The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (2024)

");$( "#content-area" ).prepend($addFlag);} }// This function handles animation for the new ToC, which currently includes:// 1. Fading the ToC in and out to prevent it from covering up the Info section in the footer ; function handleTocAnim( $tocBox, winHeight, docHeight, scrollTop ) { // We're going to check if we're near the bottom for an animation to hide the ToC so we don't // cover up the Info section in the footer var bottomBuffer = 384; //px var isNearBottom = scrollTop + winHeight > docHeight - bottomBuffer; // Fetch the value for the animFlag key var tocAnimating = $tocBox.data( "animFlag" ); // If ToC has been hidden by the fade anim, display will be 'none' when // finished animating var tocHidden = $tocBox.css( 'display' ) === 'none'; if( isNearBottom ) { // If we're near the bottom, and the ToC is not animating // and not hidden, then hide it if( !tocAnimating && !tocHidden ) { $tocBox.data( "animFlag", true ) $tocBox.fadeOut( 400, function() { $tocBox.data( "animFlag", false ); }); } } else { // If we're not near the bottom, and the ToC is not animating // and hidden, then unhide it if( !tocAnimating && tocHidden ) { $tocBox.data( "animFlag", true ); $tocBox.fadeIn( 400, function() { $tocBox.data( "animFlag", false ); }); } } }// Calculate the available height for the ToC Box ; function calcAvailableHeight( height ) {return height * 80.0 / 100.0;}// This function resizes specific page elements, depending on // window size and whether the ToC is present, to keep things // consistent.// The boolean debug arg enables verbose logging. ; function handleReflow( $, winOuterWidth, winInnerHeight, maxMobileWidth, debug ) {if( debug ) {console.log( "Checking if page layout should be reflowed..." );}// We want to reflow the layout whether or not we have the TOC, // with the hasTOC bool as a flag for if it exists on the pagevar tocFlag = $("#content-side");var hasToC = true; // FORCE HAS TOC, DEPLOYING SITEWIDE -supersoup// Check number of H2 elements. If <= 3, early returnvar numH2 = $("h2");if( numH2.length <= 3 ) {return;}// Cache varsvar $mainContainer = $("#main-content");var $logoContainer = $(".hgg-logo-space");var $navContainer = $(".hgg-menu-icon");var $contentArea = $("#content-area");// Null-check variablesvar anyNull = $mainContainer.length && $logoContainer.length && $navContainer.length && $contentArea.length;if( !($mainContainer.length) && debug ) {console.log( "$mainContainer null in reflowLayout..." );}if( !($logoContainer.length) && debug ) {console.log( "$logoContainer null in reflowLayout..." );}if( !($navContainer.length) && debug ) {console.log( "$navContainer null in reflowLayout...")}if( !($contentArea.length) && debug ) {console.log( "$contentArea null in reflowLayout..." );} if( debug ) {console.log( "anyNull: " + anyNull );console.log( "hasTOC: " + hasToC );}if( hasToC ) {// The previous process for initializing offsetTopForView didn't play well when// refreshing the page while partially down the post, switching to pulling the // header height for consistency -supersoupvar offsetTopForView = $("header").height() ; //pxif (offsetTopForView === undefined || offsetTopForView < 0) {offsetTopForView = 0;}var $toc = $( ".toc-box" );if( $toc.length > 0 ) {var availableHeight = calcAvailableHeight( winInnerHeight - offsetTopForView );if( debug ) {console.log( "window.innerHeight: " + winInnerHeight );console.log( "availableHeight: " + availableHeight );console.log( "toc[0].scrollHeight: " + $toc[0].scrollHeight );console.log( "toc.height(): " + $toc.height() );}if( $toc.outerHeight() > availableHeight ) {$toc.css( 'height', availableHeight );if( debug ) {console.log( "Setting ToC height to ", availableHeight );}} else {var newHeight = availableHeight < $toc[0].scrollHeight ? availableHeight : $toc[0].scrollHeight;$toc.css( 'height', newHeight );if( debug ) {console.log( "Setting ToC height to ", newHeight );}}/*// Update largest sizevar maxSize = $toc.data( "maxSize" );var outerHeight = $toc.outerHeight;if( maxSize === 0 || maxSize == undefined || maxSize == NaN || maxSize < cssHeight ) {$toc.data( "maxSize", $toc.outerHeight);console.log( "maxSize is now " + $toc.outerHeight );}*/if( $toc.height() < $toc[0].scrollHeight ) {$toc.css( 'overflow-x', 'hidden' );$toc.css( 'overflow-y', 'auto' );}else {$toc.css( 'overflow-x', 'hidden' );$toc.css( 'overflow-y', 'none' );}}if( winOuterWidth >= 1600 ) {$mainContainer.css( "margin-left", "15.95rem" );$logoContainer.css( "margin-left", "-6.1rem" );$navContainer.css( "margin-right", "-8.0rem" );} else if( winOuterWidth < 1600 && winOuterWidth > maxMobileWidth ) {$mainContainer.css( "margin-left", "14.8rem" );$logoContainer.css( "margin-left", "-3.8rem" );$navContainer.css( "margin-right", "-3.8rem" );} else if( winOuterWidth <= maxMobileWidth ) {// Clear applied CSS$mainContainer.css( "margin-left", "0" );$logoContainer.css( "margin-left", "0" );$navContainer.css( "margin-right", "0" );} else {if( debug ) {console.log( "Unhandled window width in reflowLayout() - With ToC" );}}} else {if( winOuterWidth >= 1600 ) {// Don't do anything yet on non-ToC pages} else if( winOuterWidth < 1600 && winOuterWidth > maxMobileWidth ) {$contentArea.css( "margin-left", "0");} else if( winOuterWidth <= maxMobileWidth ) {// Don't do anything yet on non-ToC pages} else {if( debug ) {console.log( "Unhandled window width in reflowLayout() - Without ToC" );}}} }// Handles reflowing content on the page depending on different variables; (function (window, $, undefined) {$.fn.reflowLayout = function() {// Mobile width for reflow, probably want to sync// with max mobile width for the ToCconst MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH = 1438;// Should we enable verbose logging for debugging?// SHOULD NOT BE TRUE IN PRODUCTION! -supersoupvar debug = false;handleReflow( $, window.outerWidth, window.innerHeight, MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH, debug );$(window).on( 'load', function () {handleReflow( $, window.outerWidth, window.innerHeight, MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH, debug );});// For reflowing when browser size changes$(window).on( 'resize', function () {handleReflow( $, window.outerWidth, window.innerHeight, MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH, debug );});/*$(window).on( 'scroll', function () {var $toc = $( ".toc-box" );if( $toc.length === 0 )return;console.log( "availableHeight: " + calcAvailableHeight( window.innerHeight ) );console.log( "toc[0].scrollHeight: " + $toc[0].scrollHeight );console.log( "toc.outerHeight(): " + $toc.outerHeight() );});*/};})(this, jQuery);// Transform guide content by visually organizing it into cards ; (function(window, $, undefined) { $.fn.cardify = function() { var $contentBody = $("#content-body"); if($contentBody === 0) { return; } var $contentBodyChildren = $contentBody.children(); var $h2s = $contentBody.children("h2"); console.log("H2 children of #content-body: " + $h2s.length); if($h2s.length === 0) { return; } for(var i = 0; i < $h2s.length; i++) { var $array = $contentBodyChildren.nextUntil("h2"); $array.each( function(index) { console.log("Element " + index + ": " + $(this).html()); }); // console.log("Card " + i + ":" + $contentBodyChildren.nextUntil("h2").html()); } } }(this, jQuery));// Create the top level TOC before the first heading // The boolean debug arg enables verbose logging. ; function createTopLevelTOC( $, debug ) {var $contentBody = $("#content-body");if( $contentBody === 0 ) {return;}var headingsToFind = ["h2", "h3"]; var $headings = $contentBody.find(headingsToFind.join(","));if( debug ) {console.log(`Headings found: ${$headings.length}`);}if( $headings.length === 0 ) {return;}var tocContainer = document.createElement("div");tocContainer.id = "top_toc_container";tocContainer.classList.add("top_toc_container");var tocTitle = document.createElement("div"); // Changed from p to div for better layout controltocTitle.classList.add("top_toc_title");var tocTitleText = document.createElement("p"); // Create the p element for the title texttocTitleText.innerHTML = "Table of Contents";tocTitle.append(tocTitleText); // Append the title text to the tocTitle divvar plusIcon = document.createElement("span"); // You can use an img tag or i tag if you are using an icon libraryplusIcon.classList.add("plus_icon");plusIcon.innerHTML = "+"; // Replace with your icon// Append the icon to the titletocTitle.append(plusIcon);tocContainer.append(tocTitle);var tocList = document.createElement("ul");tocList.classList.add("top_toc_list");tocList.style.display = "none"; // Hide it by defaulttocContainer.append(tocList);document.body.append(tocContainer);tocTitle.addEventListener("click", function() { if (tocList.style.display === "none") { tocList.style.display = "block"; // Show the list plusIcon.innerHTML = "-"; // Change the icon tocTitle.style.borderRadius = "5px 5px 0px 0px"; // Change border radius when expanded } else { tocList.style.display = "none"; // Hide the list plusIcon.innerHTML = "+"; // Change the icon tocTitle.style.borderRadius = ""; // Reset border radius when not expanded }});let h2Count = 1;let h3Count = 1;for( let i = 0; i < $headings.length; i++ ) {var item = document.createElement("li");var itemTagName = $headings[i].tagName;var tagIsH3 = itemTagName === "H3";if ( debug ) {console.log(`Item ${i} tagName: ${itemTagName}`);}var count = i+1;if( tagIsH3 ) {item.classList.add("top_toc_item_h3");count = h3Count;h3Count++;}else {item.classList.add("top_toc_item_h2");count = h2Count;h3Count = 1; // Reset h3 counth2Count++;}var innerText = `${tagIsH3 ? " - " : ""} ${$headings[i].innerText}`;item.innerHTML =`${innerText}`;tocList.append(item);}tocContainer.append(tocList);var $topHeading = $headings[0];$topHeading.before(tocContainer);if( debug ) {console.log("Successfully added top level ToC");}}// The main function for creating, populating, and managing the new ToC ; (function (window, $, undefined) { $.fn.createTOC = function (settings) {const MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH = 1438;// Before anything else, if this is a post in a Category that we // specifically want to force the ToC on, let's handle that// THIS IS NO LONGER NEEDED, as we're pushing ToC sitewide -supersoup// handleForceToC( $ );// We want to create the inline top level ToC if we're not generating // the sidebar tocif ( $(window).width() <= MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH ) { if (!deactivate_mobile_toc) { createTopLevelTOC( $, false ); }}// For now, we only want to add the new ToC to manually flagged posts.// The post is flagged with the presence of a

// contained within the content of the post. Originally, this div was being used// to wrap the ToC, but I (supersoup) am going to move the ToC out to a new div.// So, the first thing we want to do is test for this div, early return if not // found, or remove it and recreate a #content-side div elsewhere if it is found.var tocFlag = $("#content-side");var hasToC = !(tocFlag.length === 0);// If #content-side element is foundif( hasToC ) {// Get rid of tosFlag #content-side elementtocFlag.remove();}// Check number of H2 and H3 elements. If <= 3, early returnvar numH2 = $("h2");var numH3 = $("h3");if( numH2.length + numH3.length <= 3 ) {return;}// Proceed with .CreateTOC() var option = $.extend({ title: "hgg-toc", insert: "body", }, settings); var ACTIVE_CLASS = 'active'; var list = ["h2", "h3"]; var $headings = this.find(list.join(",")); var tocBox = document.createElement("ul"); var $tocBox = $(tocBox); tocBox.className = "toc-box"; var idList = []; $headings.map(function (i, head) { var nodeName = head.nodeName; var id = 'toc_' + i + '_' + nodeName; head.id = id; idList.push(id); var row = document.createElement("li"); row.className = 'toc-item toc-' + nodeName; var link = document.createElement('a'); link.innerText = head.innerText; link.className = 'toc-item-link'; link.href = '#' + id; row.appendChild(link); tocBox.appendChild(row); }); // Control the takeover of the highlighted elements var isTakeOverByClick = false; // Event delegate, add click ，Highlight the currently clicked item $tocBox.on("click", ".toc-item", function (ev) { // Set as true ，Represents the click event to take over the control of the highlighted element isTakeOverByClick = true; var $item = $(this); var $itemSiblings = $item.siblings(); $itemSiblings.removeClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); $item.addClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); });// Recreate #content-side element in new locationvar $tocDiv = $("

");$( "#content-area" ).prepend($tocDiv); // Want it to be the first subdiv of #content-areavar headBox = document.createElement("div");headBox.className = "toc-titler";headBox.innerHTML = option.title;var wrapBox = document.createElement("div");wrapBox.className = "wrap-toc";wrapBox.appendChild(headBox);wrapBox.appendChild(tocBox);// If on mobile, set sidebar hiddenif( $(window).width() <= MAX_MOBILE_WIDTH ) {wrapBox.style.display = 'none';} else {wrapBox.style.display = null;}var $insertBox = $(option.insert);var $helperBox = $("

");$helperBox.append(wrapBox);$insertBox.prepend($helperBox);// The style of the storage container boxvar CACHE_WIDTH = $insertBox.css('width');var CACHE_PADDING_TOP = $insertBox.css('paddingTop');var CACHE_PADDING_RIGHT = $insertBox.css('paddingRight');var CACHE_PADDING_BOTTOM = $insertBox.css('paddingBottom');var CACHE_PADDING_LEFT = $insertBox.css('paddingLeft');var CACHE_MARGIN_TOP = $insertBox.css('marginTop'); // var scrollTop = $('html,body').scrollTop(); // var offsetTop = $insertBox.offset().top; // var marginTop = parseInt($insertBox.css('marginTop')); // var offsetTopForView = offsetTop - scrollTop - marginTop; // For initialization on load$(window).on( 'load', function () {initTocAnimData( $insertBox );}); // Rolling ceiling $(window).scroll(function () {// The previous process for initializing offsetTopForView didn't play well when// refreshing the page while partially down the post, switching to pulling the // main-header height for consistency -supersoupvar offsetTopForView = $(".hgg-top-nav").height() ; //px// IE6/7/8： // For pages without doctype declaration, document.body.scrollTop can be used to get the height of scrollTop; // For pages with doctype declaration, document.documentElement.scrollTop can be used;// Safari: // Safari is special, it has its own function to get scrollTop: window.pageYOffset;// Firefox: // Relatively standard browsers such as Firefox can save more worry, just use document.documentElement.scrollTop;var scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || window.pageYOffset || document.body.scrollTop; // Scroll highlight // Only when the click event cancels the control of the highlighted element, the scroll event can have the control of the highlighted element !isTakeOverByClick && $.each(idList, function (index, id) { var $head = $('#' + id); var $item = $('[href="#' + id + '"]').parent(); var $itemSiblings = $item.siblings();var offsetBuffer = 64; // px, we want the class swap to trigger slightly before so we show an accurate active element// when zooming to a specific element var offsetTopHead = $head.offset().top - offsetBuffer; var isActived = $item.hasClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); if (scrollTop >= offsetTopHead) { $itemSiblings.removeClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); !isActived && $item.addClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); } else { $item.removeClass(ACTIVE_CLASS); } }); // Set to false, which means that the click event will cancel the control of the highlighted element isTakeOverByClick = false;// Handle animation for the ToChandleTocAnim( $insertBox, $(window).height(), $(document).height(), scrollTop );// Handle any changes to ToC CSS on scrollvar isFixed = $helperBox.css("position") === "fixed"; if (scrollTop >= offsetTopForView) {if (isFixed) return;$tocBox.css({overflow: 'auto',padding: 0,});$helperBox.css({position: 'fixed',top: CACHE_MARGIN_TOP,width: CACHE_WIDTH,paddingTop: CACHE_PADDING_TOP,paddingRight: CACHE_PADDING_RIGHT,paddingBottom: CACHE_PADDING_BOTTOM,paddingLeft: CACHE_PADDING_LEFT,backgroundColor: $tocBox.css('backgroundColor')});} else {if (!isFixed) return;$helperBox.css({position: 'static',padding: 0});$tocBox.css({overflow: 'auto',paddingTop: CACHE_PADDING_TOP,paddingRight: CACHE_PADDING_RIGHT,paddingBottom: CACHE_PADDING_BOTTOM,paddingLeft: CACHE_PADDING_LEFT,});} }); };}(this, jQuery));});

Home > Hardware > Accessories

Last updated by Austin Carroll on Feb 7, 2022

Human Made

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Sometimes, you just need a little space. That’s why my gaming room is upstairs, far away from all the ruckus. The only problem? The router is downstairs, on theothersideof the house. Let me tell you – it’s no fun when you’re cranking 90s inFortnite, wiping the floor with your opponent… only to get hit by a lag spike and wiped off the map.

Sound familiar? Fear not, gaming compatriots, for there’s a simple and effective solution to your network issues. It’s called a WiFi booster (or extender, or repeater), and it ‘boosts’ the connection from your router. Simply plug into the wall next to your gaming rig, and watch as your signal strength gains several bars.

This article takes you through the five best WiFi boosters on the market. Enough with the poor connectivity already. It’s time to level up your network and get back to gaming.

Zoom Out: WiFi Booster Comparison

Let’s start with a simple overview of the best WiFi signal boosters on the market, listed in price-ascending order.

WiFi Booster	Type	Max Speed	Price
D-Link DAP-1330	Outlet	300 Mbps	💰
TP-Link RE220	Outlet	750 Mbps	💰💰
NETGEAR EX6120	Outlet	1200 Mbps	💰💰💰
Linksys RE9000	Desktop	3 Gbps	💰💰💰💰
NETGEAR Nighthawk EAX80	Desktop	6 Gbps	💰💰💰💰💰

Zoom In: 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming

Next, let’s jump into the list with an in-depth look at our favorite WiFi extender.

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk EAX80

The best WiFi booster for gaming overall

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2. TP-Link RE220

The best wireless booster for gaming at medium speeds

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Manufacturer:TP-Link |Type:Outlet |Max Speed:750 Mbps |Ports:Ethernet |Price:💰💰

TP-Link is the best-selling WiFi accessories brand on the market. Why is that? Just look to the TP-LINK RE220 Booster, which combines great speeds and a bargain price.

Sure, you’re not getting 6 Gbps like with the NETGEAR Nighthawk. But with the average household in the USA getting under 10 Mbps, you probablydon’t need that much power – the 750 megabytes offered by the RE220 is plenty for most players! Just connect it to your router via the TP-Link App, plug it in near your devices, and expand your network with a secure new access point. It’s several hundred square feet of extra coverage in one convenient package.

USERS LIKE

Very reliable
Excellent pricing
Easy setup and attractive design

USERS DISLIKE

Only one Ethernet port
Works best with TP-Link routers
Finding optimal placement can be tricky

3. Linksys RE9000

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (10)

The best WiFi extender for PC gaming

4. NETGEAR EX6120

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (11)

The best WiFi extender for console gaming

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Manufacturer:NETGEAR |Type:Outlet |Max Speed:1200 Mbps |Ports:Ethernet |Price:💰💰💰

What makes the NETGEAR EX6120 the best WiFi extender for PS4 and Xbox One? For one, its small form factor is perfect for plugging in right next to your console. And whether you prefer to go true wireless, or connect via an Ethernet cable, the EX6120 has you covered with speeds up to 1200 Mbps.

In addition to all that, the EX6120 is plug-and-play, with a smart design that uses both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It works with all 802.11ac routers and is amustfor eliminating dead zones and expanding your overall network.

One caveat, however. Some users report that the EX6120’s signal strength is prone to fluctuation. This can be a severe detraction for competitive gamers and streamers. We recommend checking and double-checking your settings, and contacting NETGEAR support in the unlikely event that problems arise.

USERS LIKE

5-minute setup time
Delivers exceptional speeds
Works with all models and 802.11ac routers

USERS DISLIKE

Flimsy build quality
Signal strength may fluctuate
Some users report trouble connecting to dual bands

5. D-Link DAP-1330

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (12)

The best WiFi extender for gaming on a budget

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Manufacturer:D-Link |Type:Outlet |Max Speed:300 Mbps |Ports:Ethernet |Price:💰

The D-Link DAP-1330 may be the cheapest model on our list, but don’t let that dissuade you. It’s the best WiFi range extender for gaming on a budget, and it’s sure to provide plenty of performance for casual play.

This model connects to the older but further-reaching (and often more reliable) 2.4 GHz frequency via dual external antennas. Due to its tried-and-true technology, it syncs beautifully with all modems and routers and is perfect for small to mid-size homes in need of a network upgrade.

With speeds up to 300 Mbps, it oughta be plenty fast for most users. Just plug it right into your wall, wait for the LED indicator to go green, and jump back into the game – the DAP-1330 has you covered.

USERS LIKE

Very affordable
Dual “flip-out” antennas
Far-reaching and reliable 2.4 GHz network extension

USERS DISLIKE

Heats up quickly
Lower speeds than most competitor models
Doesn’t work with the newer 5 GHz frequency

Buyer’s Guide: WiFi Boosters for Gaming

Need help choosing the perfect booster for your setup? Let’s go over what to look for.

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (13)

1. Type

WiFi boosters come in a few different flavors. First up, you’ve got the ones that plug directly into an outlet. These are minimally intrusive and simply require one open socket. The downside? They’re not as fast, reliable, or far-reaching as tabletop models, and they lack ports.

Next you’ve got tabletop models, which are much larger, feature bigger antennas and longer range, and boast better overall specs. This makes them ideal for competitive gaming, and when reliability is a concern. Unfortunately, they take up more space and typically cost a pretty penny.

The last type is the mesh networks. We don’t feature those on this particular list, but you can learn more about the technology fromour dedicated guide.

2. Max Speeds

Why is speed second on our list of things to look for? Truth be told, it’s notquiteas important as you might think.

WiFi boosters can only deliver speeds as fast as your router provides. Aside from the D-Link DAP-1330 – which only works on the 2.4 GHz frequency – the best WiFi repeaters for gaming on our list are either dual-band or tri-band and provide suitable speeds for thevastmajority of players.

3. Ports

You can never have too many ports!

Plugging into the Ethernet port on your booster is essential when playing competitively. That’s because itreduces latency and speeds upyour overall connection compared to relying solely on WiFi.

If you’ve got a dedicated PC gaming setup, we highly recommend choosing a tabletop WiFi booster with multiple Ethernet ports for the most flexibility. And if you can find a model with USB ports as well (such as the Nighthawk), this can provide more networking options, including the ability to share your game library across the network.

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (14)

Our Process

For this guide on WiFi boosters, our writers spent 3 hours researching over 50 of the most popular options from brands big and small. After comparing this data, we then read over 100 user reviews and narrowed our list down to the top 5 WiFi boosters on the market. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.

We hope you’ve found the perfect model for your setup. Happy Gaming!

Related Reading

Best Gaming Routers
Best Mesh Gaming Routers
Best Gaming Routers Under $100
Best Gaming Modems
Best Wireless Adapters

" );})(jQuery);});

The 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming (2024)

Zoom Out: WiFi Booster Comparison

Zoom In: 5 Best WiFi Boosters for Gaming

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk EAX80

2. TP-Link RE220

3. Linksys RE9000

4. NETGEAR EX6120

5. D-Link DAP-1330

Buyer’s Guide: WiFi Boosters for Gaming

Our Process

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