Wi-Fi 6E is the leading edge of consumer home wireless tech; Wi-Fi 7 is still too rarified for most folks. Even 6E is not a must-have for homes with many devices that don't yet support the standard.

What makes range extenders so attractive compared with a more elaborate mesh system is that they are easy to install and inexpensive. Pair one with a budget-priced router, and you can build a tandem ...