This is our review of the top Wi-Fi extender for Frontier Fios in 2024.
We bought a dozen popular Wi-Fi repeaters and extenders to determine which are the best for Frontier Fios internet.
After we finished our extensive testing, we determined that the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is the best Wi-Fi extender for Frontier Fios. It’s fast, easy to set up, and won’t empty your bank account.
Editor’s Choice – Netgear EAX20
Best Overall
- Coverage: 50 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 398.67 Mbps
- Separate networks: No
- Recommended for: FiberOptic Gig Service
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX1800
- Warranty: 1-year
That said, the best extender for your home could vary. We all have different homes, internet plans (and speed), and routers/modems, all of which are a factor in which extender works best.
As such, we have compiled the top 5 extenders for Frontier Fios so you can choose the one that works best for your situation.
So let’s get started.
Top 5 Wi-Fi Extenders For Frontier Fios
- Netgear EAX20 AX1800 – Editor’s Choice
- TP-Link RE605X AX1800 – Best Performer
- Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Range
- Netgear EX7300 AC2200 – Runner Up
- Linksys RE7000 AC1900 – Budget-Friendly
5 Best Wi-Fi Extenders For Frontier Fios
Here are our brief reviews of the top Wi-Fi boosters for Frontier Fios.
#1 Netgear EAX20 AX1800 – Editor’s Choice
- Coverage: 50 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 398.67 Mbps
- Separate networks: No
- Recommended for: FiberOptic Gig Service
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Combined networks
Cons
- Setup hiccups
The Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is our top pick for the best Wi-Fi extender for any Frontier Fios customer.
This Wi-Fi extender can extend your Wi-Fi signal up to an additional 50 feet and deliver speeds of up to 398.67 Mbps at five feet and 236.7 Mbps at 25 feet on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
The 50-foot range is just above average and can reach most rooms in a modest size house.
To put that in perspective, 398.67 is enough to stream around twelve 4k videos simultaneously. But, we are wondering why you would be watching that many videos at once.
When we connected the EAX20 to Ethernet, the speeds increased to 609.81 Mbps at five feet.
That’s fast enough to download a terabyte of data in less than four hours.
The EAX20 was somewhat difficult to set up. It would not accept our network password (even though it was correct). But moving the extender closer to the router made the password work.
Besides the password hiccup, the setup was straightforward. You can use the Netgear app or the web interface. We prefer using the app because it walks you through the entire process step-by-step.
Once you have the app, all you need to do is plug in the extender, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and then follow the prompts on the app.
It’s really that simple and comes with various features that make it one of the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market.
Some of those features include:
- 4 Ethernet ports for wired devices (improves speed and lowers the latency)
- 2 USB ports for storage and printers
- Guest Wi-Fi network (better security)
Moreover, it’s a Mesh extender, meaning it will combine its network with your router’s existing network. This means you won’t have to deal with switching back and forth between networks as you move about your house.
And it’s compatible with a variety of Wi-Fi routers, including Frontier Fios routers.
If you’re looking for the best Wi-Fi extender for Frontier Fios, the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is an excellent option.
#2 TP-Link RE605X AX1800 – Best Performer
- Coverage: 60 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 346.35 Mbps
- Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
- Recommended for: FiberOptic Gig Service or below
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Great speed
- 3-year warranty
- Fast and easy setup
Cons
- Separate networks
The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 Wi-Fi extender is our top performer for Frontier Fios.
This Wi-Fi extender was able to extend our Wi-Fi signal up to an additional 60 feet (large enough coverage for large multi-floor homes). On 5 GHz, Wi-Fi delivered speeds of:
- 346.35 Mbps at five feet
- 268.04 Mbps at 15 feet
- 226.7 Mbps at 25 feet
So fast that you could download 5 GB of music quicker than listening to one song.
And if you connect the extender to Ethernet, you can download it almost twice as fast with speeds of 674.53 Mbps at five feet.
The RE605X was very easy to set up. You can use the TP-Link Tether app or the web interface. We prefer using the app because it walks you through the entire process step-by-step.
Once you have the app, all you need to do is plug in the extender, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and then follow the prompts on the app.
It’s really that simple and comes with various features that make it one of the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market.
But, it does have one downside. The RE605X AX1800 creates a separate network if you don’t have a TP-Link router with OneMesh. Meaning you’ll have to switch between networks as you move throughout your home with wireless devices.
But with using an Ethernet cable, you won’t have separate networks.
If you want speed, excellent coverage, and an affordable price, the TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is a great choice for you.
Its only drawback is using a secondary network with routers without OneMesh (unless you’re connected to Ethernet).
#3 Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Range
- Coverage: 65 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 437.34 Mbps
- Separate networks: No
- Recommended for: Any Frontier Fios plan
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX6000
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros
- Very fast
- Great range
- Single network
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Not easy to set up
The Netgear EAX80 AX6000 Wi-Fi extender is our top pick for the best range.
This Wi-Fi extender extended our Wi-Fi signal up to an additional 65 feet and delivered speeds of up to 437.34 Mbps at five feet and 227.59 Mbps at 25 feet on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
To put that in perspective, 437.34 Mbps is enough to stream multiple 4k videos simultaneously. And 65 feet gives you enough coverage to reach the furthest corners of your home.
When we connected the EAX80 to Ethernet, the speeds increased to 811.59 Mbps at five feet.
Almost double that of Wi-Fi. So fast that you could download large files in mere minutes.
The EAX80 was very easy to set up. You can use the Netgear app or the web interface. We prefer using the app because it walks you through the entire process step-by-step.
Once you have the app, all you need to do is plug in the extender, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and then follow the prompts on the app. It only takes a few minutes.
Plus, the EAX80 doesn’t create a separate network. It strengthens your existing one. Meaning you will never have to worry about switching networks as you move about your house.
The setup had a few hangups, and switching between Wi-Fi and Ethernet required a complete reset. Another drawback is that the EAX80 is a bit costly, more expensive than the other options we tested.
Overall, the Netgear EAX80 AX6000 is a solid option for the Frontier Fios Gigabit plan since it is fast and has a great range with a single network. But it is expensive and takes longer to set up than other options.
#4 Netgear EX7300 AC2200 – Runner Up
- Coverage: 60 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 324.58 Mbps
- Separate networks: Yes
- Recommended for: Ultimate 500 or lower
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5
- Warranty: 1-year
Pros
- Simple setup
- Easy to switch between repeater and extender
- Good range
Cons
- Setup hiccup
The Netgear EX7300 AC2200 Wi-Fi extender is our runner up.
This Wi-Fi extender was able to extend our Wi-Fi signal up to an additional 60 feet (about average range but enough to cover most large homes) and delivered speeds of up to 324.58 Mbps at five feet and 239.65 Mbps at 15 feet on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
These speeds are fast enough to stream 4k movies, do online gaming, and connect to multiple video calls at the same time.
When we connected the EX7300 to Ethernet, the speeds increased to 651.58 Mbps at five feet and 329.45 Mbps at 15 feet on the 5 GHz band.
The EX7300 was very easy to set up. You can use the Netgear app or the web interface. We used the app to set it up (which is usually the fastest way).
Once you have the app, all you need to do is plug in the extender, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and then follow the prompts on the app. It only takes a few minutes.
Another benefit of this Wi-Fi extender is that it does not create a secondary network. Single networks are better since you don’t have to ever switch between networks.
Also, one had a hangup during setup that a hard reset fixed. Another downside which we assume isn’t typical.
Other than some setup issues, the Netgear EX7300 AC2200 Wi-Fi extender is a great option for all levels of Frontier Fios internet plans.
#5 Linksys RE7000 AC1900 – Best Value
- Coverage: 60 feet
- Max speed (Wi-Fi): 320.83 Mbps
- Separate networks: Yes
- Recommended for: FiberOptic 50 and DSL Internet plans
- Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5
- Warranty: 3-years
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Pretty good range
- Decent speeds
Cons
- Creates a second network
- Lengthy setup
The Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Wi-Fi extender is our best value extender pick.
This Wi-Fi extender was able to extend our Wi-Fi signal up to an additional 60 feet on Wi-Fi and 70 feet on Ethernet. And it delivered speeds of up to 320.83 Mbps at 5 feet on 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
An additional 60 to 70 feet of Wi-Fi range can bring internet to the entire floorplan of large, multi-story homes.
On 5 GHz Ethernet, the speed increased to 519.73 Mbps at 5 feet.
While these speeds are not as fast as the Netgear EX7300 or EAX80, they are still plenty fast for most people’s needs.
You’ll be able to stream 4k movies, join a video conference, and video game online without any loading issues.
The Linksys RE7000 comes with an ethernet port so you can connect it directly to your modem, router, or computer. This will give you the fastest possible speeds.
The setup is very easy, and you can do it with the Linksys App or the web interface. Setup is easier on the mobile app since it walks you through each step.
Setup with the app took us about 10 minutes. A bit longer compared to just a few minutes for other extenders we tested.
The Linksys RE7000 creates a new network too. So if you want to have a single network in your house, this option may not be best for you.
The only other drawback of this Wi-Fi extender is that it doesn’t have as many features (like a single network) as some of the other options on our list. But if you are just looking for an extender to boost your Wi-Fi signal, this is a great option.
Overall, the Linksys RE7000 AC1900 Wi-Fi extender is a great value pick because it’s one of the more affordable Wi-Fi extenders, and it still delivers decently fast speeds.
Do you need a Wi-Fi Extender?
Suppose you have great Wi-Fi speeds in most areas of your home. But you have one dead spot where the Wi-Fi can’t connect or is very slow.
In that case, you might need a Wi-Fi extender to help boost the signal in that area. A Wi-Fi extender takes the signal from your router and extends it to areas of your home where the Wi-Fi is weak or nonexistent.
Most people don’t need a Wi-Fi extender because they either have good Wi-Fi coverage throughout their home or they only have one dead spot.
But if you constantly have to move around your home to find a good Wi-Fi connection, an extender can be a lifesaver. And if you have a large home, you might need more than one Wi-Fi extender to get full coverage.
With that said, before you buy an extender, move your router to a central spot first. This could fix your problems.
Also, if your Frontier Fios internet speed is slow because of their gateway, you may want to get your own router. Check out our article on the best routers for Frontier Fios for some options.
Frontier Fios Wi-Fi Extender Buying Guide
Here are the top considerations you should have while shopping for a Wi-Fi extender/repeater for Frontier Fios. For a more general buying guide, go here.
Match the Brand
Even though almost all Wi-Fi extenders work with all routers, we still recommend matching the brands.
Why?
Because it’s easier to set up and get working. In most cases, you can just plug in the extender to an outlet, press a button on both the router and the extender, and you’re done.
That’s not always the case when you mix brands.
Not all brands are created equal. Some brands (like Netgear) make it easy to connect their routers with other brands of extenders. But others are more difficult.
As an example, TP-Link extenders use a single network when you connect to a TP-Link router. But if you connect it to another brand, you will have two networks.
Frontier FiOS uses Netgear or Arris for their gateways. So, if you have a Netgear router provided by them, it is better to get a Netgear extender.
Arris, however, doesn’t make extenders, so if you have an Arris gateway this will be impossible.
You don’t necessarily need to match brands, but we recommend it if you want an easier setup process.
Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6
Today, Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 are the main standards for Wi-Fi routers.
The main difference between the two standards is speed and range.
If you have a Wi-Fi 5 router, any extender you get should also be Wi-Fi 5. The same goes for Wi-Fi 6 routers and extenders.
For most people, we recommend getting a Wi-Fi 6 extender because it will future-proof your home network and take full advantage of what your Frontier Fios plan offers. Even if your router is Wi-Fi 5, you will probably update it to Wi-Fi 6 in the future.
And as more devices come out that support Wi-Fi 6, your speeds will only increase.
Read our in-depth guide on Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 for more info.
What if my Router is Wi-Fi 4?
Older routers use the 802.11n standard, now referred to as Wi-Fi 4.
If you still have a Wi-Fi 4 router, we recommend upgrading to a new Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router because it will be faster and have a better range.
No new router you get from Frontier will be Wi-Fi 4. But older ones might be.
That said, you can still use a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 extender with your older router. Just know that you won’t get the full benefits of the latest standards.
Here are our top recommendations for Frontier Fios routers if you need an upgrade.
Dual-band vs. Tri-band
Most routers and extenders today use the dual-band standard, which means they have two wireless networks: 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
The 2.4GHz network is older and slower but has a better range. The 5GHz network is newer and faster but has a shorter range.
If you live in a small home or apartment, you can probably get away with using a dual-band router/extender because you don’t need the extra range that the 2.4GHz network provides.
But if you have a fast Frontier internet plan (500-1000 Mbps) or lots of devices that connect to your Wi-Fi network, we recommend getting a tri-band router/extender.
Tri-band routers have an additional 5GHz network that you can use to connect devices that don’t need the full speed of the main 5GHz network.
This frees up the main 5GHz network for devices requiring faster speeds and leaves the 2.4GHz network for devices requiring a better range.
If your home has many smart devices, a Mesh network might be a better choice than a tri-band router or extender.
For more info, check out our article on dual-band vs. tri-band.
Coverage
The next thing you need to consider is the size of your home.
Not all Wi-Fi extenders are created equal when it comes to range.
Some Wi-Fi extenders can cover a small home or apartment, while others can cover a large home or office.
We found that most extenders’ range falls between 70 to 120% of what they advertise. So to be sure your extender reaches as far as you need it to, oversize your extender by 30%.
If you live in a small home or apartment, we recommend getting a Wi-Fi extender that has a range of at least 50 feet.
But if you live in a large home or office, a Mesh Wi-Fi network could be a better choice.
Connected to the Router Using Ethernet or Wi-Fi
All the Wi-Fi extenders we tested could connect to your router two ways – with Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
For the best performance, we recommend connecting your Wi-Fi extender to your router with an Ethernet cable.
This will give you the fastest speeds and best range because there is no chance of interference from other devices that are using Wi-Fi.
Some Wi-Fi extenders come with an Ethernet port, while others don’t. If you want to use Ethernet, make sure the Wi-Fi extender you’re considering has an Ethernet port.
With that said, it could be difficult to connect an extender with an Ethernet cable, depending on the location.
If you can’t or don’t want to use Ethernet, you can connect your Wi-Fi extender to your router with Wi-Fi.
Just know that you might not gain full access to the speed and range your Frontier Fios Internet plan provides as you would with Ethernet.
learn more at repeater vs. extender.
So, what mode is best?
Whether Wi-Fi or Ethernet is best depends on your circumstances.
We recommend connecting your Wi-Fi extender to your router with an Ethernet cable if you want the best possible performance.
In our testing, Ethernet gave around a 20% larger coverage area and about double the speed compared to Wi-Fi. And it doesn’t create a second network.
If you have one of the Frontier Fios 500 Mbps internet plans or faster, using a mesh Wi-Fi network with Ethernet is the best way to take full advantage of the plans’ speeds.
And if you don’t want to have Ethernet cables all over your home, consider getting a powerline adapter.
(Ethernet over your home’s electrical wiring)
Mesh Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi Boosters
Wi-Fi boosters and Mesh Wi-Fi networks are both great options for expanding your Frontier Fios Wi-Fi coverage area in your home.
But they are quite different.
A mesh Wi-Fi network is made up of multiple Wi-Fi nodes, or points, that work together to create a single Wi-Fi network.
Each node is connected to the other nodes via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and they all share the same SSID (network name) and password.
This means you can move between nodes without reconnecting to the Wi-Fi network each time.
A Wi-Fi extender/repeater, on the other hand, often creates a new Wi-Fi network that is separate from your main router’s network.
It connects to your router wirelessly and rebroadcasts the signal to extend your coverage area.
You will have to reconnect to the Wi-Fi network each time you move between the router and extender/repeater.
So, which is better?
It depends on your needs.
If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi solution that is easy to set up and provides seamless coverage throughout your home, then a mesh Wi-Fi system is the way to go.
And if you have a fast plan, like the Frontier Fios FiberOptic Gig Service, a Mesh network will help you take full advantage of the speed.
But, suppose you’re looking for a Wi-Fi solution that is more affordable and can be easily moved around as needed, or you have a slower Frontier Fios plan like the FiberOptic 50. In those cases, a Wi-Fi extender/repeater is a good choice.
If you want to learn more on the topic, go here.
How to Set Up a Wi-Fi Extender With Frontier Fios
In general, setting up an extender with Frontier Fios is simple. But it varies slightly depending on the make and model of your extender and router.
You just need to find a location for the extender within range of your Fios router. Once you have a good spot, follow these steps to set up with a computer:
- Connect the extender to an electrical outlet.
- Use an Ethernet cable to connect the extender to your computer or connect to the extender’s Wi-Fi.
- Launch a web browser on your computer and go to myfiosgateway.com.
- Click on “Advanced Setup” and then “Wireless Settings.”
- Enter your network password and click “Connect.”
- Once connected, click on “Network Extender” and then “Enable.”
- Follow the prompts to complete the setup process.
And that’s it! Once you’ve completed these steps, your Wi-Fi extender will be up and running, and you’ll be able to enjoy improved Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
Setting it up with an app is even simpler! Just download the extender’s mobile app and follow the step-by-step instructions.
For a more in-depth guide, go here.
Frontier Fios Internet Plans
Here are Frontier’s internet plans and the Wi-Fi Booster I recommend for each plan. [1]
Internet Plan | Wi-Fi Booster |
Frontier Basic Internet (9 Mbps) | Linksys RE7000 AC1900 |
Frontier Preferred Internet DSL (25 Mbps) | Linksys RE7000 AC1900 |
Frontier Premium Internet DSL (115 Mbps) | Netgear EX7300 AC2200 |
FiberOptic 50 (50 Mbps) | Netgear EAX20 AX1800 |
FiberOptic 500 (500 Mbps) | TP-Link RE605X AX1800 |
FiberOptic Gig Service (1,000 Mbps) | Netgear EAX80 AX6000 |
FiberOptic 2 Gig Service (2,000 Mbps) | Netgear EAX80 AX6000 |
FAQs
Here are the most frequent questions we get about Frontier Fios and Wi-Fi boosters.
Where should I install the Wi-Fi extender?
After testing as many Wi-Fi extenders as we could get our hands-on, we’ve concluded that the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is the best Wi-Fi extender for Frontier Fios customers.
It’s fast, the app is helpful during setup, and it’s compatible with all Frontier Fios routers.
The only downside is that it’s a bit difficult to set up, but it’s a great Wi-Fi extender and available at a reasonable price once you get it going.
Which is the best Wi-Fi Extender for Frontier Fios?
After testing as many Wi-Fi extenders as we could get our hands-on, we’ve concluded that the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is the best Wi-Fi extender for Frontier Fios customers.
It’s fast, the app is helpful during setup, and it’s compatible with all Frontier Fios routers.
The only downside is that it’s a bit difficult to set up, but it’s a great Wi-Fi extender and available at a reasonable price once you get it going.
Do I Need to Change My Frontier Fios Password After Installing a Wi-Fi Extender?
No, you don’t need to change your Wi-Fi password after installing an extender. Unless you think your password has been compromised by some other means.
Does A Wi-Fi Extender Slow Down Internet Speed?
No Wi-Fi extenders don’t slow down your overall internet speed.
However, secondary devices (like extenders) result in some speed loss. So, internet speed through your extender will never be as fast as your router.
And since the point of extenders is to bring Wi-Fi to areas your router can’t reach, slightly slower internet is better than no internet.
The Final Verdict
Now that you have seen our top 5 picks for the best Wi-Fi extenders for Frontier Fios, it’s time to make a decision.
If you’re looking for the best overall Wi-Fi extender, we recommend the Netgear EAX20 AX1800.
It’s easy to set up, has various features, and it’s compatible with Frontier Fios routers even though we had some slight hangups with the setup.