Our houses aren’t getting bigger, but for some strange reasons, more of us are finding the need for a Wi-FI range extender. I’ve reviewed a couple of Wi-Fi range extenders in the past, and here I have another one from D-Link, the DAP-1720, launched earlier this year in May 2017.
The DAP-1720 is a slightly lower-end version of the DAP-1860 that I had reviewed previously. Physically, the difference between the two is pretty obvious: The DAP-1720 has three MIMO antennas whereas the DAP-1860 has four. They are both plug-style devices.
It’s easy to extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi network with the DAP-1720. I just plug it into the power socket, configure my notebook to the DAP-1720’s default Wi-fi, the detail of which are on a printed label affixed on the device itself, point my web browser to http://dlinkap.local/, and follow the instructions.
You could also choose to use the WPS button on the DAP-1720 itself, together with the WPS button on your existing Wi-Fi router, to automatically setup the connection for the existing Wi-Fi network.
The DAP-1720 can operate as either an extension of your existing Wi-FI network, or connect via your existing wired network through the RJ45 port on the side of the device. In the latter mode, the DAP-1720 operates as a Wi-Fi access point. This could be a preferred mode for people who are able to connect a LAN cable to the DAP-1720 from their existing Wi-Fi router.
The DAP-1720 is a dual-band device, operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with 3 MIMO antennas. It achieve AC1750-class speeds, with up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1,300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
LED indicators on the device itself conveniently tells you the signal strength on the connection to your existing Wi-Fi network, so it’s easy for you to optimally decide on the right place to put the DAP-1720.
Remember, you don’t put the range extender at the spot where your Wi-Fi signal drops out, because then your DAP-1720 would also experience difficulties. The DAP-1720 should be somewhere in-between, where there is still a good connection to the existing Wi-Fi network.
There are few configuration settings available on the DAP-1720. Being security conscious, I would have preferred to disable WPA (the predecessor to WPA2), as it is less secure. This is not possible with the DAP-1720.
You can, however, configure SSIDs and passwords individually for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios. This way, you can ensure that your mobile smart devices like notebooks and smartphones can stay on the higher-performance 5 GHz radio, while other IoT devices such as IP cameras and Wi-Fi connected door locks use the 2.4 GHz radio.
The D-Link DAP-1720 Wi-Fi Range Extender retails for S$139 from IT retail outlets such as Challenger.
Conclusion
The D-Link DAP-1720 Wi-Fi Range Extender conveniently fills signal gaps in your home with fast AC1750 Wi-Fi.
Pros:
- Compact plug-type form
- Can also work to extend a wired network (i.e. Wi-Fi access point)
Cons:
- Unable to remove WPA-PSK support (i.e. to use WPA2-PSK only)
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