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Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

jtchaney
Tutor

Compatible Range Extender for R9000

I’m not completely a tech savvy person. Know just enough to get something connected properly… and it work, as intended. With that said, a lot of the jargon for extenders on the Netgear site store is lost on me. I would would like recommendations for compatible WiFi range extenders for my R9000 model, please. We will make a final choice based on pricing and our needs, but want to make certain we are buying the right extender for our model router.
TIA
Model: R9000|Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router
Message 1 of 7

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plemans
Guru

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000


@jtchaney wrote:
Thank you so much for your assistance. It’s single level off-ground construction, on approximately a 3 ft. crawl space. Materials are all wood with drywall interior, stucco exterior.---leaves potential for running ethernet  wires under the home if needed. Nice. Having a hardwired option is always a benefit. 

Moving router is doable. But you suggest, also getting an extender? Based on this info (our uses) which would be your suggestion as a compatible model with our router?---2000sqft all on one level is a bit more area to cover that 2000sqft on a dual/tri level home. You'd probably be better off with a router/extender combo. If you're not hardwiring in the extender, I'd be looking at the triband extenders (ex7500, EX7700, EX8000) to go with that router. They perform much better than the dual band extenders. 

Currently we have set everything set up on the lower 2.4ghz, which I thought was correct. We should move the media devices, like TV, phones/tablets to 5ghz, and leave all else on 2.4?---Correct. Your streaming devices (if the signal reaches) should be on 5ghz. Its a significantly faster network and doesn't have as much interference. For example, in my area, I max out around 30-50mbps over AC and 70-80mbps over AX wireless on the 2.4ghz. For 5ghz i can hit 500-600mbps on AC networks and over a gigabit on AX networks. Its much better for streaming/higher bandwidth devices. 

 

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Message 6 of 7

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plemans
Guru

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

I'm a fan of the triband extenders because of their dedicated backhaul. 

The single/dual band extenders have a 50% throughput loss because of how they function. they have to use the same chip to go router---extender and then extender----devices. and they can't do both at once. that's why they loose so much throughput. Versus the tribands with their dedicated backhauls, don't loose that speed. 

 

tribands: EX7500, EX7700, EX8000, RBS40V/RBS50Y (both have an extender mode)

Message 2 of 7
jtchaney
Tutor

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

I do apologize, but sadly and unfortunately, expect for the extender model numbers… (turbans, backhaul, throughput) everything you just said is foreign to me. 🥴 Allow me to add a few details. Our main desire is to extend the range of router, which is from back right corner of our home, to our garage and drive, which is front left corner. We mostly stream TV and movies, use it for our mobile devices (phone/tablets), for WiFi connected cameras and security. That’s everything. We are older, and except for now transitioning lighting to smart bulbs, our needs aren’t that much. Our home isn’t too large (nearly 2000 sq ft). Generally we are okay and everything works fine, except for a slight drop in strength as we go into the garage.

Mind you the garage door (wifi capable) seems to work fine at this distance. No issues there. Just with our devices and cameras, do we notice a drop or connection lag time. I noticed another suggestion when searching these boards was to move the router to a higher position. Fully intend to do that. Another option we currently have would be to move the router. Since we are in the middle of minor renovations, this might be doable if we turn an old TV Armoire into our ‘smart home cabinet’… which is located in the living room. This option would be approximately 1/4 of the way further into home… away from the now original location.

Hope this helps.
Message 3 of 7
plemans
Guru

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

Centrally locating a router is usually always the optimal choice. Most decent routers can cover 2000sqft depending on the home construction/setup. If its 2000sqft all on one level, then you'd want a router and extender. So how many levels is your 2000sq ft? 

If you can centrally locate the router you might be fine with just the r9000. 

 

Make sure the streaming/higher bandwidth devices are on the 5ghz. put your lower bandwidth and smart switches/devices on the 2.4ghz. 

2.4ghz broadcasts further and through more materials but is a slow network and sensitive to interference. 5ghz is much much faster but doesn't penetrate materials as well or broadcast as far. 

 

So a lot depends on the layout of your home and what the walls are made of. I'd still recommend a triband extender if you need a extender. To put it simply, they're faster and have lower latency. 

Message 4 of 7
jtchaney
Tutor

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

Thank you so much for your assistance. It’s single level off-ground construction, on approximately a 3 ft. crawl space. Materials are all wood with drywall interior, stucco exterior.

Moving router is doable. But you suggest, also getting an extender? Based on this info (our uses) which would be your suggestion as a compatible model with our router?

Currently we have set everything set up on the lower 2.4ghz, which I thought was correct. We should move the media devices, like TV, phones/tablets to 5ghz, and leave all else on 2.4?
Message 5 of 7
plemans
Guru

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000


@jtchaney wrote:
Thank you so much for your assistance. It’s single level off-ground construction, on approximately a 3 ft. crawl space. Materials are all wood with drywall interior, stucco exterior.---leaves potential for running ethernet  wires under the home if needed. Nice. Having a hardwired option is always a benefit. 

Moving router is doable. But you suggest, also getting an extender? Based on this info (our uses) which would be your suggestion as a compatible model with our router?---2000sqft all on one level is a bit more area to cover that 2000sqft on a dual/tri level home. You'd probably be better off with a router/extender combo. If you're not hardwiring in the extender, I'd be looking at the triband extenders (ex7500, EX7700, EX8000) to go with that router. They perform much better than the dual band extenders. 

Currently we have set everything set up on the lower 2.4ghz, which I thought was correct. We should move the media devices, like TV, phones/tablets to 5ghz, and leave all else on 2.4?---Correct. Your streaming devices (if the signal reaches) should be on 5ghz. Its a significantly faster network and doesn't have as much interference. For example, in my area, I max out around 30-50mbps over AC and 70-80mbps over AX wireless on the 2.4ghz. For 5ghz i can hit 500-600mbps on AC networks and over a gigabit on AX networks. Its much better for streaming/higher bandwidth devices. 

 

Message 6 of 7
jtchaney
Tutor

Re: Compatible Range Extender for R9000

So helpful! We will check out the extenders you’ve recommended. Thank you for your help and the great suggestions.
Message 7 of 7
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