5 Best Wi-Fi Extenders for Mediacom

This is our review of the best Wi-Fi repeaters/extenders for Mediacom in 2022. 

Mediacom Approved modems and routers

We purchased a handful of Wi-Fi repeaters and extenders to test and determine which one is the top performer. 

And after our extensive testing, the results are clear that the best Wi-Fi extender for Mediacom is the TP-Link RE605X AX1800. It’s simple to set up, blazing-fast, and won’t break the bank. 

TP-Link RE605X AX1800
Source: TP-Link.com

Editor’s Choice – TP-Link RE605X

Best Overall

  • Coverage:  ≈ 60 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 346.35 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  Mediacom 1 GIG or below
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX1800
  • Warranty: 3 years

However, the best extender for your home depends on your needs and conditions. Everyone has different homes, routers, and internet plans, which play into which extender works best. 

Therefore, we’ve listed the top 5 extenders for Mediacom so you can pick the one that works best for you. 

Continue reading to learn about the top 5 options. 

Top 5 Wi-Fi Extenders For Mediacom

  1. TP-Link RE605X AX1800Editor’s Choice
  2. Netgear EAX80 AX6000Best Performer
  3. TP-Link RE650 AC2600Best Range
  4. Netgear X6S EX8000 AC3000Runner Up
  5. Netgear EAX20 AX1800Best Value

5 Best Wi-Fi Extenders For Mediacom

Here are brief reviews of the best Wi-Fi boosters for Mediacom. 

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

TP-Link RE605X AX1800
  • Coverage: ≈ 60 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 346.35 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  Mediacom 1 GIG or below
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX1800
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Fast speeds
  • 3-year warranty
  • Quick and easy setup

Cons

  • Separate networks

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 Wi-Fi booster is a solid device for extending the range of your Mediacom Wi-Fi network. It works best with the “Internet 1 GIG” or lower-tier plans. 

The setup of the TP-Link booster was amazingly simple. All you have to do is connect to the Wi-Fi network and follow the Tether app’s step-by-step instructions. All in all, the setup took less than a minute

This wasn’t our first time setting up an extender (we’ve done way too many). But it was so simple; anyone could do it. 

During our testing with Ethernet, it achieved speeds of 674.53 Mbps at 5 feet. With wireless, using the 5 GHz band, it got 346.35 Mbps at 5 feet, 268.04 at 15 feet, and 257.04 from 25 feet. 

If you’re wondering if these speeds are good, here’s a reference point: 350 Mbps download speed is enough to stream ten 4k movies at the same time! 

This means you can download most things in mere minutes (especially with the higher download speed with an Ethernet connection). 

I have to note that we tested this extender with a very good router – the ASUS RT-AX88U. If you’re working with a slow router, your performance will be limited. 

The only negative thing about the RE605X AX1800 is that it creates a separate network if you don’t have a TP-Link router with OneMesh. This means you will have to switch between networks as you move throughout your home with wireless devices. 

Note: If you use an Ethernet cable, you won’t have separate networks. 

If you have Mediacom internet but don’t want the hassle of different networks, look into the Netgear extenders instead. 

The TP-Link RE605X AX1800 is a great choice to extend your home network. It has fantastic coverage, fast speed, easy setup, and a cost-effective price. 

The RE605X’s only drawback is that it uses a secondary network with routers that don’t have OneMesh. 




#2 Netgear EAX80 AX6000 – Best Performer

Netgear EAX80 AX6000
  • Coverage: ≈ 65 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 437.34 Mbps
  • Separate networks: No
  • Recommended for: Any Mediacom internet plan
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6 AX6000
  • Warranty: 1-year

Pros

  • Blazing fast
  • Great range
  • Single network

Cons

  • More expensive than other options
  • Not simple to set up

The Netgear EAX80 AX6000 (read review here) has the fastest speed of any of all the extenders we tested that will work with any Mediacom plans. 

Its wireless speed performance was fantastic for a Wi-Fi extender– reaching 437.34 Mbps at 5 feet and 365.68 Mbps at 15 feet using the 5 GHz band. 

But, the speed fell off at 25 feet from the extender, measuring just 227.59 Mbps. But, this is still a fantastic performance for a Wi-Fi extender. 

To give you an idea of how fast this extender is– if you are nearby, you can download a 5 GB file in less than 2 minutes! Plus, its throughput is so fast that you can download relatively anything in minutes. 

The EAX80 has a strong range, enough to cover an entire floor of a modest-sized house. It had a strong signal everywhere we tested it. We estimate it can reach up to 65 feet (which is a bit more than the TP-Link RE605X). 

With the EAX80 Wi-Fi booster, you don’t have to worry about switching back and forth between two networks. That’s right; the EAX80 does not create a secondary network; it strengthens your existing network. This means you can roam your home freely without pesky network swapping. 

While the Netgear EAX80 AX6000 excels in many areas, it does have some downsides

It is not easy to set up and is more difficult than the other units we tested. Plus, switching back and forth between Wi-Fi and Ethernet mode requires a complete reset of the EAX80 to work. 

Lastly, its cost is high, on the border of “it might be a good idea to get a new router instead” and “maybe another option is better.”

With that said, the Netgear Nighthawk EAX80 is a top performer with incredible range and speed. If you prefer performance and don’t mind the extra cost, this option is for you. 




#3 TP-Link RE650 AC2600 – Best Range

TP-Link RE650 AC2600
  • Coverage: ≈ 70 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 332.58 Mbps
  • Separate networks: Yes (not with TP-Link routers)
  • Recommended for:  Mediacom 400 Mbps plan 
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5 AC2600 
  • Warranty: 3 years

Pros

  • Fast speed
  • 3-year warranty
  • Great range

Cons

  • Creates secondary network

The TP-Link RE650 AC2600 is a fantastic Wi-Fi extender that will eliminate any dead spots in your home. 

During our testing, its Wi-Fi signal achieved:

  • 332.58 Mbps at 5 feet
  • 276.39 Mbps at 25 feet
  • 202.42 Mbps at 40 feet

This is surprisingly fast for a Wi-Fi 5 extender which is more than enough for a family of 5 to all stream 4k movies at the same time. 

But, it creates a secondary network, which can be problematic for wireless devices since you have to switch networks if you change locations. Just one minor drawback. But, if you have a TP-Link router with OneMesh, there will be just one network. 

When you connect this extender to your router and use TP-Link’s “Access Point” mode, the separate network goes away, and your speeds get faster– 657.23 Mbps at 5 feet (up from the previous 332.58 Mbps). 

Theoretically, the family of 5 would be able to each stream three 4k movies each simultaneously without an issue. 

But that’s not all; where the TP-LInk RE650 really excels is its range

This extender had the best signal out of every extender we tested. Connected to Wi-Fi, we estimate its range to be around 70 feet. This is more than enough to cover an entire floor, even in gigantic homes. 

Connecting the extender to the router with Ethernet made the signal strength even better– we estimate around 80 feet. 

Along with its incredible range, it was very simple to set up. Using the Tether app on your mobile device takes just a few minutes. 

The TP-Link RE650 easily takes the cake as the extender with the best range. It just has the minor disadvantage of creating a secondary network (unless you use OneMesh). 




#4 Netgear X6S EX8000 AC3000 – Runner Up

Netgear X6S EX8000 AC3000
  • Coverage: 50 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 318.21 Mbps
  • Separate networks: No
  • Recommended for:  Mediacom 1 GIG plan 
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 5
  • Warranty: 1-year

Pros

  • Good range
  • Fast speed
  • Tri-band

Cons

  • Trickier set up

The Netgear X6S EX8000 AC3000 is a solid choice if you have the Mediacom 1 GIG plan or lower (1000 Mbps). 

It reached a speed of 318.21 Mbps at 5 feet, 184.51 Mbps at 15 feet, and 158.51 Mbps from 25 feet with the 5 GHz band. 

While not as fast as our top pick, these speeds are still great for the internet needs of most families. 

When we connected it to the router with Ethernet, its throughput nearly doubled to 628.21 Mbps

You could download Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (101 GB) in less than 25 minutes at that speed

Note that we performed these tests with a Gigabit internet plan with a great router (the ASUS RT-AX88U). So, your mileage may vary if you use a weaker router. 

The X6S’s range was good, but nothing to write home about. It reaches about 50 feet. This should be large enough to cover most modestly sized home if you place it in a central location

While the Netgear X6S EX8000 AC3000 performs well, we did have some difficulty setting it up. It took a few attempts to get it to connect to the router. But it worked just fine after connecting. 

Furthermore, the Netgear X6S is tri-band, meaning it has an extra 5 GHz band. This provides more bandwidth, making it perfect for home networks with lots of smart devices. 

Although we had some obstacles setting it up, the Netgear X6S is a solid extender with decent range and speed performance. It also has combined networks which works better with wireless devices. 




#5 Netgear EAX20 AX1800 – Best Value

Netgear EX20 AX1800
  • Coverage: 50 feet
  • Max speed (Wi-Fi): 398.67 Mbps
  • Separate networks: 
  • Recommended for: Mediacom 400 Mbps plan
  • Wireless standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Warranty: 1-year

Pros

  • Fast speed
  • Combined networks

Cons

  • Not as easy to set up

The Netgear EAX20 AX1800 (find our review here) is another great all-around “jack of all trades” option. 

It reached an amazing 398.67 Mbps at 5 feet and 276.69 Mbps at 15 feet. At 25 feet, it reached 236.7 Mbps. 

More than enough throughput to stream around ten 4k movies at the same time

When we connected Ethernet, the speed increased to 609.81 Mbps at 5 feet. Not as much of an increase as other models we tested, but still significant. 

This is fast enough for most homes with heavy internet use and lots of smart devices. 

Range-wise, the EAX20 did fine but was below average compared to other extenders. It reached about 50 feet. Which is still enough to cover an entire floor of most homes. 

Setting up the EAX20 wasn’t the easiest. The device said the network password was wrong (even though it was not). We had to move the router closer to get it to connect (this made the password correct all of a sudden). 

But, the Netgear EAX20 AX1800 is still a solid all-around option. Despite some difficulty setting it up. Connect the extender to your router with Ethernet if you want more throughput. 




Do you need a Wi-Fi Extender?

If you have good Wi-Fi coverage with great speed in your home besides one area, a Wi-Fi extender could help. An extender can increase the Wi-Fi coverage area to strengthen the signal in your dead spot. 

But first, you should try to optimize the location of your router. Simply moving the router to a central area in your home might fix the problem. 

Or, if your Mediacom performance is lacking because of their gateway, consider getting your own modem. Check out our best modems for Mediacom article for some recommendations.

Mediacom Wi-Fi Extender Buying Guide

Here is what you should consider if you’re shopping for a Wi-Fi extender/repeater for Mediacom. For a more general guide, check out our Wi-Fi extender buying guide

Match the Brand

Almost all Wi-Fi extenders and repeaters work with all router brands. But, it is still a good idea to match your router’s brand

Why? Because the chance of problems with setup and compatibility are fewer. Plus, it could provide extra benefits. 

For example, some brands, like TP-Link, use a single network if you use both a router and extender they make. But, if you use different brands, you could be stuck with two networks. 

Note – all of the extender models we tested worked just fine with routers of a different brand. But, matching them could give you better performance. 

But, Mediacom’s standard gateway is the Arris Touchstone. And since they don’t make an extender or repeater, it would be impossible to match. 

Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6

Today, the main Wi-Fi standards are Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.

The main difference between the two is that Wi-Fi 6 is faster, more secure, and can connect to more devices. Wi-Fi 5 is less expensive and usually fast enough for most homes. 

When you purchase a Wi-Fi extender for Mediacom, we recommend matching your router’s Wi-Fi standard. 

In other words, if your router is Wi-Fi 5, get a Wi-Fi 5 extender. It would be unnecessary to use a Wi-Fi 6 extender with a Wi-Fi 5 router (unless you want to future-proof it and plan to get a new router soon). 

Check its bottom label to determine if your router is Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6. 802.11ac means Wi-Fi 5, while 802.11ax stands for Wi-Fi 6. 

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

What if my Router is Wi-Fi 4?

If you have a Wi-Fi 4 router, we recommend getting a new router instead of an extender. 

When you upgrade to a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router, your Wi-Fi dead spots will very likely disappear. 

Here are our top recommendations for Mediacom routers if you need an upgrade. 

Dual-band vs. Tri-band

Dual-band routers and extenders have two bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band has better range but is more susceptible to interference. The 5 GHz band is faster. 

With tri-band extenders, the third band is an extra 5 GHz band. This doesn’t increase the network’s speed; it just allows for more bandwidth. 

Tri-band networks are great for homes with many wireless devices, like smart devices. If you have Mediacom’s 1 GIG plan, a tri-band extender or router is a good pairing. 

However, tri-band extenders aren’t necessary for most homes. But, if you’re a serious smart-home enthusiast with dozens of smart sensors, a Mesh network could better serve you. 

For more info, check out our article on dual-band vs. tri-band.

Coverage

For the most part, Wi-Fi extenders and repeaters advertise a coverage range on their product page. However, most listings are inaccurate. 

But, what might surprise you is that many Wi-Fi boosters provide an underestimate, while some overestimate. 

From our testing, most extenders fall in between 70 to 120% of the range they advertise

So, if you want to be confident an extender will cover the area you need, oversize it by about 30%. 

Keep in mind the coverage area also depends a lot on your router. If you have a router with great signal strength to the extender, it will also help the extender provide a strong signal. 

Also, don’t place the extender too far or too close to the router. Both are not ideal for optimal speed and coverage. 

Connected to the Router Using Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Most Wi-Fi boosters have two modes– Ethernet and Wi-Fi. However, a few sometimes have just Wi-Fi or Ethernet. 

Generally, a Wi-Fi repeater connects to the router’s Wi-Fi. On the other hand, an extender connects to the router via an Ethernet cable. The extender is an “access point” and doesn’t make a secondary network. 

Even though we often use “repeater,” “extender,” and “booster” interchangeably, they mean different things, and you should know these differences. 

So, what mode is best?

The best mode really depends on your circumstances. Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi gives you wireless convenience. But, Wi-Fi has less coverage. 

In our tests, Ethernet gave us around double the speed and 20% larger coverage area. Plus, most often it doesn’t create a second network as some wireless extenders do. 

If you have Mediacom’s 1 GIG plan or WiFi360pro plans, using Ethernet or a mesh Wi-Fi network are the best ways to take full advantage of your plan. 

Alternatively, you can use a powerline adapter to get Ethernet in your home without long Ethernet cables. Powerline adapters use your home’s electrical wiring to send Ethernet to every room. 

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

Mesh Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi boosters improve the home network’s coverage and speed. 

But, they do so differently. Wi-Fi repeaters re-broadcast the original Wi-Fi signal, and Mesh networks connect every device without a central router. They have multiple nodes instead. 

A mesh network is generally a better choice if you have multiple dead spots in your home and need to extend your Wi-Fi more than ~60 feet. It’s also best with Mediacom’s Xtream WiFi360 Pro Internet plan. 

On the other hand, a repeater or extender is better if you use Mediacom’s Internet 1 GIG or below plans and need to extend the coverage area less than 60 feet.  

If you use a Wi-Fi extender on a Gigabit plan, you won’t be able to take full advantage of its speed. But, there’s nothing prohibiting you from doing this.  

These are our recommendations, and they are not set in stone. 

Check out our Mesh Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi Repeaters article for further help on deciding which is best for you. 

How to Set Up an Extender With Mediacom

You can set up most Wi-Fi extenders with an app from the manufacturer. First, download the app on your smartphone and connect to your router’s Wi-Fi network. 

Then, open the app and follow the on-screen instructions. Usually, the setup process is fast and easy, lasting less than a couple of minutes. 

Another quick setup method is using the WPS buttons on your router and extender. Just press the WPS button on both devices, and they will automatically connect to each other. 

Note: the WPS button is usually near the Ethernet ports on most gateways. However, sometimes they are on the front, back, or top too. 

Lastly, if you connect your extender to a computer with Ethernet, you can set it up that way. 

Once your computer is physically connected to the extender with Ethernet, your browser will most often redirect you to a setup page. This page will walk you through the setup step by step. 

Mediacom Internet Plans

Here are Mediacom’s internet plans and what Wi-Fi Booster I recommend for each plan. [1]

Internet PlanWi-Fi Booster
Internet 100 (100 Mbps)Netgear EAX20 AX1800
Internet 200 (200 Mbps)TP-Link RE650 AC2600
Internet 400 (400 Mbps)TP-Link RE605X AX1800
Internet 1 GIG (1,000 Mbps)Netgear EAX80 AX6000

FAQs

Here are the most frequent questions we get concerning Mediacom and Wi-Fi extenders. 

Which is the best Wi-Fi Extender for Mediacom?

After we completed various testing and took into account other considerations like price, specs, warranty, etc., we determined that the best Wi-Fi extender for Mediacom is the TP-Link RE605X AX1800

It is blazing fast, cost-effective, and super simple to set up. 

To see great additional options, check out our recommendations above. 
Do Wi-Fi Extenders Slow Down Internet Speed?

Do Wi-Fi Extenders Slow Down Internet Speed?

No, Wi-Fi extenders do not slow down the internet speed. 

However, some speed is lost when the internet goes through a secondary device, like an extender. This means your extender will never achieve as fast speed as your router. 

But, you will still get a faster than average internet connection using an extender in your home. 

What’s the Best Place to Install a Wi-Fi extender?

The best place to install your Wi-Fi extender is halfway between your Wi-Fi dead spot and router. 

Most extenders will tell you if you’re out of range from the router. In that case, you will have to move it closer. 

The Final Verdict

We found that the best Wi-Fi extender for Mediacom is the TP-Link RE605X AX1800 after thoroughly testing and comparing multiple brands and models. 

It was easy to set up, very fast, and available at a low price. Its only downside is that it creates a secondary network if you don’t connect it to a TP-Link router with OneMesh. 

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