Help with Wi-Fi Extenders

arthurbach4 on 21/09/2025 - 15:52
Last edited 21/09/2025 - 17:22 by 1 other user

I know a reasonable amount about computing hardware and software but apparently, I go to water when it comes to extending Wi-Fi range. To be fair I’ve only lived in single story houses up unit now but still.

Could someone please give me the easiest and most cost-efficient way to extend Wi-Fi range from my newly purchased TP-Link AX5400 modem/router (sitting on the ground floor of a two-story house) to the second floor?

We have HFC NBN connection pumping out 500mbps/50mbps.

I don’t need to flood the second floor with coverage – just the first couple of rooms (where I have my gaming rig).

I have looked into how to do this before (in a half-arsed kind of way) but it always seemed just a little trickier than I would have thought.

I would appreciate any help.

• 

  scrimshaw on 21/09/2025 - 16:02

  +2

  The easiest way is to just buy another TP-Link device that supports Onemesh and enable onemesh on the current device to create the mesh network. https://www.tp-link.com/au/onemesh/

  List of OneMesh devices. Make sure your current router supports that feature and if not, check if a firmware update enables the function:
  https://www.tp-link.com/us/onemesh/product-list/

  Note that OneMesh is specific to TP-Link only. You can't mix and match brands, e.g TP Link Deco does not use OneMesh, it uses Deco Mesh, ASUS routers uses AIMesh et cetera

• 

  oscargamer on 21/09/2025 - 16:05

  +1

  Buy a 3 pack of these for $500

  https://www.bunnings.com.au/tp-link-deco-xe75-axe5400-tri-ba…?

  Disable the wifi from your router
  Use one or two of the XE75's as required
  Sell the remaining one or two for $150 each

• 

  AndyC1 on 21/09/2025 - 16:05

  +1

  The TP-Link AX5400 is not a modem, so please be aware of this as op has posted it is…….

  Google TP-Link AX5400 and read the info on the TP-link AX5400 page about extending it to cover a 2 story house. Will answer your questions.

  Make sure you consider the speed you want and the bands you can use and the biggest issue you can face is if you have a concrete floor with reo in it between the floors then you are better to run a CAT5E cable and use it.

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  BiotBargin on 21/09/2025 - 16:16

  powerline adapter if it two power points on the same CB / ethernet cable if possible - then connect the range extender as a WAP upstairs

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  87percent on 21/09/2025 - 16:33

  Probably shouldn’t be gaming over wifi

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  isidore12 on 21/09/2025 - 19:24

  Ideally you want to add a Wifi Access Point.

  You can either connect it using a ethernet cable, but if you can't, you could use powerline adapters.

  Normally you would match your existing eco-system (TP-Link, Ubiquiti, etc.) to enable the mesh.

  But I am not sure your wifi router supports it. If not you may have to use a different name for the second Wifi SSID.

  You could also disable the wifi from your router and use two Wifi Access Points of the same brand, and enable the mesh.

  • 

    oscargamer on 21/09/2025 - 21:24

    Which is what I said………

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  dreamerman on 22/09/2025 - 13:14

  Not sure if you specifically want an extender but I recommend a mesh. I have a cheap 3 cube Tenda mesh and it works so well. I have a number of wireless gear like Sonos, TVs, solar inverters, cleaning robots, air con, laptops, phones etc etc. I bridge it and let my ASUS router handle everything.