Gadgets: Netgear Nighthawk makes your Wi-Fi router work better

Netgear Nighthawk Wi-Fi Range extender

$170

Making your router work better

Even the best routers can have trouble sending signals through walls, leaving you with dead spots in your office, home or yard.

A Wi-Fi range extender like the Nighthawk AC1900 can help solve that problem by improving the reliability of your wireless network. The Nighthawk AC1900 picks up your router's signal and repeats it, sending a stronger signal to the corners of your home and even outside.

How strong? Netgear says the AC1900 is capable of speeds of up to 1,900 megabits per second. Setup is easy, and the AC1900 also has five gigabyte-Ethernet ports to connect wired devices.

NEW YORK TIMES

PowerBeats2 Wireless

$200

Better fit, easier-to-use headphones

Beats updated its Powerbeats headphones to offer Bluetooth capability, saying the design of the new headphones, the Powerbeats2 Wireless, was inspired by LeBron James.

Whether you're king of the court or just out for a walk, the Powerbeats2 make it easier to exercise — or listen while you work — without getting tangled in wires. The headphones hook over the ear and come with four pairs of ear tips, providing a snug fit.

An adjustable cable, which includes a remote control and microphone, rests out of the way behind the neck. Beats headphones typically emphasize the bass, but Powerbeats2 offer a more balanced sound. One note of caution: The headphones do not turn off automatically when the music stops, so you have to remember to shut them down manually or risk draining the battery.

NEW YORK TIMES