Rock Space AC2100 Extender review

Our Verdict

Small, easy on the wallet and a snap to gear up, the Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender tin push Wi-Fi into previously unconnected parts of the firm but falls short on performance and range.

For

Easy ready upward
Warranty Extension
Inexpensive

Against

Middling performance
Wi-Fi v applied science
Iii-prong plug

Tom'southward Guide Verdict

Small-scale, like shooting fish in a barrel on the wallet and a snap to gear up upwards, the Rock Infinite AC2100 WiFi Range Extender can push Wi-Fi into previously unconnected parts of the firm merely falls brusque on performance and range.

Pros

+
Easy set up
+
Warranty Extension
+
Cheap

Cons

-
Middling performance
-
Wi-Fi 5 engineering
-
Three-prong plug

Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender: Specs

Wi-Fi Rating: AC2100
Size: 5.9 ten 4.7 x 4.3 inches
Number of Antennas/Removable: 4 external/No
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac dual-band
Ports: Gigabit Ethernet
Performance at xxx-feet on same floor: 122.2Mbps
Extender Range: lx-anxiety

It may not be the best performer merely the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender tin can be an inexpensive and constructive way to enliven Wi-Fi expressionless spots. Easy to fix and use, the extender may be inexpensive but it delivers reliable mid-range performance. It may not outperform the best Wi-Fi extenders on the market, but our Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review shows that information technology might be worth getting for many homes.

Its three-prong plug might get in the way in an older dwelling and the use of Wi-Fi 5 technology is a step backside the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, but it's well suited to extending an older 802.11ac network into a far room. Plus, if you lot register it with Rock Space, you'll get an extra year of warranty coverage, making it a winner for turning a house into a home filled with data.

Rock Infinite AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Costs and what'due south covered

The AC2100 WiFi Range Extender is priced at $63 on Stone Space's Spider web site. On Amazon, it's listed for slightly more, at $69.99, simply is currently offered with a 30% off coupon, which knocks $21 off the price, to an agreeable $48.99.

That puts it at a overnice mid-range price compared to other Wi-Fi extenders nosotros've reviewed, similar the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender, and the D-Link DAP-1720 Wi-Fi AC1750 Range Extender.

If that'southward too steep, its little brother, the AC1200 WiFi Range Extender, costs $xl.

Stone Infinite AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Design

Made of unadorned black plastic, the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Extender has a bones design, simply dresses information technology upward with a sculpted design on the front of the plug-in device. At 5.9 x iv.seven 10 four.3 inches, the black Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Extender is gigantic compared to the tiny Netgear EX6120 AC1200 WiFi Range Extender and requires a three-prong plug that will require an adapter for use in older buildings with 2 prong outlets.

The extender has four antennas that tin be rotated to grab the strongest indicate. When fully extended, the antennas raise the height of the extender by 2.8 inches.

Rock Space AC2100 Extender — (Paradigm credit: Stone Infinite)

There are LEDs that show the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender is powered up, its Wi-Fi Protected Setup has been activated and the connection's bespeak forcefulness. All it takes is a glance to run across it's online: blue shows a good connection and red indicates a poor link; no light means it'south offline.

Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Operation

Using ixChariot benchmark software and a TP-Link Archer C5400X router on my home network, the Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender was reliable and had a 60-foot range, 15-anxiety short of the TP-Link RE650'south 75-foot range. Information technology was able to fill in areas where the router couldn't reach for everything from online gaming to viewing 4K video.

I plugged the extender in 50-feet and two walls from the host router with the Samsung GalaxyBook test arrangement placed 30 feet farther away. The extender was able to movement 122.2Mbps, well behind the Netgear Nighthawk X6S (at 326.8Mbps) or the TP-Link RE-650 (215.2 Mbps).

Rock Space AC2100 Extender plugged into outlet — (Prototype credit: Tom's Guide)

When the extender was placed on a floor above the host router and the test system ready 30 feet abroad, information technology yielded 169.3Mbps. That's one-half the throughput of the Netgear Nighthawk X6S (338.5Mbps) and between the TP-Link RE650 (153.1Mbps) and the Linksys RE7000 (219.5Mbps).

Finally, I set the extender upward a floor below the host router with the test system 30-anxiety away on a coffee table. Information technology delivered a disappointing 22.1Mbps of bandwidth, barely enough for an online game or 4K video stream.

While moving data dorsum and forth, the extender used five.5 watts of power, putting it on a par with the RE650 extender. Over a yr, it volition toll an estimated $six.xxx to use. It ran without a problem for a week of heavy use but its case topped out at 130 degrees Fahrenheit, making it warm but not hot to the touch.

Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Features

Based on Wi-Fi 5 engineering, the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender is a step behind WiFi-6 extenders. Withal, it includes everything from beamforming to MU-MIMO and can connect over 100 devices at in one case.

The extender, however, lacks something as simple every bit the on/off switch that the TP-Link RE650 provides. Information technology does have a recessed reset button on the lesser next to its gigabit-per-second Ethernet port. This connexion allows the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender to operate as an Access signal with a cabled connection.

Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Setup and software

Unlike many of its peers that rely on an app for setup and customization, the Rock Infinite AC2100 WiFi Range Extender can only exist configured using a continued browser. After linking to the extender's LAN ("rockspace_EXT"), I typed "re.rockspace.local" into the browser's address window. Alternatively, I could have used the extender's default IP address of 192.168.0.254.

Rock Space AC2100 Extender set up — (Image credit: Stone Space)

After the log-in page appeared, I entered the password I wanted to apply for the extender. To ease roaming, I used the same name and countersign as the remainder of my habitation LAN.

Side by side, the screen showed me the networks available for extending. Later picking one, I added the network's password and clicked on Extend. I could have set it up equally an access point or in Bridge style by selecting Switch Mode.

All done. Showtime to stop, it took iv minutes. If that sounds like too much work, the WPS button works simply equally well past using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup protocol.

At that place are a few customization options via the AC2100 WiFi Range Extender's internal Web pages. Reachable via the extender'south IP address, the Status folio shows if it's continued, the number of online clients and allows the blacklisting of off-limits computers. If y'all desire to alter the extender to an access betoken, the Operating Mode page allows this.

The WiFi Settings page let me combine the ii.4 and 5GHz networks. Sadly, all the Assistants folio does is let you change the password and reboot the extender.

Other device'south admin pages allow y'all do things like adapt the transmission strength and turn off the LEDs.

Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Warranty and back up

The Stone Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender comes with a one-year warranty that can exist upgraded to an actress twelvemonth by registering. In addition to 24/7 phone and email back up, at that place're self-serve options with setup videos and an extensive FAQ department. Either way, Stone Infinite blows away Netgear's xc-days of included support.

Rock Infinite AC2100 WiFi Range Extender review: Verdict

It may non be the fastest or longest reaching Wi-Fi extender available but the Rock Space AC2100 WiFi Range Extender is easy to fix and does the basics well. Based on older Wi-Fi 5 engineering science, it offers an cheap culling to competitors, like the TP-Link RE650, but can't match them when information technology comes to speed and range.

If you're looking to extend the accomplish of a newer router, you'll want to look at Wi-Fi 6 extenders that match the latest technology, merely the Rock Space AC2100 is well-suited to pair with an older 802.11AC router. It's for those who care more than about their bank residue than getting top speed.

Brian Nadel is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in engineering science reporting and reviewing. He works out of the suburban New York City area and has covered topics from nuclear power plants and Wi-Fi routers to cars and tablets. The quondam editor-in-primary of Mobile Computing and Communications, Nadel is the recipient of the TransPacific Writing Laurels.