You can expect decent signal strength within the device's range, thanks to the two antennas built into the TL-WA850RE's design. We're a bit disappointed with that range, though. In ideal conditions, you'll only get an extra 100 feet of range. That's enough to cover a small house, but with floors and walls, it can become troublesome.
When you're in range of the wireless signal, this Wi-Fi extender has a theoretical data rate of 300 Mbps. That's fast enough for most people, but it's also a far cry from 802.11ac's much higher rates, which brings us to the fact that the TL-WA850RE is limited to 802.11n and lower standards. This isn't a terrible thing right now, but in the future, you'll definitely want to think about an 802.11ac Wi-Fi booster.
You can use the single Ethernet port on the TL-WA850RE to plug in a wired device. Unfortunately, this still leaves you at the mercy of wireless limitations, such as data rate and interference issues, but it's a great way to get a single device connected to the internet – especially if it doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi.
TP-Link offers excellent support on its products, including the TL-WA850RE. First and foremost, you get a two-year warranty. That's plenty of time to notice any factory defects. You can contact the support team through email or via phone. There are FAQs to help you with quick questions and a user manual to help you familiarize yourself with the TL-WA850RE. The only thing that's missing is live chat support.
The TP-Link TL-WA850RE leaves quite a bit to be desired. It's not the best Wi-Fi extender on the market, but it will do in a pinch. Its small profile and decent data rate keep it relevant, but we're not sure how long that will last as 802.11ac devices become more popular. If all you need is a quick and easy solution to fixing a dead zone in your home, though, then the TL-WA850RE fits the bill.
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