The EX6100 ships with a wireless network already set up. I used the latter method in my testing for this review. You then connect the extender to a router using WPS or through the extender's software. You can move it later to a distance midway between the router and a Wi-Fi dead zone after it's configured. The first step is to place the extender in the same room as your router. ![]() ![]() The installation guide outlines the same easy setup I liked so much with the EX6200. Particularly useful in setup are two arrow-shaped LEDs that start blinking if the extender is not in a spot to make a strong connection with the router. The EX6100 ships with a guide featuring a chart that tells you how to interpret the LED color changes and blinking patterns so that you know what is going on with the signal and connection. Also, the Netgear has an additional LED that indicates the strength of a client's connection. You want to be able to quickly see if the extender is connected to your router. On the Amped extender, the rather small LED is on the top of the device, whereas the EX6100 has large LEDs on its front, making it easy to see status connections from a distance. I also prefer the LEDs on the Netgear extender. That three quarters of an inch makes a difference-I found the REC15A more awkward to place, especially when fitting it into a power strip. The REC15A has a single antenna that's a surprising 4.5 inches long. Its dual external antennas measure 3.75 inches long-shorter than the antenna on another similar wall-plug extender that I recently reviewed, Amped Wireless' High Power 802.11ac Wi-Fi Range Extender (REC15A) ($29.91 at Amazon) (Opens in a new window). ![]() The EX6100 is a much smaller, wall-pluggable extender. (Opens in a new window) Read Our Amped Wireless High Power 600mW Compact Wi-Fi Range Extender (REC10) Review Next to this switch are the Ethernet port, Factory Reset, WPS, and Power buttons On its side is a toggle switch that flips to operate the hardware in Extender or Access Point mode. The EX6100 can function as an extender or an access point (as is the case with most extenders). That said, the EX6100 is a solid device for extending wireless signals in smaller areas, and it's fine for those who don't want to pay for multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports or a USB port as extras. You get what you pay for: If you're looking to extend a wireless signal to a location more than 100 feet from your router or access point, you'll want to cough up the extra $50 and go with the EX6200-it's a stellar, reliable extender. The EX6100 is lower-priced because it's not as feature-packed (nor does it offer the same hardware specs) as the EX6200, which won our Editors' Choice award for Wi-Fi range extenders. Netgear's AC750 WiFi Range Extender (EX6100) ($89.99) was released about the same time as the pricier Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender (EX6200) ($139.99 at Amazon) (Opens in a new window).
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