The main difference between a mesh network and a WiFi extender is that a mesh network is a WiFi system that uses multiple access points to provide your home with fast, reliable coverage all on a single network. Range or WiFi extenders can expand the reach of your existing wireless network. This enables you to access the Internet when you’re not close enough to your router to receive a good signal. While range extenders can be effective in increasing wireless range, they reduce throughput and create performance issues. Range extenders can cut bandwidth in half because they rely on a single wireless radio to both listen for and broadcast data. This results in a slower connection when you’re receiving a WiFi signal from your range extender and can also impact your connection speeds to your router.