TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender Review

If you live in a medium sized home that needs a bit of a boost as far as Wi-Fi range is concerned, this little device will do the job for you. It is quite reliable when you need it to cover rooms that were previously under dead zones.

My folks live in a modest 1,500 square feet home, and recently, my Dad decided to get a Wi-Fi connection to help him manage his new Lawn and Garden maintenance business. He went for a small router which was installed in his home office, but its range was not enough to cover my Mom’s art studio where she sculpts and paints on a regular. I suggested the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender as a practical solution. Let’s just say both of them are quite happy.

TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender Breakdown and Review

• Range Extender mode boosts wireless signal to previously unreachable or hard-to-wire areas flawlessly

• Miniature size and wall-mounted design make it easy to deploy and move flexibly

The TP-Link 300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender presents as a delightfully small device that takes up almost no room at all. More impressive, though, is its ability to increase the range of transmission within a home that has many dead zones and unreliable coverage.

This little device works by connecting with your Wi-Fi router and broadening its range of reach and effectiveness. Since replacing your router altogether can be a time and resource consuming affair, the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender ensures that you achieve your speeds and wider range without having to spend too much money.

This range extender device operates as a single band device that distributes internet from a 2.4GH band. With this, it bears the capacity to deliver speeds that peak at a decent 300Mbps. Additionally, it supports routers that operate on different Wi-Fi standards such as the 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac. As an added advantage, it proves to be a universally compatible router that works with most, if not all, routers and Internet Service Providers.

Inside the router are two powerful internal antennas that are ideal for further boosting the quality of internet you receive from wherever you are. Even though they are small and concealed, they do a splendid job of increasing internet range by up to 800 square feet. This makes it ideal for smaller homes that do not have many rooms and multiple floors.

We really liked that the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender comes with the ability to get rid of interference across your network. This makes for smoother and more reliable internet transmission in your office space and entire home at all times.

What we liked;

• It is a small and compact device

• Compatible with many routers and ISPs

• Supports many Wi-Fi standards

• Supports decent speeds

• Covers decent range

 What we did not like;

• Its port does not support Gigabit ethernet transmission

TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender Specifications

TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender Features

 

Design and Build

As earlier mentioned, this device comes with a small and compact physique, a characteristic that makes it exceedingly and conveniently easy to install and hide away. The outer casing of the device is constructed using hard and rigid plastic material that has a beautiful glossy finish. This casing proves efficient in giving the extender device good longevity even though it does not need to be moved about much.

Like most (if not all) Wi-Fi extender gadgets, this one is designed to go directly into a power inlet. For this reason, it is fitted with three pins on its back panel that allow it to go into the power source with ease. This design eliminates the need for a connection cable of any sort. You will also have no need for an installation surface on which to set the device up.

The TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender has a rectangular shape, and its edges are well rounded. When plugged into a power source, it assumes a vertical orientation. It maintains a pleasant level of simplicity, and on close inspection, you will notice that the front panel only has the TP-Link logo on it. Also, on the bottom right corner of the front panel, there is a circular WPS button that is surrounded by a miniature LED light. The right side of this light indicates the strength of your signal, and it helps you decide on the best position for installing your device. The left half of the LED light indicates Power On/ Off, Wireless connectivity and Ethernet connectivity.

Speed and Performance

Just like the name suggests, the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender works by increasing the range within which your existing router works. It is a great way of eliminating dead zones within the home, especially where there are multiple rooms on several floors. When it comes to bandwidth, this small device is able to transmit internet from a single 2.4GHz band. From this bandwidth, it delivers speeds that peak at 300Mbps.

Additionally, this Wi-Fi extender comes with the capacity to amply support up to 15 devices at the same time. This, coupled with its internet speeds, will enable you to perform high intensity activity such as gaming on multiple consoles and also streaming 4K videos with ease and with no down time.

Its ability to eliminate interference in the network also comes as a welcome feature. Less interference means smoother and more effective internet transmission, even during intense browsing activity. You will also notice that this device can be connected to many Wi-Fi standards such as the 802.11n/ b/ g/ n and so forth.

Ports and Connectivity

As with most internet transmission devices, this Wi-Fi extender comes with a single LAN port set at the base of the device. It allows you to connect other internet enabled devices such as a laptop or desktop computer, a gaming console, printer or any other device that is internet compatible. As an added advantage, this device comes with an ethernet cable that is fitted with connectors on either end.

To connect to the existing Wi-Fi network in your home, plug the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender to a power outlet. Proceed to press the WPS button on your router and the WPS button on the Wi-Fi extender. Wait a few seconds for the configuration to be complete. You will find it quite easy to manage this device since it comes with a mobile app. Once downloaded on your smart phone, you can manage guest networks, setup and manage parental controls as you desire and from wherever you are so long as you have an internet connection.

Who is it best suited for?

Since this device is made for extending Wi-Fi distribution by up to 800 square feet, this device is great for people who live in medium sized houses. It comes with great speeds and, therefore, facilitates connection to many high intensity devices such as gaming consoles and activities such as 4K video streaming.

Are there alternatives to the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender?

Yes, there are. It is possible to find Wi-Fi extender devices that operate within the same range and that deliver speeds that are also great. In place of the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE, you can use the SETEK Super boost Wi-Fi Extender, the Rock Space 750Mbps Wi-Fi Range Extender and the Netgear EX3700 Wi-Fi Range Extender.

Features of alternative Wi-Fi range extenders

 Verdict: So, should you buy the TP-Link N300 TLWA850RE Wi-Fi Range Extender?

 

Yes, you should. This device makes for an ideal acquisition for persons who live in medium sized houses that have poor W-Fi coverage. With this device, you will enjoy high internet speeds as well as the ability to perform high intensity internet activity without experiencing down time or interference. Additionally, it is quite affordable.