Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.
The Linksys RE4000 is an affordable Wi-Fi booster equipped with wireless-N internet technology. It’s backward compatible with B and G wireless technology and should work with your current wireless network. It has a link rate of 300 Mbps, but that doesn’t mean you’ll actually experience those speeds, especially if your network isn’t fast. While the RE4000 is fine for a small home or apartment, like the D-Link DAP-1330, it’s not one of the best Wi-Fi range extenders available.
With two Ethernet ports on the bottom of the unit, you can use this Wi-Fi range extender as a quick plug-and-play installation with wired devices. You can also connect it to your main router for a stronger signal, so long as you don’t mind the cord. Once the Wi-Fi booster is connected to your network, you can use this port to connect wired devices. When it's in use, the Ethernet port's green indicator light illuminates. Next to the port you will see a reset button and an automatic setup button.
The RE4000 is rated for both 2.4 and 5GHz bands, which means it’s designed to provide a longer range than a single-band extender. It’s also rated for speeds up to 300 Mbps. However, we found that users rarely experience such speeds. This could be the result of their own network speed not being great. As a rule of thumb, a Wi-Fi range extender is 50 percent slower than your initial speed.
One concern of the RE4000 is the size. While you can plug it directly into an outlet, it’s significantly bigger than most Wi-Fi range extenders for small homes. It’s designed to be on a desk or shelf.
Linksys has impeccable customer support. During our research, we looked at many user reviews on a variety of markets, and Linksys’ support team always seems to have a footprint on these markets. When a user has a bad experience, Linksys reaches out with potential solutions to their problem and encourages the user to contact the company. This shows real dedication to customers.
This same customer-centered attitude is prevalent on its website. A support link at the top of the page leads you to several support options. You can access user forums where other owners of the RE4000 are discussing installation and configuration issues. You can also read FAQs, browse quick troubleshooting steps or chat live with a support technician. For further support, an email address and phone number are also listed. All Linksys products come with a one-year warranty.
The Linksys RE4000 is an affordable solution to a home or office riddled with internet dead zones. It’s a bit bigger than most range extenders for small homes, but you can plug it directly into an outlet to repeat your current wireless network's signal across those dead zones. This is a decent device, but it's not one of the best Wi-Fi boosters on the market.
