This booster has a couple of features in common with routers that go beyond its looks. Premium wireless routers have featured 802.11ac technology for several years but Wi-Fi extenders have been slower to implement the technology. The Netgear AC1200 was one of the first boosters to boast the 11ac technology. As such, this booster supports devices with the latest Wi-Fi technology. This means broader range and faster Wi-Fi service for you. And it doesn't stop there – it has some other valuable features, like a USB 3.0 connection, that increase its versatility and have redefined how we see boosters.
Features
Setup for the Netgear AC1200 is quick and easy thanks to the one-page, workflow-formatted manual that customizes your setup according to the type of router you are pairing the device with. There is one set of instructions for if you have a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button on your router to be used in sync with the WPS button on the booster, and another set of instructions for if your router does not have this feature.
The Device to Extender LED lights up solid green when you have successfully paired the booster with the router, and you can immediately put its dual-band functionality to work. If your router has a WPS button, once you are connected, you simply push the WPS button on the AC1200 as you press the WPS button on the router again. The router detects that it can run on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and you have the option of extending to one or both.
The AC1200 also functions as a five-port gigabit Ethernet bridge to other wireless devices, and it offers a USB 3.0 port. This is an increasingly common feature on routers, but one that has not until now entered the world of Wi-Fi extenders. This means the booster can share files across a local network and connect to a printer.
Design
This booster has an eye-catching, versatile design that allows it to lie flat or stand vertically, depending on what works best with your office space. This is an unusually large Wi-Fi booster at 9.92 x 6.85 x 1.22 inches.
Some may see the booster's large size as a disadvantage, and there is admittedly something nice about a booster that fits discreetly on your wall outlet, especially if you have a lot of other devices cluttering up your desk space. But in this instance, size translates into more power and features worth having. This is the best Wi-Fi booster on the market, covering a broader range than any other Wi-Fi extender. This allows your device to receive a clear signal from anywhere in your house.
The WPS button works in sync with your router to give you a quick, easy setup, and, for the most part, it continues to function on that level. It has a tendency to get disconnected when you perform firmware updates with this device, though.
Netgear's online support page is easy to navigate. You can find answers to many of your questions through the generous online FAQs section. The company offers a helpful live chat option that you can use whenever you need to, but unfortunately, phone support for this product is limited to 90 days from the time of purchase. This seems especially stingy considering that most manufacturers don't put any limitations on their phone support. A product of this quality should have stellar technical support to match. The hardware warranty for the AC1200 is one year, so you'll have a fair amount of time to notice any factory defects.
The Netgear AC1200 is the best Wi-Fi booster available, with its signature design and useful features like the USB 3.0 port. It also gives you five gigabit Ethernet ports that allow it to function as a bridge. It's not as compact as some Wi-Fi extenders, but it has more to offer in terms of performance. It is a true dual-band booster, and you can connect to 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands separately or simultaneously so that all of your wireless devices get equal treatment and work with equal efficiency. With its 801.11ac Wi-Fi technology, this is currently the best range extender on the market.
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