Up until recently, most extenders and Powerline kits only went as far as the Wi-Fi 5 standard, but we’re seeing a growing number that go faster with Wi-Fi 6 support. If you only have a Wi-Fi 5 router, you can save some cash by partnering it with a Wi-Fi 5 extender, but the newer models may give you a faster connection between the extender and devices that support Wi-Fi 6. What’s more, there’s an argument that buying one of these makes more sense if you plan to upgrade your network in the future. What’s the difference between a repeater and a powerline extender?

You can pay a huge amount for a Wi-Fi 6E mesh, but TP-Link’s Deco XE75 brings you 6GHz wireless networking for little more than many regular Wi-Fi 6 systems.

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Most mesh systems can present a wireless guest network alongside your normal domestic network. Devices connecting to this will be able to connect to the internet, but can’t talk to other devices on your home network. This means visitors can’t snoop through your shared folders or unwittingly bring malware onto your home network.

Whole Home WiFi sits between Google and TP Link in terms of functionality. It can do everything that its competitors can do, minus Google’s home control elements. Considering it is the cheapest of the three, you may not miss any of that. Read more: The best laptops for students and best external hard drives Frequently asked questions about WiFi extenders Do wireless extenders work? Mesh networks should, in theory, mean your WiFi never cuts out again. These work by having various ‘nodes’ scattered around your home (normally they come in boxes of three but you can get as many as you need.) The first one connects to your current router to create a network, then the other nodes act as additional routers to ensure you’ve got the same fast signal being broadcast from each. It should also stabilise your router. MBps: This unhelpfully similarly named acronym is short for megabytes per second. This refers to the amount of data being transferred.

It’s also worth noting that this is a subject mired in jargon. The process of setting up your device can be an exercise in how many technology acronyms you can remember. I write about this stuff for a living and even I struggled occasionally. To help you out on this front, I’ve written a glossary at the end of this article.

The RE450 isn’t the cheapest Wi-Fi 5 extender, but it’s faster and more stylish than the budget competition. Don’t be put off by its age: it still deserves a place on anyone’s shortlist. None of this is particularly unique to TP Link. Most of the mesh networks I tested can do the same or similar things, but TP Link wins in terms of ease-of-use and accessibility. What really sets the Tenda Nova MW6 apart is its low price. True, the BT Whole Home kit costs a similar amount, but it only functions as an extender, whereas the MW6 is a fully standalone system. That makes it a terrifically cost-effective option if you’re looking to replace an underperforming router and extend your Wi-Fi coverage at the same time. The primary unit has connected to the internet. For secondary units, this means that it has successfully connected to the primary unit. Blinking fast

How to choose the best mesh Wi-Fi router for you

The whole thing also syncs with Google Home control to do some cool stuff if you’ve got a lot smart technology in your home. Maybe you want the lights to switch on and the kettle to start boiling as you get in the house? Well, you could set a routine so that happens when your phone connects to WiFi. Or maybe you might want all the lights to turn off when you disconnect from WiFi? No problem.