Mesh WiFi vs Extenders: What's the Difference?

WiFi extenders were the standard solution for coverage problems for years. They're cheap, you plug them in, and they... sort of work. But mesh WiFi has made them essentially obsolete. Here's why.

How WiFi Extenders Work

An extender receives the WiFi signal from your router and rebroadcasts it. Simple concept. But here's the catch: most extenders use the same radio to receive and transmit.

Think about it like a person relaying a message. They have to listen, then speak. They can't do both at once. So an extender receiving at 100 Mbps can only retransmit at 50 Mbps—it's halving your speed by design.

That's not all. Extenders typically create a separate network name (like "HomeWiFi_EXT"). Your devices don't automatically switch between the main router and the extender—you often find yourself connected to a weak main signal when the extender would be stronger, or vice versa.

How Mesh WiFi Works

Mesh systems use multiple units that all work together as one network. Key differences:

Dedicated backhaul: Better mesh systems use a separate radio channel for communication between units, so you don't lose speed when relaying the signal.

Single network: One network name, one password. Your devices seamlessly hand off between units as you move around.

Smart routing: The system figures out the fastest path for your data. If one unit is congested or has a weak signal, traffic routes through another.

Central management: One app controls everything. You can see all connected devices, set up parental controls, prioritise traffic—all from one place.

Real-World Comparison

	Extender	Mesh
Speed at range	50% of router speed	80-95% of router speed
Seamless roaming	No (manual switching)	Yes
Setup complexity	Easy	Easy
Cost	£20-50	£150-350 (for 2-3 units)
Expandability	Limited	Add more units anytime

When Extenders Might Still Make Sense

I'm not saying extenders are always wrong. They can work if:

• You only need to reach one specific area that's almost in range
• The devices there don't need high bandwidth (a smart plug, a doorbell)
• Budget is extremely tight

But honestly, even then, I'd suggest saving up for a basic mesh system. The difference in daily experience is significant.

Our Recommendation

Don't buy a WiFi extender. For the price of two extenders that'll frustrate you, you can get an entry-level mesh system that'll actually solve the problem.

If you've already got an extender and it's working acceptably—fine, no need to replace it immediately. But when it's time to upgrade, go mesh.

See our best mesh WiFi systems guide for specific recommendations.