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.

Finding the best Wi-Fi extender depends largely upon your individual circumstances, but the best models used the right way can wipe out dead spots entirely.

The Amazon Echo Dot recently gained the ability to work as a mesh router beacon for the Eero. Consumer Reports gave the system a test run.