The Netgear WN3000RP is an older model, launched way back in 2011. And while it can still be bought and used, we'd struggle to recommend it above newer devices. It no longer ranks among our list of the best Wifi boosters, but for anyone looking to get a cheap extender for a lower connection speed, the Netgear WN3000RP is still available and will work pretty well. If you want the most modern version, we recommend the Netgear EX6150 extender, which has a much better AC1200 signal, and far faster throughput and connections.
If you live in a small house or apartment and you’re having wireless issues, it could be your router - most of the best laptops and home computers have very solid wireless connections, so it's less likely to be them at fault. Swapping out your router with a newer, upgraded model might be the best choice, as a single router with a greater output is better than an old router supplemented by a Wi-Fi booster. However, your current router is not always the problem, and a new one can cost way more than an extender. In these cases, a simple Wi-Fi booster is the best way to cover those blind spots.
The WN3000RP is an N300 Wi-Fi booster, like the D-Link DAP-1330 N300, which means it’s rated for a throughput of 300 Mbps. This isn’t the fastest speed for a wireless range extender, but it’s as fast as you’re going to get with a booster under $50.
It has a simple and effective design – it plugs straight into an outlet and has adjustable antennas to give you the best coverage possible. The setup process is very straight forward. You simply plug it in, hit the WPS button on your router and the corresponding button on the WN3000RP, and you’re ready to go. It’s doesn’t require any special software, though you can use the Netgear app to troubleshoot any issues you have.
One downside to the WN3000RP is it has a single Ethernet port to connect wired devices like printers or gaming consoles. With only one, you’re severely limited, especially if you have several devices you want to connect. If that’s the case, you’ll have to spend more on Wi-Fi booster with more Ethernet ports. Almost all modern Wifi boosters have multiple ports, so that shouldn't be an issue.
Should you buy the Netgear WN3000RP?
There isn’t a lot to the Netgear WN3000RP, which is a good thing if you’re just looking to swing some Wi-Fi into a dead spot in a small home or apartment. While it’s not super-fast and doesn’t have the range of better, more expensive range extenders, its affordability and ease of use make it a good option for simple situations. The fact that its an older model does limit its speeds and efficiency, but if you just want a quick little boost, it's fine.
