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 RE305 review: 64 specs compared

Avg. price:~£25Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi speed:1200 MbpsCoverage area:?

TP-Link RE305 Review: Compare 64 technical specifications, 11 expert and video reviews and 6 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Wi-Fi extenders category and whether it is worth buying.

TP-Link RE305
7.7/10

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Score components

45%

7.0

Technical score

30%

8.9

List score

15%

8.2

Reviews score

10%

7.0

User score

▲Better than 59% of wi fi extenders
8.4

Value for money

Value for money
8.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▲Better than 57%
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components

40%

6.3

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

8.3

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

3.3

Ports

▼Worse than 55%
8.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.2/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 71% of models

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

9.1

Popularity

Grades by review (11)
3 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 8 video reviews, each 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.
▲Better than 71%
7.0

User score

User score
7.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 77% of models

7.0

Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

70%

8.0

Rating

30%

6.6

Popularity

▼Worse than 77%
8.9

List score

List score
8.9/ 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 (6)
List score: in 6 of 47 lists (13%)
▲Better than 88%
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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.

What reviewers say about the TP-Link RE305

Based on 3 · 8

Extends coverage well and sets up easily with useful dual-band support, though wireless speeds often disappoint.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of Wi-Fi extender TP-Link RE305

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components:

40%

6.3

Wi-Fi Performance

30%

8.3

Network

12%

8.7

Setup

10%

6.6

Hardware

8%

3.3

Ports

7.0
Reviews score
8.2
User score
7.0
List score
8.9
Value for money
Value for money
8.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.7

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.4
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
1,200 Mbps
Market range: <733 Mbps – >5.4k Mbps
This Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,200 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, slower than 62.5% of Wi-Fi extenders and equal to 10.5% 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
What reviewers say
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
What reviewers say
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
What reviewers say
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 RE305 vs the average Wi-Fi extender

246810TotalWi-Fi PerformanceNetworkPortsSetupHardware
  • 11.3% higher list score
    List score
    8.9/ 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 (6)
    List score: in 6 of 47 lists (13%)
    8.9 vs 8.0
  • 12.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 71% of models

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    9.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (11)
    3 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 8 video reviews, each 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.
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 11.3% higher list score
    List score
    8.9/ 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 (6)
    List score: in 6 of 47 lists (13%)
    8.9 vs 8.0
  • 12.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 71% of models

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    9.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (11)
    3 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 0 estimated from the review. 8 video reviews, each 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.
    8.2 vs 7.3
  • 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
  • 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
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 27.8% slower 5 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 5 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (867 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz.
    867 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps
  • 6.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.0/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 77% of models

    7.0

    Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    8.0

    Rating

    30%

    6.6

    Popularity

    7.0 vs 7.5
  • 6.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.0/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 77% of models

    7.0

    Mark 7.5 is below the typical mark 8.1 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    8.0

    Rating

    30%

    6.6

    Popularity

    7.0 vs 7.5
  • 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
  • 31.4% slower Wi-Fi speed
    This Wi-Fi extender reaches slower Wi-Fi speed than the average Wi-Fi extender (1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,750 Mbps Wi-Fi speed.
    1,200 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • 27.8% slower 5 GHz speed
    This Wi-Fi extender delivers slower 5 GHz speeds than the average Wi-Fi extender (867 Mbps vs 1,201 Mbps). The average Wi-Fi extender reaches 1,201 Mbps on 5 GHz.
    867 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

8.0
Anand Master Ji
≈ estimated
19/07/2026
Unboxing and speed test · before and after setup
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 gives a big speed gain when placed outside the room, but performance inside the room is poor.
9.0
Tech By Yash
≈ estimated
02/09/2025
Long-term test · 2 months of daily use
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 suits homes and offices well, with strong range, good speed and a useful companion app.
3.0
Bee Tech
≈ estimated
28/05/2021
Hands-on test · speed and range check · setup
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 is slow in real use and not worth buying at its price; better options exist for less.
9.0
TechGuru Andrew
≈ estimated
17/01/2021
Unboxing · speed tests at distance on laptop and phone
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 is a good repeater: 5 GHz holds up well, but speed drops with distance, especially on 2.4 GHz.
7.0
sharing knowledge
≈ estimated
07/01/2025
Unboxing and setup · speed tests on 5 GHz
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 is fine for browsing and YouTube and most useful where signal is weak or missing.
9.0
Tech Review Nation
≈ estimated
15/10/2021
Hands-on review · speed test with and without extender
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 is clearly recommended for weak-signal rooms, based on a large speed gain in testing.
9.0
TechReflex
≈ estimated
22/09/2020
Hands-on review · speed and range tests · setup
Verdict
TP-Link RE305 has limited speeds, but it is easy to set up and worth the price for most people.
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
techadvisor.com
✓ explicit
26/07/2021
Hands-on test · Budget extender
Verdict
The TP-Link RE305 is an easy-to-set-up budget extender, but its 5GHz signal weakens after one room, so distant rooms rely on slower 2.4GHz.
8.6
geekman.in
✓ explicit
15/09/2022
Hands-on test · Budget extender
Verdict
The TP-Link RE305 covers about 2,500 sq ft and is simple to set up, but average 5GHz speeds and gaming limits make it best for everyday users.
9.6
toptenreviews.com
✓ explicit
29/08/2018
Lab test · Value Wi-Fi extender
Verdict
The TP-Link RE305 is a great-value Wi-Fi extender that performs strongly over Wi-Fi, though its 100Mbps wired port makes it best for wireless-only setups.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TP-Link RE305

  • Mesh support lets it join other TP-Link units.
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 at 1200 Mbps is plenty for video calls and streaming.
  • WPA3 security protects the network.
  • A dedicated app handles setup.
  • MU-MIMO lets it serve several devices at once.
  • Roaming support helps phones switch between the router and the extender.

What customers don't like about TP-Link RE305

  • The wired port runs at 0.1 Gbps, which is slow for a fast cable link.
  • Only one LAN port, so one device can plug in by cable.
  • Firmware does not update automatically, so you must check for updates yourself.
  • It is for indoor use only.
  • No guest network, so visitors share your main Wi-Fi.

Verdict

Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 at 1200 Mbps is the core of the TP-Link RE305, a budget extender for a home where the router is a room or two too far away. It can join a mesh with other TP-Link units, and it hands phones over smoothly as you walk through the house. WPA3 security and a dedicated app keep setup and protection simple. The wired port runs at 0.1 Gbps, so it cannot keep up with a fast cable connection. It is a small plug-in box that stays indoors and is not made for damp rooms. Its LED lights can be turned off, which is handy at night. It suits someone with one dead corner, such as a bedroom or home office, who wants a budget fix without a full mesh kit.

Compare TP-Link RE305 with other products in the Wi-Fi extenders category

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