Test TP-Link RE605X WiFi Repeater six

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• Test TP-Link RE605X WiFi Repeater six

2 minute review

Sales of mesh Wi-Fi systems have skyrocketed over the past year, as our growing reliance on family Wi-Fi for work and play has increasingly put more pressure on our family networks. A mesh system is a great way to extend your Wi-Fi network throughout your home, including upstairs bedrooms or your new home office in the garden shed. Mais, si vous n'avez qu'une ou deux pièces où la Wi-Fi a besoin d'un coupe de pouce, vous pourrez peut-être économiser de l'argent et réparer le Wi-Fi avec un prolongateur de portee plus accesible In place. Datasheet Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 dual-band (0ax), XNUMXGHz + XNUMXGHz XNUMX, XNUMX Mbps
Wired connectivity: 1x Gigabit Ethernet (with access point mode)
Dimensions (H x W x D): 650 x 605 x 605 mm We liked TP-Link's RE802.11 extender, which was affordable and simple to install, and the company has now introduced the new RE505X, which is one of the first range extenders we've seen move to Wi-Fi 59.99. (also known as 80 ax), with dual-band Wi-Fi clocking in at 110 Mbps. That's not to say you'll also need a Wi-Fi XNUMX router to use the REXNUMXX, as the TP-Link site goes to great lengths to indicate that it is "most compatible" with anyone. Fi. -Fi XNUMX or the good old Wi-Fi XNUMX that most of us still use (formerly known as XNUMXac). It's also affordable, at just $XNUMX (about $XNUMX, AU$XNUMX), which isn't more expensive than many competing Wi-Fi extenders. And, if your budget is tight, there's also a cheaper model called the REXNUMXX, which gives slightly slower-performing dual-band Wi-Fi XNUMX at XNUMX Mbps, for a very competitive $XNUMX (about $XNUMX). AU$XNUMX).

(Image credit: Avenir)

Design and functionality

Unlike the slightly curved design of the RE650, the white plastic body of the new RE605X is decidedly rectangular, with sharp angles all around and two large antennas that rise nearly six inches into the air to provide good range for your new Wi-Fi. -Fi signal. It's designed to plug directly into an AC outlet, and there's a small row of status LEDs on the front of the unit that can help you find a good location for the RE605X by displaying signal strength. For 2.4 GHz and five0 GHz. Frequency bands.

(Image credit: Avenir) The only other visible feature is a single Gigabit Ethernet port on the side of the unit, which can provide a wired connection for a laptop or other devices. However, you can also use the RE605X in "access point mode", using this Ethernet port to connect to an existing wired network, which can then be extended with the RE605X's Wi-Fi signal.

(Image credit: Avenir)

Performance and start-up

References Ookla Speed ​​Test - 2,4 GHz (upload / download)
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 100 Mbps / 11 Mbps Ookla Speed ​​Test - 5.0 GHz
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 100 Mbps / 11 Mbps 20 GB Steam Download - 2,4 GHz
Within 30 feet, three bulkheads: 11,0 MB/s 20 GB Steam Download - 5,0 GHz
Within 30 feet, three partitions: 12,5 MB/s Some range extenders can be a bit tricky to set up at first, but, as we've found with the RE650, TP-Link's Tether app for iOS and Android does a nice job keeping it simple. You should start with the RE605X plugged into a power outlet near your main router, and the Tether app can automatically detect the repeater's new Wi-Fi signal and connect your smartphone or tablet directly to the repeater. The app then walks you through the process of connecting the RE605X to your existing Wi-Fi network, giving you the option of entering new names and passwords, or sticking with your existing network details.

(Image credit: Avenir) It's admirably simple and straightforward for new users, but the Range Extender also provides a web browser interface for more experienced users who want more control over their new network setup. We were also pleased to see that the RE605X provided a noticeable improvement to our back office's rather poor Wi-Fi performance. Using the Ookla benchmark app, our normal router only managed a speed of 34Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 85.0Mbps on the 5.0GHz band. Mais, avec le RE605X branché sur une prize de courant dans le couloir voisin, ces vitesses ont grimpé jusqu'à 100 Mbs sur 2,4 GHz et 5,0 GHz, ce qui est la vitesse maximale prize en charge par notre haut débit de dispatch. Steam downloads also benefited, falling from 3,5 MB/s to 11 MB/s on the 2,4 GHz band, while the 5,0 GHz band increased from 10 MB/s to 12,5 MB/s. . S, which matches the performance of many more expensive routers we tested. . . Not everyone will need an extender that supports Wi-Fi 6, so you can still save money by upgrading to an older extender that only has Wi-Fi 5. Ease of use and high performance make the RE605X be a very good option for homes that need to boost Wi-Fi in only one or 2 rooms.

Buy it if...

You have a Wi-Fi "dead spot"
If you need to improve the speed of your Wi-Fi throughout your home, you may be better off with a more expensive mesh network system. But, for a dead spot that only affects a particular room or location, an affordable range extender like the RE605X will do just fine. You have a Wi-Fi 6 router
The RE605X is compatible with older routers and devices that support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), but it will work better with a newer router that supports advanced Wi-Fi 6 features. You are an advanced user
TP-Link's Tether app is quick and easy to use, but the RE605X also provides a web browser interface for more advanced users who want more control over their network settings.

Don't buy it if...

You have a budget
The RE6X's Wi-Fi 605 features mean it's a bit more expensive than range extenders that still use the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ax) standard. You can buy a good Wi-Fi 5 repeater for as little as $50 / £70 / AU$90. You're a bum
Range extenders are designed to improve the Wi-Fi connection in a particular room or location, such as an upstairs bedroom or out in the garden. If you and your devices tend to travel a lot, a larger mesh network might be a better option. you like wires
The RE605X has an Ethernet port to provide a wired connection for devices such as a laptop or game console. But if, like, you have a desktop full of devices that require a wired connection, there are longer range extenders that give auxiliary ports.