I think others have already said this, but to sum it up...

To extend wifi, avoid repeaters (unless speed isn't a big deal). Get a hard-wired Access Point. TP-Link makes some of you want to stick to consumer brands. Ubiquity and Grandstream are a bit more "prosumer". I don't have actual experience with Grandstreem, but the advantage is you don't need to run software to set them up. You can do it through a web browser.

These options need to be wire with Ethernet. You'll power them with a PoE injector.

"Mesh" typically refers to a main router/wifi AP combo, and an add-on WiFi AP, with a wireless link to the main router. This works well for a lot of people, and if worked well for you before, you might want to go back to that if you can't run wires to a "real" access point.

Using another router in Access Point mode is an option, but it would sort of be a waste of money (although, maybe not? Depends on price obviously). This will probably require a wire between the two routers, but you can probably also set it up as a wifi extender.

Fun fact: A lot of Ubiquity access points have "mesh", but to my knowledge it only works with other Ubiquity/Unifi equipment. You still have to power it using ethernet and a PoE injector, but if there's no network on that ethernet cable, it can link up wirelessly. I'm sure other brands have this as an option, too.