15 feet
• 214.59 Mbps at 25 feet

Although Ethernet did not improve the speeds as much as other extenders, it is still significant. However, this is still extremely quick and fast enough to download most large files in minutes.

This Wi-Fi extender works with all major Wi-Fi routers and includes a gigabit Ethernet connection if you want to hardwire nearby devices like gaming consoles, computers, printers, etc., to your network.

The EAX20 makes a combined network. This means there will be no second network to deal with as you move about your home.

The EAX20’s drawback was that it was difficult for us to set up. To get the password to work, we had to move it closer to the router. However, after this setback, it connected and got up and running without a hitch.

For CenturyLink Internet subscribers searching for a good Wi-Fi extender without spending much money, the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is an excellent choice. This is despite its minor hiccup with setup.

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#5 Netgear EX7300 AC2200 – Best Value

For CenturyLink subscribers seeking the best value, our recommendation is the Netgear EX7300 AC2200 Wi-Fi extender.

At a distance of 5 feet on Wi-Fi, it offers speeds of up to 342.58 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.

It reached speeds of up to 651.58 Mbps at the same distance on Ethernet.

It’s not as fast as the other extenders, but it’s enough speed for your family to stream multiple 4k films at the same time. Plus, it makes a single network.

The Wi-Fi extender is also compatible with most Wi-Fi routers, including those from CenturyLink. Plus, it has a gigabit Ethernet connection which is helpful if you want to connect devices directly to your network.

Setting it up took under a minute. However, we encountered one difficulty– it wouldn’t connect right away. So, we did a hard reset, and everything worked as expected.

But, the EX7300 is still a good choice. It has exceptional speed and coverage (60 feet on Wi-Fi and 70 feet on Ethernet), and it is one of the less expensive options on this list.

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#6 TP-Link RE450 AC1750 – Budget-Friendly

The TP-Link RE450 AC1750 is the lowest cost Wi-Fi repeater on our list.

At five feet, it has speeds of up to 291.56 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and up to 125.44 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.

It’s the slowest of our Wi-Fi booster picks for CenturyLink. However, if you have CenturyLink’s Simply Unlimited Internet (100 Mbps), it is more than enough to take full advantage of your service’s speed.

The speeds are still good enough for multiple users to enjoy 4k video streaming, but it is certainly not the fastest extender we tested.

If you’re looking for even quicker speeds, when we hooked a laptop directly to the RE450 using Ethernet, it achieved a whopping 703.35 Mbps.

The TP-Link RE450 AC1750 is also one of the simpler repeaters to set up. It took us only a minute or two, and we had no problems.

It can cover a huge area: up to 60 feet on Wi-Fi and 70 feet on Ethernet. It can provide enough coverage for most houses, even big ones.

The RE450 generates a second network, which may be inconvenient if you frequently move your wireless devices throughout your home.

It does, however, compensate for its slower speed and second network with its low price and simple installation.

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Do you need a Wi-Fi Extender?

Some people do not require a Wi-Fi booster, but there are plenty of circumstances when one can be useful.

A Wi-Fi extender can help fill in the Wi-Fi gaps in your home’s network and can assist with performance by taking some of the strain off your router, which is helpful if you have many devices connected to the internet.

But before you invest in an extender, test moving your router first. Moving it to a central location might help you resolve your dead zone issues.

It’s also possible that your router is out of date. In that case, check our top CenturyLink router picks.

CenturyLink Wi-Fi Extender Buying Guide

Here is what we suggest you consider while purchasing a Wi-Fi extender/repeater for CenturyLink.

Match the Brand

You can use most Wi-Fi extenders with any router. But, we still advocate that you match the brand of your Wi-Fi extender to your router.

Why would you want to join them? The connection between your router and extender could be more seamless and easier to establish when they’re from the same manufacturer.

You may even be compatible with some extra features that are only accessible when you get the same brand.

For example, you can use a single SSID (network name) for both your router and extender with a Netgear Orbi system. As a result, any devices that connect to it view it as one network.

Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6

Older routers and extenders utilized the 802.11ac standard, now known as Wi-Fi 5.

The most up-to-date standard is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is both faster and more efficient than Wi-Fi 5.

If you have a Wi-Fi 6 router, you should consider purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 extender to enjoy the higher speeds.

Of course, a Wi-Fi 5 extender will still work with a Wi-Fi 6 router; you’ll just miss out on some of the performance advantages.

A Wi-Fi 6 router is included with CenturyLink Fiber plans. It helps you take full advantage of the speed they provide.

Check out our comparison guide to learn more about the differences between Wi-Fi 5 and 6.

What if my Router is Wi-Fi 4?

If you have an older router that supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), the performance improvements between a Wi-Fi 5 and a Wi-Fi 6 extender won’t be significant. Your router’s slower Wi-Fi 4 speeds will limit both devices.

Even if you don’t notice a considerable speed increase, upgrading to a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-F 6 extender may be beneficial since the newer technologies are more efficient.

This means your connection will be less susceptible to congestion and interference from other devices on the same standard, resulting in a more stable connection.

If you have slow Wi-Fi speeds with your CenturyLink Wi-Fi 4 router, it’s time to replace it. Read the label on the bottom or back of your router– if it is Wi-Fi 4, it will say “802.11n.” If you need a new router, check out our article on the top CenturyLink routers.

Dual-band vs. Tri-band

Most Wi-Fi extenders use the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands to boost your Wi-Fi signal. All CenturyLink home routers are dual-band.

Dual-band extenders use two bands, while tri-band extenders utilize an additional 5GHz band in addition to the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

The advantages of a tri-band router compared to a dual-band vary based on your particular needs. Nonetheless, in general, the additional 5GHz band may be beneficial if you have a lot of devices connected to your network since it provides more bandwidth for the extra devices.

However, keep in mind that not all wireless devices can utilize the 5 GHz frequency band, so even if you have a tri-band extender, you may still experience some congestion.

If you have a lot of networked devices, we recommend investing in a tri-band extender.

However, a dual-band extender will usually suffice if you only have a few devices and need to extend your signal to one or two rooms in your home.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of many Wi-Fi extenders is stated on the box or in the product description.

This is only a general rule of thumb. The exact coverage area for your router and extender will be determined by various factors, including the layout of your home, the number of walls between your router and extender, and any interference from other devices.

In general, we recommend purchasing an extender with a coverage area at least 30 percent greater than the range you’ll need to extend.

Why? 

In our tests, we discovered that extenders reach 70-120% of the range they promise. Oversizing by 30% will guarantee that you can connect to Wi-Fi in areas where there is no signal.

Connected to the Router Using Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Most Wi-Fi extenders can connect with your router using Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

If you have an Ethernet connection nearby, we recommend utilizing it since it will almost always provide the best performance and fastest speed.

If you don’t have an Ethernet connection or your extender doesn’t have a port, then connecting over Wi-Fi is the next best option.

If you connect your extender to your router wirelessly, it will use one of the router’s bands to communicate with other devices on your network. This reduces bandwidth somewhat.

In our testing, connecting with Ethernet increased the speed by a factor of two and extended the coverage area by 20%. Also, connecting with Ethernet does not establish a duplicate network.

So, if you can, connect your Wi-Fi extender to your router using an Ethernet cable.

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

“Should I get a mesh Wi-Fi system or a Wi-Fi extender?” is one of our most frequently asked questions.

The answer depends on your individual circumstances.

A mesh Wi-Fi system is ideal if you have a big house or one with a complicated layout.

A Wi-Fi mesh network has several nodes that work together to boost your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.

You may add as many nodes as needed to cover the whole house with Wi-Fi, and they all collaborate to form a single seamless network.

On the other hand, a Wi-Fi extender is better if you just need to add coverage to one or two rooms in your house. An extender is also better if you have a slower CenturyLink plan, like the Simply Unlimited Internet plan.

You can usually find a Wi-Fi extender without spending too much money, unlike with a mesh Wi-Fi system.

How to Set Up an Extender With CenturyLink

Any Wi-Fi extender compatible with the 802.11ac standard may be used with a CenturyLink Wi-Fi gateway router.

Before you begin, ensure your extender is in the same room as your router and has a connection to the Wi-Fi network.

Then, download the extender’s mobile app, which will guide you through the installation process. We used each manufacturer’s software for every extender we tested. They were all quite simple and took anything from one minute to 10 minutes.

Contact their customer support for assistance if you’re having trouble connecting your Wi-Fi extender to your CenturyLink Wi-Fi network.

Setting up an extender with a mobile app is the easiest way. The steps vary depending on the brand, but they are all very easy and take you through it one step at a time. 

CenturyLink Internet Plans

Here are CenturyLink’s internet plans and what Wi-Fi Booster I recommend for each plan. 

Plan	Max Download Speed	Recommended Booster
Simply Unlimited Internet	100 Mbps	TP-Link RE450 AC1750
Fiber Internet	940 Mbps	TP-Link RE605X AX1800

FAQs

Here are the most frequent questions we get concerning CenturyLink and Wi-Fi boosters. 

The Final Verdict

If you want to expand your Wi-Fi network and have a CenturyLink Internet plan, a Wi-Fi extender is the way to go.

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is our top pick since it’s fast, simple to set up, has a wide coverage area, and is a reasonable price.

Even so, picking the proper Wi-Fi extender may be difficult due to the various choices on the market.