OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
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Scored using Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0
Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Wi-Fi extenders Methodology v3.0

Mercusys ME12 review: 64 specs compared

Avg. price:~£10Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)Wi-Fi speed:300 MbpsCoverage area:?

Mercusys ME12 Review: Compare 64 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Wi-Fi extenders category and whether it is worth buying.

Mercusys ME12
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 45%, List score 30%, Reviews score 15%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

45%

6.7

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

15%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

User scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.6, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 68% of wi fi extenders
8.0

Value for money

Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the Wi-Fi extender's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a Wi‑Fi extender with a good balance between performance and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 69%
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

40%

4.7

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

7.7

Network

12%

9.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

8.0

Ports

â–¼Worse than 63%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.5 for now.
Share: Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.5.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
No expert tests yet
?

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.6, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
No ratings from across the web yet, so it counts as 7.6, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
No ratings from across the web yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £10
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of Wi-Fi extender Mercusys ME12

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components:

40%

4.7

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

7.7

Network

12%

9.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

8.0

Ports

6.7
Reviews score
7.5
User score
?
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the Wi-Fi extender's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a Wi‑Fi extender with a good balance between performance and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.0
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), less advanced than 86.4% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 13.6% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Wi-Fi bands
Single-band
This Wi-Fi extender supports Single-band, less versatile than 85.6% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 14.4% of Wi-Fi extenders.
6 GHz band support
no
This Wi-Fi extender does not support the 6 GHz band. 3.9% of Wi-Fi extenders support the 6 GHz band.
Wi-Fi speed
300 Mbps
Market range: <733 Mbps – >5.4k Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 300 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, slower than 86.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 13.2% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Max speed 2.4 GHz
300 Mbps
Market range: <300 Mbps – >600 Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, which is slower than 55.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 42.9% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Show more
Ethernet backhaul
?
Mesh compatibility
?
Mesh standard
?
Roaming feature
yes
This Wi-Fi extender supports roaming. 11.8% of Wi-Fi extenders support roaming.
802.11k support
no
This Wi-Fi extender does not support 802.11k. 76.4% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
?
Ethernet port speed
?
N. of USB ports
0
Market range: <0 – >0
This Wi-Fi extender has 0 USB port/s, fewer than 2% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 98.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
PoE standard
N/A
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This Wi-Fi extender comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 10.4% of Wi-Fi extenders come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Web UI management
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has a web management interface. 1.3% of Wi-Fi extenders have a web management interface.
Automatic firmware updates
?
LED control
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has LED control. 9.7% of Wi-Fi extenders have LED control.
Buttons present
?
Show more
Mounting type
wall-plug
Portable design
yes
This Wi-Fi extender has a portable design. 24.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have a portable design.
Height
?
Width
?
Thickness
?
Show more

Mercusys ME12 vs the average Wi-Fi extender

246810TotalWi-Fi PerformanceNetworkPortsSetupHardware
  • 5.5x cheaper
    Mercusys ME12 is cheaper than the average Wi-Fi extender (£10 vs £55).
    £10 vs £55
  • 5.5x cheaper
    Mercusys ME12 is cheaper than the average Wi-Fi extender (£10 vs £55).
    £10 vs £55
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • No MU-MIMO support
    This Wi-Fi extender does not support MU-MIMO, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 75% of Wi-Fi extenders support MU-MIMO.
  • Limited band support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports less versatile Wi-Fi bands than the average Wi-Fi extender (Single-band vs Dual-band). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Dual-band Wi-Fi bands.
    Single-band vs Dual-band
  • No 802.11k support
    This Wi-Fi extender does not support 802.11k, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 75.8% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
  • No band steering
    This Wi-Fi extender does not have band steering, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 65.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have band steering.
  • Outdated Wi-Fi standard
    This Wi-Fi extender supports a less advanced Wi-Fi version than the average Wi-Fi extender (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 25% slower 2.4 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 2.4 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
    300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps
  • Limited channel support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports narrower channel widths than the average Wi-Fi extender (40 + 20 vs 80 + 40 + 20). The average Wi-Fi extender supports 80 + 40 + 20 channel widths.
    40 + 20 vs 80 + 40 + 20
  • 3.2% worse value for money
    Mercusys ME12 has a lower value-for-money score than the average Wi-Fi extender (7.99 vs 8.2).
    7.99 vs 8.25
  • 82.9% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    300 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • No MU-MIMO support
    This Wi-Fi extender does not support MU-MIMO, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 75% of Wi-Fi extenders support MU-MIMO.
  • Limited band support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports less versatile Wi-Fi bands than the average Wi-Fi extender (Single-band vs Dual-band). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Dual-band Wi-Fi bands.
    Single-band vs Dual-band
  • No band steering
    This Wi-Fi extender does not have band steering, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 65.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have band steering.
  • Outdated Wi-Fi standard
    This Wi-Fi extender supports a less advanced Wi-Fi version than the average Wi-Fi extender (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 25% slower 2.4 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 2.4 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 400 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
    300 Mbps vs 400 Mbps
  • Limited channel support
    This Wi-Fi extender supports narrower channel widths than the average Wi-Fi extender (40 + 20 vs 80 + 40 + 20). The average Wi-Fi extender supports 80 + 40 + 20 channel widths.
    40 + 20 vs 80 + 40 + 20
  • Basic QAM level
    This Wi-Fi extender uses a less advanced QAM level than the average Wi-Fi extender (64-QAM vs 256-QAM). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 256-QAM.
    64-QAM vs 256-QAM
  • No 802.11k support
    This Wi-Fi extender does not support 802.11k, while the average Wi-Fi extender does. 75.8% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Mercusys ME12

  • WPA3 security protects your network with a newer standard.
  • Beamforming aims the signal toward connected devices.
  • Roaming helps phones move between the router and the unit.
  • A WPS button connects a device without typing the password.
  • A signal strength indicator helps you find a good spot for the unit.
  • The portable design makes it easy to move between rooms.

What customers don't like about Mercusys ME12

  • 300 Mbps is slow next to newer models.
  • There is no MU-MIMO, so devices take turns on the link.
  • 802.11k is missing, a standard that helps devices roam between access points.
  • It works on a single band, so it has no 5 GHz option.
  • It cannot be used outdoors.

Verdict

If the router sits on the far side of the house and you want a budget fix, the Mercusys ME12 is worth a look. It runs Wi-Fi 4 at 300 Mbps, which is slow next to newer models, so it suits email, browsing and the occasional video rather than big downloads. The setup is easy with the app, and a WPS button lets you connect a device without typing a password. WPA3 security and beamforming are both on, and roaming helps phones move between the router and the unit. The trade-off is that there is no MU-MIMO, so devices take turns on the link, and 802.11k is missing. It suits a couple who want a cheap, simple way to reach one room and do not stream much.

Compare Mercusys ME12 with other products in the Wi-Fi extenders category

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