
The transfer speeds detailed above may sound impressive, but they refer to theoretical capabilities, not real-world performance. It’s safer to stick with one make where you can. However, mixing and matching can impact speeds and there’s no guarantee that a TP-Link adaptor will work seamlessly with one from, say, TRENDnet or Devolo. G.Hn should be both faster and more stable, but has yet to become the industry standard, with some manufacturers sticking with AV1200 and AV2000.ĭon’t get too hung up about the different standards they’re all backwards-compatible and different adapters from different manufacturers will work together. More advanced models support the AV2 600, 1000, 12 standards, which use all three power cables (live, ground and neutral) to boost bandwidth to the maximum speeds indicated (which are also, needless to say, only theoretical).īeyond that there’s one more standard – G.hn – with speeds of between 1,200Mbits/sec and 2,500Mbits/sec. The most basic one you’ll find these days is HomePlug AV500, which streams data over the live and neutral wiring in your home at speeds of up to 500Mbits/sec, though these speeds are theoretical, to say the least.īest Wi-Fi extender 2021: Improve wireless coverage and speed from £35 Powerline adapters and HomePlug standards have evolved over the past ten years or so, and there are now several different communication standards promising different levels of performance. How to choose the best powerline adapter for you What are the different types of powerline adapter and what do the different standards mean? You might not get the speeds of a direct connection, but it will be fine for work and entertainment – even gaming – and you can expand the network as you go. All you need is two or more adapters, one plugged into your router, the other plugged in anywhere else in your home where you need an Ethernet connection or a Wi-Fi signal. This is where Powerline (or HomePlug) networking comes in, using the electrical wiring in your house as a conduit for your network. However, the first isn’t always the most effective way to target a particular room or area, while the latter doesn’t work so well if the smartphones, TVs and other devices that you’re using only support the older Wi-Fi 4 and 5 standards. There are several options to explore, ranging from mesh setups that can spread coverage more evenly around the home, to upgrading to the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology for better performance at long range. Sure, you can get a great signal when you’re right next to the router, but what if it’s in a hallway or living room and you need Wi-Fi in a distant upstairs bedroom or an office in the loft or garden? After all, slow or inconsistent Wi-Fi is one of modern life’s most annoying minor problems, especially now that more of us work from home. The best powerline adapters are a must-have in 2021.
