Tenda A18 Review | 63 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£25
  • Avg. price in US: ~$30
  • Wi-Fi version: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Wi-Fi speed: 1167 Mbps
  • Coverage area: 120

Tenda A18 review. Compare 63 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among wi-fi extenders and if it is worth buying.

5.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the Wi-Fi extender's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to spot the best Wi‑Fi extenders overall.

Score components:

80.0%

4.5

Technical Score

20.0%

8.6

User score

Good
4.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the Wi-Fi extender's technical performance, covering eight key areas: speed, coverage, signal stability, connectivity, Ethernet features, mesh support, ease of setup, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare Wi‑Fi extenders based on speed, coverage, ports, and wireless features.

Score components:

40.0%

3.6

Wi-Fi Performance

30.0%

3.5

Network & Security

12.0%

8.7

Setup & Management

10.0%

4.9

Hardware & Deployment

8.0%

5.5

Ports

Poor
8.6

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the Wi-Fi extender.

When it matters: When you want to know how a Wi‑Fi extender performs in daily use and how reliably it maintains a stable connection over time according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(403)
amazon
4.0
(237)
United States
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4.0
(710)
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3.9
(407)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(204)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 3.4
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    3.9

    Wi-Fi speed

    30.0%

    1.0

    QoS support

    20.0%

    1.0

    Ethernet backhaul

    15.0%

    10

    N. of LAN ports

  • 8.8
    Travel

    Score components:

    45.0%

    9.3

    Weight

    30.0%

    10

    Portable design

    15.0%

    3.9

    Wi-Fi speed

    10.0%

    10

    Access Point mode

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Tenda A18 is an AC1200 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 range extender featuring total data rates up to 1167 Mbps (867 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300 Mbps on 2.4GHz) and dual external 2dBi omni-directional antennas for broader coverage. It includes one 10/100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet port for wired devices, a dedicated WPS button for quick pairing, and an intelligent signal LED to help users find the optimal installation location. Main pros include its highly affordable price point, compact wall-plug design that consumes only 2.8W typically, and support for both Repeater and Access Point modes. However, notable cons include its lack of MU-MIMO and mesh Wi-Fi support, limited 5GHz signal range compared to more expensive models, and the absence of a power passthrough outlet.

Technical Specifications of Tenda A18

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the Wi-Fi extender's technical performance, covering eight key areas: speed, coverage, signal stability, connectivity, Ethernet features, mesh support, ease of setup, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare Wi‑Fi extenders based on speed, coverage, ports, and wireless features.

Score components:

40.0%

3.6

Wi-Fi Performance

30.0%

3.5

Network & Security

12.0%

8.7

Setup & Management

10.0%

4.9

Hardware & Deployment

8.0%

5.5

Ports

4.5
Tenda A18 has a technical score of 4.47 points, which is lower than 88.2% of Wi-Fi extenders.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the Wi-Fi extender.

When it matters: When you want to know how a Wi‑Fi extender performs in daily use and how reliably it maintains a stable connection over time according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(403)
amazon
4.0
(237)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(710)
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(407)
Amazon_logo.png
4.2
(204)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.6
Tenda A18 has a user score of 8.6 points, which is higher than 71.6% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the Wi-Fi extender.
When it matters: When you prefer to buy a Wi‑Fi extender that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
Tenda A18 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 49% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.3

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.7
Tenda A18 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.7 points, which is lower than 84.3% of products in this category.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The Wi‑Fi generation the extender supports, such as Wi‑Fi 5, Wi‑Fi 6, or Wi‑Fi 6E.
When it matters: When you want the extender to work well with newer routers and support modern wireless features.

Importance: HIGH

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Tenda A18 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), more advanced than 9.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 44.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Wi-Fi bands
What it is: The wireless frequency bands the extender can use.
When it matters: When your router and devices depend on support for the right Wi‑Fi bands.

Importance: HIGH

Dual-band
Tenda A18 supports Dual-band, more versatile than 10.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 74.5% of Wi-Fi extenders.
6 GHz band support
What it is: Whether the extender can operate on the 6 GHz band.
When it matters: When you want the extender to work well with newer routers and support modern wireless features.

Importance: LOW

no
Tenda A18 does not support the 6 GHz band. 5.9% of Wi-Fi extenders support the 6 GHz band.
Wi-Fi speed
What it is: The combined theoretical maximum wireless speed across the supported bands.
When it matters: When you need better speed and signal strength in rooms that are harder to reach.

Importance: HIGH

1,167 Mbps
Tenda A18 reaches 1167 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, slower than 77.5% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Max speed 2.4 GHz
What it is: The maximum supported wireless speed on the 2.4 GHz band.
When it matters: When you need better speed and signal strength in rooms that are harder to reach.

Importance: MEDIUM

300 Mbps
Tenda A18 reaches 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, slower than 61.8% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 36.3% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Show more
Ethernet backhaul
What it is: Whether the extender supports Ethernet backhaul through a wired network connection.
When it matters: When you want a more stable link over Ethernet instead of relying only on wireless repeating.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Tenda A18 does not support Ethernet backhaul. 52.2% of Wi-Fi extenders support Ethernet backhaul.
Mesh compatibility
What it is: The mesh systems or ecosystems the extender can work with.
When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

Importance: LOW

N/A
Mesh standard
What it is: The mesh standard or ecosystem the extender uses.
When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

Importance: LOW

?
Roaming feature
What it is: Whether the extender supports seamless roaming between network nodes.
When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Tenda A18 supports roaming. 17.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support roaming.
802.11k support
What it is: Whether the extender supports 802.11k for better roaming information between access points.
When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

Importance: LOW

no
Tenda A18 does not support 802.11k. 74.1% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
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N. of LAN ports
What it is: The number of wired LAN ports on the extender.
When it matters: When you need to connect wired devices such as TVs, consoles, PCs, or switches.

Importance: MEDIUM

1
Tenda A18 has 1 LAN port/s, more than 8.1% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 76.8% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Ethernet port speed
What it is: The maximum Ethernet speed supported by the wired ports.
When it matters: When you connect wired devices and want them to run at full local network speed.

Importance: MEDIUM

0.1 Gbps
Tenda A18 offers 0.1 Gbps Ethernet speed, slower than 75.3% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 21.8% of Wi-Fi extenders.
N. of USB ports
What it is: The number of USB ports on the extender.
When it matters: When you need to connect wired devices such as TVs, consoles, PCs, or switches.

Importance: LOW

0
Tenda A18 has 0 USB port/s, equal to 97.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
PoE standard
What it is: The Power over Ethernet standard the extender supports, if any.
When it matters: When you want to power the extender over Ethernet instead of using a separate power adapter.

Importance: LOW

N/A
Dedicated smartphone app
What it is: Whether the extender can be managed through a dedicated smartphone app.
When it matters: When you want easier setup, monitoring, and control from your phone.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Tenda A18 comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 15.2% of Wi-Fi extenders come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Web UI management
What it is: Whether the extender offers a web-based interface for setup and management.
When it matters: When you prefer advanced setup and control from a web browser.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Tenda A18 has a web management interface. 2% of Wi-Fi extenders have a web management interface.
Web UI at re.tenda.cn.
Automatic firmware updates
What it is: Whether the extender can install firmware updates automatically.
When it matters: When you want security and stability updates without having to manage them manually.

Importance: LOW

no
Tenda A18 does not have automatic firmware updates. 48% of Wi-Fi extenders have automatic firmware updates.
LED control
What it is: Whether the extender’s LED indicators can be adjusted or turned off.
When it matters: When the extender sits in a bedroom or another space where bright status lights can be annoying.

Importance: LOW

yes
Tenda A18 has LED control. 12.1% of Wi-Fi extenders have LED control.
Buttons present
What it is: The physical buttons available on the extender, such as reset, power, or WPS.
When it matters: When you prefer direct physical controls instead of relying only on software menus.

Importance: LOW

wps, reset
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Mounting type
What it is: The mounting style the extender uses, such as wall-plug or desktop placement.
When it matters: When the extender needs to fit neatly into a tight space, behind furniture, or near an outlet.

Importance: LOW

wall-plug
Portable design
What it is: Whether the extender has a travel-friendly portable design, usually a compact plug-in form factor rather than a larger desktop or fixed-installation unit.
When it matters: When you want an extender that is easy to pack, move between locations, or use temporarily while travelling.

Importance: LOW

yes
Tenda A18 has a portable design. 34.3% of Wi-Fi extenders have a portable design.
Derived from compact plug-in form factor.
Height
What it is: The height of the extender body.
When it matters: When the extender needs to fit neatly into a tight space, behind furniture, or near an outlet.

Importance: LOW

80 mm
Tenda A18 is 80 mm tall, shorter than 64.7% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 4.9% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Width
What it is: The width of the extender body.
When it matters: When the extender needs to fit neatly into a tight space, behind furniture, or near an outlet.

Importance: LOW

58 mm
Tenda A18 is 58 mm wide, narrower than 91.2% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Thickness
What it is: The depth or thickness of the extender body.
When it matters: When the extender needs to fit neatly into a tight space, behind furniture, or near an outlet.

Importance: LOW

48 mm
Tenda A18 is 48 mm thick, thicker than 58.8% of Wi-Fi extenders.
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Tenda A18 vs the average wi-fi extender

  • 4.3 W lower power consumption
    Tenda A18 uses less power than the average wi-fi extender (5.2 W vs 9.5 W). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 9.5 W of power.
    What it is: The power the extender typically uses during normal operation.
    When it matters: When you care about energy use, heat output, or running costs.

    Importance: LOW

    Tenda A18 uses less power than the average wi-fi extender (5.2 W vs 9.5 W). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 9.5 W of power.5.2 W vs 9.5 W
  • 23.4 mm narrower width
    Tenda A18 is narrower than the average wi-fi extender (58 mm vs 81.4 mm). The average Wi-Fi extender has a width of 81.4 mm.
    What it is: The width of the extender body.
    When it matters: When the extender needs to fit neatly into a tight space, behind furniture, or near an outlet.

    Importance: LOW

    Tenda A18 is narrower than the average wi-fi extender (58 mm vs 81.4 mm). The average Wi-Fi extender has a width of 81.4 mm.58 mm vs 81.4 mm
  • 28.6% lighter
    Tenda A18 is lighter than the average wi-fi extender (200 g vs 280 g). The average Wi-Fi extender weighs 280 g.
    What it is: The total weight of the extender.
    When it matters: When you want an extender that is easier to move, mount, or place without adding bulk.

    Importance: LOW

    Tenda A18 is lighter than the average wi-fi extender (200 g vs 280 g). The average Wi-Fi extender weighs 280 g.200 g vs 280 g
  • 2.8x cheaper
    Tenda A18 is cheaper than the average wi-fi extender (£25 vs £70).
    Tenda A18 is cheaper than the average wi-fi extender (£25 vs £70).£25 vs £70
  • 4.3 W lower power consumption
    Tenda A18 uses less power than the average wi-fi extender (5.2 W vs 9.5 W). The average Wi-Fi extender uses 9.5 W of power.
  • 23.4 mm narrower width
    Tenda A18 is narrower than the average wi-fi extender (58 mm vs 81.4 mm). The average Wi-Fi extender has a width of 81.4 mm.
  • 28.6% lighter
    Tenda A18 is lighter than the average wi-fi extender (200 g vs 280 g). The average Wi-Fi extender weighs 280 g.
  • No Mesh Wi-Fi support
    Tenda A18 does not support mesh Wi-Fi, while the average wi-fi extender does. 66.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • No MU-MIMO support
    Tenda A18 does not support MU-MIMO, while the average wi-fi extender does. 72.5% of Wi-Fi extenders support MU-MIMO.
  • 34.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Tenda A18 reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average wi-fi extender (1,167 Mbps vs 1,775 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,775 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
  • 150 Mbps slower 2.4 GHz speed
    Tenda A18 reaches a slower 2.4 GHz speed than the average wi-fi extender (300 Mbps vs 450 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 450 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.
  • 7 dBm weaker transmit power
    Tenda A18 has lower transmit power than the average wi-fi extender (16 dBm vs 23 dBm). The average Wi-Fi extender has 23 dBm of transmit power.
    5 GHz maximum.
  • 17.2% smaller coverage area
    Tenda A18 covers a smaller area than the average wi-fi extender (120 m² vs 145 m²). The average Wi-Fi extender covers 145 m².
  • 2 dBi lower antenna gain
    Tenda A18 has lower antenna gain than the average wi-fi extender (2 dBi vs 4 dBi). The average Wi-Fi extender has 4 dBi antenna gain.
  • No Ethernet backhaul
    Tenda A18 does not support Ethernet backhaul, while the average wi-fi extender does. 51.6% of Wi-Fi extenders support Ethernet backhaul.
  • No WPA3 support
    Tenda A18 does not support WPA3, while the average wi-fi extender does. 56.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support WPA3.
  • No QoS support
    Tenda A18 does not support QoS, while the average wi-fi extender does. 57.4% of Wi-Fi extenders support QoS.
  • No 802.11r support
    Tenda A18 does not support 802.11r, while the average wi-fi extender does. 58.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11r.
  • No 802.11k support
    Tenda A18 does not support 802.11k, while the average wi-fi extender does. 73.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
  • No 802.11v support
    Tenda A18 does not support 802.11v, while the average wi-fi extender does. 68.4% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11v.
  • 90% slower Ethernet speed
    Tenda A18 offers slower Ethernet speed than the average wi-fi extender (0.1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average Wi-Fi extender offers 1 Gbps Ethernet speed.
  • 75% less RAM
    Tenda A18 has less RAM than the average wi-fi extender (64 MB vs 256 MB). The average Wi-Fi extender has 256 MB of RAM.
  • 87.5% less flash storage
    Tenda A18 has less flash storage than the average wi-fi extender (2 MB vs 16 MB). The average Wi-Fi extender has 16 MB of flash storage.
  • 2 older release date
    Tenda A18 was released earlier than the average wi-fi extender (2,018 vs 2,020). The average Wi-Fi extender was released in 2,020.
    March 2018
  • No Ethernet backhaul
    Tenda A18 does not support Ethernet backhaul, while the average wi-fi extender does. 51.6% of Wi-Fi extenders support Ethernet backhaul.
    What it is: Whether the extender supports Ethernet backhaul through a wired network connection.
    When it matters: When you want a more stable link over Ethernet instead of relying only on wireless repeating.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tenda A18 does not support Ethernet backhaul, while the average wi-fi extender does. 51.6% of Wi-Fi extenders support Ethernet backhaul.
  • No Mesh Wi-Fi support
    Tenda A18 does not support mesh Wi-Fi, while the average wi-fi extender does. 66.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support mesh Wi-Fi.
    What it is: Whether the extender can join a mesh Wi‑Fi setup for smoother whole-home coverage.
    When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

    Importance: HIGH

    Tenda A18 does not support mesh Wi-Fi, while the average wi-fi extender does. 66.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • No WPA3 support
    Tenda A18 does not support WPA3, while the average wi-fi extender does. 56.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support WPA3.
    What it is: Whether the extender supports WPA3 wireless security.
    When it matters: When you want stronger protection for your network and connected devices.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tenda A18 does not support WPA3, while the average wi-fi extender does. 56.7% of Wi-Fi extenders support WPA3.
  • No QoS support
    Tenda A18 does not support QoS, while the average wi-fi extender does. 57.4% of Wi-Fi extenders support QoS.
    What it is: Whether the extender supports Quality of Service to prioritize certain traffic.
    When it matters: When the extender needs to fit cleanly into a more advanced network setup.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tenda A18 does not support QoS, while the average wi-fi extender does. 57.4% of Wi-Fi extenders support QoS.
  • No MU-MIMO support
    Tenda A18 does not support MU-MIMO, while the average wi-fi extender does. 72.5% of Wi-Fi extenders support MU-MIMO.
    What it is: Whether the extender supports MU-MIMO for more efficient simultaneous connections.
    When it matters: When many phones, laptops, TVs, and smart-home devices are online at the same time.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tenda A18 does not support MU-MIMO, while the average wi-fi extender does. 72.5% of Wi-Fi extenders support MU-MIMO.
  • No 802.11r support
    Tenda A18 does not support 802.11r, while the average wi-fi extender does. 58.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11r.
    What it is: Whether the extender supports 802.11r for faster roaming handoffs.
    When it matters: When you want smoother roaming and more consistent coverage across your home.

    Importance: LOW

    Tenda A18 does not support 802.11r, while the average wi-fi extender does. 58.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11r.
  • 34.3% slower Wi-Fi speed
    Tenda A18 reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average wi-fi extender (1,167 Mbps vs 1,775 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,775 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    What it is: The combined theoretical maximum wireless speed across the supported bands.
    When it matters: When you need better speed and signal strength in rooms that are harder to reach.

    Importance: HIGH

    Tenda A18 reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average wi-fi extender (1,167 Mbps vs 1,775 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,775 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.1167 Mbps vs 1775 Mbps
  • 90% slower Ethernet speed
    Tenda A18 offers slower Ethernet speed than the average wi-fi extender (0.1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average Wi-Fi extender offers 1 Gbps Ethernet speed.
    What it is: The maximum Ethernet speed supported by the wired ports.
    When it matters: When you connect wired devices and want them to run at full local network speed.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tenda A18 offers slower Ethernet speed than the average wi-fi extender (0.1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps). The average Wi-Fi extender offers 1 Gbps Ethernet speed.0.1 Gbps vs 1 Gbps

Graphic comparison of Tenda A18 and

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Third-party reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Tenda A18?

  • Budget-friendly price point makes it an affordable solution for filling small signal gaps.
  • Easy setup process, especially when using the WPS button or the dedicated Tenda WiFi smartphone app.
  • Dual-band support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) allows for better management of device traffic.
  • Features a built-in Ethernet port that enables use as a wired Access Point (AP).
  • Equipped with visual LED signal indicators that help users find the optimal placement location.
  • Compact and unobtrusive design that fits well in most home environments.

What customers dislike about Tenda A18?

  • Mixed signal reliability with some users reporting frequent connection drops or a need for constant re-pairing.
  • Limited effective range; performance significantly degrades beyond short distances or through thick walls.
  • Slower 2.4GHz speeds compared to competitors, as it only supports older Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) on that band.
  • Lacks advanced features like MU-MIMO or Mesh Wi-Fi support for managing high-density environments.
  • Physical hardware can run hot during extended periods of heavy use.
  • Initial connection issues where some devices fail to obtain an IP address after a few days of use.

Expert reviews

T
techadvisor.com
24/01/2023

The TP-Link RE305 Wi-Fi Range Extender is rated as the "Best Overall" budget option for boosting home network coverage, particularly for specific dead zones. Setting up the device is highly user-friendly thanks to the integrated TP-Link Tether app, which handles configuration easily. It provides effective 2.4GHz performance in both speed and coverage for an affordable price....Read more

T
techadvisor.com
23/07/2021

The Tenda A18 AC1200 Wi-Fi Repeater is a highly affordable, dual-band wall-plug extender designed to easily eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones in small-scale setups. It is exceptionally budget-friendly and features a simple, rapid installation process that can be completed in minutes via either a WPS push button or a basic web user interface. The hardware includes two fold-up antennae and a...Read more

Video reviews

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