![powerline network kit powerline network kit](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images2500x2500/netgear_plp2000_100pas_plp2000_powerline_2000_with_1381775.jpg)
![powerline network kit powerline network kit](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/b262557d-1d9c-41d0-9263-6d3711baedc1_1.9bc085bce1039c81f04c4152eee6cd14.jpeg)
But the switch from a standard router to one of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers can come with a steep cost. These systems use multiple units to provide a single seamless Wi-Fi network that can expand to cover the largest homes with ease.
Powerline network kit upgrade#
The other alternative is to upgrade to a mesh Wi-Fi system. If that far room shares wiring with the router but doesn't reach far enough to give you signal for repeating, then a powerline extender will be the better choice.įind out more in our article Wi-Fi extenders vs powerline adapters: Everything you need to know. That's a perfectly good option when you can have continuous Wi-Fi between the router and the extender, but wireless extenders do a better job over longer distances. The first is signal booster, like those seen on our best Wi-Fi extenders page, which captures and rebroadcasts wireless signal to boost the reach of your Wi-Fi router. There are two other options to consider when you want to get better connectivity in the furthest reaches of your home. But is a powerline extender right for you? Powerline extenders replace lengthy runs of Ethernet cable with the wiring that's already in your walls, making it a great option for anyone that wants to stretch their network connectivity to new rooms.
![powerline network kit powerline network kit](https://static.tp-link.com/TL-PA4022P_KIT_UK_4.0_05_large_1594352232107w.jpg)
Powerline network kit full#
Read our full Zyxel PLA5456 powerline extender review. Nonetheless, the design offers some convenience with it's added AC outlet, and sales prices could still make the Zyxel a smart buy. The shorter range and limited bandwidth are enough to support basic online activities like web browsing and social media, but are unimpressive compared to our top models. Provided you don't need the better performance required for uses like streaming video or gaming, the Zyxel might be a good fit for homes with less-intensive data needs. It’s no bargain for the two devices, but the PLA5456 is for buyers looking for a powerline extender that quietly does its work behind the scenes. It will help push data throughout your home, but it's big, and delivers adequate (if unexceptional) performance and range. The Zyxel PLA5456 is big and combines a pair of Ethernet ports with a useful monitoring utility and a handy AC passthrough outlet. If your home is even larger or oddly shaped, you may want to consider one of the best mesh routers instead. However, in the typical home, powerline extenders can send signals for about a hundred feet, plenty for people living in an average-sized home. Older homes with complicated wiring may also suffer from reduced range. Plus, the farther the signal has to travel, the less data gets through to the receiver. On the downside though, the data comes out of a wired Ethernet port.
Powerline network kit software#
There aren’t any passwords, software or configuration processes to fuss with. Using a powerline extender couldn’t be simpler: just plug one of the small boxes into an AC next your router and another receiver where you want the data to end up. Our criteria emphasize data throughput, signal range and value – including the device’s price, design and electricity consumption – to whether the extender provides an extra AC outlet to compensate for the one it uses. We’ve used and thoroughly tested the top powerline-extender kits in real-world conditions to help you pick the best system for your home.