Hey, internet warriors! Welcome back to our humble corner of the web, where we're on a mission to help you navigate the digital jungle of gadgets and gizmos. Today, we're tackling the infamous "dead zone" problem with the EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750-Extender-Outlet-EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>NETGEAR EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>Wi-Fi Range Extender (EX3800-100NAS), and we're ready to spill the tea (or should we say, spill the Wi-Fi signal?).
Is this the "BEST" Wi-Fi Extender Ever?
Okay, let's be real here. The "BEST" label is a slippery slope. Every device has its strengths and weaknesses, and the EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750-Extender-Outlet-EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>NETGEAR EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 is no exception. But is it a good contender? We'd say yes, but with a few caveats.
What's the Buzz on Amazon?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's check out what the real-life users are saying on Amazon. This baby has a respectable 3.7-star rating, which isn't a complete disaster, but it's not setting the world on fire either.
Here's a taste of what people are saying:
- "G Riggs" (5 Stars): "I love this thing as a wifi - Ethernet adapter! I use it to hook up my Tivo mini's to my wifi system. It works really well." (Spoiler alert, this reviewer didn't use the extender for its intended purpose, but hey, it's a good thing if it works, right?)
- "R. Frank" (4 Stars): "Setting up this unit took two attempts... Took the extender into my office and the signal was so poor it could not even connect to the router so I ended up putting it in the bathroom half way between the router and the office. I was consistently getting 30-40 mps..." (Sounds like a classic "find the sweet spot" scenario, but hey, at least it works!)
- "James Friedman" (5 Stars): "I am so happy with this. I love that it supports both 2.4 and 5Hz wifi adapters. With this used as an extender I can now get 30Mb/s (2.54Hz) which is better than what I was getting on with my normal wifi setup." (So, this one actually worked as expected. Who would've thought!)
- "Donny" (1 Star): "The set-up was easy, but the extender gradually degraded functionally over a few hours. Connected devices to the extender lost internet connection. Eventually, the 'Device' light started to blink red. I had to do a hard reset the extender..." (Yikes, not a good sign. Looks like some quality control issues here.)
- "Min" (3 Stars): "Great device. Does what it says on the box. However - two issues...1. Covers both outlets when plugged in. 2. Horrible, horrible setup. Took me an hour." (This one sounds like it has potential, but the setup is a major pain point.)
Okay, So What Are the Specs?
- Wi-Fi Speed: Up to EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 (433 Mbps on 5GHz and 300 Mbps on 2.4GHz)
- Connectivity: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Ports: One Gigabit Ethernet port, one passthrough outlet
- Coverage: Up to 1,000 square feet (depending on your home's layout and obstacles)
- Security: WPA2/WPA3 encryption
- Dimensions: 3.1" x 2.9" x 1.4"
The Pros of the EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750-Extender-Outlet-EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>NETGEAR EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>Wi-Fi Range Extender:
- Passthrough Outlet: This baby keeps your power source alive, so you don't lose a valuable outlet!
- Dual-Band: You can connect to the 2.4GHz band for wider coverage or the 5GHz band for faster speeds.
- Easy Setup (Sometimes): Many users reported a straightforward setup process, but some had a rough ride.
- Affordable: This is a budget-friendly option for those who don't want to break the bank.
The Cons of the EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750-Extender-Outlet-EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>NETGEAR EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>Wi-Fi Range Extender:
- Inconsistent Performance: Some users experienced connection drops, slow speeds, and other reliability issues.
- Difficult Setup for Some: A few reviewers found the setup process to be a real headache.
- Coverage Range: 1,000 square feet is the advertised range, but your actual coverage may vary depending on factors like walls, furniture, and other electronic devices.
From Unboxing to "Un-Boxing" (aka, Our Testing Experience):
Okay, so we unboxed this little guy, plugged it in, and got ready to tango. The initial setup process was pretty straightforward. We followed the instructions, and within a few minutes, we were connected to the extended Wi-Fi network.
Initially, we were impressed with the speed and coverage. We were streaming movies, gaming, and browsing the web without any hiccups. But then...the dreaded dropouts started happening. We tried moving the extender to different locations, but nothing seemed to work. We even tried restarting the extender and the router, but the connection kept dropping.
The Verdict?
Is the EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750-Extender-Outlet-EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>NETGEAR EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>AC750 EX3800-100NAS/dp/B018UWPATA/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=insgoods-20'>Wi-Fi Range Extender a total bust? Not necessarily. It has potential, but the inconsistency is a dealbreaker for us. If you're on a tight budget and can handle a bit of troubleshooting, this might be a decent option. But if you're looking for a rock-solid, reliable solution, you might want to consider a different model.
A Final Word of Advice:
Before you jump headfirst into buying a Wi-Fi range extender, think about what you need. Consider your home's layout, the size of your dead zones, and your budget. Do your research, read reviews, and don't be afraid to ask questions. And remember, even the best Wi-Fi extender can't fix a bad router.
We hope this review has been helpful. Now go out there and conquer those digital dead zones!
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