Making use of your old hardware is easier than you think Many consumer routers support the ability to run as a Wi-Fi extender natively, through a mode known as 'repeater' or 'bridge' mode.

The extender picks up the signal from your main router and rebroadcasts it, thereby extending the Wi-Fi range. There are a couple of ways to set up your old router as a Wi-Fi extender.

There are different types of Wi-Fi extenders to choose from. Some models use external antennas to push the signal farther, while others, like mesh extenders, create a seamless, whole-home network.

We spent hours testing Wi-Fi extenders, but they failed to impress. There are better ways to improve your internet coverage.