My apartment is kind of long and narrow, and my current router is at one end. I've got an older TP-Link AC1200 sitting around that I'm not using anymore. Would it actually work if I set it up as an extender, or should I just buy a newer mesh system instead?
Does your TP-Link still power on and hold a connection to your main router without dropping?
Yeah, it can definitely work as an extender! Most routers made in the last decade can be repurposed that way. The TP-Link AC1200 is actually decent for this since it's got decent range specs. You'd just log into its admin panel, find the extender or access point mode (TP-Link usually calls it "Range Extender Mode" or similar), connect it to your main network, and position it somewhere in the middle of your apartment. The setup's usually pretty straightforward.
The trade-off is that extenders cut your bandwidth roughly in half since they're using the same channel to receive and transmit at the same time. So if you're doing a lot of heavy streaming or gaming, you might notice slowdowns on devices connected to the extender. Mesh systems avoid this problem since each node communicates better with others. That said, if you're just browsing, video calls, or light streaming on the extended part of your apartment, the TP-Link would work fine and cost you nothing 😊
I'd say try it first since you've already got the router. If it's not cutting it after a week or two, then look at mesh systems. No harm in seeing if the cheap solution works before dropping money on new gear.
Don't just stick it in bridge mode and call it a day - most older routers handle that poorly and you'll lose speed. Your AC1200 can work, but the real trick is placing it where your main router's signal is still strong (like halfway down the apartment) and giving it a slightly different network name so your devices don't get confused bouncing between the two. If coverage is still spotty after that, a mesh system would honestly be smoother since they handle roaming way better, but the TP-Link is worth trying first since you've already got it.
The AC1200 will stretch your coverage, but you're going to hit a real bottleneck - extender mode splits your bandwidth between receiving from the main router and sending to your devices, so you'll notice slower speeds in that extended zone. If your apartment's long and narrow, placement matters way more than the router itself; stick it roughly halfway between your main unit and the dead zone, then test before committing. A mesh system would give you better throughput overall, but honestly, try the TP-Link first since it's free and you might find it's "good enough" for casual browsing.
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