With the popularity of the internet and working from home, we’re becoming more reliant on Wi-Fi. The quality and speed of the Wi-Fi connection you get can vary drastically depending on where you are in the house. Powerline networking is a way to hook up your devices to the internet via your electrical wiring, so you always have a strong and fast connection.
Powerline adapters and their corresponding network bridge come as a pair. They are linked together by default, so you don’t need to do anything other than plug them in. One of the devices will be plugged directly into the router, while the other goes directly into an outlet somewhere in your house. They are plug-and-play, so once you have them set up, you can plug your Wi-Fi-enabled devices into either one to get Internet access.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best powerline adapters on the market today. We’ll explain how they work, what to look for when shopping, and how to set them up so you can get your devices hooked in minutes.
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How to choose the Best Powerline Adapter for you
When choosing the right powerline adapter, there are a few factors to consider. Here are some points that need to consider before buying this adapter:
What are the different types of powerline adapters?
There are three types of powerline adapters. Some have both Ethernet ports for home networks, while others have just a single Ethernet port or none at all. The number of ports on these adapter might not matter to you depending on what you want to use it for. If you want it as an extra networking device, then having multiple Ethernet ports is recommended because it will be more versatile than one with no Ethernet ports.
What is the difference between Powerline Adapter and WiFi Range Extender?
Powerline Ethernet adapters use an existing electrical wire in your home to establish a hardwired connection to your internet. They are usually used for wired connections and provide faster speeds than WiFi. A powerline Ethernet adapter is plugged into an outlet on one end and connects, via a wired network cable, to a port on the other end that connects with the modem, router or LAN switch.
A WiFi range extender works by using wireless signals to connect devices such as smartphones, laptops or tablets wirelessly to the router or modem. Because they extend the wireless signal of your existing WiFi equipment rather than connecting through wires as powerline adapters do, they work better with weak signals in certain areas of the home or office
What other features need to look for?
Speed: The speed of the powerline adapter is measured in Megabit per second (Mbps). The higher the speed, the faster the data transfer rate is. Most current adapters support a maximum speed of 600 Mbps, but if you need to transfer large data files, make sure your PC and wall outlet can handle this much data transfer.
Ethernet port: Most powerline adapters come with one Ethernet port, but some adapters allow you to add multiple Ethernet ports. This is a useful feature for the home office or if you have multiple devices in your home that must connect to the internet.
Passthrough Powerline Adapter: The Passthrough Powerline Adapter passes through the power line already. So a transmitter and the receiver are connected to each of the endpoints, only those 2 devices are powered by a power line. The transmitter and receiver may or not be in the same room.
The Best Powerline Adapters NZ
1. TP-Link AV1300 Gigabit Passthrough Powerline
The TP-Link AV1300 is a great adapter for a home. It provides ultra-fast powerline transfer speeds of up to 1300 Mbps* and high stability. The 2 x 2 MIMO technology and Ethernet port provide the ultimate Wi-Fi experience, supporting simultaneous connections for users’ smartphones or tablets. You can also enjoy higher speeds by adding an extender to your network with the OneTouch feature. TP-Link’s Plug and Play design makes setting up your adapter quick and easy. With the integrated Power Socket you can use this at home or away from home so you can continue getting fast, seamless wireless/wired connections anywhere there is an outlet.
2. TP-Link AV600 Passthrough Powerline Adapter
The TP-Link AV1300 Gigabit Passthrough Powerline AC WiFi Kit is the perfect kit for connecting all your gadgets to a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection, no matter where they are in your house. These Powerline adapters work by leveraging the electrical wiring in your home to create high speeds of internet connectivity for you. Simply plug one into any available power socket and you’ll instantly establish your own high-speed network with some easy configuration.
With speeds of up to 600Mbps, these adapters are ideal for taking full advantage of all your devices, from streaming content and playing multiplayer games online to working on the go with the mobile app that allows you to connect remotely. With these adapters’ Plug and Play design, there’s no need for any configuration or setup.
3. Netgear PL1000 Powerline 1000 Mbps Bundle
Netgear’s premise of the PL1000 is that the powerline is perfect for connecting smart TVs, streaming players and game consoles; ideal for 4K HD streaming, lag-free gaming and minimization of network downtime. The typical coverage of 500sq mt. also ensures that digital devices work in any room. With a plug-in LED indicator on the side which indicates whether the connection speed is at its highest or not, it’s easy to ensure that you’re getting the best performance possible.
4. TP-Link AV2000 2-Port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline
The TP-Link AV2000 2-Port Gigabit Passthrough Powerline Starter Kit is a wireless adapter that offers an easy installation process that lets you add easy wired connections to your home. With the help of a powerline, this adapter can create high-performance wired connections without the need for new cables. This kit is affordable and perfect for connecting smart TVs, game consoles and computers to your network without having to worry about slow speeds or new wires.
5. Powerline Av2 1000 Passthrough Adapter
The Powerline Av2 1000 Passthrough Adapter Starter Kit is perfect for the home. It not only provides an easy and reliable way to create a wired home network, but it also allows you to use power sockets without the need of buying a new one. This device is reliable, easy and quick to install, perfect for people with busy lives who want something that will work right away.
It also offers increased speeds for your home network and devices: up to 1000 Mbps. The Powerline Av2 1000 Passthrough Adapter powerline kit helps to prevent signal interference -whether from electrical appliances or WiFi- by having an extra pass-through socket available, perfect for a laptop or desktop computer.
FAQ’s
Do Powerline adapters actually work?
Yes. These adapters are a great way of extending the use of your home’s electrical outlets to power devices that aren’t within close proximity to an outlet. These adapters work by allowing you to connect two sets of electrical outlets and share the power among them.
You can use a powerline adapter as a router, allowing all your devices to connect to a single wireless router. It is also useful for providing all your devices with Internet access without the need for Ethernet cables. These adapters are often referred to as “wireless repeaters” because they essentially just ‘repeated’ the electrical signal from one outlet to another.
How far will a powerline adapter work?
The powerline adapter will work up to about 300 meters away from the outlet that it is plugged into. If you’re not too far from an outlet, then this adapter may be the perfect solution for your home’s Wi-Fi woes. This device is simple to install: simply plug it into a nearby electrical outlet and create a new network connection. It’s compatible with most systems and easy to configure.
What is the difference between passthrough and non-passthrough powerline adapters?
A no passthrough powerline adapter has a single port to connect with a power outlet and to connect with another wall socket, while a passthrough adapter has two ports: one for connecting with a power outlet and the other for connecting with another wall socket.