OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
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

TP-Link RE230 review: 64 specs compared

Avg. price:~£25Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:750 MbpsCoverage area:?

TP-Link RE230 Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Wi-Fi extenders category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link RE230
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 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 67% of models
Score components

45%

6.8

Technical score

30%

?

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

15%

6.8

Reviews score

10%

8.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 67% 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%

7.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 69%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 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 59% of models
Score components

40%

6.1

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

8.0

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

3.3

Ports

â–¼Worse than 59%
6.8

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.8/ 10
✕
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
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models

6.8

Mark 7.3 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

7.9

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–¼Worse than 78%
8.7

User score

User score
8.7/ 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
â–² Better than 82% of models

70%

8.2

Rating

30%

9.7

Popularity

â–²Better than 82%
?

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
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 TP-Link RE230

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 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 59% of models
Score components:

40%

6.1

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

8.0

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

3.3

Ports

6.8
Reviews score
6.8
User score
8.7
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%

7.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.0
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This Wi-Fi extender supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), more advanced than 14.3% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 38.3% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Wi-Fi bands
Dual-band
This Wi-Fi extender supports Dual-band, more versatile than 15% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 74.5% 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
750 Mbps
Market range: <733 Mbps – >5.4k Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, slower than 77% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 6.6% 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
EasyMesh
Roaming feature
yes
This Wi-Fi extender supports roaming. 11.8% of Wi-Fi extenders support roaming.
802.11k support
yes
This Wi-Fi extender supports 802.11k. 24.3% of Wi-Fi extenders support 802.11k.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This Wi-Fi extender has 1 LAN port/s, more than 7.4% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 79.1% of Wi-Fi extenders.
Ethernet port speed
0.1 Gbps
Market range: <0.1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This Wi-Fi extender offers 0.1 Gbps Ethernet speed, slower than 70.6% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 26.7% of Wi-Fi extenders.
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
no
This Wi-Fi extender does not have automatic firmware updates. 45.5% of Wi-Fi extenders have 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

TP-Link RE230 vs the average Wi-Fi extender

246810TotalWi-Fi PerformanceNetworkPortsSetupHardware
  • 16.0% higher user score
    User score
    8.7/ 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
    â–² Better than 82% of models

    70%

    8.2

    Rating

    30%

    9.7

    Popularity

    8.7 vs 7.5
  • 16.0% higher user score
    User score
    8.7/ 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
    â–² Better than 82% of models

    70%

    8.2

    Rating

    30%

    9.7

    Popularity

    8.7 vs 7.5
  • 90% slower Ethernet speed
    This Wi-Fi extender 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
  • 57.1% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (750 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    750 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 63.9% slower 5 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 5 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (433 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz.
    433 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps
  • 6.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.8/ 10
    ✕
    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
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models

    6.8

    Mark 7.3 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.9

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    6.8 vs 7.3
  • 2.6% worse value for money
    TP-Link RE230 has a lower value-for-money score than the average Wi-Fi extender (8.04 vs 8.2).
    8.04 vs 8.25
  • 6.8% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.8/ 10
    ✕
    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
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models

    6.8

    Mark 7.3 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    7.9

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 15% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    6.8 vs 7.3
  • 2.6% worse value for money
    TP-Link RE230 has a lower value-for-money score than the average Wi-Fi extender (8.04 vs 8.2).
    8.04 vs 8.25
  • 57.1% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (750 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    750 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 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
  • 63.9% slower 5 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 5 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (433 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz.
    433 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps
  • 90% slower Ethernet speed
    This Wi-Fi extender 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

Video reviews

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

7.0
Jason Coria
≈ estimated
08/08/2021
First impressions · setup and speed checks on day one
Verdict
TP-Link RE230 seems to work out of the box, with an update planned later in the week.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link RE230

  • Dual-band operation lets it use either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz band.
  • A phone app handles setup and settings.
  • Roaming helps devices move between it and the router.
  • Mesh support lets it join other TP-Link units.
  • WPA3 security protects the connection.
  • Its portable design makes it easy to move between rooms.

What customers don't like about TP-Link RE230

  • The 5 GHz band tops out at 433 Mbps, which limits big downloads.
  • The wired port runs at 0.1 Gbps, which slows any device plugged into it.
  • It has no automatic firmware updates, so you check for new versions yourself.
  • It is for indoor use only and has no IP rating.

Verdict

For one weak room and a modest number of devices, the TP-Link RE230 keeps things simple. Its Wi-Fi 5 link is dual-band, but the 5 GHz band tops out at 433 Mbps, which is the number to remember. The phone app handles setup, and beamforming and MU-MIMO help a few devices share the link. Roaming lets devices switch between the extender and the router on their own, and mesh support lets it join other TP-Link units. The one wired port runs at 0.1 Gbps, so cable use is for light work only. It is portable, but it is for indoor use only and has no automatic firmware updates, so you check for new versions yourself. It suits a small flat or a home office where streaming and browsing are the main jobs.

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