Are you tired of frustrating WiFi dead zones in your home? Does your once-reliable internet signal fade away as you move from room to room? WiFi range extenders are designed to solve these problems, and the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender Ethernet Bridge (often referred to as the RE200) promises to be an affordable and convenient solution. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into every aspect of this popular device, exploring its design, features, performance, and overall value to determine if it’s the right choice for boosting your wireless network coverage. This review will specifically focus on the RE200 model, exploring the capabilities it provides to home users and small business owners.
Unboxing and Design: A Compact and Discreet Solution
The TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender arrives in a compact and eco-friendly box. Inside, you’ll find the range extender itself, a quick installation guide, and some regulatory information. The device is surprisingly small and lightweight, a stark contrast to some of the bulkier extenders on the market. Its clean white finish and simple design allow it to blend seamlessly into most home environments without being an eyesore.
The device features two external antennas that can be adjusted to optimize the signal strength. On the front, you’ll find a series of LED indicators that provide information about power, WiFi signal strength, and Ethernet connectivity. These indicators are helpful for troubleshooting and ensuring the device is properly connected. One side houses the WPS button for quick and easy setup, while the bottom features an Ethernet port and a reset button. The build quality feels solid, despite the lightweight design. The plastic casing seems durable enough to withstand everyday use. Overall, the design is functional and unobtrusive, making it a practical addition to any home network.
Features and Specifications: Power in a Small Package
Despite its small size, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender packs a decent punch when it comes to features and specifications. Let’s break down what this little device has to offer. The device supports the latest wireless standards, including a, b, g, and n, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of routers and devices. It’s a dual-band extender, meaning it operates on both the frequency bands (gigahertz) and frequency bands (gigahertz). This allows for faster speeds and reduced interference compared to single-band extenders.
On the frequency band, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender offers speeds up to megabits per second, while the frequency band provides speeds up to megabits per second. The Ethernet port is a fast ethernet port, offering speeds of megabits per second. This is useful for connecting wired devices like gaming consoles or smart TVs to your wireless network.
In terms of security, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender supports a range of protocols, including WEP, WPA, and WPA, ensuring your network remains secure from unauthorized access. Its key features include a High-Speed Mode, which allows you to use one band to receive data from your router and the other band to transmit it to your devices, optimizing performance. The Intelligent Signal Indicator helps you find the best location for the extender by displaying the signal strength received from your router. Setting up the extender is a breeze, thanks to the WPS button and the intuitive web browser interface. Finally, its Ethernet bridge functionality allows you to use the extender as a wireless adapter for wired devices, adding versatility to your network setup.
Setup and Configuration: Effortless Installation
Setting up the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. The easiest method involves using the WPS button on both your router and the extender. Simply press the WPS button on your router, followed by the WPS button on the extender. The devices will automatically connect, and the extender will begin boosting your WiFi signal. If your router doesn’t support WPS, or if you prefer a more customized setup, you can use the web browser interface.
To access the web interface, simply connect to the extender’s wireless network and enter the default IP address in your web browser. The setup wizard will guide you through the process, allowing you to select your existing wireless network, enter the password, and customize the extender’s settings. You can change the SSID, password, and security settings to match your existing network, or create a new network specifically for the extender.
During the setup process, it’s crucial to find the optimal location for the extender. The Intelligent Signal Indicator can help you with this, displaying the signal strength received from your router. Ideally, the extender should be placed halfway between your router and the area where you need to boost the signal. If you encounter any problems during setup, the quick installation guide provides helpful troubleshooting tips. One common issue is entering the wrong password for your wireless network. Double-check the password and try again. If the problem persists, try resetting the extender and starting the setup process from scratch.
Performance Testing: Real-World Results
To evaluate the performance of the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender, we conducted a series of tests in a typical home environment. Our testing methodology involved measuring WiFi signal strength and throughput (speed) at various distances from the router, both with and without the extender. We used a high-performance router as the control point and used a combination of speedtest websites and local network file transfers to measure the speeds.
In our tests, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender significantly improved WiFi signal strength in areas where the signal was previously weak. For example, in a room located feet from the router, the signal strength increased from negative decibel-milliwatts to negative decibel-milliwatts with the extender in place. This resulted in a noticeable improvement in WiFi performance.
Throughput speeds also improved significantly. On the frequency band, we observed speeds of up to megabits per second with the extender, compared to megabits per second without it. On the frequency band, speeds increased from megabits per second to megabits per second. The Ethernet bridge functionality also performed well. We connected a gaming console to the Ethernet port and experienced a stable and reliable connection. Latency was minimal, and we were able to play online games without any noticeable lag.
Overall, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender delivered solid performance in our tests. It effectively boosted WiFi signal strength and improved throughput speeds, making it a worthwhile investment for those struggling with WiFi dead zones.
Using the AC750 as an Access Point: Expanding Your Network in Different Ways
Beyond its primary function as a range extender, the TP-Link AC750 can also operate as an access point. In this mode, the extender connects to your existing network via Ethernet and creates a new wireless network, essentially turning a wired connection into a wireless one. This can be useful in situations where you need to provide WiFi access in a location where only an Ethernet connection is available.
For example, if you have a home office with a wired internet connection but no WiFi, you can use the TP-Link AC750 as an access point to create a wireless network for your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The setup process for access point mode is similar to the range extender mode, but instead of connecting to an existing wireless network, you’ll need to connect the extender to your router via Ethernet cable. The performance in access point mode is generally good, with stable and reliable WiFi connectivity. The speeds are comparable to those achieved in range extender mode, depending on the speed of your wired internet connection.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
Like any device, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender has its pros and cons. On the positive side, it’s an affordable option for boosting your WiFi signal, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The setup process is incredibly easy, thanks to the WPS button and the user-friendly web interface. The device offers decent range extension, effectively eliminating WiFi dead zones in small to medium-sized homes. Dual-band support ensures compatibility with a variety of devices and routers, while the Ethernet bridge functionality adds versatility to your network setup. Its compact design allows it to blend seamlessly into any environment.
However, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender also has some drawbacks. Its maximum speed is somewhat limited compared to newer extenders, which may not be ideal for users with very high-speed internet connections. The Ethernet port’s megabits per second speed could be a bottleneck for devices that require a faster connection. Like many range extenders, it can suffer from performance degradation due to half-duplex communication, where it can only send or receive data at a time.
Alternatives: Exploring Other Options
If the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender isn’t quite the right fit for your needs, there are several alternative options to consider. Netgear offers a range of WiFi range extenders with varying features and price points, including models with faster speeds and more advanced features. Linksys also offers several extenders, known for their reliability and ease of use. For larger homes, a mesh WiFi system might be a better solution. Mesh systems use multiple nodes to create a seamless WiFi network, providing better coverage and performance than a single range extender. Brands like Eero, Google Nest WiFi, and TP-Link Deco offer popular mesh WiFi systems.
Conclusion: Is the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender Right for You?
In conclusion, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender Ethernet Bridge (RE200) is a solid and affordable solution for boosting WiFi coverage in small to medium-sized homes. Its easy setup, decent performance, and versatile features make it a worthwhile investment for those struggling with WiFi dead zones. While it may not be the fastest extender on the market, it offers a good balance of price and performance.
We recommend the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender to users who are looking for an affordable and easy-to-use solution for extending their WiFi coverage. It’s particularly well-suited for those who need to connect wired devices to their wireless network via the Ethernet bridge functionality. If you have a large home or require very high speeds, you might want to consider a more powerful extender or a mesh WiFi system. However, for most users, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender provides a simple and effective way to boost your WiFi signal and enjoy a more reliable wireless experience.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to fix those nagging WiFi dead spots, then the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender is definitely worth considering. Check out our other reviews for more options and see which product best suits your individual requirements!
