Seeking a wi-fi extender which works well with the Apple AirPort Extreme wireless router?

Have you considered the possibility that you have a defective AirPort Express? If the Express is operating correctly, and receiving a good signal from the main AirPort, the Express will extend the network.

Yep, they sent me a replacement and still won't stay connected. I had it 5 feet from the one in the living room and still didn't stay connected. Two separate ones in various locations still to no avail.

I'm not convinced that the replacement Express is working correctly. If it were, you would not be losing the connection.

However, if you are convinced that the Express is good, and the device tests good at an Apple Store, then the only other explanation would be that you have sort of weird interference issue at your location.....where Apple routers will not work for you.....and you will need to try another brand of router.

The only decent extender (repeater) for Apple wireless router is another Apple wireless router.

The discussion about the good and bad points of the express.. extending another express.. is different for you because you are extending Extreme. Another Extreme is the ideal. You could perhaps buy second hand or refurbished because the current Extreme is now so old design wise there are far superior wireless routers on the market for same money.

Apple however designed their system to work very easily with another Apple.. and very poorly with another brand. So for getting wireless to dark spot I really do think using the Apple system is the best way to go...

OR

Run some ethernet or use EOP homeline adapters and setup a Wireless Access Point.. WAP. This can be any brand.. it makes no difference.. as the wireless is also independent. This is called roaming network and is far superior to using wireless repeaters.

I've worked with the AppleCare team over the last month to get it to work. They don't even have an answer for it. The crazy thing is is I'm currently using an Airport Express as our main router and it works great.

Somehow, in looking, you must have missed the information about the AirPort Express.

See the quote about how to extend your network from the literature.....and in the link with more information below.

Extend an existing Wi‑Fi network’s range.

If you already have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, AirPort Express can help. Just place it in range of your primary base station — an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express — and near the area where you want your wireless connection. Launch the easy‑to‑use AirPort Utility app on your iOS device or Mac, and you’re mere minutes away from long‑range Wi‑Fi enjoyment.

http://www.apple.com/airport-express/

Setup will take about 5 minutes total from the time that you take the Express out of the box to the time that it is setup and working. There is virtually no configuration required. Use your Mac or an iPhone or iPad.

I would not recommend an Airport Express to extend another Express. Been there, done that. About to shoot this other Express! I've tried many different locations and DNS settings, nothing works!

Please list and detail everything that the Apple products specialists have asked you to do. If we can think of something else that has not yet been suggested, we will post back.