D-Link EXO AC2000 DAP-1820 Range Extender

If you're looking to improve the reach of your Wi-Fi 5 network, a range extender like the D-Link EXO AC2000 DAP-1820 ($89.99) can help. A plug-in device, the DAP-1820 offers dual-band connectivity and is equipped with a 1GbE LAN port. It's a snap to install, but it's limited to older Wi-Fi 5 technology and its performance could be a lot better. For around $30 more, you can get the superior TP-Link RE715X range extender, which works with Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers and offers good signal coverage.

Design: Big Extender, Small Performance

The DAP-1820 is a plug-in extender that you install at a wall outlet located approximately halfway between your router and the room that requires a stronger signal.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

At 5.5 by 3.5 by 1.7 inches (HWD), the D-Link is one of the bulkiest plug-in extenders we've seen. By comparison, the TP-Link AC750 WiFi Range Extender RE220 measures 4.3 by 3 by 2.6 inches. The DAP-1820's three-prong plug is positioned on the back of the device near the top so as not to block access to the top outlet in a two-outlet receptacle. The extender does not offer a pass-through AC outlet.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The front of the extender has three small signal strength indicators. A single glowing LED represents a weak connection with the router, two LEDs indicate a good one, and all three illuminated indicate a strong connection. You'll find a WPS button on the right side, which also holds a status LED that glows red when the device is powered on, blinks orange when it's ready for setup, blinks green when the WPS button has been pressed, and glows solid green when the extender is connected to the router.

The two external antennas positioned on either side of the extender are curved to maintain the device's oval shape. They are not removable or adjustable. A 1GbE port on the bottom can be used to connect to external devices or for a wired connection to the router.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The DAP-1820 is a dual-band AC2000 extender, which means it can hit maximum data rates of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band. Again, it's a Wi-Fi 5 device that works with older 802.11ac routers but doesn't support the latest Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) technologies.

You manage the extender's settings using D-Link's Wi-Fi mobile app for iOS and Android devices; as with most extenders, your customization options are limited. The app opens to a screen with a network map that shows the extender's status, the number of extender nodes, and the number of connected clients. When you tap the Network panel, you'll see the name of each node, and you can tap the Clients panel to see which devices are using the extender. Tap any client name to view IP and MAC addresses. Swipe right to reveal a QR code that you can use to give Wi-Fi access to other users.

(Credit: D-Link)

A gear icon in the top right corner opens a screen with icons labeled Wizard, Wi-Fi, Clients, Schedule, and Management. Use the first to add more extenders to your network. The Wi-Fi icon lets you change the SSID and passwords and separate or link the two radio bands. The Clients icon displays the same information as the abovementioned Clients panel, and the Schedule button lets you create a Wi-Fi access schedule for the extender. Lastly, tapping the Management icon opens a screen where you can change your administrative password, turn off the LEDs, update firmware, reboot the extender, or reset it to its factory defaults.

Testing the DAP-1820: Just Enough Speed to Get By

The DAP-1820 is easy to install. Start by downloading the D-Link Wi-Fi app and tap Install New Device. When prompted, use your phone's camera to scan the QR code on the Quick Start card or the back of the extender. Select how you'll connect to the router (wirelessly or wired) and plug the extender into a wall outlet halfway between the router and the area where you wish to add coverage. Tap Next when the LED begins to flash orange; choose the SSID of the network you wish to extend; and enter your password. This gives the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands the same name and password, but you can change settings later to separate them. Next, you're asked to create an administrator password. Once the settings are applied, the LED turns green and the installation is complete. Update the firmware as needed.

The DAP-1820 delivered middling scores in our throughput tests. Its score of 54Mbps on the 2.4GHz close proximity test trailed that of two 802.11ac devices, the Zyxel WRE6606 (55Mbps) and the TP-Link RE220 AC750 (77Mbps). By way of comparison, the TP-Link RE715X extender, which uses Wi-Fi 6 technology, scored 106Mbps in this test.

In our 25-foot test, the DAP-1820 scored 32Mbps, again trailing the WRE6606 and the RE220 AC750 (35Mbps and 36Mbps respectively). The more powerful TP-Link RE715X managed 71Mbps.

We saw similar results in the 5GHz tests. The DAP-1820 posted 99Mbps in the close proximity test compared with the Zyxel WRE6606's score of 173Mbps and the TP-Link RE220 AC750's 115Mbps. At a distance of 25 feet, the DAP-1820 managed 65Mbps, the WRE6606 scored 100Mbps, and the RE220 AC750 scored 70Mbps. The TP-Link RE715X scored 410Mbps at close proximity and 264Mbps at 25 feet.

We test wireless signal strength using an Ekahau Sidekick 2 Wi-Fi diagnostic device and Ekahau's Survey mobile app. This combination generates heat maps that show the extender's 2.4GHz and 5GHz signal range throughout our test home. (Note: Ekahau is owned by PCMag.com's parent company Ziff Davis. You can read about our ethics policy in the Editorial Mission Statement.)

The circle on the maps below represents the location of the extender, and dark green shading indicates the strongest signal. Lighter green and yellow shading represent gradual signal degradation, and gray indicates a very weak signal or no measurable reception.

(Credit: Ekahau)

(Credit: Ekahau)

As seen in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz maps, the DAP-1820 delivered good signals to the targeted area (the right side of the house), but reception was weak on the left side of the house.

Verdict: Still Using Wi-Fi 5? Switch to Mesh

The D-Link EXO AC2200 DAP-1820 is a quick and easy way to extend the signal coverage of your Wi-Fi 5 router. Simply plug it into a wall outlet and use the mobile app to create an extended network, or use it as a mesh node if you have a compatible D-Link mesh-enabled router.

However, you won't get blazing Wi-Fi performance with this extender, and its signal range is only fair. If you're going to plunk down $90 for an extender that uses old technology, you're better off spending another $30 for TP-Link's RE715X. Or consider ditching your old router entirely and upgrading to a new Wi-Fi 6 mesh network with the Wyze Mesh Router, which can be found for about $110 if you shop around. It doesn't offer multi-gig ports or many advanced settings, but it's a solid and easy-to-manage performer that offers 3,000 square feet of coverage.