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PROS:
CONS:
While it might not be the “prettiest” WiFi extender out there, Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 blows away its competition in almost any category we tested it in. It features an impressive boost record, impeccable performance results and it comes reasonably priced. It comes with five Gigabit Ethernet ports and three amplifier antennas you can use to aim the signal at a specific area around you. If you’re looking to boost your WiFi and make sure you’re buying a good quality, reliable product, then the Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 is the device for you.
Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 deserved to be on top of our list of the best WiFi extenders on the market because it is reliable and has excellent boosting capabilities. If you have a larger home and wish to amplify your WiFi signal to its fullest capabilities, the Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 with speeds up to 1900 Mbps and a 1 GHz dual-core processor is just what your house needs. This WiFi booster beat every other similar product we looked at when it came to testing the range and throughput of the devices. Although it is an incredibly capable device, this WiFi extender is somewhat more difficult to set up than most other products in our review.
Design
Although it may not be the most important factor when you’re choosing your new WiFi extender, having an esthetically pleasing device at the same price can’t hurt. And while Netgear’s Nighthawk EX7000 might not be as compact and attractive as some other products in the same category, it’s still a well-rounded product. This device features a somewhat robust design making it a little bigger than most other similar products in our review. Since it can’t be plugged into a wall or mounted to one either, the Nighthawk will look very similar to your second router. And even though you’ll have to free up some space for it, the bigger packaging means it packs much more than a regular WiFi extender. For instance, this device has five Ethernet ports you can use to connect Smart TVs, consoles and similar. To make sure you’re getting the best signal in the areas you need it specifically, once you buy this WiFi booster you will also get three antennas you can aim towards the most important parts you want the signal to be strengthened.
While Netgear doesn’t sell the device directly through its website, it allows you to choose from as many as eight authorized resellers that offer the WiFi booster from anywhere between $108.90 and $152.99. Bigger names like Best Buy and Amazon frequently feature sales where you can get the device much cheaper than with some other stores.
Netgear backs all its products with a 1-year limited hardware warranty, but if you wish for a longer warranty period you can purchase an extended three, or four-year protection plans from Amazon or other similar resellers.
All products in our review went through rigorous testing before we decided to make them a part of our top ten lineup. The most important parameters we measured were the range, throughput, design, the time it takes to set up the actual device and we also looked at just how customizable each product is.
In the range tests, Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 proved to be the best in its category by boosting the original WiFi signal by 165 feet, making it the obvious choice for larger houses or smaller offices. With this much boosting power, the Nighthawk EX7000 allows you potentially cover your backyard with the signal, if you find a need for it.
When it came to testing the speed at which data was being transferred over WiFi, Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 once again left its competition far behind. With an average speed of 413.8 Mbps, this WiFi booster was faster than the next device in our review by more than 50 Mbps. This means that not only will you have a huge area of your house covered with an uninterrupted WiFi signal, but you will also be able to transfer data without much interruption at high-level speed.
Netgear Nighthawk EX7000 excels in all areas, except for the “ease of use”, or setup. And while figuring out how to fully install it will give you a headache or two, this device will make up for it in every other aspect. With this being said, to install this WiFi booster you will need to possess the necessary know-how before you start, so you can make sure everything works properly after you’re done. The setup process can be a rocky road, but as you connect your device to the internet and start the Smart Setup option, there’s little else to do but watch it work. As the Smart Setup process initializes, you’ll be given a few ground options to choose from. For example, you’ll be able to choose in which aspect you’d like to use the device - as a WiFi booster, or a wired access point. To help you with some other customizing options, Netgear offers a mobile app you can use to modify your new device’s settings further.
Website: http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-range-extenders/EX7000.aspx#tab-features
Support: https://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
Facebook: https://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
Netgear has a fairly intuitive user-friendly site full of useful information for potential buyers as well as previous customers. The site offers a searchable knowledgebase you can easily navigate and find out anything you need to know about any of your Netgear products. This area of the site is neatly organized by categories and each category features product pictures which then take you to the specific product’s help page. Here you can find tutorial videos, helpful tips and how-to guides that will help you install and use the device properly. The site also features an active community you can you use to connect to other Netgear users and maybe find out something new.
If you need to contact support, you can do so through the support page, by submitting a request. And while Netgear does offer basic support for all its customers, you will have to pay extra for a more involved support experience.
Our editorial staff evaluates products and services independently, but Best Review Guide may earn money when you click on links. Read our advertising disclosure.
By: Tamara | Last updated January 23, 2021 
