TP-Link RE715X Wi-Fi Extender, Tested and Reviewed

Wi-Fi dead zones seem to be par for the course in two-story homes, causing much frustration to anyone working, streaming or gaming on the second floor. While mesh Wi-Fi networks remain a viable option, they can come with a high price tag and might have more than you even need. Instead, range extenders give you better speed where it’s currently nonexistent without breaking the bank. Of all the Wi-Fi range extenders on the market, the TP-Link RE715X shines as one of the best. But does it live up to its reputation? We tested the extender based on specs, setup, price, performance and value to see if it could solve your Wi-Fi woes.

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Our TP-Link RE715X Video Review

Don’t feel like reading the rest of the article? Check out our video review of the TP-Link RE715X below:

Walking Through Our TP-Link RE715X Experience

1. TP-Link RE715X Specs
2. TP-Link RE715X at First Glance: Pricy with Promising Features
3. TP-Link RE715X Installation: Simple and Straightforward 
4. TP-Link RE715X Performance: Solid Speed Improvement
5. Our Verdict: A Must-Have for Two-Story Homes

TP-Link RE715X Specs

TP-Link RE715X at First Glance: Pricy With Promising Features

The RE715X isn’t the first TP-Link product I’ve had the pleasure of testing, but it’s the first range extender by the brand that I’ve used. I’ve found myself impressed with TP-Link’s products, particularly its mesh network systems, and the RE715X shows major promise with impressive features like Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and gigabit speeds.

Compared to other Wi-Fi range extenders, the RE715X is on the higher end of the price spectrum but does come with quality features that justify the cost. Imagine the power of dual-band Wi-Fi 6, where your devices can enjoy their own dedicated lanes — 5 GHz for blazing-fast speeds up to 2,402 Mbps and 2.4 GHz for more stable connections, all thanks to cutting-edge tech.

If you’re like me and can’t stand buffering or dropped connections, the uninterrupted streaming feature is a lifesaver. With TP-Link’s OneMesh technology, your whole house becomes a seamless Wi-Fi wonderland, where you’re always connected no matter where you roam. However, you do need a router that supports this feature. My Spectrum-provided router, sadly, doesn’t support this technology.

The gigabit ethernet is perfect for hooking up your smart TV, gaming console or PC, ensuring everything stays fast and lag-free. The cherry on top? The TP-Link Tether app, which I have experience using, makes setup and management a breeze. It’s like being the Wi-Fi wizard of your own home.

TP-Link RE715X Installation: Simple and Straightforward

Rarely is technology as plug-and-go as installing the RE715X, but I’m happy to report that installation couldn’t have been easier. Simply plugging in the extender and downloading the intuitive app is all that’s required to get you up and running in less than 10 minutes.

Unboxing and Initial Setup

The TP-Link RE715X comes with a handy guide that walked me through the steps to install the range extender. A companion mobile app was also necessary for setup. TP-Link has multiple apps depending on the device you’re setting up. For this range extender, I used the Tether app. Don’t feel bad if you downloaded the wrong one at first, because I made the same mistake when attempting to set up the TP-Link Deco S4.

I’ve tested a handful of mesh network systems, and installing this range extender proved even easier. All I had to do was plug the device in close to our existing router (this won’t be its permanent location) and wait for the flashing blue light at the top to turn solid as it located our existing Wi-Fi. This waiting period was the longest part of the whole process and took about three to four minutes.

Once that light was solid blue, I opened up the Tether app to complete the download. I clicked through to select the download options for a range extender and then followed the prompts. Once our extender was located, we set up a password for managing our device and then linked our extender to our existing home Wi-Fi.

After applying our settings, we were free to move our extender to a new location. Ideally, you’ll choose a spot near known dead zones. When we plugged it into that location, we waited for the lights to all turn solid blue. And, just like that, we were up and running! The whole process took less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

Navigating the Mobile App

The Tether app was intuitive and straightforward, making setup and navigation a breeze. I could easily update any settings inside the app, including updating passwords and controlling LAN or DHCP settings. Overall, the app provided the basic necessities I needed. But since I’m only using it to extend Wi-Fi rather than create a mesh network, the basics suited us just fine.

One option we had with the RE715X is OneMesh. This feature allowed us to establish a mesh network, broadening our current network’s reach, and delivering high-speed Wi-Fi across our entire home by utilizing existing compatible devices. This feature eliminated the need for investing in a new mesh system. However, we had to make sure our current router was compatible. If it’s not already and you have to purchase a new router, it might not be the most cost-effective option compared to simply investing in a mesh network system.

For us to get the most out of our device, the app assisted us in finding the best location for our extender. We checked the signal strength of our current location to see if we were getting maximum coverage. And, if the app found our extender was too close to our router, it suggested moving it to improve reach.

While many features are included with the device, you can choose to enhance security and advanced parental control features. Both of these add-ons come with a free 30-day trial. If you’re considering upgrading, you can spend a month with these features to determine if investing in them makes sense for your needs.

TP-Link RE715X Performance: Solid Speed Improvement

I live in a two-story, 2,500-square foot home, and while my main router is set up in a central location, internet connection on the second level can be challenging. The room on the second floor toward the back of the house tends to record the lowest speeds. I performed a test using the extender to see how Wi-Fi speed improved.

Testing the Router

Before setting up the range extender, I tested the internet speed with a third-party speed test on my Spectrum-provided router and logged 299 Mbps. After installing the RE715X, I tested the speed again and I logged 340 Mbps, an increase in download speeds of 14 percent.

Upload speeds also saw an improvement, which often hasn’t been the case when I’ve tested mesh network systems. Upload speeds generally remain consistent. On my Spectrum router, upload speeds were 16.5 Mbps and with the extender logged 22.1 Mbps, showing a 34 percent increase.

The increase may not seem high, but I put the extender to the test while working. I enjoyed a noticeable improvement when navigating online using the extender compared with my regular router. Navigating social media apps also showed an improvement compared to previous usage.

While I used a Spectrum router for this test, the normal router I use in my home is the eero Pro 6 mesh network system. In this location, I generally get speeds between 350 Mbps to 400 Mbps. These speeds are less than I achieved with the RE715X, but not by much. And when taking price into account, the range extender suitably improves Wi-Fi speeds.

A great benefit to using this extender is that it can be easily moved without requiring a new setup. If you use it in your office and then have guests coming and want to move it to the guest room, it’s a simple fix. One downside is the size of the extender, as the unit blocks the entire outlet, so you wouldn’t be able to plug in another device or cable with the extender.

Comparing to Competitors

As range extenders go, the RE715X is one of the top products on the market. Its versatility, effectiveness and ability to create a one-mesh network stand out against similar products. The extender rivals one by Asus, the Asus RP-AX58. While both have similar features, the Asus model is slightly less expensive than the RE715X but features less coverage. The RE715X features 600 square feet, more coverage than the RP-AX58. But the RP-AX58 is able to maintain solid upload speeds no matter the distance from the main router.

Aside from the RE715X, TP-Link has a suite of other range extenders. The TP-Link RE315 is a budget-friendly model but only has 1,500 square feet of coverage, which could be a good option for smaller homes but falls short for the average two-story house. As far as performance among these three extenders go, the RE715X outpaces the other two and doesn’t show a significant drop in speeds over farther distances.

Our Verdict: A Must-Have for Two-Story Homes

Despite its higher price point for range extenders, the RE715X is well worth the cost. For two-story homes with Wi-Fi dead zones, this extender fits the bill to deliver high speeds and offers versatility to provide speed wherever you need it. This Wi-Fi extender is perfect for homes with many family members and high-bandwidth needs, whether for working from home or streaming 4K content or online games. The RE715X ensures everyone in the home can access Wi-Fi speed without worrying about irritating slowdowns or dead zones.

How We Assess Routers

In evaluating routers, we ensure uniformity by adhering to a standardized set of criteria for each review. Our team of technology specialists depends on these guidelines to perform their analyses.

• Specs: Our evaluation process includes a comprehensive examination of router components, particularly emphasizing wireless standards such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, alongside the CPU and RAM specifications. This meticulous review allows us to assess if a router meets contemporary benchmarks and to effectively compare it with other models.
• Setup: Modern routers ought to be intuitive and straightforward to install, in contrast to their predecessors. A swift and hassle-free setup is essential for rapid connectivity. We assess each router by measuring the time required for installation and the simplicity of the process, emphasizing both speed and user-friendliness. Furthermore, we scrutinize the brand’s applications to evaluate their ease of use and how they enrich the experience of owning and managing the router.
• Price: Each household navigates its own unique budget, and router prices can range from a modest $50 to a substantial $500 or more. Our evaluations go beyond just the initial cost. We also take into account additional expenses, such as necessary accessories or subscriptions required to unlock the device’s full potential. By comparing prices across various brands and models, and by examining available discounts and special offers, we provide a comprehensive financial analysis to help you make an informed decision.
• Performance: High-performance routers are designed to boost your internet speed and cater to diverse requirements, whether for various home sizes, specific activities or numerous connected devices. We conduct rigorous, hands-on evaluations of each router, testing their capabilities across different distances and with multiple devices to gauge their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
• Value: When evaluating a router’s overall worth, we take into account its cost, performance, ease of installation and technological features. Striking the right balance is crucial in this assessment. Generally, we anticipate that higher-priced routers will provide outstanding performance, whereas budget-friendly models might offer reduced speeds. Our preferred routers are those that seamlessly blend superb performance with affordability, guaranteeing a gratifying user experience over the long term.